Botswana: An Amazing Safari Destination

Botswana is an African country roughly the size of France or Texas, and is entirely landlocked, bordered by South Africa, Namibia, Zambia and Zimbabwe. Botswana is a democratic country with the lowest population in Africa (1. 5 million people), and with the highest number of young people anywhere; 43% of the total population is 15 years of age or younger! Botswana obtained its independence from England in 1966

English is the official language of Botswana, and it is used for government and business affairs. Thereafter, Setswana is the national language, along with various other ethnic languages which are widely spoken.

Why visit Botswana?

The traveler to Botswana has the chance to see some awe-inspiring vistas in nature, and perhaps the last areas in Africa that remain natural with prolific wildlife. Depending on the areas visited, the visitor can see the coveted Big Five animals, wetlands, deserts and cultural areas.

Getting to Botswana

Reaching Botswana from South Africa and Zimbabwe via the national airline, Air Botswana is easy and nearly affordable. Their flights are considerably frequent, and there are various routes to choose from.

Our Amazing Safari Experiences

Day 1 & 2

In July 2009 my husband and I embarked on what we consider to be an amazing adventure of a lifetime. We left Johannesburg for a two day trip to Victoria Falls on the Zimbabwe side. On day 3, we were driven by private car across the border, into Kasane, Botswana, where the first private lodge operator picked us up.

Days 3 & 4

In Kasane, a driver from the Munchenje Lodge picked us up, and drove us towards the Chobe National Park for about 45 minutes, where our first accommodation, the Muchenje Lodge is located. The drive itself took us on a tar road inside the national park, and along the way we spotted zebras, elephants, giraffes, and antelopes, much to our excitement. The lodge is situated on a hill, with commanding views of the Chobe River flood plains.

The Lodge is situated on the western border of the Chobe National Park, and inside the Chobe Forest Reserve. There are no other lodges in the immediate area, so the visitor can enjoy a truly remote and rustic location. We enjoyed two nights/days at this wonderful lodge. The lodge managers, JJ and Kathy certainly made us feel welcome.

The Chobe National Park remains one of Africa's most important wildlife areas known for its huge herds of elephants and buffalo; the area enjoys the greatest concentration of game found on the Continent. Bird lovers will not be disappointed when traveling down the Chobe River by boat, as there are more than 450 bird species recorded in the area. The wildlife seems to enjoy the waters of the Chobe River, and you'll see vast numbers of elephants, hippos, Cape buffalos bathe in, and drink the river's waters.

The opportunities to see wildlife are endless in this area, and if you're lucky, you'll see an elephant or two climb up the hill and come drink some water at the Muchenje swimming pool!

Days 5 & 6

After the morning drive at Chobe National Park and breakfast, we were driven to Kasane Airport where we took a light aircraft to the Orient-Express Eagle Island Lodge, located in the Okavango Delta. The total flight time is approximately 80 minutes, but only because there are two stops along the way: the Shorobe and then Elephant Camp in Savuti. The last stop was our destination, the Eagle Island Lodge. The light aircraft run by Delta Air was comfortable, and I sat in the front, next to the pilot; it was exciting to see the pilot work the instruments, etc.

The altitude on the longer flight segment was never more than 3,000 feet, and on the shorter flight we flew at 1,500 feet, which was perfect for observing the wildlife below us, and the fascinating, ever-undulating Okavango Delta

The Okavango Delta

The Kwando (Cuando in Portuguese) River originates in Angola and spreads its waters into the delta as it enters Botswana through Shakawe. The Okavango Delta, found exclusively in Botswana, isa river that does not empty into the sea; it disappears into the earth as it travels into the more arid regions of Botswana.

The Okavango Delta is the world's only largest inland delta and it is home to approximately 40 species of large mammals, and around 400 bird species; the plant life is also quite abundant. The Delta may be known as a swamp, but the water is remarkably clear, and is heavily stocked with fish, which is perhaps why the area is famous for being home to the Fish eagles!

The Eagle Island Camp is located on Xaxaba island, an area with so many waterways, that one can spend the entire day in a boat going around the various channels, taking in the beauty of the waterways, the birds, mammals, and those hippos that seem to pop out of nowhere! This is one place however, as inviting as it looks, that is not suitable for swimming, unless you want become crocodile lunch!

Another attraction while staying in the Okavango Delta is the opportunity to observe nature while sitting in a narrow "mokoro" canoe (a traditional dugout canoe). Your guide is likely a man who was born and raised in the delta, and knows the area like the back of his hand. He knows exactly where to go, as well as the name of just about every animal and bird seen there. He is not only your guide, he is your teacher, and he will share with you the wisdom of the swamp. It's truly magical!

The area is indeed quite rich in wildlife and a veritable paradise!

Day 7 & 8

After our morning drive in nearly freezing temperatures and after a hearty brunch, we were picked up from the private airstrip at Eagle Island and took our chartered flight to the Orient-ExpressKhwai River Lodge. The flight is only 30-minutes by light aircraft!

Again, we flew over the Okavango Delta, passing the vast grassy water channels and spotting the occasional game the naked eye could see. The Khwai River lodge sits on the fringes of the Khwai River and the Moremi Game Reserve, as well as the eastern part of the Okavango Delta.

The Moremi Game Reserve

This is a protected area designated as a game reserve by Chief Moremi's wife, in 1963. The Khwai River boasts large concentrations of mammals and birds. The Moremi is rated as one of the most prolific wildlife areas in Botswana, and we could see and hear the wildlife from our tents! The area is amazing and while out on game drives, we saw the Big Five, fowl, raptors, etc. Every drive was an exhilarating experience!

As our astonishingly rugged Land Cruiser tackled the craggy and uneven terrain, one scent was omnipresent: wild sage, whose fragrance is released as its leaves are brushed (or crushed in our case). Wild sage has indeed a pungent fragrance, a wonderful smell like no other, and very unique to the African bush.

On day #9, after our last morning drive and yet another hearty brunch (we ate too much each day), we were taken to the Lodge's private airstrip (2 minutes away) and we took a chartered flight to the city of Maun where we would board the Air Botswana flight back to Johannesburg. We had to drop off two guests at the Eagle Island Lodge, which allowed us to extend our visit to the Okavango Delta, if only from a distance.

Conclusion

To say we now know Botswana is a lie, as we've only discovered a piece of Botswana's magnificent northern region of the Chobe River, the Okavango Delta, and the Moremi Game Reserve. Botswana has much more to offer, and one only needs time and money!

Ask any Botswanan how they feel about their country, and with a gleam in their eyes, they will tell you that there is no other place they rather be. As a visitor, I yearn to return once again; I guess the bush bug bit me!

Botswana is truly a blessed country: there are simply not many places on earth that remain as pristine or with such variety and abundance of wildlife.

I hope that with intelligent planning and respect for the environment, the Botswana Tourism Board and the powers that be, will manage the influx of visitors in a sensitive manner and with great respect for nature. After all, from what I've read about various sub-Saharan countries, it seems Botswana may be the last refuge for wildlife.