BOTSWANA WILDLIFE GUIDE

Botswana is a landlocked country located in southern Africa. The area that is now Botswana was originally inhabited by various hunter-gatherer communities, including the San people, for thousands of years before the arrival of European explorers.

In the late 19th century, the area that is now Botswana came under the influence of British colonial rule. In 1885, the British South Africa Company signed a treaty with local chiefs that gave the company mining and trading rights in the area. The company’s control over the region was formalized in 1895 when it became the British protectorate of Bechuanaland.

Under British rule, Bechuanaland was administered as a protectorate and enjoyed a great deal of autonomy. In 1965, the British government announced that it would grant independence to the protectorate, and in 1966, Bechuanaland became the independent nation of Botswana.

At the time of independence, Botswana was one of the poorest countries in the world, with few natural resources and an economy based primarily on subsistence agriculture and cattle herding. However, under the leadership of its first president, Sir Seretse Khama, Botswana began a period of rapid economic growth and development.

Khama’s government focused on building infrastructure, expanding education and health care, and encouraging foreign investment. In the 1970s, Botswana discovered large diamond deposits, which provided a significant boost to the economy.

Under the successive leadership of Presidents Ketumile Masire and Festus Mogae, Botswana continued to experience economic growth and development, and the country became known as a model of democracy and good governance in Africa. Botswana is consistently ranked as one of the least corrupt countries in Africa and has one of the highest standards of living on the continent.

However, Botswana still faces a number of challenges, including high rates of HIV/AIDS and other health issues, as well as persistent poverty in rural areas. The government of Botswana continues to work to address these issues and promote sustainable development throughout the country.

Country Code: +267.

Crime: Botswana is a country in southern Africa known for its wildlife, natural beauty, and vibrant culture. Alongside these positive elements, however, it also has a high rate of crime, particularly in urban areas. Violent crime, property crime, and corruption are all prevalent issues that impact both locals and tourists. In recent years, the Botswana government has implemented measures to address these problems, including initiatives to improve police training and enhance community policing.

Currency: Botswana Pula.

Latitude and Longitude: 22.3285° S, 24.6849° E.

LGBTQ: Same-sex relationships have been legal in Botswana since 11 June 2019, after a ruling by the High Court of Botswana. Same-sex marriages and civil unions are not recognized.

Population: 2.63 million.

President: Mogkweetsi Masisi.

Embassy of the United States of America, Embassy Drive, Government Enclave Gaborone, Botswana, (+267) 395-3982.

Embassy of the People’s Republic of China, Plot No. 3096, North Ring Road Gaborone, Botswana, (+267) 395-6021.

High Commission of the Republic of South Africa, Plot 54350, CBD Ext. 10, Government Enclave, Gaborone, Botswana, (+267) 395-1863.

British High Commission, Plot 1002, President’s Drive P.O., Box 47, Gaborone, Botswana, (+267) 395-2841.

High Commission of India, Plot 5375, President’s Drive Private Bag 249, Gaborone, Botswana, (+267) 391-1002.

Embassy of the Federal Republic of Germany, Plot 87, Notwane Road P.O. Box 20780, Gaborone, Botswana, (+267) 395-8000.

Embassy of France, Plot 5183, Mmarakwena Road, Extension 2 P.O. Box 295, Gaborone, Botswana, (+267) 397-4600.

Embassy of Japan, Plot 1319, Independence Avenue P.O. Box 1414, Gaborone, Botswana, (+267) 397-7401.

There are several hospitals in Botswana that provide high-quality healthcare services to expats. Note that these hospitals are popular among expats due to their high-quality medical services, state-of-the-art facilities, and English-speaking staff.

However, it’s always best to do your research and choose a hospital based on your specific healthcare needs. Here are some of the best hospitals for expats and tourists in Botswana. 

Gaborone Private Hospital: Gaborone Private Hospital is one of the top private hospitals in Botswana and is a popular choice for expats. It offers a range of medical services including general surgery, internal medicine, obstetrics and gynecology, orthopedics, pediatrics, and urology.

Bokamoso Private Hospital: Bokamoso Private Hospital is another top private hospital in Botswana that provides comprehensive healthcare services to expats. It offers a range of medical specialties including general surgery, internal medicine, obstetrics and gynecology, orthopedics, and pediatrics.

Lenmed Health Bokamoso Hospital: Lenmed Health Bokamoso Hospital is a modern hospital with state-of-the-art facilities and equipment. It has a team of highly qualified medical professionals who provide quality healthcare services to expats.

Tati River Clinic: Tati River Clinic is a private medical facility located in Francistown. It offers a range of medical services including general medicine, surgery, and obstetrics and gynecology. The clinic has a team of experienced medical professionals who provide quality healthcare services to expats.

Botswana is renowned worldwide for its stunning national parks. The country boasts an impressive array of natural landscapes home to a diverse range of flora and fauna, making it a wildlife lover’s paradise.

From the picturesque Okavango Delta to the sprawling Central Kalahari Game Reserve, Botswana’s national parks offer visitors an opportunity to witness some of the world’s most magnificent and rare species in their natural habitats in a way that few other destinations can match.

With each park highlighting its unique beauty and variety of wildlife, Botswana’s national parks are deserving of their worldwide reputation as a must-visit destination for any nature enthusiast. This list is not all inclusive, but these are the best ones to visit.

Central Kalahari Game Reserve: The Central Kalahari Game Reserve is undoubtedly one of Botswana’s most iconic national parks. Covering over 50,000 square kilometres, it’s the second-largest game reserve in the world and is home to an abundance of wildlife, including some of the country’s most endangered species.

Visitors to the park can embark on game drives and guided walks, where they might catch a glimpse of the majestic black-maned Kalahari lions or watch as large herds of wildebeests and zebras migrate through the savannah. Additionally, the park’s stunning landscapes provide ample opportunities for photography and bird-watching, making it an ideal destination for anyone interested in the natural world.

Chobe National Park: Chobe National Park is another of Botswana’s premier national parks, known for its incredible elephant population. It’s estimated that over 50,000 elephants roam the park, making it one of the best places in Africa to see these majestic animals.

In addition to elephants, visitors can spot a diverse range of wildlife, including lions, hippos, and buffalos, as they explore the park’s lush landscapes. One of the most popular ways to experience Chobe National Park is on a boat safari down the Chobe River, where visitors can watch as animals come to drink and play along the shore.

Gemsbok National Park: Gemsbok National Park is a wilderness wonderland, offering visitors a glimpse into the vast and diverse ecosystem of the Kalahari Desert. The park is home to a plethora of unique wildlife species, including the gemsbok or oryx, which provides the namesake of the park.

The park also features magnificent examples of ancient rock art, scattered across the vast open plain, highlighting the deep historical roots of the indigenous people of this land. Visitors to the park can enjoy self-guided walking tours, scenic drives, and guided wildlife tours, taking in the natural beauty and preserving the delicate balance of the unique desert environment.

Makgadikgadi Pans: Makgadikgadi Pans National Park is a hidden gem that offers a breathtakingly surreal experience. Once a lake, the park now showcases the remnants of one of the world’s largest salt pans, covering over 12,000 square kilometers.

The park’s unique landscape runs the gamut from vast open spaces and lunar-like salt flats to ephemeral wetlands and savannas, hosting a diverse array of wildlife. One of the park’s most striking attractions is the annual zebra and wildebeest migration, where hundreds of thousands of these majestic animals travel through the park in search of greener pastures.

Nxai Pan: Nxai Pan National Park is another of Botswana’s hidden gems, offering a distinctly different but equally mesmerizing glimpse into the country’s natural world. Covering over 2,000 square kilometers, the park’s unique landscape is defined by its sprawling grassy plains and iconic baobab trees.

Visitors to the park during the summer months can witness one of the park’s most remarkable natural events — the arrival of massive migration herds of wildebeests and zebras, as well as the predators that follow in their wake. This park also provides the opportunity to explore ancient pan systems and learn about the ecology of one of the country’s lesser-known but equally captivating locales.

Moremi Game Reserve: Moremi Game Reserve is often referred to as the “predator capital of Africa” and is a highly sought after destination for wildlife enthusiasts. Spanning over 5,000 square kilometers, it boasts some of Botswana’s most varied ecosystems and is home to a diverse range of wildlife, including lions, elephants, and rare species such as the African wild dog. Visitors to the park can embark on game drives or mokoro safaris along the winding waterways to catch a glimpse of these magnificent animals in their natural habitats.

Additionally, the reserve is home to over 500 bird species, making it a must-visit destination for bird enthusiasts.

Okavango Delta National Park: The Okavango Delta National Park is the pinnacle of Botswana’s national parks – a breathtaking combination of wetlands, savannahs, and forests. It is a UNESCO World Heritage site, home to an astonishing variety of mammals, including the Big Five.

Visitors can explore the park’s pristine wilderness, witnessing diverse species like lions, cheetahs or hyenas on guided game drives, mokoro or boat safaris, and walking excursions. The Okavango Delta also provides ample opportunities for camping, bird-watching, and fishing, among other outdoor activities, making it a quintessential destination for travelers seeking an authentic African experience.

Tsodilo Hills: The Tsodilo Hills are a UNESCO World Heritage site and one of the most important rock art sites in Africa. The hills are home to over 4,500 rock paintings dating back thousands of years. Visitors can take guided tours to see the paintings and learn about the history and culture of the San people who created them.

Khama Rhino Sanctuary: The Khama Rhino Sanctuary is a community-based wildlife project that aims to protect the endangered white and black rhino populations in Botswana. Visitors can take guided tours to see the rhinos, as well as other wildlife such as zebras, giraffes, and wildebeests.

Linyanti Wildlife Reserve: Linyanti Wildlife Reserve is located in northern Botswana and is home to a variety of wildlife, including elephants, lions, and wild dogs. Visitors can take guided safari tours or go on self-drive tours to see the animals and explore the reserve’s wetlands and woodlands.

Tuli Block: The Tuli Block is a narrow strip of land located in eastern Botswana.

Botswana requires most foreign nationals to obtain a visa before they are allowed to enter the country. However, there are a few exemptions to this rule.

Citizens of certain countries, including the United States, the United Kingdom, and most EU countries, do not require a visa for stays of up to 90 days. If you are not a citizen of one of these exempt countries, you will need to obtain a visa before you travel to Botswana.

There are several types of visas available, depending on the purpose of your visit.

Tourist Visa: This visa is for individuals who are visiting Botswana for tourism purposes, such as visiting national parks, wildlife reserves, or cultural sites. The tourist visa is usually valid for up to 90 days.

Business Visa: This visa is for individuals who are traveling to Botswana for business purposes, such as attending conferences or meetings with clients. The business visa is also valid for up to 90 days.

Transit Visa: This visa is for individuals who are transiting through Botswana on their way to another destination. The transit visa is usually valid for up to 7 days.

To apply for a Botswana visa, you will need to complete an application form and submit it along with a copy of your passport and a passport-size photo. You will also need to pay a fee, which varies depending on the type of visa you are applying for.

It’s important to note that visa requirements and fees can change at any time, so it’s a good idea to check with the Botswana embassy or consulate in your country before you apply for a visa.

Botswana is a country located in southern Africa, and its climate is classified as semi-arid to arid. The weather in Botswana is characterized by hot and dry conditions for most of the year, with two distinct seasons: the dry season and the wet season.

The dry season in Botswana typically lasts from May to October, with the peak of the dryness occurring in September and October. During this time, temperatures can range from 25°C to 35°C (77°F to 95°F) during the day, and drop to around 10°C to 15°C (50°F to 59°F) at night. Humidity levels are generally low, and rainfall is rare.

The wet season in Botswana runs from November to April, with the peak of the rains occurring in January and February. Temperatures during this time are slightly cooler, ranging from 20°C to 30°C (68°F to 86°F) during the day and dropping to around 15°C to 20°C (59°F to 68°F) at night. Humidity levels are higher, and rainfall can be heavy and sporadic, with some areas experiencing flash floods.

It is worth noting that Botswana is a large country, and the weather can vary depending on the location. For example, the northern parts of Botswana tend to be slightly cooler and more humid than the southern parts, and areas near the Okavango Delta may experience more rainfall than other parts of the country.

Overall, if you are planning a trip to Botswana, it is important to be prepared for hot and dry conditions, especially if you are visiting during the dry season. It is also important to pack appropriate clothing and gear if you plan to go on safari or engage in other outdoor activities.