Botswana

Botswana borders South Africa to the south and east, Zimbabwe to the northeast and Namibia to the north. The tableland of the Kalahari Desert covers most of the country and the national parks cover an additional 17 per cent. The vast arid sandveld of the Kalahari occupies much of north, central and western Botswana. Gaborone, the capital, is situated in the southeast of the country and features an excellent National Museum with natural history and ethnological exhibitions, but it is Botswana’s national parks and game reserves that are the real attraction. The Okavango Delta area, northwards in the Kalahari Desert, is home to more than 300 exotic species and a variety of fauna. It is extremely beautiful, composed of vast grass flats, low tree-covered ridges and lagoons. The Moremi Wildlife Reserve in southern Africa, covering 1812 sq km (700 sq miles) in the northeast corner of the Okavango Delta, is spectacular. Small boats travel the delta through lagoons abundant with birdlife. Most lodges and safari camps have restaurants and licensed bars.