Botswana Supplement 2011

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All About November 2011

Your one-stop guide

to all the latest news and developments in Botswana

Produced by

www.travelbulletin.co.uk

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All about Botswana

CONTENTS

4 Meet the agents

5 The educational

9 Botswana – the essential facts 11 Contacts

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All about Botswana

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All about Botswana

Welcome B

otswana is well known for having some of the best wilderness and wildlife areas on the African continent. With a full 38 per cent of its total land area devoted to national parks, reserves and wildlife management areas – for the most part unfenced, allowing animals to roam wild and free – travel through many parts of the country has the feeling of moving through an immense Nature wonderland.

In Botswana, you can experience the stunning beauty of the world’s largest intact inland Delta – the Okavango; the world’s second largest game reserve – the Central Kalahari Game Reserve; the isolation and other-worldliness of the Makgadikgadi – uninhabited pans the size of Portugal; and the astoundingly prolific wildlife of the Chobe National Park.

Botswana is the last stronghold for a number of endangered bird and mammal species, including Wild Dog, Cheetah, Brown Hyena, Cape Vulture, Wattled Crane, Kori Bustard and Pel’s Fishing Owl. The first – and most lasting impressions – will be of vast expanses of uninhabited wilderness stretching from horizon to horizon, the sensation of limitless space, astoundingly rich wildlife and bird viewing, night skies littered with stars and stunning sunsets of unearthly beauty. Combine this with more and more cultural tourism options on offer – experiencing first-hand the rich heritage of the people of Botswana – this is a country that has no parallel.

But at first glance the options for a safari in Botswana can sometimes appear bewildering. Experiencing anything is always the best way to be able to understand (and therefore sell) it. Recognising this, each year Botswana Tourism Organisation takes a group of agents and operators to see the wonders of this country. Through this journey we hope that many preconceived ideas will be changed and a greater understanding of the tourism industry in Botswana will be gained.

This supplement has, for the most part, drawn on the personal experiences of the latest group of intrepid travellers to Botswana. Agents and operators just like you, and, in their words, describe their thoughts before the trip and the amazing experiences that they had during the visit. Many of the questions that you might have about this country will have been the same as the ones they had, and so I hope that this will provide an invaluable tool for you to gain an insight into the destination. The photographs included give only a small sample of the sights they saw, but I hope they will help to show that a dream really can become a reality.

Dawn Parr Director of the UK and Ireland office Botswana Tourism Organisation Office c/o Botswana High Commission 6, Stratford Place London W1C 1AY www.botswanatourism.org.uk All about Botswana

Published by

Lower Ground Floor, University House, 11-13 Lower Grosvenor Place, London SW1W 0EX Tel: 020-7834 6661 Publisher: Jeanette Ratcliffe Written and researched by: Angela Cronin Email: angelacronin2003@yahoo.co.uk Design/Layout: Genaro Santos, Ranganath GS & Prashanth AP Printed by: Premier Press Cover Picture: Northwinds Photography ISSN: 0956-2419

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All about Botswana

Meet the agents Spotting the big five was high on the agenda for the lucky agents that won a place on a trip of a lifetime – a 12-day educational to Botswana

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otswana Tourism selected five agents earlier this year to go on a trip of a lifetime to Botswana. The agents had either won their places through completing Botswana’s online training programme or taking part in a survey. We caught up with the five lucky consultants before they embarked on their journey to Botswana to find out what they knew about the country and what they were hoping to see.

The agents were joined by Travel Bulletin’s Rob Grover and Dawn Parr from the UK and Ireland office of Botswana Tourism for a 12-day fam trip that would see them experience city life and safari Botswana style.

Yvonne Dann, Experi ence Holidays, Hailsh am, East Sussex Have you been on saf ari before?

No, this is my first tim e.

What are you expect ing Botswana to be like?

Ver y interesting and full of different experi ences.

What difference do you think this visit will ma ke to the way you sell Botswana?

It is always easier to sell a destination wh en you have visited it as you have a better understanding of the countr y, the types of accommodation on off Which animal(s) are er and the things to you hoping to see? do.

The big five plus mo re.

Which items will you definitely be taking on the trip?

Camera and bug spr ay.

Are you good compan y to travel with – any travel superstitions?

No superstitions and I am not so jolly when I haven’t had enoug h sleep

Lindsay Wyatt, person al travel expert, Kuoni Have you been on saf ari before?

Yes, on a traditional min i bus safari in Kenya.

What are you expecting Botswana to be like?

Unspoilt and ver y bea utiful.

What are you expecting from the accommodat ion and safari ser vices offered From my experience, I think the lodges will be of excellent standard and ver y acc ommodating. The food will be barbecue style and ver y interna tional.

What will be the bigges t challenge of the trip?

Flying. I am petrified and not looking for ward to the light aircraf t flights Any animals/insects/rep . tiles you are a bit ner vou s about encountering?

Not so keen on things without legs or more tha n fou Little apprehensive of r. So, snakes, spiders, a mokoro/canoe trip and scorpions etc. hippos, also as they are unpredictable and har ver y m more people in Africa than lions.

Jean Claffey, long-haul sup ervisor, Joe Walsh Tours What are you expecting Bot swana to be like?

Breathtaking scenery with fantastic wildlife.

Will you be able to train oth er members of your team when you get back?

Yes I am the long-haul dep artment supervisor.

What are you most looking forward to on the trip?

Experiencing different gam e drives and learning about the cultural heritage of eac h area we will travel to.

Which animal(s) are you hop ing to see?

Big five would be great.

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Mel Broughton, marke ting executive and leisure consultant, Medway Travel What are you expecting Botswana to be like?

Wild and breathtaking ly beautiful in a rugged, natural way. Qu iet, peaceful and hot.

How many safari holida ys do you sell a year? Are they a big par t of your business?

Currently only a few, alth ough it is a market we are keen to expand.

What are you expecting from the accommodat ion and safari ser vices?

A warm welcome from the staff, exciting wildlif e encounters during the game drives, and unforgettable experience s.

What do you think the food will be like?

Traditional, home-cook ed dishes of locally sou rced produce.

Any animals/insects/rep tiles you are a bit ner vou s about encountering?

Give me a spider as big as you like and I won’t bat an eyelid, but I am petrified of snakes .

Which items will you def initely be taking on the trip?

Camera and suncream .

Mandy Mountjoy, cou ntr y director Africa, Steppes Travel Have you been on saf ari before?

Yes Will you be able to tra in other members of your team when you get back?

Yes, as a company we have slide-show presentations where con sultants deliver an informal slide show to the rest of the company about their trip , further to that, we progress trip report s on return that team members often use and refer to.

What are you expecting from the accommodat ion and safari ser vices offered?

I’m expecting them to be of an extremely hig h standard.

What do you think the food will be like?

Awesome – there is alw ays too much and it is always far too temptin Which one item will you g. definitely be taking on the trip?

A good sense of humour .

All about Botswana

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All about Botswana

‘Unforgettable from start to finish’ T

ravel Bulletin’s Robert Grover joined six agents and Dawn Parr from the UK and Ireland office of Botswana Tourism on a 12-day fam trip to Botswana from October 3-15.

The agents spent a few days in the capital Gaborone before going on safari in a number of game reserves to track down the big five and more, enjoying sundowners in the Kalahari desert and a luxury cruise on the Chobe river.

Over the next few pages, the agents tell us about their itinerary, the places that they stayed and the experiences that made this trip truly unforgettable.

All about Botswana

“The best experience was watching the pride of 10 lions rest as the cubs played around.”

Yvonne Dann

Day 1 We met for the first time at Heathrow!

Excitedly leaving on a 9.20pm British Airways flight bound for Johannesburg.

Day 2 With no direct flights to Botswana we arrived in Johannesburg for the transfer to an Air Botswana flight

arriving in the capital, Gaborone in the early afternoon. We checked into the four-star Walmont Hotel at the Grand Palm Resort before orientating ourselves on a city tour – Parliament, Museum and Main Mall – hungry we headed for dinner at the hotel’s Mokolwane Bistro, a contemporary Afropolitan restaurant.

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All about Botswana Day 3 An early morning briefing at Botswana Tourism Organisation’s HQ before leaving Gaborone on an air charter with the Flying Mission to Tuli Safari Lodge in the Northern Tuli Game Reserve. Our first taste of the real bush with lunch in the gardens before visiting the village of Mothlabaneng and meeting the local schoolchildren. On our way back to the lodge we spotted a leopard asleep under a bush – one of the big five already! The Tuli Choir provided the evening’s entertainment back at the lodge.

“The salt pans were class, they were so vast you just felt so small.”

Jean

Day 4 With an early-morning wake-up call we set out on a game drive to the confluence of the Shashe and Limpopo Rivers, the meeting place of South Africa, Botswana and Zimbabwe. Our evening took us into the bush for dinner at one of the hides, but not before we spotted two cheetah looking for their own dinner.

Day 5 As a private concession we were able to go on a morning guided bush walk to see the beauty of the area followed by breakfast on the look-out point at breakfast hill. Leaving Tuli behind we flew with Moremi Air to Kwando’s Tau Pan in the Central Kalahari Game Reserve. Finally our first sighting of lion – six cubs feasting on a giraffe while their parents keep a close watch!!

Meet the suppliers The educational could not have gone ahead without the support of a number of key suppliers. Thanks go to Walmont Hotel at the Grand Palm Resort, Tuli Safari Lodge, Kwando Safaris Tau Pan, Kwando Safaris Nxai Pan, Ker & Downey Shinde, Cresta Mowana Safari Lodge, Flying Mission, Moremi Air Services and Safari Air. 6

Day 6 The original home of the Kalahari bushmen, we went on a walk led by Scooper, our bushman tracker, to understand how he lived in the harsh environment of the Desert. After lunch our second activity of the day brought us within metres of the pride of lions – six cubs, two lions and two lionesses – watching the group interact was a truly special moment.

Day 7 Moremi Air transferred us to Nxai Pan safari lodge in the Magkadikgadi Pans.

A moonscape with totally arid scenery but a surprising amount of wildlife – if

you know where to look – and Shoes, the tracker at this camp, certainly knew!! Elephants, Cheetah, zebra, and giraffe amongst so many others.

Day 8 We chose to make a whole day out with a visit to Baine’s Baobabs, a group of seven giant baobab trees, originally known as the Sleeping Sisters, that were immortalised by the artist/adventurer Thomas Baines on 22 May 1862. And then on to see the amazing sight of the Boteti River flowing – for the first time in 30 years!

Lunch on the banks of the river surrounded by zebra!

Day 9

“We've seen almost all the animals already and it's only our third day.”

Melanie

From arid and dry scenery to the amazing vibrance of the Okavango Delta and Ker and Downey’s Shinde camp. A strange sight when we haven’t seen this much water for many days. In the afternoon we spotted a glimpse of lions mating, and after our sundowners, a marsh owl guided us all the way back to the Camp.

All about Botswana

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All about Botswana Pictures: agents and Northwinds Photography

Our evening game drive gave us lots of sightings, including a striped jackal. As the sun set we saw the full moon rising over the horizon – an amazing red disc filling the Delta with beauty. That night a bull elephant wandered into the camp, tucking into leaves on trees beside several of our rooms.

Day 11 Our final day, and having transferred to Chobe National Park and the Mowana Safari Lodge we took a cruise down the Chobe River to seethe huge numbers of elephant that call this area their home.

All too soon it is over and we are on the way back to London – with so many memories to think about and pictures to share.

Day 10 With so much water in the Delta we took a leisurely boat cruise along the channels, accompanied by crocodiles and hippos in

the water. Our destination, a nesting site, where we watched marabou and yellowbilled storks building nests and guarding their young.

“We were so lucky to have the lions roaring outside our lodge on our first night and then to see them so close up yesterday.”

Mandy

Itinerary ideas If you fancy going on a trip to Botswana yourself or you need to put together an itinerary for a client, here are some suggestions from the operators.

that includes stays in the Makgadikgadi Pans, the Southern Boundary of Moremi Game Reserve, the Chobe and Okavango Delta. Prices lead in at £3,555 per person.

Ranch Rider has introduced a new Botswana riding safari to its 2012 collection. The seven-night horseback adventure in the Okavango countryside is suited to equestrians of intermediate level and above, with the rides lasting four to six hours a day. Seven nights lead in at £2,520 per person and include accommodation, meals, drinks, ranch activities, game rides/drives, laundry, drinks, use of facilities and taxes. Flights are not included.

Africa Collection features six nights in Botswana with two nights in Savute Safari Lodge in the Linyanti Concession along the dry Savute Channel, two nights in Xugana Camp in the Okavango Delta and two nights in Camp Moremi in the Moremi Reserve. Prices lead in at £995 per person and include accommodation on a full board basis and all transfers and transportation as specified.

International flights not included.

World Odyssey offers a night-nine itinerary that includes 3 nights in the Okavango Delta, three nights at Ngoma Safari Lodge and two days on the Chobe River. Prices lead in at £3,675 per person including all flights and accommodation.

Visions of Africa offers a 10-night adventure safari

Expert Africa features three nights at the Lagoon Camp in the Kwando Reserve and 3 nights at Kwara Camp in the Okavango Delta. Prices lead in at £3,024 and include economy flights, meals, most drinks, all game activities and all transfers in Africa.

All about Botswana

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All about Botswana Best bits

So they have landed back in the UK with memories of Botswana fresh in their minds. Travel Bulletin caught up with all five agents to find out what were the highlights of the trip for them. edway Mel Broughton, M

Travel

was e from start to finish “The whole experienc the bush in the in ng lki ement of wa cit ex e Th . ble tta rge unfo ily of lions laze Reserve, watching a fam me Ga li Tu ern rth No g next to the n sun in Tau Pan, sittin oo ern aft e th in d un aro ing an earlye Kalahari Desert, tak th er ov ing fly ile wh pilot uillity of the in the peace and tranq e rid ro ko mo ng rni mo uld go on forever.”

Okavango Delta ... I co Mandy Mountjoy,

Steppes Travel

was the ole experience for me wh e th of t gh hli hig “The lahari Game itude of the Central Ka gn ma d an e ns pa ex r shee Reserve.” rience Holidays

Yvonne Dann, Expe

g the big cats ght it would be seein hli hig a k pic to ve ha “If I tastic.” that we had were fan – all of the sightings

Jean Claffey, Joe

Walsh Tours

ery stop we e part of this trip as ev “I find it hard to pick on rocky terrain of d ge rug experience. The ng azi am an s wa de ma ng people. d night drives and amazi roa off ing cit ex its th wi Tuli perience of al Kalahari with the ex ntr Ce the of ess stn va The lk we had with w me away and the wa ble tep ors do r ou on lions like being in The Nxai Salt Pans were n. ma sh bu ari lah Ka the azing sight. Last s Baobabs were an am ine Ba d an rld wo r he anot tiful – it is a bird ngo Delta was so beau ava Ok the st, lea t no t bu we went out on ring our morning there, Du . ise rad pa ’ ers tch wa water.” ny birds up close in the ma saw d an trip ro ko a mo oni

Lindsay Wyatt, Ku

if I have to, it is ght is really hard, but “To pick just one highli the to from Nxai Pan down probably the full day e visited the W the Baines Baobabs.

Makgadikgadi Pans via banks er bush lunch on the riv Boteti river and had a e absolutely nc rie ife. Very surreal expe amongst all the wildl views.” amazing and stunning

‘This can only be described as an other-worldly paradise’ Travel Bulletin’s Rob Grover looks back on his trip to Botswana

“

Having never been to southern Africa before I didn’t really know what to expect. However, from the moment I stepped on the aircraft, the whole trip felt like one great adventure.

Staying in the capital Gaborone for one night at the plush Walmont Hotel was a fine start. The city tour with Seabelo Travel and Tours was interesting and informative and going inside the national parliament was totally fascinating, as was visiting the Three Chiefs monument.

The city tour was followed by an adrenalin-pumping plane journey – I was sat at the very front – to the first safari location, Tuli Safari Lodge. This can only be described as an otherworldly paradise in what isn’t an obviously beautiful setting to start with, but which grows on you to the point of being utterly fascinating.

Highlights while at Tuli included watching leopards and cheetahs in action, a morning walking safari – getting rather close to a number of giraffes made me feel very small – and spectacular views for evening sundowners.

The Kalahari Desert was next, staying at Kwando’s Tau Pan, nine eco-friendly lodges that give a new meaning to the words “authentic experience”. Built on the path a pride of lions take to

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the waterhole (which recycles shower water – great idea!), sleeping that night in my lodge as the lions roared no more than 100 metres away is something I’ll never forget! Game drives both days were superb, as was the evening meals and entertainment (local dancing... those folks can move).

On to another Kwando resort in the Nxai Pan and the ridiculously high level of accommodation and facilities continued, as did the hospitality of the Batswana, who were so friendly, funny, and helpful throughout. Just 300 metres from the porch was a waterhole filled with elephants – the size of them is truly phenomenal, while the complete lack of sound they make as they amble through the bush is unbelievable.

The wildlife continued to be numerous, active and spectacular, and again I was blown away by the landscapes/scenery. Visiting Baines Baobabs – a rocky island housing a dozen or so of these gigantic trees in salt pans that stretch as far as the eye can see – is something that will stay with me forever.

And then, before I know it, it’s time to say goodbye to the rest of the group as I fly home and they depart for the Okavango Delta and Chobe. Writing this I was wondering what I missed out on, then almost on cue the lovely Mel Broughton (Medway Travel) emails me saying “it was incredible...hate to break it to you but you missed out”. Well, I suppose I’ll have to go back soon then...

”

All about Botswana

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All about Botswana

From safaris to sunset cruises From the vastness of the Kalahari desert to the wetlands of the Okavango Delta; from safari in a 4x4 to tracking animals in a canoe, Botswana offers plenty of bang for its buck when it comes to a holiday like no other

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ith 38% of its land area dedicated to national parks and reserves, Botswana is the ultimate destination for a safari experience of a lifetime.

The vastness of the country’s wilderness experience means that visitors are guaranteed to see more than just the big five of lions, African elephants, buffaloes leopards and rhinoceroses. Botswana is also home to a number of endangered species, including cheetahs, brown hyenas and cape vultures, making the safari experience for visitors a completely unique one.

The key areas to visit the Tuli Block, the Kalahari, which includes the Makgadikgadi Pans, the Chobe National Park, the Okavango Delta and the capital Gaborone. And with plenty of luxury safari lodges and hotels to choose from, visitors are guaranteed to enjoy the experience of a lifetime.

All about Botswana

Tuli Block Located in the east of Botswana, the Tuli Block is situated between the Sashe and Limpopo rivers, this section of land forms a triangle where the international borders of Botswana, Zimbabwe and South Africa meet.

Unlike any other region in the country, it consists of 120,000 hectares of game reserve, the largest privately-owned game conservation area in Southern Africa.

Known as “the land of the giants” with enormous trees on the banks of the Limpopo River; beautiful riverine forests of

Did you know?

The Okavango Delta is the world’s largest inland delta. ● The national flag is light blue with a horizontal white-edged black stripe in the centre. The blue represents water, while the black and white bands represent racial harmony. ● Botswana was one of the poorest countries in Africa when it gained independence from Britain in 1966 but has since transformed itself, becoming one of the fastest-growing economies in the world, and one of the biggest exporters of diamonds. ● The Savute channel in the Linyanti was dry for 25 years until 2008 and went from desert to delta and is now one of Botswana’s most prolific game areas. ● There are more elephants in Botswana than any other country in the world. ● The Makgadikgadi salt pans are so big that they are visible from space. ●

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All about Botswana lime-green fever trees, and dramatic rocky landscapes, the Tuli Block offers a unique wildlife setting. The reserve is home to most of the big five and is well known for its large herds of elephant.

The Tuli is readily accessible by road or light aircraft from all major cities in Botswana and across the South African border.

Kalahari Game Reserve For those who want to get as far away as possible from the trappings of modernday life, then nowhere beats the remoteness of the Central Kalahari Reserve, one of the largest conservation areas in the world. The aim was to provide a home for the San people in their natural environment and to ensure

their survival and the preservation of their way of life.

Located in the centre of Botswana, this reserve is characterised by extensive open plains, saltpans and ancient riverbeds.

Five game reserves and national parks have been set aside in Botswana’s vast share of the Kgalagadi. These are: Central Kalahari, Khutse, Makgadikgadi Pans, Nxai Pan National Park, and the Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park. All are remotely situated, separated by vast distances; and for many visitors, the sensation of unending space and pure isolation are the principle destinations.

Makgadikgadi Pans The Makgadikgadi Salt Pans in the northern area cover an area of about

Must-do activities Southern and Eastern Africa specialist Visions of Africa has come up with some top tips on activities to do during a trip to Botswana ● Spend a morning with the San People in Kalahari: they will demonstrate their tracking and hunting skills, and visitors can learn about their relationship with nature. ● Meet the meerkats and visit one of the meerkat projects in the Kalahari and find out about the research being conducted into the behaviour of the meerkat population of Botswana. ● Go mountain biking or on a horseback safari in the Tuli Block. ● Enjoy a village tour, an integral part of the Tuli experience, to one of the three villages near the reserve. ● Glide peacefully through the waterways of the Okavango Delta in a Mokoro (dug out canoe) and admire the abundant bird life. ● Enjoy a sundowner cruise on the Chobe River and watch herds of elephants come down to drink and play at the water’s edge. ● Track down the black-maned lions of the Central Kalahari Game Reserve. ● Relax on the verandah and sip a sundowner cocktail while the sun sets across the salt pans in the Makgadgadi.

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6,250 square miles. There are a number of lodges here for visitors to stay in and guided tours to this area focus on the landscape and desert experience, with nature drives, guided walks and visits to sites with archaeological interest. Game viewing is dependant on the rainy season, which lasts from December to May, so it is important to match clients’ interests and expectations before recommending a stay in this area.

After the rains, thousands of gemsbok, zebra and springbok come to graze on the verdant vegetation Other residents of the area including herds of wildebeest, warthog, wild dog, cheetah, the famous Kalahari’s black-maned lions, hyenas and the loveable meerkats.

Chobe National Park In the northeast of Botswana, Chobe National Park is a popular starting point for many visitors to Botswana as it is easily accessible via Kasane airport or from the Victoria Falls in Zambia or Zimbabwe. Due to its popularity, it has a number of safari lodges for visitors to choose from.

The Chobe reserve is a stunning grassland that is home to huge populations of elephants and buffalo. The elephant population, which is estimated to be between 40,000 and 60,000, are a constant feature, and during the dry season, they line the banks of the Chobe River offering great photo opportunities.

Visitors can choose to go on safari by vehicle or by boat, with sunset safari cruises particularly popular as large numbers of animals can be seen drinking at the river bank. It also gives visitors the chance to see more water-borne animals such as hippo, crocodile and a mindboggling array of water birds Situated in the southwestern corner of the Chobe National Park, the Savute Marsh region an area offers year-round game, with the early months of the year excellent for viewing large numbers of zebra congregating before heading back to Linyanti in the north.

During the hot summer months when the seasonal waters dry, the game are found around three artificial waterholes.

Game viewing is only by vehicle, but is much quieter than the main Chobe Reserve with only a small number of Lodges. The Savuti area can reached by a short plane ride from Kasane.

All about Botswana

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All about Botswana The fam trip hosts Along with the Botswana Tourist Organisation, there were a number of hotels, lodges, airlines and ground handlers who hosted the agents throughout the trip. These included: Walmont Hotel at the Grand Palm Resort info@grandpalm.bw +267 3637777 www.grandpalm.co.za Okavango Delta For a safari experience with a twist, the Okavango Delta ticks all the right boxes. This extensive inland river delta offers visitors the chance to go on safari by small boat or mokoro (dugout canoe), which provides a level of tranquility that is difficult to achieve with a land rover. Mokoro trips are at a much slower pace and concentrate on the smaller inhabitants of the waterways, insects, birds and amphibians. The Delta is home to crocodile, hippo, zebra, giraffe, and the big five as well as an abundance of bird and plant life. The fishing is also great, particularly in the northwestern sector where you can expect to catch tiger fish, bream and tilapia.

Most Lodges in the Delta also offer game drives in vehicles, where guests stand a greater chance of seeing big five animals such as lions and leopards.

Rhinos are very rarely seen. In the cooler morning temperatures, guided walking safaris are offered on some of the larger islands. You can be lucky and come across elephant or antelope crossing the channels, but it is generally a more sedate type of safari experience.

Gaborone The capital city of Botswana is many visitor’s first experience of the country and while some may decide to hop on a flight straight away to their safari lodge, those ones that do stay to experience Gaborone get a real insight into what a cosmopolitan African city is like.

Gaborone is the throbbing heart of Botswana now with a number of large American-style malls, cinema complexes, luxury hotels, cultural centres, museums, restaurants, nightclubs and golf courses.

Must-see sites include The Three Chiefs monument that commemorates the country’s three chiefs, who, in 1885, travelled to London to ask for protection against the Boers.

There is also the National Museum and Art Gallery, the National Museum Botanical Gardens and the Gaborone Dam, which is a great place to enjoy a picnic and is also home to the city’s yacht club.

The city also has a small game reserve, which has a range of indigenous species and visitors can drive themselves around.

A really popular day trip for Brits is to follow in the footsteps of the No.1 Ladies Detective Agency and visit the villages that provided the backdrop for the BBC TV series of the highly acclaimed novels.

Tuli Safari Lodge info@tulilodge.com +267 2645303 www.tulilodge.com Kwando Safaris Tau Pan & Nxai Pan info@kwando.co.bw +267 6861449 www.kwando.co.bw Ker & Downey Shinde info@kerdowney.bw +267 6861226 www.kerdowneybotswana.com Cresta Mowana Safari Lodge www.crestamarakanelo.com Flying Mission www.flyingmission.org Moremi Air Services www.moremiair.com Safari Air www.safariair.co.bw

Pictures: agents and Northwinds Photography

Operators Ranch Rider www.ranchrider.com

Abercrombie and Kent www.abercrombiekent.co.uk

World Odyssey www.world-odyssey.com

&Beyond www.andbeyond.com

2by2 Holidays www.2by2holidays.co.uk

The Africa Collection www.africacollection.co.uk

Visions of Africa www.visionsofafrica.co.uk

Africa Expert www.expertafrica.com

All about Botswana

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Tel: 020 7647 1018 email: dparr@botswanatourism.org.uk www.botswanatourism.org.uk