Destination Botswana

DESTINATION BOTSWANA - AN ABUNDANCE OF WILDLIFE

CHOBE RIVER & SAVUTE

An abundance of game can be observed along the Chobe by both vehicle and boats.

The 12500 square kilometre Chobe National Park is filled with opportunity from the Chobe River itself, the currently dry Savute Channel, the Mababe Depression and the very eastern most edge of the Okavango Delta's Khwai River. Photographic opportunity abounds with dense wildlife populations along the Chobe River and a chance to photograph Hippo and Elephant from both land and by boat. Predator populations are dense and well documented and there is chance to see Lion, Leopard, African Wild Dog and Hyena across all our destinations. The Savute channel and dried up marsh with small hills or "koppies" make for nice clear and clean backdrops for wildlife photography. Here two prides of Lions battle for territory in this game rich area. From time to time, they will actively Elephant as documented in the two part feature films - Giant Killers.

OKAVANGO DELTA - MOREMI GAME RESERVE

Predators like Lions can be seen early morning and late afternoon in the Game Reserve.

A tapestry of water and vegetation that makes up the World Heritage listed Okavango Delta is nothing short of a miracle. This over 16000 square kilometre alluvial fan is home to a myriad of animal species in an ever changing landscape of flood plains, palm islands, lagoons and channels. Herds of Lechwe and African Buffalo can bee seen on the vast open plains as well as Giraffe, Water Buck and Plains Zebra. Predator populations are strong making use of a number of prey species. The 5500 square kilometre Moremi Game Reserve forms the core protection of the Okavango Delta which in turn is surrounded by private concessions. World heritage listing has further strengthened the protection of this globally important wetland.

OKAVANGO - KHWAI RIVER

Botswana is special because of its Elephant populations. Khwai River is a wonderful destination to sit and watch them.

This intensely rich game area is the eastern most extreme of the Okavango Delta and is protected and private concession owned by the Khwai Development Trust. It is potentially one of the best examples of communities benefiting from wildlife in Africa. Dense populations of Hippo and Elephant dominate the landscape and it is one of the most sort after areas to view the critically endangered African Wild Dog. Each year they den away from the river itself hunting mostly Impala but also Kudu to sustain the pack. Lions here too cross in and out of the Moremi Game reserve and if you are lucky, you may get to see them swim across the Khwai River. As it is a private concession, night drives are possible to try and see nocturnal animals like Small Spotted Genet, African Wild Cat and a number of Owl species.

NXAI PAN NATIONAL PARK

Nxai Pan is Baobab country as well as the opportunity to sit and watch at the water hole.

Formally known as Paradise Pan, Nxai Pan National Park is the best place to photograph the desert or dry adapted species. Herds of Oryx or Gemsbok as well as Giraffe, Springbok and Impala can be found on the pan itself. Many visitors to Nxai Pan describe the experience as being the quintessential Africa in their mind. Dotted "islands" of Acacia and large Baobab trees dot this largely open landscape - perfect country to support great Cheetah sightings. Most activity occurs around the water hole where you can sit and photograph to your hearts content as just about everything comes here to drink. Two male Lions sit at the apex of predation and the pride has currently swelled to 19 individuals. They are noted for their characteristic black manes. Nxai Pan is also good for Bat-eared Foxes, Brown Hyena and Ostrich. Baines Baobabs just south of the main pan offer fantastic landscape photography opportunities.

MAKGADIKGADI NATIONAL PARK - BOTETI RIVER & THE ZEBRA MIGRATION & MEERKATS

The Zebra migration is one of the Boteti River's biggest attraction. Over 20000 Zebras spend the dry season along the river.

One of Africa's most endearing creatures has got to be the Meerkats. Semi habituated groups along the edge of Makgadigadi Pans can easily be photographed at eye level. Its an incredible experience combined with a sleep out on the pans. Makgadikgadi Pans is a vast dry landscape of nothingness the size of Switzerland. On the western side of the Makgadikgadi National Park lies the southern most extremity of the Okavango Delta in the form of the Boteti River. Here, the second largest Zebra migration outside of the Serengeti Plains in East Africa congregate and over winter near the river. Its hooves, stripes and dust action for photographers. Also noted along the river is congregations of bull Elephants - the subject of scientists searching answers as to why they meet up like they do here. Notable sightings of 50 - 100 bulls together can be seen socialising and mud bathing along the river banks.

CENTRAL KALAHARI GAME RESERVE

Central Kalahari is worth the visit just be alone in the wilds. It is also one of the strongholds of Cheetah in the country and also good for Oryx.

The Kalahari is synonymous with Botswana as over 80% of the country is the Kalahari basin. The Central Kalahari Game Reserve is located in the middle of the country and is over 40 000 square kilometres in size - making it the second largest game reserve in Africa after the Selous Game Reserve in southern Tanzania. Most visitors base themselves in the epic Deception Valley to view wildlife. The flat and open valley from a distance was thought to hold water by early explorers, unfortunately for them, this was not the case. Early morning and evening, the calls of Black-backed Jackal can be heard along the length of the valley and as the sunsets, barking gecko calls resonate too. Black maned Kalahari Lions and big herds of Oryx are the order of the day here as well as an excellent place to view Cheetah. It is also a great place to see Honey Badgers and on occasion up to ten have been seen on a morning drive.