| www.TheTopTenSite.com Top Ten Africa Vacations Botswana Safari |
| A Botswana Safari is as good as it gets! Botswana is one of the most underrated safari destinations in Africa. Botswana is also one of my favourite places to visit for a genuine African safari. There is a huge abundance of wildlife in Botswana - everything you could want - and more! Botswana spoils the visitor for choice - with three major safari destinations. Chobe, Okavango, and Kalahari. Each of these regions of Botswana offers fabulous wildlife viewing opportunities. |
| Chobe National Park Chobe National Park covers an area of over 10,500 square km. It is home to the greatest abundance of wildlife in Africa. The elephant population alone is estimated at around 120,000! Chobe is also home to vast numbers of giraffe, zebra, impala, wildebeest, buffalo, waterbuck, warthog and eland. The predators are also here in force. You'll see lion, hyena, jackal, leopard and cheetah. Several tour companies operate in the Chobe region of Botswana. Most accommodation is in camps - but there are some excellent safari-lodges here too. |
| Okavango The Okavango is the largest inland delta in the world. In this part of Botswana you will find lagoons, lakes, islands by the thousand, and countless meandering water channels that snake their way slowly and silently to nowhere in particular. In short, the Okavango is the perfect environment for wildlife to thrive - undisturbed by man. On the mainland around the delta's edges, and on the islands, lions, elephants, hyenas, wild dog, buffalo, hippo, crocodiles and numerous other species live out their lives in huge numbers. The Okavango is the most exciting and most diverse national park in Botswana. It is a must visit for anybody with an interest in African wildlife. Like Chobe, most of the accommodation is in tented camps - but there are some wonderful safari lodges here too. There are virtually no roads here - you will arrive by light aircraft and travel mostly by boat. This is not a go-it-alone area. You will need to use an experienced tour guide. |
| Central Kalahari Game Reserve The Central Kalahari Game reserve is bigger than many European countries! It is an unimaginably huge expanse of arid - but varied landscapes. It is often referred to as a desert - but unlike most deserts, it is teeming with life. Accommodation is very basic here - spartan campsites at best. And the climate is harsh - scorching days and sub-zero nights. The Central Kalahari is a fabulous place for viewing wildlife - but there is no luxury here. If you don't mind roughing it, this is a highly rewarding safari destination. |
| When To Visit Botswana From April to November, the animals migrate towards the waterways of the Okavango. This is the best time to be here. November and December - the calving months - are excellent too. The rainy season, from January to March, is when the animals migrate away from the waterways and into their summer grazing areas. At this time of year the delta comes alive with hundreds of bird species. Summers, from December to February, can be unbearably hot, and rain may make some areas impassable. During the rainy summer season, animals in many game areas disperse. Summer is not the best time to be here. Come between April and December. Getting To Botswana The best and most popular way to get here is by air from Johannesburg. You can fly to Johannesburg from almost anywhere in the world. Visit Air Highways for the best advice and information regarding Botswana flights. Or better still - book with one of our Recommended Botswana Tour Operators Botswana Passports & Visas You will need a passport valid for six months beyond your departure date. People from Commonwealth countries, western European countries and North America, do not need visas. But check with your tour operator - rules can change very quickly in Africa! If you do need a visa - obtain it from the Botswana Embassy in your home country. Visas, if required, can also be obtained at the point of entry to Botswana. Check with your tour operator for latest visa information. Botswana Money Botswana's unit of currency is the Pula, which is divided into 100 Thebe. Major credit cards are accepted widely. Most hotels and lodges accept foreign currency or travellers cheques. There are also Exchange bureaus at major border posts. Credit card cash advances are available in major cities through Barclays Bank, Standard Chartered Bank and First National Bank. Botswana Health Precautions must be taken against Malaria. A Yellow Fever vaccination certificate is required if you are entering from an infected area. Hepatitis A & B, Cholera and Typhoid are potential risks. HIV is prevalent - Serious precautions should be taken. We strongly recommend that you obtain comprehensive travel insurance for your Botswana trip - try Botswana Crime The crime rate against tourists in Botswana is very low. In fact, Botswana is probably the safest destination in Africa for a family holiday. However, you should take the usual common sense precautions. Don't display valuables. Don't wander around alone at night. |
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| BOTSWANA SAFARI | TOP 10 AFRICA VACATIONS | BOTSWANA AFRICA | CHOBE NATIONAL PARK | OKAVANGO DELTA | CENTRAL KALAHARI GAME RESERVE |
| Responsible Travel operate some of the best - and most responsible - adventure, conservation, gap year, and family tours. |
| Ulinda Safaris Specialist photographic tours and safaris in Botswana. Experts in helping you to get the best possible wildlife photographs. |
| Explore Terrific UK based adventure travel specialists. The Explore staff are passionate about travel - and they really know their stuff! |
| The best travel books on the market. Lots of useful information. Always up to date. Highly recommended. |
| A good place to buy top quality reliable travel insurance at very reasonable prices. |
| Easily the best travel company on the Internet for students. A must visit site for all young people who want to travel. |
| Excellent specialist online store for adventure travel clothing, footwear etc. Good quality gear at very fair prices. |
| Useful Links |
| Explore! is a wonderful tour operator. The Explore! staff are genuine experts, and are passionate about adventure travel. They offer some of the most exciting and most responsible safari trips to Botswana. Choose from safe, relaxing family safari holidays or small group adventure trips. Highly recommended! Explore! |
| Recommended Tour Operator |
| Recommended Tour Operator |
| Responsible Travel is, in our opinion, one of the finest tour operators in the world. Their Botswana offerings include family orientated safaris, volunteer holidays, big cat conservation trips, and much more. Highly Recommended. |
| Specialist Photographic Safari Tours Ulinda Safaris |
| Recommended Tour Operator |
| World class US based tour operator. Abroad & Beyond |
| Recommended Tour Operator |
| Superb Luxury Botswana Tented Safaris Cedarberg Travel |
| Recommended Tour Operator |
