Okavango Delta
Beginning it's trek across sub-Saharan Africa on the Benguela Plateau
in Angola, the Okavango River flows southwards through 1300 km of Kalahari
Sands eventually entering Botswana just to the north of Shakawe. Guided
between two parallel faults, the Okavango flows South-eastwards for a further
80 km before getting the opportunity to expand into the typical Delta shape.
Covering an area of some 16000 km.sq, the Okavango is a unique wetland
ecosystem, a wildlife paradise nestled in the heart of the otherwise inhospitable
landscape of the Kalahari Desert.
Moremi Game Reserve
Comprising some 4800 sq. km on the Eastern side of the Okavango Delta,
Moremi in my opinion is the best Botswana has to offer. When first established
in 1963, it covered only the Eastern part of the present day reserve. In
the 70's it was extended to include Chiefs Island and in 1991 it's borders
were extended again to it's present size. The Boro River which traverses
the centre of the Okavango is Moremi's
Western boundary, and the Chobe National Park forms part of the Eastern
boundary. The Western section is mostly swamps with some large islands,
an example of which is Chiefs Island. The Eastern section on the other hand
is mostly dry land with some areas of swamp. This part of the park is accessible
by road. There are three main areas of attraction in this Eastern section,
namely:
- Third Bridge,
- Xakanaxa and
- Kwai or North Gate as it is sometimes called.
Xakanaxa, Third Bridge
These two campsites are only 14 km apart, they are both almost entirely
surrounded by swampland and at times some of their roads are inaccessible.
Another distinct feature in this area is the Mopane Tongue which is a forest
that begins at the edge of the swamps and extends out in a South and Westerly
direction. During the rainy season the pans in the mopane woodland hold
water and game such as elephant and buffalo are attracted to these. When
these pans dry out the game returns to the permanently watered areas and
it is at this time of the year that Xakanaxa and third Bridge are unbeatable
for game. For birders, this area is always a paradise.
Activities in this area include both game drives and boat cruises.
North Gate / Kwai
This part of Moremi is bordered on the Northern side by the Kwai River
and it is this rivers flood plain that is so attractive and appealing to
game, birds and people alike. Kwai compliments the Xakanaxa area because
as it usually happens, when Xakanaxa is not so prolifically inhabited with
game species, Kwai usually is.
Nxai Pan & Makgadikgadi Pans
National Parks
Nxai Pans National Park
As early as 1970, the northern part of this park, an area of about 1600
km.sq was considered to have a potential for tourism and was proclaimed
a Game Reserve. In 1992 the reserve was proclaimed a National Park and was
enlarged to include areas to it's South and today covers an area of over
2500 km.sq.
Nxai Pan National Park is situated largely to the north of the main road
and half-way between Maun and Nata. Nxai pan itself is 30 odd km north of
the main road and has two campsites, one on it's Northern edge and one on
it's south. Due to the lack of surface water for most of the year, a watering
hole has been provided for wildlife. You will find that this area seems
very similar to Namibia's Etosha Pans.
Bains' Baobabs which is found between Nxai pan and the main road is a
rewarding sight and was painted by a traveller named Thomas Bains in May
of 1862. The baobabs have not changed much in the intervening 130 years.
Makgadikgadi Pans National Park
This is a much larger Park and also began as a Game Reserve, it covers
an area of 4900 km.sq and the salt pans themselves cover a small area of
the park. The majority of the park is rolling grassland that at times attract
large herds of game. It would be difficult for one to have experienced all
Botswana's variety without having spent time in one of these areas.
Central Kalahari Game Reserve
Found in the centre of Botswana and covering an area of 52800 km.sq,
this immense reserve must be one of the worlds largest and remotest wilderness
areas.
This reserve was created in 1961 principally for the San or Bushmen to
live their traditional lives in, and until recently was closed to the public
because of this reason.
This huge semi-arid region, the Kalahari, conjures up images of heat
and dust, of wide open spaces, endless grass plains and acacia trees standing
alone above small and empty pans. In the dry season this is quite often
true, but when the rains come......
.....the pans fill up to overflow, the trees and scrub bloom in the brightest
of colours and the endless grass plains are lush and green and the game
looks fat and healthy. And for a short time the Kalahari surpasses even
the Okavango in it's beauty.
Khama Rhino Sanctuary
This small sanctuary of only 4300 ha is a community project and is located
only 32 km to the North-east of the historical village of Serowe. In it's
beautiful setting of hills Serowe, established in the early 1900's is still
the tribal headquarters of the BaNgwato tribe. Serowe boasts a small historical
museum and a semi-rural and traditional atmosphere. The Ngwato Chiefs graveyard
is situated behind the Kgotla, a Batswana court and meeting place where
tribal matters are discussed and decided upon.
The sanctuary itself, although small, boasts a collection of desert game
such as zebra, eland, impala, gemsbok, giraffe, wildebeest, hartebeest and
of course rhino. This is one of the few places rhino can be seen in Botswana
and are almost guaranteed. Small mammals like Ground squirrels, bat-eared
foxes, blacked-backed jackal, brown hyaena and aardwolf are also present
as is a bird list of over 300 species. | 
