Where Is It and Who Lives Here?
Botswana is a flat, semi-arid country about the size of Texas, with a population of under 3 million.
Located in the middle of Southern Africa, it is landlocked and bordered by Zimbabwe, Zambia, Namibia, and South Africa. This makes it an ideal country to incorporate into a multi destination Hospitality Afrika Safari vacation. Gaborone, the capitol, has a population 240 000, and is situated just 12 miles from the border of South Africa.
Can We Get By Speaking English?
English is the official language and widely spoken throughout the country. The national language is Setswana, the first language of 80% of the population. Greeting and thanking people in Setswana will be rewarded with a huge smile.
Hello, good day. – Do meh lung (Dumelang)
Thank you very much. Ke a lebo ha (Ke a leboga)
Let’s Talk About the Weather.
The climate is well suited for lovers of sunshine. The summer months of December through March see temperatures around 86 – 95F, while winter, which is in July and August is a little cooler, averaging at 77F during the day and dropping as low as 41F at night. The rainy season, which is very erratic, is officially from October to April, the annual rainfall is about 18 inches.
How Much Do Americans Get for Their US Dollar?
The currency of Botswana is the Pula. 1 US Dollar buys about 12 to 13 Pula. To put it into context, a 12 oz can of Coke costs about 11 Pula.
What Does the Landscape Look Like?.
The southern part of the country is far drier than the North as it is dominated by the Kalahari Desert. The northern half is greener and where you will find some of the most biodiverse regions in the world.
What Not To Miss.
The Okavango Delta is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, a vast area made up of marshlands and seasonal flood plains created when the Okavango River flows down from the Angolan highlands.
The abundant wild, water and bird life are unrivalled in this pristine natural wonder. Experiencing the delta in a mokoro (wooden dugout canoe) with a poler to navigate the narrow channels and point out birds, hippo, crocodiles, antelope or elephants in the silent green and blue environment, is to be in absolute awe of nature.
The Makgadikgadi Pans are where you will find the black maned lions, and remarkable desert adapted oryx, eland, and springbok antelope. The Makgadikgadi is an area of 4633 sq miles, as big as the whole of the state of Indiana, and home to some of the largest salt pans in the world, so large they can be seen from space.
It is here you can witness the zebra migration, beaten in size only by the wildebeest in the Serengeti, this phenomenon sees 20 – 25 000 zebra arriving to the massive grazing rich pans to feed and foal, once the Boteti River has flooded the salt pans.
Did You Know?
The Zebra is the national animal of Botswana, chosen partly because its black and white colours match their flag, and represent the racial harmony of the people.
Sowa Pan transforms into a kaleidoscope of pink and blue when the waters arrive and attract 100 000 flamingos seeking sustenance. When it is dry, the pan has a different beauty. Flat as far as the eye can see, underfoot salty sand cracks into interesting shapes, a mirage shimmers on the horizon, a few birds swoop down, peck at the ground and fly. A pack of hyena prowl in the distance.
Marvel at the ancient Baobab Trees on Kubu Island, experience game viewing at the riverbanks and waterholes in the Moremi Reserve, observe elephant, giraffe, and cheetah in the magical silence of Nxai Pan, and get to know the delightful people of Botswana.
This vast country offers unique experiences and compelling landscapes in remote locations where you will feel like you are the only people in the world.
This is Africa and Diana Smullen and her team of experts at Hospitality Afrika Safaris are well positioned to help you plan your Botswana Safari extraordinaire. https://hospitalityafrika.com/botswana/
