2,500sq. km. in Central Kalahari is the closest reserve (only 240 km) to Gaborone. It combines most types of typical Kalahari habitat with grassed and bare pans (over 60 of them), dry river beds, fossil dunes, and rolling grasslands. The reserve is typical of vast areas of the Kalahari and offers an unsurpassed wilderness experience: low vegetation, wide bare pans and vast spaces combining to create an atmosphere of silence and peace. Local San guide visitors around the reserve, teaching them about edible and moisture-bearing plants and about the animals in the area which survive on little water. Visitors should not expect to see large herds of game, though large herds of antelope sometimes occur towards the end of winter and in spring (late July to September). Nevertheless, there is a wide variety of species. Birdlife is extremely interesting with over 150 species having been recorded. Access is by road but 4-WDs are essential. Camping and entry tickets may be bought at a Department of Wildlife and National Parks camp at Galalabodimo Pan at the entrance to the reserve. Guides prepared to accompany visitors and camp with them may also be hired here. It is normal to feed guides and pay them about P4 a day. They take their own bedding. Further information may be obtained from the Department’s headquarters, in Gaborone.

26,000 sq. km. in Southwestern Botswana is typical of the drier areas of the Kalahari including deep fossil river beds and high sand dunes. It borders the south African Kalahari Gemsbok National Park with only the dry bed of the Nosop river dividing the two parks. The main attractions are the game (spring, gemsbok, red hartebeest, blue wildebeest, eland, lions, cheetah and brown hyena) and the 170 species of birds which include the social weaver bird known for building huge structures, sometimes as large as small rooms. The best time to visit is March to early May when plants are green and game abundant. Access is by tarred road, Gaborone to Tshabong, after which 4-WDs become necessary. There is no entry to the park from Botswana whose park has no roads or water. Entry is through Twee Rivieren in the Cape Province or Matamata from Namibia. All roads are suitable for saloon cars and the South Africa Parks Board provides three fully serviced camping sites on the South African side. During school holidays and long weekends it is necessary to make advance reservations through the Chief Director, PO. Box 787 Pretoria 1000, South Africa.

11,000 sq. km. in northeastern Botswana. Habitats range from swamp and flood plain to dead lake bed, sandridges and forest. This is Botswana’s second tourist attraction. It has varied game populations. There is no development and remains a natural wilderness. Access is by gravel and sand roads, and by air. The two main entrances to the park are at Kasane (an hour’s drive from Zimbabwe’s Victoria Falls) and at Mababe (an hour’s drive from Maun). The riverine areas to the west of Kasane are accessible by saloon car. Main attractions are large herds of elephant and buffalo, hippo, lion, leopard, rhino, giraffe, eland, zebra, tsessebe, waterbuck, puku, lechwe, crocodile, sable antelope, wild dog, warthog, baboons, impala, hyena, roan, kudu, and many others. Entry and camping tickets can be purchased in both Kasane ad Maun. Accommodation is provided in lodges and park camping sites at Serondela, Savuti (the Savuti area is closed from January to March), and Noatsau. Camping sites are administered by the Department of Wildlife and National Parks.

PO Box 17, Tel. 17, Kasane and PO Box 11, Tel. 230, Maun.

52,800 km2. Immediately to the north of and adjoining Khutse Game Reserve. This is the second largest game reserve in the world. There are no roads and water in this reserve and it is closed to the public. Access is allowed only by permit. Further information may be obtained from the Department of Wildlife and National Parks in Gaborone.

Located between Nzai Pan National Park and Makgadikgadi Pan Game Reserve is a complex of small salt pans, called Kanyu Flats, that is interesting to visit. In 1862 the artist-explorer Thomas Baines painted a group of massive baobab trees, which today remain as he painted them over 130 years ago.

Located in northwestern Botswana. Attractions include more than 2,000 ancient San paintings, impressive peaks and hiking. Access is by road. No facilities for accommodation but ideal camping sites available.

The Kalahari, or Kgalagadi, covers almost two-thirds of Botswana. It is a sandy desert with very little vegetation. Beneath the dunes are a complex and fascinating system of pans, depressions and river beds. Wildlife was once abundant, and remains so in certain areas. These include hartebeest, wildebeest, springbok, gemsbok, eland, giraffe and ostrich. The various game reserves in the Kalahari offer a variety of attractions which range from geological to the said wild animals including big game. Travelling through the Kgalagadi offers one the ultimate wilderness experience, almost out of this world. Overnight campers have an unforgettable experience under the starry night sky. Access is by road and accommodation at camping sites.

The Okavango swamps are Botswana’s main tourist attraction. In a strange reversal of the usual order of things, the development of the Rift Valley across the course of the Okavango River, seventh largest river in Africa, gave rise to the Okavango Delta, which is one of the most fascinating places in Africa. The 15,000 km2 inland delta (the largest in the world) is a result of the Okavango river and others flowing inland and forming a sea in the Kalahari Desert. Each year, heavy rainfall in Angola, the source of the Okavango River, results in the river breaking its banks and creating what is known as the Okavango Swamps as it flows into Botswana. The swamp waters are crystal clear, clean and free of bilharzia. This Eden is home to a vast array of animal, bird and plant life. Mid-May to mid-September, when the water levels are neither too high nor too low, is the best time to visit. To get the most out of the Okavango 

For the Delta experience, it is advisable to use the services of professional and experienced tour operators able to convey you through the complicated waterways, to lead you to the best game viewing, birdwatching or fishing spots. Contrary to some tourist literature, the whole delta does not teem with game – its attraction lies more in bird watching, fishing, the solitude (the silence and tranquility) and the unforgettable sunsets.

Anybody visiting this natural wonder of beautiful channels, lots of pristine landscapes, and islands inhabited by lots of wildlife, is a must. Access is by road and air. No big hotels can be found in this area which instead is characterised by a few excellent lodges and small camps. The policy is in line with keeping the habitat as natural as possible.