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New-born giraffe
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One of Africa's success stories, with a healthy economy based on mining, tourism and manufacturing, Botswana is bordered by South Africa, Namibia, Zambia and Zimbabwe. Its geography is dominated by the mighty Kalahari Desert which occupies almost 70% of its territory, the Okavango Delta and the Makgadikgadi Pan, a large salt pan in the north. These provide the habitat for a fantastic range of wildlife, with herds of wildebeest, zebra and other mammals migrating across the scrub-covered savannah and delta to find permanent sources of food and water. Thus it has inevitably become one of southern Africa's most popular safari destinations. Shortly after it gained independence in 1966, Botswana remained one of the earth's ten poorest nations. However, a few years later when underground riches were discovered in the form of diamonds, its fortunes changed dramatically, catapulting it into a period of prosperity that now makes it a destination mainly for those fortunate enough to book an expensive, luxury safari package.
Most of the country's peoples inhabit a wide strip of land known as the eastern hardveld. Its capital city, Gaberone, has ample facilities for visitors and a fascinating University and National Museum and historic quarter known as the 'Village'. Another unique sight is the Orapa House, where Botswana's famous diamonds are dispatched to international markets. The city lies on the doorstep of the Mokolodi Nature Reserve, one of the favoured destinations for wildlife enthusiasts. To the itinerary should then be added the Moremi Wildlife Reserve in the northeast region of the Okavango Delta, an extremely beautiful area teeming with crocodile, buffalo, elephant, giraffe, hippo and lion. Here, the ideal accommodation for avid game enthusiasts is provided in the form of game camps and lodges, from where a typical tour will take you out via the Delta's maze of lagoons and channels in a dugout canoe, in the safe company of a local guide. The town of Maun has developed as a centre for tourism in the area, providi
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The Okavango Delta
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ng also various types of accommodation and tour options. The second largest game park in Botswana is Chobe, known especially for its huge elephant population, which has game lodges dotted along the Chobe River and at Kasane, the main town in northern Botswana. From here it is also just an hour's drive to the Victoria Falls in neighbouring Zimbabwe.
More intrepid adventurers may be drawn to the remote Tsolido Hills, a place shrouded in myth and with special spiritual significance for the local San people, which they believe to be the site of the first Creation. Countless rock paintings dating back to 1,300 AD are to be discovered, telling of the history and culture of the earliest modern inhabitants of southern Africa, the Bushmen. There are other places where the hand crafted products of its ethnic peoples are to be seen. Women in the villages of Etsha and Gumare have developed the craft of basket making from Mokola Palm into an art form, to a point where they are increasingly being produced commercially. Well known also for their beauty are Thamaga Pottery and the woven articles of the Oodi, originating in the southeastern region of Botswana.
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New-born giraffe
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One of Africa's success stories, with a healthy economy based on mining, tourism and manufacturing, Botswana is bordered by South Africa, Namibia, Zambia and Zimbabwe. Its geography is dominated by the mighty Kalahari Desert which occupies almost 70% of its territory, the Okavango Delta and the Makgadikgadi Pan, a large salt pan in the north. These provide the habitat for a fantastic range of wildlife, with herds of wildebeest, zebra and other mammals migrating across the scrub-covered savannah and delta to find permanent sources of food and water. Thus it has inevitably become one of southern Africa's most popular safari destinations. Shortly after it gained independence in 1966, Botswana remained one of the earth's ten poorest nations. However, a few years later when underground riches were discovered in the form of diamonds, its fortunes changed dramatically, catapulting it into a period of prosperity that now makes it a destination mainly for those fortunate enough to book an expensive, luxury safari package.
Most of the country's peoples inhabit a wide strip of land known as the eastern hardveld. Its capital city, Gaberone, has ample facilities for visitors and a fascinating University and National Museum and historic quarter known as the 'Village'. Another unique sight is the Orapa House, where Botswana's famous diamonds are dispatched to international markets. The city lies on the doorstep of the Mokolodi Nature Reserve, one of the favoured destinations for wildlife enthusiasts. To the itinerary should then be added the Moremi Wildlife Reserve in the northeast region of the Okavango Delta, an extremely beautiful area teeming with crocodile, buffalo, elephant, giraffe, hippo and lion. Here, the ideal accommodation for avid game enthusiasts is provided in the form of game camps and lodges, from where a typical tour will take you out via the Delta's maze of lagoons and channels in a dugout canoe, in the safe company of a local guide. The town of Maun has developed as a centre for tourism in the area, providi
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The Okavango Delta
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ng also various types of accommodation and tour options. The second largest game park in Botswana is Chobe, known especially for its huge elephant population, which has game lodges dotted along the Chobe River and at Kasane, the main town in northern Botswana. From here it is also just an hour's drive to the Victoria Falls in neighbouring Zimbabwe.
More intrepid adventurers may be drawn to the remote Tsolido Hills, a place shrouded in myth and with special spiritual significance for the local San people, which they believe to be the site of the first Creation. Countless rock paintings dating back to 1,300 AD are to be discovered, telling of the history and culture of the earliest modern inhabitants of southern Africa, the Bushmen. There are other places where the hand crafted products of its ethnic peoples are to be seen. Women in the villages of Etsha and Gumare have developed the craft of basket making from Mokola Palm into an art form, to a point where they are increasingly being produced commercially. Well known also for their beauty are Thamaga Pottery and the woven articles of the Oodi, originating in the southeastern region of Botswana.