To the assault of nature!
Despite its relative flatness, Botswana is also a country of contrasts and surprises. The hills of Tsodilo contain some of the most beautiful rock paintings on the planet. The salt pans of central Botswana - Sowa, Makgadikgadi, Nxai and Ntwetwe - offer landscapes of dizzying emptiness where the eye meets absolutely nothing on the horizon. The Tuli Block region is very rugged with its chaotic ochre and orange rocks. The gentle landscapes of the Kalahari semi-desert invite you to rest, the plains of the Chobe River plunge the traveler into the classic images of wild Africa only a few dozen kilometers from the Victoria Falls of the Zambezi River. Finally, the Okavango Delta unfolds its landscapes as grandiose as fragile in the labyrinth of channels of the mythical river.
Above all, Botswana is without doubt a great safari destination. The wildlife is king and the wildlife shows are compared in few other countries. The vastness of the natural territories, with their varied landscapes, allows the traveler to immerse himself totally and to open wide his senses. The very low population density of the country (about 3 inhabitants/km²) and the policy of low tourist volume guarantee a privileged observation of the wildlife. Here, it happens that one does not cross another vehicle of the day in the various reserves of the country. The Okavango Delta, Moremi, Chobe, Makgadikgadi, Central Kalahari or Tuli Block are true monuments of African nature.
Superb national parks
Almost 40% of the country's surface is dedicated to the conservation of natural heritage. The four national parks as well as the reserves and protected management areas present contrasting landscapes whose vastness makes them the top destination for nature lovers. The Okavango Delta, one of the largest in Africa, remains a sanctuary of unspoiled nature. On more than 18 000m2, it offers the spectacle of a mosaic of colors made of marshes, islands out of nowhere and channels lined with reeds and papyrus. This green labyrinth surrounded by crystal clear water draws the tracks of pachyderms who came to refresh themselves during their migration and makes it one of the favorite playgrounds of the biggest predators. The Moremi Game Reserve will charm the self-drive traveler. The arid plains frequented by lions and leopards give way to forests of acacia and mopane. Chobe Park, home to the largest concentration of elephants in the world, is a must-see. It remains one of the most accessible parks and presents an extremely varied fauna. A little further south, a blazing sun floods the endless expanses of the Kalahari. This desert occupies more than half of the territory and overflows happily into the surrounding countries. Finally, in the extreme east of the country, the Tuli Block, at the crossroads of the borders, reveals the glowing landscapes of an African Wild West.
A multitude of activities
This fauna, this flora and these incredible landscapes call and remind travelers who wish to approach them in all possible ways. Botswana allows this multitude of approaches, by car(game drive, day and night), on foot, by plane, by helicopter, by motorboat, by mokoro, on horseback, by bicycle and even under the protection of a friendly elephant! Everything is done to make the most of this wilderness.
If the tourist is looking for adventure, in Botswana he will find it in the nature itself as well as in the encounter with the people of Botswana
Encountering cultures
If the fauna and flora are the stars of this destination, the curious traveler will be pleased to discover the multiple facets of the Botswana culture. It is now possible to visit a Bayei village in the Okavango or a Basubiya village in the Chobe, to meet a San group through a multilingual interpreter or to discover the Tswana cultures. The diversity of customs and peoples is an asset increasingly exploited by the tourism industry.
Botswana people are ethnically diverse but now well integrated, forming a proud and united people. This explains why begging is absent, even in disadvantaged villages. Moreover, if the Batswana are not extroverted like some West African people, the open-minded traveler will receive warm greetings and smiles at every encounter. The children are always welcoming and respond readily to the hand signals of the passing traveler.
A sharp craft
Botswana does not have a great diversity of crafts, but its specificities are pushed to the level of excellence. This is the case for basketry, which is practiced by women throughout the country and particularly in Ngamiland. The baskets, round or flat, closed or open, always finely decorated, are superb decorative pieces. San arts are also well represented in the Ghanzi region. Their necklaces and bracelets made of leather and ostrich egg shells are of the highest elegance.
A safe and comfortable destination
While Africa can sometimes frighten travelers with its political instability or extreme poverty, Botswana is the opposite of this image of the continent. The country is economically prosperous and begging is virtually absent. Democracy is embedded in the traditional way of life of the Botswana people who can be proud to live in the most peaceful and secure country in the world. While the country has an extraordinary natural heritage, its history, both cultural and political, is no less impressive: since its independence in 1966, the country has never known war and democratically governs a territory with multiple tribal origins.
Traveling to Botswana is a comfortable experience, whether you are camping or staying in hotels. The art of camping is pushed to its perfection and the most reluctant are willingly converted to it. As far as food is concerned, the culinary culture is not very developed in Botswana, so the meals are mainly of European influence and quite tasty. It is an ideal destination for a first African experience, a trip to be considered in all serenity.
Ecotourism, conservation and development
Traveling to Botswana is first and foremost about enjoying yourself, immersing yourself in an absolutely spectacular wilderness and enriching yourself by meeting its people. In doing so, the traveler participates in the conservation of this threatened fauna and flora and contributes to the development of village communities. A vast program aimed at protecting nature while directing the benefits of ecotourism to the most disadvantaged communities is at work in Botswana. The traveler, by visiting the country's nature reserves, contributes to the dynamism of its third economic sector and encourages its inhabitants to protect and enhance this natural and cultural heritage.
Today, Botswana must face a major challenge: preserving the Bushmen, who remain the protagonists of this nature in its raw state, which makes it an extraordinary destination.
Smart info
When is it? There is no real season to visit Botswana. It all depends on your interests. Each season offers different wildlife spectacles. On the other hand, not all regions can be visited all year round. For cultural tourism and in the main tourist centers, all seasons are satisfactory
Getting there. The price of a flight from Paris to Gaborone varies between €900 and €1,600
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