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General Information on
Botswana
Botswana is a land of contrasts and striking beauty which is turning it into one
if the world's most exciting holiday destinations. Located here are some
of the most extensive and unspoiled wilderness areas in Africa with the Okavango
Delta is one of the world's most spectacular wetlands.
Botswana's major tourist attraction used to be hunting. Now most of the "hunting" is done with cameras on photographic safaris.
Botswana is a landlocked
country located in Southern Africa. It has land borders with Zimbabwe in the
northeast, South Africa in the south and southeast and with Namibia to the west.
The country is a broad tableland with a mean altitude of 3,300 ft. A vast
plateau of about 4,000 ft in height, extending from near Kanye north to the
Zimbabwean border, divides the country into two distinct topographical regions.
The eastern region is hilly bush country and grassland (veld). To the west lie
the Okavango Swamps and the Kalahari Desert. The only sources of permanent
surface water are the Chobe River in the north, the Limpopo in the east, and the
Okvango in the northwest. In seasons of heavy rainfall, floodwaters flow into
the Makarikari Salt Pans and Lake Ngami.
Click
on Information About Botswana for more complete
information to help you plan your visit.
For travel and destination information, contact the
Embassy
of the Republic of Botswana at 202-244-4990.
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Cities, Towns and Areas of
Botswana
Gaborone, the capital of Botswana, is one
of the world's fastest growing city. The city was named after
Kgosi Gaborone, a leader who arrived with his people in this
area at the end of the 18th century.
Gaborone is a bustling, modern
city and the seat of power for one of Africa's most
successful economies.Located off
Botswana's safari circuit, it's in the more populous and
better-watered southwest - and is probably best know as a
stopover for self-drives
on their way to the
Okavango Delta or
Chobe National Park.
Visitors to Gaborone will find many busy
shopping malls, top hotels and
interesting markets. Restaurants are numerous and
varied, and night clubs often host live music by local artists.
The National Museum is
situated near the centre of town and houses important
collections of traditional crafts and southern African fine art.
If you have information you believe I should
add to this section of Getting Away, please send it to me.
mailto:jimbruner@gettingaway.com
|
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Getting To
and Around Botswana
By Air
By Rail
On Land
By Air
There are daily flights from Johannesburg as well as
international scheduled flights from Europe and other areas of Africa. Additionally,
there are Air Charter Companies that operate from Gaborone, Maun & Kasane.
For Flights, Hotels, Cars, Cruises,
Vacations, Tours and Travel Deals,
Click on
Global Travel International. If the link
does not work properly, type
www.gettingaway.globaltravel.com
in the address line of your browser.
On the Road
Botswana is easily accessible from neighboring
countries. There are no strict customs regulations between these
countries. All the main roads are paved, or tarred, and normally in pretty
good shape.
By Rail
There is overnight rail service once a week from
Johannesburg as well as daily trips from Gaborone to Bulawayo and Francistown.
Getting around
in Botswana
By Air
By Rail
By Road
Air
Air Botswana provides scheduled flights between
Gaborone, Francistown and Maun. Air charter services are available to most
national parks.
Road
Most of the population centers are linked by highways,
most of which are paved or tarred. The central and south-western parts of the
country are accessible only with 4-wheel drive vehicles. Off of the main routes
the roads range from good to sandy and many may even be a challenge with 4WD.
Within and between major towns, buses and minibuses operate.
Rail
You can take a train form Gaborone to Francistown and
Lobatse. Trains offer coaches for both first class and second class for
passengers. All necessary information can be obtained at railway station
offices.
To Top
Some Things to
See and Do in Botswana
National
Parks & Game Reserves
Tours and
Safaris
Botswana's major tourist attraction used to be hunting. Now most of the "hunting" is done with cameras on photographic safaris.
Popular with tourists is the Okavango Delta region which is a maze of waterways, lakes, and islands during the rainy season.
Another attraction is the Kalahari Desert. Tourist also enjoy watching the local inhabitants of the small villages as they work as
potters, rug makers, and tapestry weavers.
| At
InfoHub, we believe vacation travel should be
much more than just flying you to a tropical beach. Since 1996, we at
InfoHub have worked hard to bring you the largest specialty travel
portal on the Internet. Today, you can find over 20,000 specialty trips
at
InfoHub, covering activities from Artist Workshops to Yoga
Retreats. Whatever your special interest is, you will find it right
here! Plus trips you never even knew existed! We continue to expand the
exciting array of travel options available by adding hundreds of
out-of-the-ordinary trips every week! Our goal is to make
InfoHub
"The Ultimate Source of Inspiring Travel Ideas" for your next dream
trip. |
Botswana - Order FREE Travel Brochure!
|
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►Over 700 retail travel agencies partners
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►Clients from Americas, Europe, Asia, Australia, Africa, and Middle
East
►Largest special interest travel website on the internet
►Over 20000 truly unique vacations in 150 destinations around the
world
►Over 100 special interest activities
►Vacations include adventure, outdoor, sport, culture, learning,
wildlife & ecotourism, spiritual, hobby, affinity, etc. |
|
Worldwide Riding Vacations : A
Global Guide - Not just a guide to dude ranches, this handsome
updated edition lists more strenuous and interesting equestrian trips by
continent and then by country. Printed on heavy coated stock and
illustrated with many color photographs, it includes over 100 entries.
Each lists the company, address, phone number, E-mail, FAX, closest
airports, price, and when available. There are descriptions of
accommodations, meals, activities, and the horses and riding equipment, as
well as a list of equestrian travel agencies and associations. British
equestrian writer Ruler writes frequently on riding vacations and is an
amateur horseman. Sacks, a former college professor, now owns a horse
farm. Includes riding vacations in Botswana. |
|
One place that must be visited is The Okavango delta formed by the waters of the
Okavanga River. The Okavanga River has its source high in the mountains of
Angola. It fans into the desert forming a vast water wonderland of series
of channels, lakes, lagoons, floodplains and islands, entirely surrounded by the
Kalahari desert. The Okavango delta is part of the larger geographical
network which embraces the Moremi Game Reserve, Chobe National Park, and
Makgadikgadi and Nxai Pans.
National
Parks & Game Reserves
Chobe National Park
Okavango Delta & Moremi Game Reserve
Central Kalahari Game Reserve
Kgalagadi National Park
In many of Botswana's parks you will need to consider having a 4 Wheel drive
vehicle particularly during the rainy season (between November and March) with
some roads being impassable even with 4 wheel drive. Some roads and rough and
very sandy all year round.
Chobe
National Park
Lying in the north of the country and covering an area of approximately 11,000
sq kms - Chobe is Botswana's second largest park. The park has the most varied
wildlife of all of Botswana's parks with one of the highest populations of
Elephant to be found here.
The Chobe River flows along the northern edge of the park bordering Botswana
and Namibia.
Accommodations in or near the park
Chobe Game Lodge - The hotel is located in the middle of the National Park on the edge of the
Chobe River. Offering suites with private pools, ensuite rooms with phone, and
radio. Having a swimming pool and offering sailing, sunset cruises and game
viewing. For additional information about this hotel, or to make a
reservation, click on
Getting Away Accommodations Information and Reservations.
Chobe Safari Lodge -
Situated on the Chobe River, 80 km from the Victoria Falls at the entrance to
the Chobe National Park, the lodge offers accommodation in chalets and also
has camping sites available. Activities include game drives and fishing. Boats
can be hired and the Fish Eagle Cruise affords relaxing game viewing from a
double decker boat. For additional information about this hotel, or to make a
reservation, click on
Getting Away Accommodations Information and Reservations.
Camping facilities are available within the park at Serondela, a developed
site with ablution facilities; Linyati, partially developed; and Savuti - a
temporary camping ground.
Okavango
Delta & Moremi Game Reserve
The Okavango Delta covers a vast area of 16000 sq. kms situated in the
north-west of the country. It is claimed to the largest inland delta in the
world and is one of Botswana's main tourist attractions
It is home to an abundance of wildlife including crocodile, hippo, water bucks
and various fish species which can be seen from safari vans and boats.
The delta waters meet the sands of the Kalahari desert making the whole area
very beautiful and scenic which is why it is referred to as the 'Jewel of the
Kalahari'.
Maun is the main town of of the region and situated on the southern edge of
the Delta. It is Botswana's main tourist capital. having one of the busiest
centres in the country as flights from Gaborone, Victoria Falls, South Africa
and Namibia fly there daily.
The Moremi Game Reserve lies within the Okavango Delta covering an area of
over 3,500sq.km. The Reserve has a wide variety of wildlife including
elephants, buffalo, giraffe, lion, leopard, cheetah, wild dog, hyena, jackal
and a wide range of antelope. Bird life is prolific including water birds. The
reserve has contrasting areas of vast wetlands and dry savanna.
Central
Kalahari Game Reserve
This is Africa's largest protected region covering an area of over 52,000 sq
kms located in the centre of the country. It is home to a wide variety of
antelopes including eland, gemsbok, kudu, red hartebeest and springbok and
also has a number of wildebeest, giraffe, lion, cheetah, leopard, wild dog and
brown hyena.
The majority of the park is flat, vast open plains. Deception Pan is the parks
most popular spot because it attracts large numbers of game after the rains.
Accommodations in or near the park
The park has a number of basic camping sites, but there are no other
facilities in the park and supplies must be taken with you.
Kgalagadi
National Park
Through a cooperation between the Botswana and South African Governments, the
Kgalagadi National Park is the first official Transfrontier and it managed
jointly by both countries. The Botswana section covers an area of about 28,
105 sq.km with plenty of wild animals, including wildebeest, eland,
hartebeest, gemsbok and springbok. Super predators like lion, leopard, cheetah
and hyena can also be viewed. Camping areas on Botswana side include the
Rooiputs camping grounds, some 25km up the Nossob River Valley from the
entrance gate. Poletswa grounds lie in the northern section of the Nossob
Valley.
Accommodations in or near the park
Camping areas on Botswana side include the Rooiputs camping grounds, some 25km
up the Nossob River Valley from the entrance gate. Poletswa grounds lie in the
northern section of the Nossob Valley. In the extreme east of the Park, there
are a number of campsites overlooking pans. These include Lesholoago, Khiding,
Mabuasehube and Mpaathutlwa.
Tours and
Safaris
| At
InfoHub, we believe vacation travel should be
much more than just flying you to a tropical beach. Since 1996, we at
InfoHub have worked hard to bring you the largest specialty travel
portal on the Internet. Today, you can find over 20,000 specialty trips
at
InfoHub, covering activities from Artist Workshops to Yoga
Retreats. Whatever your special interest is, you will find it right
here! Plus trips you never even knew existed! We continue to expand the
exciting array of travel options available by adding hundreds of
out-of-the-ordinary trips every week! Our goal is to make
InfoHub
"The Ultimate Source of Inspiring Travel Ideas" for your next dream
trip. |
Botswana - Order FREE Travel Brochure!
|
Victoria Falls to
Swakopmund Safari -
Embark on a 2 week adventure, small group (max 10) camping safari through three
countries: Zambia, Botswana and Namibia, traveling from Victoria Falls to
Swakopmund.
Click here for holidays in Botswana
Victoria Falls to
Swakopmund Upgraded Safari -
Enjoy 2 fantastic weeks discovering real Africa: Victoria Falls,
Okavango Delta, Etosha National Park and the ancient Namib Desert...all this in
an unforgettable small group (max 10) camping safari.
Click here for holidays in Botswana
Cape Town to Victoria
Falls Safari - This
exciting small group Camping Safari runs through four countries: South Africa,
Namibia, Botswana and Zambia, with fantastic wildlife and unmatched scenery.
Click here for holidays in Botswana
Cape Town to Victoria
Falls Upgraded Safari -
This popular small group (max 10) Camping and Lodge Safari runs
through four African countries: South Africa, Namibia, Botswana and Zambia, with
all the wildlife and scenic beauty imaginable.
Click here for holidays in Botswana
Moremi, Okavango, Chobe,
& Victoria Falls Safari -
Fly-in 6 day luxury lodge Wildlife & Waterfall Safari to the
famous Crown Jewels: Okavango Delta, Moremi NP, elephant-rich Chobe NP, and 1 of
the Seven Wonders of the World- incredible Victoria Falls.
Click here for holidays in Botswana
Okavango, Moremi, Chobe
and Victoria Falls Safari -
Okavango Delta, Moremi NP, Chobe NP and Victoria Falls fly-in BIG
Wildlife Safari, duration 7 days with luxury lodge accommodation, charter
flights, most meals, activities, some drinks included.
Click here for holidays in Botswana
Best of the Kalahari
Botswana - A maximum
of only 6 people can join this exclusive mobile tented safari. This route takes
you into the exclusive wilderness areas of the Central Kalahari Game Reserve and
Nxai Pan N.P. in Botswana.
Click here for holidays in Botswana
Botswana Classic Safari -
This 6-day "best game
viewing" camping safari caters for small groups (max 10 people) of adventurous
nature lovers, traveling from Livingstone, Zambia through Botswana to Maun.
Click here for holidays in Botswana
Botswana Mobile
Semi-Participation Safari 2008 -
This semi-participation mobile safari includes the best of
Botswana's national parks and game reserves, including Moremi, Chobe and
Okavango Delta.
Click here for holidays in Botswana
Botswana and Namibia
Safari Special 2008 -
This semi-participation mobile safari covers some of the finest
national parks and remote areas of Botswana and Namibia, incl Moremi, Chobe and
Etosha National Parks.
Click here for holidays in Botswana
Botswana Classic -
Semi-Luxury Mobile Safari 2008 -
Visit Botswana's premier game viewing parks and reserves, Moremi
Game Reserve and Chobe National Park, including Savute, plus a fly-in visit to
the Okavango Delta, unique combination of land and water.
Click here for holidays in Botswana
Botswana Wildlife
Breakaway Safari - A
camping safari from Livingstone to Livingstone through Namibia, Botswana and
Zambia.
Click here for holidays in Botswana
Botswana Wildlife
Breakaway Upgraded Safari -
A small group (max 10) camping and lodge safari from Livingstone
through Namibia, Botswana and Zambia with magnificent highlights including
Victoria Falls, Chobe National Park and the Okavango Delta.
Click here for holidays in Botswana
Botswana Classic Upgraded
Safari - A
semi-participation small group camping and lodge safari from Livingstone, Zambia
to Maun through Botswana, with unforgettable game viewing.
Click here for holidays in Botswana
Botswana and Zambia
Mobile Safari Special 2008 -
This exciting semi-luxury mobile safari brings together the best
of the Botswana and Zambian National Parks and Game Reserves incl Moremi, Chobe
and Kafue as well as Victoria Falls.
Click here for holidays in Botswana
Botswana & Namibia Fully
Guided Mobile Safari 2008 -
The semi-luxury safari will cover a number of distinct
eco-systems within the Botswana and Namibian bush environments, including Moremi
and Chobe National Parks, Caprivi and Etosha Game Reserve.
Click here for holidays in Botswana
Botswana Moremi & Chobe
Classic Safari - A
maximum of only 6 people can join this exclusive mobile tented safari. The route
takes you into the exclusive wilderness areas of the Okavango Delta’s Moremi
Game Reserve and Chobe National Park.
Click here for holidays in Botswana
Botswana Camping Safari -
Authentic - Explore
the prime wildlife regions of Moremi, Okavango Delta and Chobe whilst relaxing
in the wilderness surrounds of your fully serviced tented camp.
Click here for holidays in Botswana
Botswana Luxury Camping
Safari - Experience a
luxury camping safari in the heart of the Moremi game Reserve and Okavango Delta
where your camps are set up in a classical luxurious old fashioned way.
Click here for holidays in Botswana
Botswana Highlights
Camping Safari - Adventure -
This budget camping safari is perfect for exploring some of the
best wilderness areas in Africa without losing the creature comforts. Due to
having fixed departure dates, single and couples can join.
Click here for holidays in Botswana
Botswana Explorer -
Explore crystal clear
waterways before stepping onto an overgrown island to view its abundant
wildlife. Adventure through pristine sanctuaries in search of elusive game,
track down a predator in its natural habitat and tuck into gourmet dishes.
Click here for holidays in Botswana
Luxury Botswana
Collection - Includes
Chiefs Camp which is located in the exclusive Mombo concession and only “big
five” area in Botswana, offers unrivalled value for money in this predator
capital concession. Not to be missed!
Click here for holidays in Botswana
Mobile Safari, Botswana
and Zambia 2008 -
This semi-participation mobile safari covers some of the best national Parks in
Botswana and Zambia incl Moremi, Chobe, Kafue and Victoria Falls.
Click here for holidays in Botswana
Absolute Moremi Best
safari in Botswana -
A maximum of only 6 pax can join this exclusive mobile safari. Get to really
know the Okavango Delta’s, Moremi by mokoro, motorboat, on walking-safaris,
night-safaris and daily game drives.
Click here for holidays in Botswana
Botswana's Miracle Rivers
and Ancient Lakes Safari -
A safari which explores the prime wildlife areas in Moremi and
Okavango Delta but also includes Nxai Pan National Park and Makgadikgadi Pans.
Click here for holidays in Botswana
Botswana Short Stay
Classic Safaris 2008 -
Enjoy a visit to Botswana's premier game parks and reserves,
including Savute, Moremi Game Reserve and Chobe National Park.
Click here for holidays in Botswana
Budget Camping Safari -
The Gems of Botswana -
This tour is a unique experience by including the Gems which make
Botswana such a great safari location.It is definitely suited to the adventure
enthusiast with a passion for wildlife and culture.
Click here for holidays in Botswana
The Okavango Delta Circle
Camping Safari - This
budget camping safari circumnavigates the Okavango Delta via the Caprivi Strip,
Tsodilo Hills and the Moremi Game Reserve before heading to Chobe and Victoria
Falls. An expedition safari without equal.
Click here for holidays in Botswana
To Top
Books, Maps and Other Resources
Books
Maps
Other Resources
Books
|
Worldwide Riding Vacations : A Global Guide
- Not just a guide to dude ranches, this handsome updated edition lists more
strenuous and interesting equestrian trips by continent and then by country.
Printed on heavy coated stock and illustrated with many color photographs,
it includes over 100 entries. Each lists the company, address, phone number,
E-mail, FAX, closest airports, price, and when available. There are
descriptions of accommodations, meals, activities, and the horses and riding
equipment, as well as a list of equestrian travel agencies and associations.
British equestrian writer Ruler writes frequently on riding vacations and is
an amateur horseman. Sacks, a former college professor, now owns a horse
farm. Includes riding vacations in Botswana. |
|
My favorite guidebooks when I am traveling is
Fodor's. I find them to be quite complete, easy to use, and almost always on the
money with helps and tips for traveling in the country I am visiting. Click on
Fodor's Travel Guides
to find the perfect guidebook for your travels.
|
Worldwide Riding Vacations : A Global Guide
- Not just a guide to dude ranches, this handsome updated edition lists more
strenuous and interesting equestrian trips by continent and then by country.
Printed on heavy coated stock and illustrated with many color photographs,
it includes over 100 entries. Each lists the company, address, phone number,
E-mail, FAX, closest airports, price, and when available. There are
descriptions of accommodations, meals, activities, and the horses and riding
equipment, as well as a list of equestrian travel agencies and associations.
British equestrian writer Ruler writes frequently on riding vacations and is
an amateur horseman. Sacks, a former college professor, now owns a horse
farm. Includes riding vacations in Botswana. |
|
Maps
Other Resources
| At
InfoHub, we believe vacation travel should be
much more than just flying you to a tropical beach. Since 1996, we at
InfoHub have worked hard to bring you the largest specialty travel
portal on the Internet. Today, you can find over 20,000 specialty trips
at
InfoHub, covering activities from Artist Workshops to Yoga
Retreats. Whatever your special interest is, you will find it right
here! Plus trips you never even knew existed! We continue to expand the
exciting array of travel options available by adding hundreds of
out-of-the-ordinary trips every week! Our goal is to make
InfoHub
"The Ultimate Source of Inspiring Travel Ideas" for your next dream
trip. |
Botswana - Order FREE Travel Brochure!
|
Posters and
Framed Art for Botswana
To Top
Suggestions for
Dining in Botswana
You will find a wide variety of different types of food are
available from various restaurants and hotels. But there are very fewer
vegetarian restaurants in Gaborone. Traditional food is served in some
restaurants with the available variety dependent upon the tribes of
origin. International cuisine can be found, for the most part, served only
in Gaborone restaurants. Food prices normally do not vary greatly from
those found inn North America.
A wide range of natural fruit juices are sold in supermarkets in almost all
major cities and towns. I would stick to the bottled juices or
bottled water. Local alcohol production is limited to beer with Black
label and Lion two of the available options. For domestic beer lovers there a
huge collection. However, some of which may be considered 'illegal.'
To Top
Some Favorites in Botswana
As I have never been to Botswana I do not have any "favorite things." Therefore the favorites listed here are
favorites of others. If you have a favorite you would like to add, just e-mail me and I will be happy to post it.
Just click here:
mailto:jimbruner@gettingaway.com
To Top
Links
For Botswana
Click here for language
helps, dictionaries,
electronic translators,
language software and other helps for learning
a foreign language. Being able to speak at least some of the language in the
country you are visiting will help you have a better time and enjoy your trip
more. Jim.
To Top
|
