Travel Guides: All Countries / Africa / Botswana
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| | | Make life a big game |  | Why go on holiday to Botswana?
It's always been famous for its big game parks, Okavango Swamps, Kalahari Desert and diamonds. Now it's equally famous for its wonderful people – thanks to Alexander McCall Smith and his No.1 Ladies Detective series. Acclaimed all over the world, the books showcases the beauty of the country, the value of traditional Africa values and the warmth of its people – encapsulated in the person of Mma Precious Ramotswe, chief detective and cheer-leader for her country.
How much will it cost?
It's about £100 for two nights in a double room in one of Gaborone's many five-star hotels; a safari lodge in Chobe costs between £44 and £22 per night. There aren't low-cost flights per se but the cheapest flights can be had for under £500 and will usually be via South Africa.
When should I go?
You choose. It's dry but cool from April to early May and from September to October. It's summer but wet from Nobember to March and winter from late May to August, so the nights are colder.
Who's it for?
The intrepid, well-heeled traveller who likes to 'rough it' – but in gorgeous game lodges and on safari. It's for the adventurous - you'll have to enjoy exploring great, wide open spaces, savannas, deserts, wetlands and salt pans. It's got some good roads and you can hire cars but remember that the driving can be 'adventurous' at the very least and you'd have to keep your wits about you at all times. A lot of the packages and lodges are aimed at luxury tourists but budget tourists can head to youth hostels and cheaper hotels and organise cheaper safari packages or travel to the national parks.
What are the must-sees?
Most people want to visit the Okavango Swamps - the largest inland delta in the world, it's teeming with wildlife. Animal lovers and twitchers will both be in heaven - there are thousands of types of birds and big game to spot. Some of the adventure is also about travelling across the lagoons, islands and channels - and passing the occasional yawning hippo.
Capital Gaborone is not a huge draw in itself but it's home to an increasing number of luxurious five-star hotels and is ideal for holidaymakers on their way to the wilds. It's also, of course, 'home' to Mma Ramotswe and her friends and clients.
Make sure you get to Mokoldi Reserve. It's very exciting as it's home to a number of white rhino which have been reintroduced from South Africa.
The Moremi Wildlife Reserve is right in the centre of a delta, so expect lots of wildlife, and the Makgadikadi Pans (salt pans) are all that is left of a vast lake. It's an eerie landscape and you could disorientated as heat mirages will distort your sense of space and direction and places. Think of a typical heat mirage as weird objects will seem to float in mid-air in front of your eyes.
Another huge attraction are the hundreds of sites throughout Botswana where you can see ancient rock paintings, done by the ancestors of Botswana's San people.
What will I spend?
A decent burger and fries at the Gaborone Wimpy will set you back about £4, internet access through Interswana will cost you about $6 a month, a beer will cost about 80p.
Any special events?
The annual Maitisong Festival in Gaborone from April 16-24. Check out the local talent in venues all around the city. You'll get to enjoy choral music, theatre, traditional music and dance and marimba bands. It's a carnival atmosphere and you can even get to enjoy the many free shows - you might even get to see a top African act for free.
President's Day is on July 16 - you'll get to enjoy a whole lot of music and dancing, the National Music Eisteddfod is from July 25-27 in Selebi-Phikwe and Botswana Day is on September 30 - expect more music and a lot of colourful parades.
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| | Available rental properties in Botswana |
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