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Botswana Introduction


Botswana is wild safari country, bordered by South Africa, Namibia, Zambia and Zimbabwe.
 

Covering some 231,788 square miles (600,370 square kilometres), it is the 45th largest country in the world, and is only slightly smaller than the US state of Texas. With a population of less than two million inhabitants, it is a land of vast space, mysterious rivers, ancient African cultures and breathtaking wildlife.
 

Due to Botswana’s special remoteness, unique wildlife and interesting ethnic groups, Botswana inspires all visitors. Whether Travelling on a mobile overland safari, luxury fly-in safari, walking trails, dugout canoe excursions, photographic safaris, honeymoon safaris or African cultural expeditions, Botswana will certainly beckon your return visit.
 

From a tapestry of river systems, including the legendary Limpopo, on its southern front to the renowned Chobe in the north, Botswana is dominated by the Kalahari duneland. Although not a true desert, the Kalahari consists of rolling grasslands, prehistoric saltpans, bushveld and woodland. Amidst this sea of sand lies the unique tropical oasis of the Okavango Delta – the largest  inland delta in the world!
 

The diversity of Botswana game reserves is staggering. The vast elephant herds and imposing elephant-killing lion prides of the Chobe National Park are a sight to behold. The Moremi Game Reserve, considered by many Travellers and safari guides to be the most beautiful reserve in Africa, is a must. The Makgadikgadi and Nxai Pan National Parks offer remote camping opportunities and intense wilderness interaction. The stirring land of the Central Kalahari Game Reserve - spiritual heartland of the San Bushmen - is larger than the country of Switzerland and offers unparalleled wilderness and seclusion. Tsodilo Hills is Botswana’s only UNESCO World Heritage Site, famous for San rock art. The combination of isolation, breathtaking scenery, charming safari lodges and teeming herds of African animals are tremendous features of a Botswana safari.
 

Known as the ‘Behuanaland Protectorate’, until independence from the Commonwealth in 1966, Botswana is now one of the most prosperous and stable countries in Africa. A thriving diamond trade (the most intensive in the world), beef exports and eco-tourism support a vibrant and growing economy.
 

With about 200 000 residents, the capital city of Gaborone is located in the south-eastern region, in easy reach of the South African border. This region is by far the most developed and a chain of towns has developed over the years. Including the mining areas of Orapa and Selebi-Phikwe as well as the bustling outpost of Francistown, the south-east is estimated to support 80% of the total population. As a result, the remainder of the country remains untouched and constitutes perhaps the greatest wilderness in Africa.