Outdoor Africa Tour Safari

About Botswana

Bordered by South Africa, Zambia and Namibia, Botswana’s landscape is a study of contrasts - an expanse of savannahs, deserts, wetlands and salt pans stretching from the red desert dunes of the Kalahari, home of the Bushmen, to the lush green of the waterways of the Okavango Delta. The varied landscapes change with the seasons meaning that, in Botswana, every safari is unique.

Botswana is home to a vastly diverse wildlife population, including species such as elephant, various antelope, kudu, giraffe, cheetah, ostrich, leopard, wild dog, lion and more.

Botswana is one of Africa's success stories. Tourism was identified decades ago as the best way to create a sustainable industry that employs a large number of its people, while still preserving the environment. The country’s commitment to conservation has resulted in an excellent reputation for environmental tourism. The focus is on high-quality and authentic wildlife experiences.

 

Country Facts

Botswana is a land-locked country, with an area of 600,370 sq km and an estimated population of 2098018 with a growth rate of 1.477% per annnum. Gaborone, situated in the South Eastern part of Botswana, is the capital city of Botswana. The city has good road and air links to South Africa and other main centres in the country. Other main towns include Francistown, Lobatse, Selebi Phikwe, Ghanzi, Mahalapye, Jwaneng, and Kasane with Serowe, Palapye, Kanye, Maun, Molepolole, Ramotswa as major villages.

In Botswana, driving is on the left hand side of the road. The general speed limit is 100km/h or 120 km/h on open roads and 60km/h in urban areas. It is advisable to look out for the speed limit signs on the road and keep the allowed speed as over speeding penalties can be high depending on the speed at which you are driving.

English is the official language of Botswana. Setswana is the national language and is widely spoken. Other languages spoken in Botswana include Afrikaans in the south and south western part in areas bordering Botswana and South Africa, Kalanga in the North East, Shekgalagari in the South Western areas, Siyeyi in the Okavango Delta areas, as well as many other languages.

The currency in Botswana is Pula and Thebe. Pula in Setswana means ‘rain’. One Pula is made up on 100 Thebe. Coins available are: 5t, 10t, 25t, 50t, P1, P2 and P5. Notes available are: P10, P20, P50, P100, P200.

 

Economy 

Industry - Diamonds, Copper, Nickel, Salt, Soda ash, Potash, Livestock processing/Beef, Textiles.

Agriculture - Sorghum, Maize, Millet, Livestock.

Exports - Diamonds, Copper, Nickel, Soda ash, Beef.

Botswana's flag is a light blue with a horizontal white-edged black stripe in the center - the blue represents water; the white-black-white bands depict the racial harmony of the people as well as the pluralist nature of the society. They are inspired by the coat of the zebra, the national animal.

General info: Botswana is 2 hours ahead of GMT all year round. Electricity is 220v. Botswana uses the metric system.

 

Climate

Botswana's climate is semi-arid. Though it is hot and dry for much of the year, there is a rainy season, which runs through the summer months.

Botswana is a huge country and extends through 9 degrees of latitude. This suggests considerable variation in climate. It is landlocked and on an elevated plateau of approximately 1000 metres. All these factors tend to cause low annual rainfall.

'Pula' is not only the name of Botswana's currency, but also the Setswana word for rain. So much of what takes place in Botswana relies on this essential, frequently scarce commodity.

Summer (wet season) - October to March.
Summer days are hot, especially in the weeks that precede the coming of the cooling rains, and shade temperatures rise to the 38°C mark and higher, reaching a blistering 44°C on rare occasions. Cloud coverage and the arrival of the first rains, towards the end of November or early December, cool things down considerably.

During the rainy period, which lasts until the end of February or early March, the days are hot and generally sunny in the morning with afternoon thunderstorms usually in short, torrential downpours during the late afternoon. Day time temperatures can rise to 38°C and night time temperatures drop to around 20°C - 25°C. Northern areas receive up to 700mm of rain per annum while the Kalahari Desert area averages as low as 225mm per annum.

Rainfall tends to be erratic, unpredictable and highly regional. Often a heavy downpour may occur in one area while 10 or 15 kilometres away there is no rain at all. Showers are often followed by strong sunshine so a good deal of the rainfall does not penetrate the ground, as it is lost to evaporation and transpiration. In summer, morning humidity ranges from 60 to 80% and drops to between 30 and 40% in the afternoon

Winter (dry season) - April to September.
Winter days are invariably sunny and cool to warm; however, evening and night temperatures can drop below freezing point in some areas, especially in the southwest. Day time temperatures generally reach 20° C and evening temperatures can be as low as 5°C. Virtually no rainfall occurs during the winter months. In winter humidity can vary between 40 and 70% during the morning and fall to between 20 and 30% in the afternoon.

For tourists, the best months to visit are from April through to October - in terms of both weather and game viewing. It is during this period that the wildlife gather around the natural waterholes and the borehole-fed dams - and are at their most visible

 

Safari Calendar

Botswana is a year round wildlife destination. However, there are certain seasons that are more suitable for special interests than others. We are often asked "which is the best time of the year to travel?" and to answer this question properly, we would need to know what you wish to experience on your safari.

The following information is to be treated as a guideline as weather patterns and wildlife rhythms are never predictable and can never be guaranteed at a specific time or in a specific area.

 

January
This is the peak breeding time for many of the colourful migrant bird species, so bird viewing is excellent. Beautiful wild flowers, brilliant green foliage and constant sounds from insects and birds make the bush vibrant and alive. January is in the middle of the rainy season with spectacular afternoon thunderstorms, high humidity and warm days (average 30°C plus) and nights (20°C plus). Game viewing is reasonable with active predators still chasing the fast developing young of their prey species. January is an ideal month for photography due to all the vivid colours, spectacular skies and unparalleled air clarity. The contrast of the predators' natural winter camouflage with the summer colours makes for dramatic photos.

 

February
This is peak flowering time for water lilies and the reed frogs are colourful and very vocal - the Okavango Delta is beautiful and noisy. The rains continue in the form of mid to late afternoon thunderstorms with dramatic skies and sounds. It is hot with daytime temperatures averaging above 30°C and warm nights at 20°C plus. There may be both wet and very dry spells within the month. The giant bullfrog emerges from months and sometimes years of hibernation to indulge in nocturnal feeding frenzies. The resident game species do not have far to go for water and the young are almost as tall as the adults. Birding is still excellent.

 

March
The fruit of the Marula trees attract elephants that wander from tree to tree in search of their favourite meal. At this time of year elephant are often encountered on walks in the Okavango as they feed from one Marula tree to another. This is the start of the rutting season and impala males snort and cavort to attract females. Temperatures are still warm both day and night but the air is drier and the rains less frequent. The bush is lush and green and there are lots of flowers.

 

April
There are the first signs that the season is changing - night temperatures drop to below 20°C on average, but day temperatures continue to rise up to 40°C on some days. Generally the temperatures are very pleasant. The cooler mornings with high relative humidity lead to wonderful early morning mist – which is spectacular over water. The impala rut is in full swing and the impala noises continue right through the night with dramatic clashes between rival males. Baboon and impala are often seen together as the baboon act as sentries protecting the busy impala. The trees have completed flowering and fruit is ripening, with massive sausages hanging from the from the Sausage trees. Reptiles are actively breeding and feeding in anticipation of the dry season.

 

May
Floodwaters from the Angolan highlands should reach the top of the Okavango Delta panhandle and begin their slow and deliberate progress through the Delta. The rains are over and the nights are cooler with temperatures averaging 15°C. The days are still warm with temperatures up to 35°C. Buffalo begin to group into large herds and visit the river areas more often as the seasonal pans begin to dry. Breeding herds of elephant increase in density daily as they visit the permanent waters. The vivid green bush starts fading to duller dry season colours and the predators begin to enjoy themselves as their colours blend in with their surroundings once again. The migratory birds begin their flights to winter-feeding and breeding grounds overseas.

 

June
In June the African wild dogs begin to search for dens, which makes them easy to find for the next three or four months as they operate from their dens. Temperatures have dropped to their coldest by the end of June with night temperatures reaching as low as 5°C (very cold on night drives due to wind chill factor). Daytime temperatures rise up to a very comfortable 25°C and dusty dry conditions begin to dominate. Some green bushes and trees persist but leaf drop commences and pans dry up. Animals concentrate at permanent water sources, as do their predators. The inner Delta starts to flood.

July
July sees the height of the floods for the Okavango Delta. The Okavango receives water from two different sources at two different times of the year. The first is the annual seasonal flood whereby rainwater in the Angolan highlands falls in December and slowly makes its way down to the Delta a couple of months later. The second rush of water comes with the local seasonal rains that fall over the Delta in the summer months. The paradox is obvious - the flood arrives when dust and dryness pervade and the rains have long gone. The leaves are falling off the trees, grasses are getting shorter every day and visibility is excellent. The nights are still cold but the days are marginally warmer and the weather typical of Botswana - sunny and clear with brilliant cobalt blue skies. More and more animals congregate near the water and flood plains. Water seeps into areas where there was none the day before and the mokoro (dug-out canoe) and boat trips become more exciting as new channels and waterways can be accessed. Soft early morning and evening light combined with dust provides the opportunity for many dramatic photo settings.

 

August
The floods have passed through the Delta and now reach Maun - leading to excitement for the locals in town as water related speculation is at a peak - how high? When will it stop? How far will the water go? The weather is warming up with daytime temperatures averaging closer to 30°C and night time averages rising to around 10°C. August is peak visitor season in Botswana. The herons, storks and other birds start to congregate at the Gadikwe heronry. The elephant herds are getting larger. As they jostle for space near the water, tension rises between the breeding herds. The bush is bare and the dust pervades but there is plenty of wildlife action.

September
The climate has changed and winter is over. Night temperatures rise rapidly within the month and by month end the average reaches 15°C plus and day temperatures soar well into the 30°C. There is brilliant sunshine, the skies are clear and it is dry. The elephants concentrate in still greater numbers as do the buffalo and this keeps the predators busy. It is a time of plenty for the lions. The carmine bee-eaters return for the summer and the first migrants arrive and storks start nesting. Water levels have slowly started to drop. Certain trees start to produce their first green shoots - fed by the floodwaters and temperatures and not by any rain, as the first rains are still about six weeks away.

October
October is very hot. Day temperatures rise regularly above 40°C and nights are warm with averages in the 20°C. October is also a great game viewing month - well worth the sweat! This is the time of year when the herbivores are at their weakest because of a lack of food and the lions are at their strongest. There is no place to hide, everything is bare and the grasses have been eaten or trampled. Predator chases erupt into clouds of dust on the open plains. From late September through early November an amazing phenomenon takes place - the "catfish run". The falling water levels send millions of catfish on noisy upstream breeding migrations, during which they prey on smaller fish and literally flatten the papyrus with their numbers. The Gadikwe heronry is full of activity with hundreds of birds breeding and nesting – bird viewing is excellent. At night Savute becomes alive with nocturnal sounds – elephants screeching impatiently at the water holes and earth trembling roars of lion are heard.

November
The expectation - in fact - desperation for rain dominates all discussions - the residents and the animals all seek an end to the dryness and dust. Temperatures remain high both day and night and game viewing is excellent. The first rains normally fall around mid November. The rains come and the animals disperse to eat on new vegetation and drink from the seasonal pans. The birthing season begins with the tsessebe, followed by impala and lechwe. The predators seek out the vulnerable young and kill many times a day to get their fill. It is a time of action, great visibility and colour with big clusters of cloud, new sprouting grass and trees bursting into life - a wonderful time for the photographer.

December
Protein rich grass feed the mother antelope while the lambs and calves grow at astounding speed. The impala complete their lambing, the wildebeest start and complete their lambing in a few weeks. The rains become more regular with thunderstorms every few days. The pans remain full and the colours shine in brilliant green. While the grazers enjoy the green tender shoots the predators are ever watching and stalking. Their winter camouflage lets them down and they have to work harder, however, the bush is dense allowing more hiding places for them to observe their prey. All the migrant birds have arrived and the birding is excellent. Temperatures have cooled on average but hot days still occur and nights are still warm and humidity can rise after rain. Great colours, dramatic skies and lightning at night all add to the magic of December.

History

Between the 1880’s and its independence in the 1960’s, Botswana was a poor and peripheral British protectorate known as Bechuanaland. The country is named after its dominant ethnic group, the Tswana or Batswana and the national language is called Setswana.

 

Geography

Botswana is a land locked country situated within the centre of Southern Africa and is bordered by Zambia and Zimbabwe to the northeast, Namibia to the north and west, and South Africa to the south and southeast. At Kazungula, four countries - Botswana, Zimbabwe, Zambia and Namibia - meet at the Chobe/Zambezi River confluence.

Botswana lies between longitudes 20 and 30 degrees east of Greenwich and between the latitudes 18 and 27 degrees south of the Equator. The distance between the north and the south of Botswana is about 1,110 kilometres. Botswana is 960 kilometres across at its widest part. The area of Botswana is approximately 581,730 square kilometres and is about the size of France or Texas. Botswana is approximately 500 km from the nearest coastline.

Botswana has an altitude of approximately 1100 meters above sea level and consists largely of a sand-filled basin, with gently undulating plains.

The highest point in Botswana is approximately 1491 meters at Otse Mountain near Lobatse. The lowest point is at the junction of the Limpopo and Shashe Rivers at 513 meters.

The Okavango River is the principal river in Botswana. It flows southeast and enters northwestern Botswana from Namibia. Much of northwestern Botswana is a vast swamp, in and around the Okavango Delta, into which the river drains. During the rainy season the river’s flow continues east on the Boteti River to Lake Xau and the Makgadikgadi Pan. The southern part of the country has no permanent streams. The Limpopo, Ngotwane, and Marico rivers separate Botswana from South Africa in the east, and the Molopo River marks the southern boundary. The Chobe River forms the northern boundary with Namibia.

The Kalahari Desert covers the central and southwestern portions of the country.The Kalahari consists of large sand belts and areas that are covered with grass and acacia-thorn scrub much of the year. To the north and the east the Kalahari merges gradually into bushveld (grassland). The eastern part of the country, where most of the people live, is characterized by pleasant hills and rolling plains covered richly with grasses, shrubs and trees.

 

Arts and Crafts

Botswana's arts and crafts mirror the country's rich cultural diversity which has been brought about by its many tribes.Most products can be purchased in curio, craft, gift shops and malls in major cities such as Gaborone, Francistown, Maun and Kasane and at safari camps in the Okavango and Chobe regions.

 

Indigenous Art
The decoratiojns known as lekgapho on traditional homes are a very impressive art which has been passed through generations. Although the art is slowly dying because many citizens are now building concrete rather than mud houses, a few traditionally decorated houses can still be seen in some rural areas.

 

Basketry
Botswana baskets are widely regarded as some of the finest in Africa. Their high quality, outstanding workmanship and originality have gained them international recognition, and they are now exported to many countries around the world.

The baskets are made of the mokolwane palm (Hyphaene petersiana) which are cut and boiled in natural earth-tone colouring. The lemao (Setswana) is the main instrument used to make the baskets. This is a sharpened piece of thick wire set in a wooden handle, which is used to pierce the tight coil and insert and then wrap the palm. To obtain coloured fibre, the palm strings are pounded and then soaked in a boiling solution of natural dyes taken from the bark and roots of various plants.

Reds are extracted from the bird plum (Berchemia discolor), browns from the magic guarri (Euclea divinorum), purples from the indigo dye plant (Indigofera tinctoria and arrecta) and yellows from the red star apple (Diospyros lyciodes).

The traditional designs on baskets consisted of a few patterns that portrayed the natural world and were produced using few colours. They went by such poetic names as ‘Flight of the Swallows’, ‘Urine Trail of the Bull’, ‘Tears of the Giraffe’, ‘Knees of the Tortoise’ and ‘Forehead of the Zebra’.

Traditionally, baskets had many practical uses - to store seeds, grains, to transport food, etc. The shape of the basket varied according to its function. Tray-type and bowl baskets, which are carried by women on their heads, are for more general use. Slow and intricate work, a large basket can take up to two weeks to complete.

Basketware, sold mostly through co-operatives, has become an important source of supplementary income for many rural families. Visitors to rural areas have the opportunity to purchase crafts directly from the producers.

 

Pottery
Few households in Botswana still use traditional pots and there are only a small number of rural women who still make traditional pottery, mostly to sell. Clay pots are used for storing water and traditional beer, and also for cooking. Traditionally, the women within the community are responsible for collecting and moulding the clay. Once the form of the pot has been created, decorative patterns are added using natural oxides.

The tradition is showing signs of recovery as the tourist market demands local pottery. Modern ceramics are produced at several small cottage industries such as those in Gabane, and Thamaga.

 

Weaving
Unsual, good quality, hand-woven tapestries, carpets, bed covers, jackets and coats are all made from karakul wool. All utilize locally inspired designs and patterns. Oodi Weavers near Gaborone has gained an international reputation for their fine work.

 

Woodcarving
Woodcarving has been used traditionally in the production of the traditional items such as tools, bowls or cups, spoons, all made out of grained wood of the mophane tree. Elsewhere, animal figures may be carved by individuals living in the rural areas, and then brought to the towns to be sold. Artists are now using mophane wood to produce jewellery as well as animal and people figurines.

 

Vonecarving
This is a relatively new craft in Botswana, currently gaining in popularity. It was recently introduced and taught to ivory carvers who, with the worldwide ban on the sale of ivory products, were in danger of losing their livelihoods. Bonecarvers in Botswana produce elegant, finely crafted jewellery and small statuettes, which interestingly have the look and feel of real ivory.

 

Jewellery
Jewellery made of beads, ceramics, stones and malachite are produced in several local cottage industries, and sold in urban areas of the country.

 

Bushman Crafts
Tourism and tourists' fascination with the Bushmen have brought a revival of sorts to traditional Bushmen crafts. Bushmen now produce and sell hunting sets, fire-making sticks, beaded jewellery and belts, leather items and musical instruments. Authentic ostrich eggshell beadwork is still made, and the contrast of the creamy white beads on the brown and black leather string makes for very attractive items.

 

The Mokoro
The Mokoro, is the traditional dug-out canoe used by the fishermen of the Okavango Delta. This, typical African craft, was brought to the delta by the Bayei people in the 18th century. Hewn from a single tree, it is a narrow vessel with a rounded bottom and no keel. To the inexperienced these canoes appear extremely precarious, but they are actually surprisingly stable when properly loaded and they are especially suited to shallow delta waters. The vessel is propelled either by paddles or a pole. To protect trees in the delta, many mokoro these days are made of fibre glass.

 

Art
There are many local artists - both citizens and expatriates. Paintings are sold in local curio shops, displayed in Gaborone and Francistown malls, but most artists prefer to stage exhibitions in the National Museum, or at their private homes. The National Museum in Gaborone has an annual art competition for all schools in the country.

The museum also has an annual National Art Exhibition in which all artists living and working in Botswana are invited to participate. The Kuru Development Trust in Ghanzi District is encouraging the growth of Bushmen painting.