Botswana

With a population of approximately 1.5 million people and covering almost 582,000 sq kms, Botswana is one of the most sparsely populated countries in Africa. Having scarcely been developed under a British colonial administration between 1885 and 1966, the discovery of diamonds, a year after independence, has allowed Botswana to develop rapidly.

With the exception of the eastern part of the country, which receives slightly higher summer rainfall and hence is the most densely populated region, most of Botswana is technically desert. This makes the Okavango Delta, situated in the northwest of the country, particularly unique. At around 15,000 sq kms the Okavango Delta is the Worlds largest inland delta and is an extraordinary wetland environment surrounded by the strikingly flat and arid Kalahari Desert.

More than 17 percent of Botswana is set-aside for National Parks and a further 15 percent devoted to private reserves. Wildlife is prolific both inside and outside these areas and more than 160 species of mammals and nearly 600 species of birds can be found.

Botswana is a land of staggering beauty and diversity, from the dry Kalahari, with its vast salt pans and endless expanses of grassland that supports Africa’s second largest zebra migration to the verdant delta with it’s ancient waterways, islands and game trails. A country of pristine wilderness, Botswana provides an authentic safari experience for the discerning traveller.