Botswana More About
Tourist Information
One of Africa\’s most popular and exclusive safari destinations, Botswana is a fascinating world, home to well-known landmarks such as the Okavango Delta, the Kalahari Desert and the Chobe National Park. To help you prepare for your holiday here are some interesting, lesser-known facts about the country.
Facts and Figures
Spanning across 600 370km2 (231,788 miles²) Botswana is one of Africa\’s most popular tourism destinations. Located in southern Africa, just north of South Africa, Botswana is bordered by South Africa, Namibia, Zambia and Zimbabwe and is home to over 1.5 million people. This varied and fascinating country has some unique and outstanding facts and trivia around it.
The Land
At 600 370km² (231,788 miles²) Botswana is a similar size to Madagascar and is just slightly smaller than Texas and only slightly larger than France.
The Kalahari Desert covers over 80% of Botswana resulting in its climate being mostly arid to semi-arid. Rainfall occurs mainly in summer with the peak times being in January. The average rainfall is about 500mm per year in the northeast and less than 250mm in the other parts of the country, some countries or areas, such as Chocó in Columbia can receive 500 mm of rain in just one day.
The Okavango River runs through the centre of the Kalahari Desert, creating the unique ecosystem known as the Okavango Delta, from which the abundant bird and wildlife populations flourish. The Okavango River Delta is one of the world\’s largest inland deltas. Chobe National Park is located on the banks of part of the Okavango River and is home to over 120 000 Elephants.A predominantly flat landscape, the two highest points in Botswana are Otse Mountain, which is 1 491 metres, and the Tsodilo Hills which is 1 489 metres. Both of these points are taller than Cape Town\’s iconic Table Mountain which is only 1 085 metres high. Tanzania\’s Mount Kilimanjaro is almost 4 times higher than both points.
Tsodilo Hills is well-known for its bushmen rock art with over 4 500 paintings being found in the various caves in the hills. Most of these paintings date back over hundred thousand years ago.
The Economy
Despite the stigma of being \’in third-world Africa\’, Botswana is a very well-off or rich country thanks to the wealth of diamonds found in there. A politically stable country and most of the population enjoys a high standard of living. Botswana has maintained one of the world\’s highest economic growth rates since 1966.
Most of the diamonds mined in the country are mined by a company called Debswana, a 50/50 joint venture between DeBeers and the Botswana government. The richest mine in the country, and in the entire world is located in the south and is known as Jwaneng Diamond Mine.
The currency in Botswana is known as the Pula. The Pula has been in circulation since 1976, prior to which the country used the South African Rand. The word Pula means \’rain\’ in Setswana and refers to the money being precious as Botswana does not get a lot of rain and therefore it is an important resource.
Okavango Delta
One of the most sought after wilderness destinations in the world, the Okavango Delta gives entrance to the spectacle of wild Africa such as dreams are made of – the heart-stopping excitement of big game viewing, the supreme tranquillity and serenity of an untouched delta, and evocative scenes of extraordinary natural beauty.
A journey to the Okavango Delta – deep into Africa’s untouched interior – is like no other. Moving from wetland to dryland – traversing the meandering palm and papyrus fringed waterways, passing palm-fringed islands, and thick woodland, resplendent with lush vegetation, and rich in wildlife – reveals the many facets of this unique ecosystem, the largest intact inland delta in the world.
The Okavango Delta is situated deep within the Kalahari Basin, and is often referred to as the ‘jewel’ of the Kalahari.
That the Okavango exists at all – deep within this thirstland – seems remarkable. Shaped like a fan, the Delta is fed by the Okavango River, the third largest in southern Africa. It has been steadily developed over the millennia by millions of tonnes of sand carried down the river from Angola.
There are three main geographical areas:
- the Panhandle
- the Delta
- dryland
The Panhandle begins at the Okavango’s northern reaches, at Mohembo, extending down for approximately 80 kilometres. Its corridor-like shape is contained within two parallel faults in the Earth’s crust. Here the river runs deep and wide and the swamps are perennially flooded. The dominant vegetation is vast papyrus beds and large stands of phoenix palms. The main tourist attractions of the Panhandle are fishing, birding and visiting the colourful villages that line its western fringes.
At Seronga, the fan-shaped Delta emerges, and the waters spill over the Delta, rejuvenating the landscape and creating stunning mosaics of channels, lagoons, ox-bow lakes, flooded grasslands and thousands upon thousands of islands of an endless variety of shapes and sizes. Many of the smaller islands are grandiose termitaria built by fungus-growing termites, one of 400 termite species in Africa, whose fantastic structures are a source of refuge and food for many animals.
The Delta region of the Okavango can vary in size from 15 000 square kilometres during drier periods to a staggering 22 000 square kilometres during wetter periods. Its dominant plant species are reeds, mokolwane palms, acacia, sycamore fig, sausage trees, raintrees and African mangosteen.
At the Delta’s lower reaches, the perennial swamps give way to seasonal swamps and flooded grasslands. To the southeast the third vegetation region becomes evident, as it changes to true dryland. There are three major land masses here: the Matsebi Ridge, Chief’s Island and the Moremi tongue. Here the vegetation is predominantly mophane, acacia and scrub bush and the land is dotted with pans. It is to this region that large numbers of mammals retreat during the dry winter months.
Major tourist attractions in the Delta and the dryland areas are game viewing, birding and boating, often in the traditional mokoro. The diversity and numbers of animals and birds can be staggering. A recent overview of the Okavango records 122 species of mammals, 71 species of fish, 444 species of birds, 64 species of reptiles and 1300 species of flowering plants. A successful rhino reintroduction programme in the Okavango now puts the population of White Rhino at approximately 35, and Black Rhino at 4.
Major species to be seen include:
elephant, buffalo, giraffe, zebra, hippo, crocodile, rhino, red lechwe, waterbuck, reedbuck, duiker, impala, kudu, steenbok, wildebeest, hartebeest, sable, roan, tsessebe, lion, leopard, cheetah, genet, serval and caracal along with an immense variety of birds – land and water, resident and migratory, some of which are rare and endangered.
It should be noted, however, that game viewing very much depends on the season, and water and food availability.
The Okavango is a proposed World Heritage Site. Its long-term conservation is ensured through government policy and regulations (though only Moremi Game Reserve has an official protected status), the efforts and initiatives of camps and lodges in its concessions, the recently launched Okavango Development Management Plan (ODMP) and its status as a Ramsar site, under IUCN, an agreement that limits its utilisation and development.
Game Viewing
Botswana is one of the most sought after safari destinations in Africa with many diverse areas from deserts to lush delta grassland to forest, and a range of animal and bird species to be seen on game drives. Botswana has many parks, reserves and private concessions open to game drives and these all provide different and unique experiences. There is strict control over driving in the official national parks and reserves, with off-roading and night driving prohibited but this does not prevent spectacular sightings as the day drives are very productive.
The private concession areas outside the parks and reserves provide opportunities for off-road driving and night drives although both activities are done in moderation. The highlights of game viewing in Botswana is a high number of predators in many areas; the ability to view animals from up close and pristine wilderness areas that can be enjoyed by using open vehicles for better viewing experience. Lion sightings are common and rare, depending in your location. Rhino tracking can be added to an itinerary on request.
Game Drive
The main event on any safari is the game drives. Botswana is one of the best destinations in Africa to give a wonderful safari experience, particularly, due to the large and diverse numbers of animals and birds and the relatively small number of fellow tourists. All the lodges use open-sided 4×4 vehicles with seating for either six or nine people, which means everyone gets great uninterrupted views of the scenery and wildlife. There are no minibuses or enclosed vehicles here, but if you have not been on safari before you may not realise how crucial this is to the overall enjoyment of the experience. Game drives are the main activity at most lodges in Botswana, particularly in the Game Reserves and National parks such as Moremi, Tuli area, Chobe and Kalahari National Parks, and you will normally do two per day depending on one’s choice of activity and itinerary.
Language
English is an official language in Botswana. It is taught at schools and is widely spoken in all urban centres. Even in rural areas, many local villagers (especially younger ones who have received schooling) will be able to converse in English. All guides and general staff in the camps, lodges and hotel have got a good command of English.
Electrical Supply
Electricity is supplied at 220/240v. Both square and round wall plugs are used.
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