3 Important Wildlife Areas In Botswana

The main reason why people travel to Botswana is to see the country’s beautiful wildlife up close. This is one of the best places to enjoy a game drive in the whole of Africa and our Botswana safaris are a great choice for anyone hoping to see the ‘big five’ animals.

Environments do vary across the country, though. This means that you are likely to see different species and have different experiences depending on where you travel. Here are three important wildlife areas in Botswana that offer fantastic viewing opportunities.

Okavango Delta

This wetland habitat is officially one of the seven natural wonders of Africa and has also been recognised as a UNESCO World Heritage site. It is formed by the Okavango River and spreads a massive 5,700 square miles across the Botswanan plains at certain points in the year. This is usually in June and July when water from the Angolan highlands courses the delta to flood. The rest of the country is experiencing its dry season at this time and so animals migrate from far and wide to quench their thirst.

There is an excellent chance of seeing all ‘big five’ members within the diverse ecosystems of the Okavango Delta. There are large populations of elephants and buffalo, whilst the densely forested areas of the Moremi Game Reserve are perfect for stalking leopards. This protected area lies in the east of the delta and is also a great place for spotting African hunting dogs and a myriad of exotic bird species.

Chobe National Park

Situated close to the Okavango Delta, the Chobe National Park features vast areas of lush greenery that flourish in the wetland conditions. As well as the habitat surrounding the Chobe River in the north of the park, there are also areas of marshland and dry, grassy woodland. This excellent range of ecosystems means that the great and the small of the animal kingdom make their homes here.

The Chobe National Park is primarily known for its huge population of elephants, almost to the point that they have become pests. They love to bathe and swim in the Chobe River and seeing this is a sight that will stay with you forever. Other wildlife includes hippos, antelopes, hyenas, zebras and crocodiles.

Central Kalahari Game Reserve

Covering 1/11th of the country’s land, not only is this the largest national park in Botswana, it is also the second largest in the world. It is a much drier area than the two mentioned above, situated amongst the bushes and sand dunes of the Kalahari Desert, but it is still home to many of the animals people hope to see on a safari. This includes giraffes, leopards, lions, cheetahs and wildebeest.

Historically, the Central Kalahari Game Reserve was home to the San people but over the past 25 years, they have been gradually relocated to other areas. The Botswanan government claims that they are a drain on financial resources but the fight for them to return to their ancestral homeland continues.

We can offer some excellent safari opportunities in Botswana, giving you the chance to see Africa’s ‘big five’ and much more besides. Contact us today to plan your tour in this part of the world.