Botswana: Central southern Africa. Botswana is landlocked and is
bordered by South Africa to the south, Zimbabwe to the east, Namibia to the
west, Angola to the north and Zambia to the north east.
Capital: Gabarone (South east). Language: English & Setswana
Original inhabitants were the Bushmen who rom the 18 century were pushed into
the central Kahalari by expansions of Tswana, Ndebele and the Afrikaner. In 1885
Britain made it a protectorate, Bechuanaland, to keep it from German Expansion
in Namibia. The protectorate was badly administrated and remained one of the
poorest countries in the world with cattle ranching its main income provider.
One year after gaining independence the worlds second largest diamond pipe was
discovered in Orapa. It now provides 70% of export earnings and Botswana has one
of the fastest growing economies.
Botswana became independent from Britain in 1966. Botswana was dependent on
both South Africa for food imports, and on the wages of Botswana mine workers
working in South Africa for income.
Generally a sub tropical climate, arid in the south and west. Maximum daily
temperatures vary from 23-32 Celsius.During the winter months, May to September,
there are occasional overnight frosts.
Beyond the narrow eastern corridor where the majority of the population is
concentrated, Botswana is a largely roadless wilderness of savannas, deserts,
wetlands and salt pans.
To ensure the country's natural assets are preserved, Botswana's government
has embraced a policy of courting primarily high-cost, low-impact tourism.
The Kalahari Desert covers four-fifths of Botswana and 17% of the country is
covered by National Parks and a further 22% has been set aside as wildlife
management areas. The region in the north and northeast is where the main
tourist areas are found. This region plays host to the famous Okavango Delta,
The Moremi Wildlife Reserve, Chobe National Park and the Savute Marsh
(south-western Chobe).
The Delta, Moremi and Savute are accessed by light aircraft from Maun or
Kasane. There are daily flights from Johannesburg to Maun. Travel within
Botswana is mainly by light aircraft (Cessna 206, 210, Caravan or Islander).
This allows the guest to fly directly into the lodges. Inter-camp transfers are
usually done by air, or occasionally by boat (depending on the combination of
camps). There is also an optional road transfer service between the Botswana
lodges, should you not wish to fly.Due to its proximity to Victoria Falls,
Botswana is often combined with a stay in the Falls.
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