Summer in Africa

Where would I prefer to be in a year? Summer time in Africa, specifically summer in Botswana, Southern Africa. Why? That's the best time of the year to go on safari. The summer season begins in November and ends in March. Those are the cold months in the U.S. You can see the incentive. Summer is also the rainy season and cloud coverage can cool things down considerably, for a short period of time. Botswana has several national parks and wildlife preserves. Of note are the Kalahari Desert and the Okavango Delta. The Kalahari Desert stretches into South Africa and Namibia and the Okavango Delta which rises from the highlands of Angola. The delta is also known as "The River Which Never Finds the Sea". It is the last remnant of the great Lake Makgadikgadi whose waters and swamps once covered much of Middle Kalahari.

The best place to go to in Botswana is the Okavango Delta which is considered one of the most incredible wildlife and wilderness sanctuaries in Africa. It is also the largest inland delta in the world with an area of 15000km² and is filled with channels, lagoons, swamps and islands. It also has a huge diversity of flora and fauna. During the summer, the floodplains are transformed into a tapestry of green which draws grazers from the woodland onto the plains to give birth. There is a myriad of migratory bird species and the green luxuriance of the delta makes for spectacular photographic backdrops and sightings. The most amazing sight is watching a Kingfisher dive over the Delta at sunset and coming up with a fish between its talons.

There are several safari companies that can take the tourist or native on a safari outing. They also offer a variety of activities for the price they ask. One thing for any traveler to try is the Mokoro ride, it is a boat trip made in a hollowed out log. There are also boating and fishing trips, nature walks, as well as day and night time drives. The types of game that can be seen at this time of year are elephant, buffalo, leopard, tsessebe, zebra and wildebeest, hippo and crocodile. The bird species that are found there are Meyer's Parrot, African Harrier Hawk, Black egret, Coppery-tailed Coucal, Malachite Kingfisher, Hamerkop and Black Crake. There is a wonder to behold in the Okavango Delta. The only problem you might come away with from the trip is whiplash...because there is so much to see.

This is where I would love to be in a year. I could take my son, who has not been exposed to this environment, and show him that not all animals are caged. I would like him to be able to see the beauty beyond understanding of nature and to enjoy and be afraid of the sounds of nature. If anyone has the inclination to go on vacation, Botswana is the place to go. You'll wonder why you never went before.

References:

http://www.pulapulapula.co.uk/Spring-Summer.html

http://www.botswana-tourism.gov.bw/climate/climate.html

http://www.bushbreaks.co.za/bot_overview.php

http://www.webstockpro.com/Stock-Photos-okavango+delta/