BOTSWANA

Botswana is a spectacular country and a favourite destination for many people when travelling to Southern Africa. It is a relatively flat country with up to 70% of Botswana being covered by the Kalahari Desert. The thing that most people will think of when Botswana comes to mind is its wildlife and this is for good reason. Botswana is unique in that there are no fences between its various reserves and game can roam freely throughout the country. The Okavango Delta is probably the most famous area of the country and rightly so as it is the worlds only inland delta and hosts an incredible concentration of game. December and January are usually the wettest and hottest months and the best time to visit Botswana is between May and October, when the Delta is in flood and game viewing is at its best.

Read more about the Geography of Botswana here

Map of Botswana

(click on the map to see larger version)

The Okavango Delta

The Okavango Delta is an incredible safari destination as well as one of the most beautiful and relaxing places you can visit. The Okavango Delta is found in the northern part of Botswana. It is formed from the Okavango River which starts in Angola and flows southeast into the Kalahari. The Okavango Delta is a result of the seasonal flooding of the Okavango River which channels the water from the January/February rains in Angola. The water eventually reaches the Okavango Delta area and spreads over the 250 x 150 km area between March and June.

The Okavango Delta is at its fullest between June and August and this is also when the highest concentration of animals can be found in the area even though rainfall in the Delta itself is at its highest between December and March. This is mostly in the form of heavy afternoon thunderstorms. December, January and February are hot and wet with daytime temperatures as high as 40C and humidity levels up to 80%. From March to May the temperature drops a bit to a maximum of 30C during the day and mild nights. June, July and August are dry and cold in the Okavango Delta. Daytime temperatures at this time of year are mild to warm but it can be very cold after dark with temperatures close to freezing. September to November sees the heat build up again as the Okavango Delta rainy season comes around once more.

The Okavango Delta is one of Africa's best known safari areas and is renowned for its luxurious camps and amazing wildlife experiences. Some of the camps are only accessible by aircraft or boat and this adds to the intimacy and privacy of a safari holiday in the Okavango Delta. Most of the Okavango Delta is protected today. The most important conservation area is the Moremi Game Reserve but there are many concessions areas surrounding Moremi where private luxury camps are run. There are many benefits of the private concessions, not least being the fact that many of them only take a limited number of guests and as such they are a very private and relaxing experience. Other benefits of the private camps in the Okavango delta include the fact that guides are able to run night drives and to go off road as well as run walking safaris. On the wildlife front, the Okavango Delta has an incredible diversity of wildlife including the big 5 and a huge number of bird species.

We have a range of options throughout the country so please give us a call to chat through your trip to Botswana!