| |
A vast land-locked area of approximately 600 000 square km,
Botswana is divided from its neighbours, South Africa,
Zimbabwe
and Namibia,
mainly by rivers, some of which flow only during the wet season. Two-thirds
of the country is covered by the Kalahari Desert, a wind-blown, semi-arid, flat plain.
Previously a British Protectorate, Botswana became an independent
republic in 1966. It has a population of more than one million, concentrated
mainly in the catchment area of the Limpopo and the eastern
part of the country. Botswana has three diamond mines, and diamonds
are the main export. Tourism is very important, but the remoteness of the terrain
makes it difficult for independent, individual tourists. Wildlife is of vital
importance and 17 per cent of the country has been proclaimed as either National
Parks or Game Reserves.
The Okavango
Delta is created by the Okavango River, the third largest in Southern Africa, spreading out on reaching
Botswana.
After passing through the Popa Rapids, the river creates an enormous delta of
over 15 000 square km. This consists of a network of channels, ox-bow lakes,
flood plains and islands. The main attraction of the Delta is its beauty and
solitude. Safaris centre on fishing, walking and bird-watching or gliding through
the clear water on a “mokoro” (wooden dug-out).
Chobe is one of the richest
wildlife areas in Africa. There is an abundance of game,
in particular great herds of buffalo and elephant. Boating can be undertaken
on the Chobe River, which offers an ideal opportunity
for bird-watching and viewing game. The Chobe National
Park has one of the largest elephant populations in Africa, estimated at over
35 000 (more than five times the entire elephant population of South Africa).
The Moremi Wildlife Reserve lies entirely on tribally owned
land, which was set aside in 1962 to be protected for future generations. Extended
in 1970, the reserve now covers most of the north-eastern and central Okavango
Delta and supports a vast range of animals, including cheetah and wild dog,
and an abundance of birdlife. Moremi includes both the Delta and the desert.
There are a number of public camp sites within the reserve. Lodges offer game-drives
and boating on the Okavango waterways.
Savuti is located at the southern end of the enormous Chobe National Park.
The expanses of uninhabited land contain an abundance of wildlife, particularly
predators, including lion, leopard, cheetah, hyena, jackal and wild dog. Nearly
300 species of birds have been recorded in the Savuti during the summer season.
Accommodation is offered in private game lodges and tented camps.
The Kalahari Desert is a semi-desert area comprising almost
two-thirds of Botswana.
Best known as the home of the Bushmen or San people, the area has low vegetation,
bare pans and vast open spaces. There are four Game Reserves in the Kalahari:
Khutze Game Reserve, Central Kalahari Game Reserve, Mabua Sehube Game Reserve
and the Gemsbok National Park. The Kalahari Gemsbok
National Park is situated in the south-western area
of Botswana. This is a dry area
with high sand dunes and deep fossil river beds. The park is known for its
huge herds of springbok, blue wildebeest, red hartebeest and also the various
predators, lion, cheetah, hyena and jackal. Entrance to this park is from South Africa as there is no entrance from the Botswana side.
Gaborone
is Botswana's
capital. Dating back to 1887 when a village was built on the banks of the Ngotwane
River, Gaborone now has a population in excess of 150 000. Nearby places of
interest include the Kolobeng Ruins, Oodi Weavers - 18 km north of Gaborone, Pelegano Village Industries in the Gabane Village, the Mokolodi Crafts - 15 km
south of Gaborone on the Lotatse
Road, and the Manyelanong Sanctuary. Francistown, dating back to the gold rush in 1860, is the second largest
town after Gaborone. It is well positioned
and is a main stop-over point to the Okavango, Moremi and
Chobe Game Reserves. Maun is the gateway to
the Okavango Delta and the Moremi Game Reserve. Air Botswana flies regularly to Maun.
Kasane is a small border town in the northern
area of Botswana, bordering
Zimbabwe.
The new international Airport is a gateway for visitors to the Chobe
National Park.
|
