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BOTSWANA OVERVIEW
Botswana is recognised as one of Africa's last remaining pristine wilderness areas. The timeless immensity of the great Kalahari Desert gives way abruptly to the magic of the Okavango Delta, a serene sanctuary of crystal clear waterways, lagoons and a prolific animal population.
Botswana is the “doyen” of safari destinations. It offers the very best of safari experiences; contrasting habitats, great variety of game, an exclusive uncontrived experience and a wonderful array of safari activities.
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Peak months
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mid June - mid November
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Shoulder months
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April - mid June
mid November - December
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Rainy season
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November and December sees the build up to the rains in the form of thunder storms. The bulk of the rains occur January through mid March.
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Epic suggests
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8 - 10 days / 7 - 9 nights, and a selection of three different camps, each located in a contrasting habitat. This way you get variety of scenery, animals and activities including drives, walks and water based activities.
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Sample itinerary
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There are four distinct habitats in the northern part of Botswana. As a general rule, safari-goers take in at least three of these areas in a safari itinerary. The combination however is dependent upon the time of year.
- Perennial delta - this is the permanently inundated regions of the delta. Permanent water occupies roughly a third, generally in the northern reaches, of the delta. The habitat is a patchwork of deep channels, vast lagoons, wooded islands and open floodplains. As a general rule 2 nights are recommended here with the focus being water based activities; motorboats and traditional dugout canoes. Depending upon the location of the camp, game drives and walks are also on offer. These areas therefore offer great diversity of activity and enable one to break the routine of being confined to a vehicle. These areas traditionally don't house the numbers of big game that the seasonal delta and savannah areas do, however they offer a wonderful opportunity to draw breath and appreciate the splendid isolation of the water wilderness that is the Okavango.
- Seasonal delta - these areas are seasonally inundated with floodwaters and are on the periphery of the perennial swamp. The waters are at their peak between May and October whereupon the floodplains are filled with shallow water. This provides a "mecca" for resident game as in the dry season (May to November) the game is concentrated on the water. The seasonal areas house wonderful game and a great array of activities. For this reason we generally advocate 3 nights in the camps located in seasonal delta areas.
- Savannah habitats - savannah habitats are found north of the Okavango up to Victoria Falls.The major areas are the Chobe National Park and the private safari concessions on its periphery; the Linyanti, Selinda and Kwando areas. These areas are drier than the biomes of the Okavango and hence provide a wonderful contrast. In the rainy season (December through March) the game in these areas disperse off the major water systems to take advantage of the sweeter grasses inland. As the drier months come to the fore, the game concentrates in sizeable numbers back on the river systems. It is not unusual to see large herds of elephant and buffalo and a bevy of predator species at this time. Activities offered in these areas normally comprise drives and walks. In some areas boating and canoeing is undertaken as well. Guests ordinarily spend 2 to 3 nights in these areas.
- Desert - Botswana is home to two great desert areas; the Central Kalahari Game Reserve and Nxai Pan National Park. These areas are characterised by endless plains and the widest of skies. They tend to be more seasonal from a game perspective, than the delta and savannah habitats further north, and are at their peak in the rainy season (December to April), when the game is at its most prolific. Guests as a rule spend 2 to 3 nights in these areas.
Possible add-ons include:
How long should I spend on safari?
This is a common question. Many people initially believe that 5 days or so on safari will suffice. However “not knowing what they don’t know”, once they get on safari they appreciate that not only is it just about the game but it is also an incredible environment for one to relax and recuperate in, without the annoyance of modern conveniences. For a family, we would tender that it is one of the, if not THE, best family holiday you will ever have.
How old should my children be to do a safari?
The answer to this varies and depends upon the youngsters. We have had children as young as 4 on safari. Most camps do have age restrictions and it varies from 6 through 12, with the majority allowing children of any age if the camp is hired exclusively. Generally speaking, East Africa (Kenya and Tanzania) are more accommodating of children than camps in Southern Africa.
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