Don's Home Places World Africa | Safaris Botswana Contact

last updated 31 May 2021


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Botswana and Zimbabwe: A Living Eden | Sierra Club Outing

After Meeting in Johannesburg, South Africa, We'll Travel by Commercial Air to Maun, Botswana, to Meet Our Safari Guides, Capricorn Safaris. In Rugged SUVs, We'll Drive to Moremi Game Reserve and Khwai in the Okavango Delta and Then the Savuti Channel and Chobe Waterfront in Chobe National Park for Premium Wildlife Viewing. From Chobe We'll Cross the Border Into Zimbabwe to Explore the Trails Surrounding Victoria Falls.

the Animals and Birds Move Without Hindrance Between Moremi, Khwai, Savuti, and Chobe.

Source: Wild Journeys | Northern Explorer

Most of Botswana is in the Kalahari basin surrounding the Kalahari Desert.
Kalahari Desert
The Tropic of Capricorn is an imaginary line of latitude going around the Earth at approximately 23.5° south of the equator. It is the southernmost point on Earth where the sun's rays can be directly overhead at local noon at the winter solstice around December 21.

In 2023 they had 57 sightings of lions. Also leopards, elephants, Water buffalo, giraffes, hippos and wild dogs.

Unesco World Heritagelisted Okavango Delta and Moremi Game Preserve
the Daily Drama of Its Wildlife Encounters; Its Soundtrack of Lion Roars, Saw-Throated Leopard Barks and the Crazy Whoop of a Running Hyena; And the Mysteries Concealed by Its Papyrus Reeds Swaying Gently in the Evening Breeze.

Known as the Land of the Giants Chobe National Park, Is Home to Africas Largest Population of Elephant, 120,000.
the Savute (Or Savuti)is a Remote Corner of Chobe National Park Renowned for Its Explosive Big Game Viewing and Strangely Unpredictable Water channel.The Savute Pride of Lion Has Earned a Fearsome Reputation for Their Unparalleled Skill in Hunting Elephant.
Predator Sightings in General Are Frequent: Resident Leopard, Enigmatic and Energetic African Wild Dog, Endearing and Comical Bat-Eared Fox, Spotted Hyena, Jackal and Even Cheetah May Be Seen.

Animals:
Botswana animals are free to roam and not in Preserves Like The Kruger National Park in NE South Africa, a 7,576 Sq Mi Enclosed Park.
So, you are not guaranteed to see any specific animals.

Animals Include the BIG 5 (Lion, Leopard, Rhino, Elephant and African buffalo) Exceptional Birding, Hippos, Crocodiles, Wildebeest, Giraffe, Nile Crocodile, Cheetah, Brown Hyena, Spotted Hyena, Greater Kudu, Sable Antelope.

Ten Wild Facts About the Big Five | WorldWildlife.org Lion, Leopard, Rhino, Elephant and African Buffalo.

Victoria Falls - On the border between Zambia and Zimbabwe 50 miles from Botswana is one of the world's largest waterfalls, with a width of just over 1 mile. It provides habitat for several unique species of plants and animals.
Scottish missionary David Livingstone identified the falls in 1855.
His famous meeting with American journalist and explorer Henry Stanley on November 10, 1871, gave rise to the famous quotation "Dr. Livingstone, I presume?" Livingstone responded, "Yes," and then "I feel thankful that I am here to welcome you." Although in a poor state, Livingstone continued to search for the source of the Nile until his death two years later,
Botswana Information:
One of the Wealthiest Countries in Sub-Saharan Africa and With One of the Lowest Population Densities on the Planet, Diamond-Rich Botswana Is a Pleasure to Travel in, With Empty Roads, Very Few Large Cities and a Highly Accomplished Safari Industry.

Keen to Avoid the Pitfalls of Mass Tourism, Botswanas Government Aims High, Putting an Emphasis on Low-Volume, High-Cost Safari Experiences.

Population: 2,417,596 (2023 Est.) Growth Rate 1.4%

Ethnic Groups: Tswana (Or Setswana) 79%, Kalanga 11%, Basarwa 3%, Other, Including Kgalagadi and People of European Ancestry 7%

Languages: Setswana 77.3%, Sekalanga 7.4%, Shekgalagadi 3.4%, English (Official) 2.8%, Zezuru/Shona 2%, Sesarwa 1.7%, Sembukushu 1.6%, Ndebele 1%, Other 2.8% (2011 Est.)

Religions: Christian 79.1%, Badimo 4.1%, Other 1.4% (Includes Baha'i, Hindu, Muslim, Rastafarian), None 15.2%, Unspecified 0.3% (2011 Est.)

Government Type: Parliamentary Republic

Capital: Gaborone

Economic Overview:
Good Economic Governance and Financial Management; Diamond-Driven Growth Model Declining; Rapid Poverty Reductions; High Unemployment, Particularly Among Youth; COVID-19 Sharply Contracted the Economy and Recovery Is Slow; Public Sector Wages Have Posed Fiscal Challenges

Industries: Diamonds, Copper, Nickel, Salt, Soda Ash, Potash, Coal, Iron Ore, Silver; Beef Processing; Textiles

Exports - Partners: India 21%, Belgium 19%, United Arab Emirates 19%, South Africa 9%, Israel 7%, Hong Kong 6%, Singapore 5% (2019)

Exports - Commodities: Diamonds, Insulated Wiring, Copper, Beef, Gold (2021)

Source: Botswana - World Factbook | CIA