Botswana Safari
Okavango is one of the greatest wildlife areas in Africa, a vast wetland which teems with wildlife year round
Botswana for example has the flat expanse of the Kalahari Desert, yet within this lies the blue-green wetland of the Okavango Delta, which gets its waters from rain falling in central Africa 1000km away.
Nearby but falling within a completely different rainfall catchment and offering yet another kind of wildlife experience lies the Linyanti region with its spreading mopane woodlands and dense elephant population
Botswana Explorations therefore delve into the contrasts of such extremes as well as explore the rich world of the Okavango in depth. The seasons bring different species to light in unexpected places; for example, the Kalahari lures plains game, its young and a following of predators during its green summer
Camps here are generally very high quality and almost all are accessed only by light aircraft.
Most good safaris include between two and five camps in Okavango and the neighbouring Linyanti area. Great care needs to be taken to combine camps which are complementary for the time of year, taking special note of water levels and game movements.
home of the Chobe National park, the Okavango delta and the Kalahari
desert - these diverse habitats support a great variety of plant, bird
and wildlife.
Marshes, waterways, riverine forests, dry woodlands offer refuge to some
164 species of mammals, 157 species of reptile, 80 species of fish and
550 bird species
We tend not to use this route as we find it rather dull. we generally prefer instead to fly from Windhoek to Maun and then make our way up through the higher quality safari areas of Okavango and Linyanti on the way to Livingstone.
Originating
in Angola where it is known as the Cubango river, the Okavango
flows into Botswana draining into the Moremi reserve.
The "river that never finds the sea" disappears into
a unique network of channels, islands and lagoons. Covering an
area of 17 000 sq. kms and forming the largest inland delta in
the world; the delta provides a prolific habitat for plant and
animal life
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Mountain Reedbuck
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HEALTH
Malaria prophylaxis is recommended for all
travelers to the northern part of the country including the northern
districts of Central, Chobe, Ngamiland, North East, and Okavango
White Rhino calf
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Insect and tick
protection
wear long sleeves, long pants, hats and shoes (rather than sandals)
For rural and forested areas boots are preferable with pants tucked
in to prevent tick bites.
Ticks should be removed with tweezers, grasping the tick by the
head.
Many tick borne illnesses can be prevented by prompt tick removal.
General advice
Bring adequate supplies of all medications
in their original containers - clearly labelled.
Carry a signed dated letter from your doctor describing any medical
conditions and listing all medications.
If you wear glasses or contacts, bring an extra pair. If you have
significant allergies or chronic medical problems, wear a medical
alert bracelet.
Make sure your health insurance covers you for medical expenses
abroad. |
PACKING
SUGGESTIONS
Light cotton trousers
Cotton shorts
Light cotton shirts (long and short sleeved)
Comfortable walking shoes
Sandals
Shower-proof rain jacket/windbreaker
Sunhat
Insect repellent
Small torch
Bathing suit
Suntan lotion
Sunglasses
Camera (telephoto lens recommended)
Binoculars
Warm jacket, hat, scarves and gloves if travelling during the
winter months.
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SEASONS
Winter months : May to September are dry with
with warm and sunny days (26°C/79°F average).
Temperatures can drop to below freezing at night.
This is probably the best time to visit as the animals are forced
to visit the permanent water courses, pans and waterholes.
Summer
months:
October to April are hot (25°/77°F – 45°C/113°F).
Afternoon showers are a welcome relief from the heat. |
CREDIT
CARDS
All major credit cards are accepted at hotels, shops and restaurants
Outside of the major centures acceptance of credit cards is limited.
Most lodges and restaurants accept payment by Visa and MasterCard.
CURRENCY
The currency of Botswana is the Pula (1 Pula = 100 Thebe)
Most international airports have banks where money can be changed
and facilities are usually available at hotels and lodges
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African Wild Dog
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In this section
Botswana
• Fly-Ins
« Chobe
« Maun
• Chobe-Kasane
« Hotels-Lodges
« Guesthouses
• Okavango_Delta
« Safari Camps
« Linyati
« Maun Hotels
• Pan_Handle
• Kalahari
• Canoe
Safaris
• Walking
Safaris
• From Chobe
• From Maun
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