The Wanderlust Guide to the Best of Botswana
Botswana is one of Africa’s – if not the world’s – greatest wildlife destinations. Find pristine wilderness, animals galore and fascinating Bushmen culture
The southern African country of Botswana is a combination of desert, delta and diamond mines. Standing head and shoulders above many of its neighbours, it is one of the wealthiest and most stable countries in Sub-Saharan Africa and has all the ingredients of a fantasy safari: abundant wildlife, blood red sunsets and enough wide open spaces to bring an agoraphobic out in a hot sweat.
Here you can get your fill of the Big Five – lion, leopard, elephant, black rhino and buffalo – and sneak a peek at slinky cheetahs, elephants, meerkats, hippos, Nile crocodiles and rag-tag packs of wild dogs.
Botswana can be pricey and hard to get around but, thanks to some admirable responsible tourism practices, you can experience ancient rock art, captivating boat trips and prime game viewing minus the crowds.
What are you waiting for?
Kalahari bushmen (Shutterstock)
Looking for inspiration?
Botswana has it all – bushmen, boababs and big wildlife. And Graeme Green saw it all, from the dry salt pans of the north to the ‘second greatest’ wildlife migration on earth.
Dale Morris, on the other hand, went to the central Kalahari with one thing on his mind: lions. The Central Kalahari Game reserve is one of the best places to see them, with luxurious digs, and the chance to explore the bush – and spot lions – from the back of a horse. If a self-drive safari is more your thing, Mark Eveleigh tackled the same part of the Kalahari with his dad with a 4WD.
Claire Foottit went in search of the Kalahari’s legendary Bushmen and found them clinging to their traditions in the remote corner of the Molapo region.
For something completely different, Chris McIntyre suggests visiting Botswana in the wet season. You’ll get drenched, of course, but the region is teeming with wildlife then and, best of all, you’ll have it pretty much all to yourself.
More information
Bushmen, boababs and big wildlife – Graeme Green
Botswana’s Central Kalahari: Lion Kingdom – Dale Morris
Kalahari dreaming – Mark Eveleigh
Last of the bushmen: Botswana – Claire Foottit
Botswana: a penguin in the desert – Chris McIntyre
