The land locked country of Botswana has been the most politically stable country in Sub-Saharan Africa; Botswana began as a British Protectorate but gained self-rule in 1920 and full independence in 1966. It is from this stable platform that the development of national parks and the resultant tourism was made possible.

Botswana is a dry land best known for it’s diamond mines and deserts than anything else. Vast reaches of Botswana are only inhabited by the San (Bushmen), untroubled by the passing of time, the San cling to many of their customs and traditions.

The exception to this is the Okovanga Delta. Lakes and lagoons abound in the worlds largest inland delta. The Delta attracts a wide variety of animals and bird life. Winding channels link the lakes and lagoons; the Delta can be explored from a Mokoro (dugout canoe) that can navigate the narrow passages amongst the papyrus reeds. The Delta has lush indigenous forests and palm trees to offset the surrounding savannah.

The islands of the Delta and the surrounding area support lion, African buffalo, hippopotamus, crocodile and elephant as well as numerous species of antelope and other small animals. Fishing is exceptionally good and is best in the northern parts of the Delta, here you will struggle with the tiger fish.

The newest addition to the parks of Botswana, The Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park formed from the Gemsbok National Park in Botswana and the Kalahari Gemsbok Park in South Africa allows free movement of animals across a very large area (3,6 million Hectares) uncultured by fences. The park is situated in the Kalahari, an area with sparse vegetation, thus most animals congregate in a fairly small area around the dry river beds (rain comes seldom to this part of the world). The advantage for the tourist of this high concentration of mammals, in a relatively small area, is that the likelihood of seeing leopard, lion or cheetah, are very good.

The park has 280 species listed but most of these such as the wildebeest, eland and springbok are migratory. The park is also known for it’s raptor (eagles, falcons, hawks and kites) viewing.  Not to be forgotten is the gemsbok, a type of antelope easily identifiable from its straight horns, for which the park was originally named.

Botswana is also known for its good hunting.