Discover the wild and unspoiled Botswana
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Explore breathtaking landscapes in Botswana.
Embark on an adventure in the heart of authentic Africa.
Must-see locations
Botswana, an adventure in the heart of the wild nature
Just a few kilometers west of the spectacular Victoria Falls in Zimbabwe, Botswana (land of the Tswanas, named after its majority ethnic group) is covered in its vast expanses by immense desert and wild areas, with the Kalahari Desert being the primary representative. But this flat country in Southern Africa, as large as the big island of Madagascar, is much more than a carpet of rock and sand. Botswana stands out from its neighbors thanks to the Okavango Delta region, the second-largest inland delta in the world, a true oasis in the desert, to its four national savanna and prairie parks, including Chobe National Park and Moremi National Park, and to its many game reserves like the unique Central Kalahari.
Going on a safari in Botswana guarantees observing in a 4x4, on foot, or in a mokoro (traditional canoe), in small groups, on a honeymoon, or with family, a wildlife richness visually stunning and populated with giraffes, lions, antelopes, hyenas, elephants, zebras, hippos, rhinos, leopards, or even crocodiles. A tailor-made wildlife journey to contemplate African nature.
An Unforgettable African Adventure
Embark on the discovery of this East African region that offers wildlife an exceptional environment. A tailor-made trip to Botswana will leave you with unforgettable memories, full of animal encounters and experiences under the stars in lodges or around a campfire. Your senses will be awakened at every moment.
Must-See Sites to Visit
The magic of the Okavango Delta lies in the fact that, in the northwest of the country, the Okavango River ends its course in the Kalahari Desert. It irrigates a vast region of greenery and small rivers. During the rainy season, this oasis transforms into a massive wildlife sanctuary. Hundreds of species of birds, fish, and large mammals, such as elephants, hippos, rhinos, and giraffes, thrive there. Predators, like lions, lurk in the tall grass.
The parks in the northwest, such as Makgadikgadi and Nxai Pan, offer savanna and prairie landscapes. They are the hunting grounds for cheetahs and lions during the great migration of zebras and wildebeests. The Chobe National Park, bordered by the Chobe River and the arid Savuti plain, offers total immersion in diverse fauna and flora. These places can be explored by 4x4 or traditional canoe for an unforgettable experience.
Authentic and Wild Discovery
The oldest inhabitants of southern Africa have survived for nearly 20,000 years amidst the dunes and savanna of the Kalahari Desert, at nearly 1,000 meters altitude. A mythical people who refuse to sacrifice their ancestral traditions in the name of modernity. They have never wanted to leave these vast and arid lands that stretch to Namibia, South Africa, Zambia, and even Zimbabwe.
Listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2002, the archaeological site of the Tsodilo Hills, located on the northwestern edge of the Kalahari Desert, has been nicknamed the "Louvre of the Desert" thanks to its thousands of outdoor rock art drawings and paintings, the oldest of which date back to 24,000 BCE. A museum has even been created on-site to trace the history of this location inhabited by humans for 100,000 years.
A Proud and Smiling People
The people of Botswana, from diverse ethnic origins but now well integrated, form a united and proud nation. This explains why begging is absent, even in disadvantaged villages. Furthermore, although the Batswana are not as outgoing as some people from West Africa, the open traveler will receive warm greetings and smiles at every encounter. The children are always welcoming and readily respond to the waving of the passing traveler.
Exploring the Cultures of Botswana
While the wildlife and flora are the stars of this destination, the curious traveler will be delighted to discover the many facets of Botswanan culture. It is now possible to visit a Bayei village in the Okavango or a Basubiya village in Chobe, to meet a San group through a multilingual interpreter, or to discover Tswana cultures. The diversity of customs and peoples is an asset increasingly leveraged by the tourism industry.
A Craft Treasure at the Heart of Africa
Botswana does not boast a vast diversity of crafts, but its specialties are honed to a level of excellence. This is particularly true of basketry, practiced by women throughout the country and especially in Ngamiland. The baskets, whether round or flat, closed or open, are always finely decorated and make superb decorative pieces. One can also mention the San arts, which are prominently featured in the Ghanzi region. Their necklaces and bracelets made of leather and ostrich eggshells are remarkably elegant.
Hospitality and Professionalism in Tourism
The professionalism of the tourism sector is remarkable in Botswana. Tour operators offer quality services, and the accommodations meet Western standards while preserving their African essence. The activities offered ensure travelers' safety and complete immersion. For example, on the Chobe River, you can get close to elephants by boat within a few meters and crocodiles within a few centimeters. In the Okavango, it is possible to walk in the heart of the bush and approach a herd of buffalo while staying downwind.
The guides take pride in taking travelers as far as reasonable, primarily for their safety. To fully enjoy the country, preparing your trip in advance is essential. Most travelers work with a tour operator to organize their itinerary according to their requirements. However, some prefer to explore the country on their own, an option that requires extensive preparation. It is also possible to be accompanied by a tour operator for advice and itineraries.
An Adventure Trip
If the tourist is in search of adventure, they will find it in Botswana, both in nature and in encounters with local peoples. The choices are vast: trekking on foot through the Okavango savannah while predators roam, cycling through the Tuli Block reserve, going on a horseback safari, or paddling up a small channel of the Okavango in a mokoro. It is also possible to explore the vastness of the salt pans or the fossilized valleys of the Kalahari, to learn the survival techniques of the San, or to meet other ethnic groups in the country: Bayei, Basubiya, Tswana.
Ecotourism and Sustainable Development
Traveling to Botswana is above all about enjoying oneself, immersing in absolutely spectacular wild nature, and enriching oneself through encounters with its people. In doing so, the traveler participates in the conservation of this otherwise threatened wildlife and flora and contributes to the well-being of village communities. A large program aimed at protecting nature while directing the benefits of ecotourism to the most disadvantaged communities is underway in Botswana.
The traveler, by visiting the country's natural reserves, thus contributes to the dynamism of its third economic sector and increasingly encourages its inhabitants to protect and enhance this natural and cultural heritage.
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