Things to do in Okavango Delta
The main attraction to the Okavango is without a doubt the wildlife, which is in abundance in this geographically unique region. Big-game viewing is the heart of the tourism industry in the Okavango, and the many species on offer include hundreds of elephant, buffalo, giraffe, zebra, hippo, crocodiles and big cats such as lions, leopards and cheetah. It should be noted, however, that game viewing very much depends on season, and water and food availability. The winter months of June to August are a good time to visit as the floodwaters bring many new species to the region.
The town of Maun is the administrative centre of the Delta region and has an airstrip that serves as landing point for most incoming visitors to the Okavango. Countless safari and air-charter companies operate in the town, which has been transformed from a rural outpost by the advent of tourism, although it is still a little rough around the edges. It extends along the Thamalakane River, and now boasts good shopping centres, hotels, banks, and lodges.
Moremi Wildlife Reserve
Moremi, about 37 miles (60km) from Maun, is a 1,160 square mile (3,000 sq km) reserve in the middle of the Okavango Delta, in one of the world's most pristine wilderness areas. Acc…
Moremi Wildlife Reserve
Moremi, about 37 miles (60km) from Maun, is a 1,160 square mile (3,000 sq km) reserve in the middle of the Okavango Delta, in one of the world's most pristine wilderness areas. Accessible by air or road from Maun, self-driving is recommended for experienced four-wheel-drive enthusiasts in the dry months. Alternatively visitors can join safari packages from the reserve's luxury lodges. A wonderful way to see the delights of the Delta is on a mokoro (a dug-out canoe), which is poled through the waterways by experienced guides. Travellers can stay in unfenced camps and experience nature at its purest in the heart of Africa.
Website www.moremi.com
Chobe National Park
The second largest game park in Botswana, Chobe comprises four regions; the river floodplains and teak forest, the Savute marshes, the Linyanti swamp, and the dry hinterland. Chobe…
Chobe National Park
The second largest game park in Botswana, Chobe comprises four regions; the river floodplains and teak forest, the Savute marshes, the Linyanti swamp, and the dry hinterland. Chobe is especially well known for its immense elephant population, counting more than 70,000, and it is not uncommon to encounter herds in excess of a hundred members at a time. The Chobe River forms the northern border of the park, and makes for excellent game viewing by boat. There are a number of game lodges, hotels and camps in the Chobe area and at Kasane, the main town in northern Botswana, which has an airport and good road network. Close to the Zimbabwean border, Victoria Falls is barely an hour's drive away.
Website www.chobenationalpark.co.za
Tsodilo Hills
To the west of the Okavango Delta area, about 33 miles (53km) from the town of Shakawe, is a mysterious site shrouded in myth, legend and spiritual significance for the local San p…
Tsodilo Hills
To the west of the Okavango Delta area, about 33 miles (53km) from the town of Shakawe, is a mysterious site shrouded in myth, legend and spiritual significance for the local San people, who have inhabited the area for 35,000 years or more. The Tsodilo Hills are believed by the San to be the site of first Creation. The area is festooned with thousands of rock paintings representing a variety of scenes, some of which date back to 1,300 AD. Several trails lead to more than 350 rock-painting sites. The area is remote, with no shops or accommodation facilities, but it is possible to camp and draw from borehole water.
Website www.botswana.co.za/africa_tsodilo_hills.html
Makgadikgadi Salt Pans
The Makgadikgadi Pans are located in the northeast of the country and are among the largest salt flats on earth, covering 6,200 square miles (16,000km²) of the Kalahari basin. Dur…
Makgadikgadi Salt Pans
The Makgadikgadi Pans are located in the northeast of the country and are among the largest salt flats on earth, covering 6,200 square miles (16,000km²) of the Kalahari basin. During the annual rains, the pans become a source of fresh water and grass for migratory wildlife, especially the massive wildebeest and zebra herds that move through the area. Self-drive visitors are advised to use only four-wheel drive vehicles as the terrain can be testing. A good map and a GPS system are also essential, as getting lost in the desert can be disastrous. Also, as a general rule, it is advised that visitors drive in the tracks of other vehicles and keep to the edge of the pan.