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BOTSWANA - SAFARI COUNTRY
Botswana distances:
For people who enjoy travel, nature, and animals, visiting Botswana will leave an everlasting impression.
Botswana is bordered by South Africa in the south , Namibia to the west and to the north, and Zimbabwe to the east. The local currency is the Pula, and they are 2 hours ahead of GMT. Gaborone, Botswana’s capital, is renowned for its business facilities, art, and cultural displays.
The country boasts a landscape unlike any other. From the sandy dunes of the Kalahari Desert to the rich waterways of the Okavango Delta, the largest inland river delta in the world, visitors will find an abundance of wildlife and natural wonders. The Okavango Delta is teeming with hippos and crocodiles, making it an excellent spot for year-round game viewing and bird watching in the summer months.
Botswana’s remote parks and reserves offer a unique and diverse experience, not easily accessible to many travellers. It is truly one of the richest wildlife regions in Africa, home to the largest herds of elephants on the continent. Chobe National Park is one of the best places to witness these majestic animals. A reliable 4x4 vehicle is recommended for travel within the National Parks due to rough roads.
At Kazangula, where Botswana borders Namibia and Zambia, visitors have the opportunity to see three African countries at once. The area's small islands are rich in birdlife, plants, and other animals.
Temba can guide you through this wilderness wonderland, helping you choose the best route and assisting with your overnight accommodation booking.
Despite its humble beginnings, Botswana has developed into one of Africa's wealthiest countries since gaining independence from the United Kingdom in 1966. Diamond mining activities and cattle farming have contributed to its prosperity, and today, tourism is a thriving industry.
Most South African visitors enter Botswana through the Limpopo River or the Kalahari Transfrontier park.
If you enter through the Martin's Drift border post, you'll find yourself in the Tuli Block, where plans are in place to develop another Transfrontier Park encompassing land in Botswana and neighbouring countries. Tuli Game Reserve is worth a visit, offering sightings of elephants, lions, leopards, and a variety of other game. Tuli Safari Lodge provides good luxury accommodation options in the Tuli Block.
Palapye, located 100 km north of Martin's Drift, offers an alternative route from Gaborone via Mahalapye. While modern today, Serowe was once known as the traditional capital of Botswana, although little remains of the traditional African homesteads.
Many are unaware that Botswana is the world's largest producer of high-quality diamonds, and Orapa is a secure town where most diamond mining activities are situated. Orapa's twin town, Lethlakane, offers supplies and accommodation at Mikelele Motel.
Orapa lies on the main road northwest of Serowe, and from there, it's 30 km to Khama Rhino Sanctuary. This 8000 ha reserve was named after the father of Botswana's previous president and is home to rhinos and many other species of game. Neat self-catering chalets are available, making it a great place to camp on your way north.
Heading further west, the road veers around Orapa to Mopipi and Rakops. The only accommodation in Rakops is Xere Motel.
The next stopover is Maun, a bustling central point in Botswana and the gateway to the Okavango Delta. Maun offers a variety of accommodations, car rentals, and activities such as flights over the delta. Maun Lodge , Riley's Hotel , Island Safari Lodge , and Thamalakane River Lodge are excellent options for accommodation in Maun.
Describing the unspoiled wonder of the Okavango Delta is difficult without experiencing it. Luxury lodges in the delta usually require flying from Maun. Oddballs provides reasonably priced accommodation compared to some other lodges.Delta Camp and Eagle Island offer luxurious but more expensive options.
For those with budget constraints, renting a 4x4 vehicle from Temba Car Hire in Maun to visit the Moremi Game Reserve is a suitable alternative. Kaziinkini campsite near South Gate are good overnight spots in the area.
The first campsite in the Moremi National Park is South Gate. Travellers usually take 40 minutes to cover the 30 km to North Gate or Khwai River from there. Third Bridge and Xakanaxa are popular routes, with Third Bridge providing a public campsite. Xakanaxa, located deeper in the Okavango Delta, houses luxury lodges like Camp Moremi, Xakanaxa Camp and Camp Okuti. However, there is also a public campsite for those who prefer camping.
Traveling north to Savuti is a slow drive through deep sand, but well worth it to reach Savuti in the Chobe National Park. Savuti has a public campsite, and visitors can also choose the luxurious Savute Elephant Lodge .
From Savuti, it takes at least 4 hours to reach the Chobe River and Kasane. Alternatively, visitors can head to the Linyanti Swamps, approximately 2 hours north of Savuti. The track is deep sand and slow driving. From Linyanti, it takes about 4 hours to reach the town of Kasane.
Kasane offers numerous options to explore some of Africa's most beautiful parts. Chobe Safari Lodge, Mowana Safari Lodge, The Big Five Chobe (Toro) Lodge, Senyati Safari Lodge are excellent accommodations in the area. Visitors to Kasane often take the opportunity to visit Victoria Falls in Zimbabwe, which is only about 90 km away.
Victoria Falls is not only a breathtaking natural wonder but also Africa's adventure capital, offering activities such as helicopter flights over the falls, white water rafting, walking with lions, and more. There are high-quality and affordable accommodations in and around the town of Victoria Falls, such as Ilala Lodge, Kingdom Hotel, A'Zambezi River Lodge, Victoria Falls Hotel . For camping and self-catering options, Victoria Falls Rest Camp is recommended.
Returning to Kasane, travellers can choose to head straight back to South Africa via Nata and Francistown if their holiday time is limited. Nata , situated on the edge of the Makgadigadi Pans, is known as the "Bread Basket" of Botswana due to its large commercial farms. Gweta, about 100 km west of Nata, offers Gweta Lodge and Planet Boabab as accommodation options.
For a more luxurious and romantic experience, visitors can consider staying at Jack's Camp to explore the vast desert-like pans with a quad bike trip and a night under the starlit skies. The road from Nata to Ghanzi offers less game but presents excellent birdlife along the western panhandle of the Okavango Delta and good fishing opportunities.
Ghanzi is one of the gateways to the Kalahari, and the Central Kalahari Game Reserve lies east of the town. Ghanzi offers Thakadu Camp and Tautona Lodge as accommodation options, as well as the Kalahari Arms Hotel in the town.
Traveling south will lead to the Trans Kgalagadi Highway and eventually to Kang, a natural stopover between Johannesburg and Windhoek. Kang Ultra Stop is an oasis along this dusty and busy road.
Lobatse, about 60 km from Gaborone, is known for the factories that process Botswana's meat supplies.
The Mokolodi Nature Reserve near Gaborone is a restful overnight stop with plenty of game, including rhinos. Accommodations are available in neat self-catering chalets or basic campsites.
Gaborone, Africa's fastest-growing city, offers vibrant attractions and facilities. Accommodation options in Gaborone include Cresta Lodge, President Hotel, Gaborone Resort, Oasis Motel is the only camping option available in Gaborone.
Temba can assist with all your Botswana accommodation bookings, ensuring you pay less and have a memorable experience. A Botswana luxury safari, particularly in the Okavango Delta, is a dream tailor-made tour that Temba can help arrange at unbeatable prices.
