Why you should visit Botswana – Why go to Botswana for African safari? – What makes Botswana so special?
Why you should visit Botswana: Botswana’s primary attraction is its vast wilderness. From the endless palm-covered islands of the Okavango Delta, to the moonscape saltpans of the Makgadikgadi region, it’s the perfect destination for anyone seeking pristine, unfenced surroundings.
Botswana’s commitment to safeguarding its wildlife heritage is unparalleled in Africa. The country covers a total area of 581,730 square kilometres, and approximately 40% of this land falls within a wildlife-protected area. These areas are a sanctuary for the world’s largest concentration of elephant, and a stronghold for other endangered large mammals such as the black rhinoceros, African wild dog, cheetah and lion.
For avian enthusiasts, there exists no better place in the world to view the Slaty Egret and Wattled Crane, and seeing the illusive Pels Fishing Owl for the first time has been known to bring bird-watchers to tears! In 2014, Botswana consolidated its position as a conservation leader by banning commercial hunting, paving the way for former hunting areas to be transformed into photographic safari destinations.
The government’s decision to opt for a high-quality, low-impact tourism model means that safari-goers can generally avoid congested game drives, especially when staying in one of the many privately operated concessions, which commonly have their visitor density limited to around one guest per 50 square kilometres.
These concessions, licensed out to top safari companies, boast some of the most luxurious yet eco-conscious lodges and camps in Africa. In order to lease the land, lodge owners must show commitment to uplifting local communities by providing jobs for people in close proximity to concession boundaries. Today wildlife and tourism employs around 45% of adults in Botswana, making it the country’s’ second largest income earner after diamonds.
The stunning Okavango Delta
One of Africa’s Seven Natural Wonders, the Okavango Delta spreads across 15,000 square kilometres and has some of the country’s most famous wildlife. Giraffes, elephants, spotted hyena, black rhino, and even Nile crocodiles can be found here.
The vast beauty of the Kalahari Desert
The breath-taking sand dunes of the Kalahari seem never-ending. Yet they hide many wonders. The Gcwihaba Caverns feature two storey caves with stunning stalactites and stalagmites, while each year from December to April, thousands of Zebras migrate across its vast tracts of sand.
A huge big cat population
It is one of the top places to see all kinds of big cats in Africa, from leopards to lions and cheetahs. This is again a result of Botswana’s persistent conservation efforts in places like Chobe National Park