For those wanting a vacation to remember, a Botswana trip may be just what you are looking for. Botswana is bordered by South Africa, Zambia, Zimbabwe, and Namibia. The country is known for its fascinating safaris, inland delta, wetlands, savannahs, and reserves. There is lots to do like visiting the Okavango Delta that lets tourists see the backwaters and lagoons in Botswana. The delta and its swamps were formed when the Okavango River formed a sea in the Kalahari Desert. The waters are extremely clean and clear.
The Kalahari Desert is another sight that covers about two-thirds of the country with very little vegetation and wildlife. Birdwatchers will love the Kalahari while visiting on a safari. After the rain season, this desert area is turned into a lush paradise filled with wildlife. Another great attraction is the Tsodilo Hills, which is a collection of thousands of ancient paintings. The Makgadikgadi Pans Game Reserve is an interesting sight that is covered in salt pans that you can not drive through. They are so large that they are even visible from satellites.
Botswana has had a 10% growth in the economy since 1966. Though there were some rough times for the country financially in 2002, the country is still pretty stable. Much of Botswana’s success comes from diamond mining. A large part of Botswana’s culture besides mining is sports. Soccer, rugby, and bridge are very popular sports in Botswana. The country is also a large center for basket weaving.
The temperature in Botswana has intense fluctuations between day and night with little rainfall. Unlike the United States, December and January are the hottest and wettest months in Botswana. The best time to visit is between May and October because it is not part of the rain season. The government discourages lower income travelers to visit because there is a much greater impact from the wealthy who come and stay. For this reason, it would not be strange to spend days in the National Parks and never see another sole besides those traveling with you.
You can reach Botswana by land or air. However, there are no direct flights outside of Africa. Be careful when driving because the roads can be tricky to maneuver without a 4×4. As with any trip to a foreign land, beware of your surroundings. Though Botswana is a beautiful country, it is stricken by the AIDS virus. Make sure to take any necessary precautions before you begin your Botswana vacation.
Posted by Sarah 
