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Botswana Hotels


We recommend the following Botswana Hotels:
GABORONE
GABORONE SUN HOTEL - FIVE STAR More Info
Sun International's luxury Hotel and Casino in Botswana, the Gaborone Sun Hotel & Casino, is located in Gaborone and offers discerning travellers and business people excellent accommodation.
PHAKALANE GOLF ESTATE - FOUR STAR More Info
The Phakalane Golf Estate, located in Gaborone, Botswana offers an international standard 18-hole golf course and Clubhouse with luxury accommodation.
KASANE
ELEPHANT VALLEY LODGE - FIVE STAR More Info
The Elephant Valley Lodge, located in the Lesoma Valley lying in the heart of the Kasane Forest Reserve, is adjacent to Chobe National Park and is easily accessible via Livingstone, Victoria Falls or Kasane.
GABARONE
GRASSLAND BUSHMAN LODGE - FOUR STAR More Info
Grassland Bushman Lodge, located on the western side of the Central Kalahari Game Reserve in Botswana's Ghanzi district, offers comfortable and hospitable chalet accommodation.
CHOBE
CHOBE CHILWERO - FIVE STAR More Info
Chobe Chilwero, nestled deep within the very heart of the Botswana wilderness, offers luxurious accommodation in the midst of beautiful surrounds.
CHOBE MARINA LODGE - FOUR STAR More Info
Chobe Marina Lodge, located along the river in the North Eastern corner of Botswana and offers visitors the unique opportunity to experience elephant and hippo wondering freely
CHOBE SAFARI LODGE - FOUR STAR More Info
Chobe Safari Lodge, located in the Chobe National Park, offers beautiful accommodation on the northern border, where the Kwando, Linyanti and Chobe Rivers form lakes, islands and floodplains.
CHOBE UNDER CANVAS - FOUR STAR More Info
Chobe Under Canvas, found in Botswana's northern part of Chobe National Park, offers guests sophisticated and comfortable safari tents and spectacular scenery of the surrounding environment.
SAVUTE ELEPHANT CAMP - FIVE STAR More Info
Savute Elephant Camp, in the heart of the Chobe National Park, represents the true beauty of Botswana and ensures it's guests will enjoy the luxury accommodation and range of activities available.
SAVUTE UNDER CANVAS - FIVE STAR More Info
Savute Under Canvas, located in the centre of Chobe National Park, offers sophisticated tent camps which serve as an ideal base from which to enjoy pristine views and an exquisite array of wildlife.
OKAVANGO
BAINES CAMP - FIVE STAR More Info
Baines Camp, offers 5 luxury camp suites, tucked away under the shady canopy of the Okavango Delta trees, where water is abundant and vegetation is lush.
CHIEF'S CAMP - FIVE STAR More Info
Chief's Camp, a Botswana gem, can be found perched in the exclusive Mombo Concession on Chief's Island and is part of the greater Moremi Game Reserve.
DECEPTION VALLEY LODGE - FOUR STAR More Info
Deception Valley Lodge, offering a lush oasis in the Kalahari near the famous Okavango Delta, is a unique venue that offers an ideal African-Kalahari experience and boasts authentic Bushmen expertise.
EAGLE ISLAND CAMP - FIVE STAR More Info
Eagle Island Camp, located within Okavango Delta, offers luxurious tents that are elevated with raised wooden platforms and covered by authentic thatch roofs.
KHWAI RIVER LODGE - FIVE STAR More Info
Khwai River Lodge, located in the Moremi Wildlife Reserve located within Okavango Delta, offers a gorgeous location with fantastic views.
MAPULA LODGE - FOUR STAR More Info
Mapula Lodge, located in the north-eastern extremity of the Okavango Delta, promises guests a relaxing retreat and / or an exciting adventure in the Botswana bush.
NXABEGA SAFARI CAMP - FIVE STAR More Info
Nxabega Safari Camp, located in the Moremi Game Reserve in the Okavango Delta, offers an intimate retreat in the Botswana bush for up to 18 guests.
SANDIBE SAFARI LODGE - FIVE STAR More Info
Sandibe Safari Lodge, hidden between water and grass-swept plains of the Okavango Delta, blends gorgeous architecture with breathtaking Africa landscapes.
STANLEY'S CAMP - FIVE STAR More Info
Stanley's Camp, bordering the acclaimed Moremi Game Reserve, comprises 8 luxury en-suite safari tents, all classically furnished in true African style.
XARANNA TENTED CAMP - FIVE STAR More Info
Xaranna Tented Camp offers sophisticated and chic tent accommodation overlooking the Okavango Delta, the Channel and all the wildlife that have found residence in this area.
XUDUM DELTA - FIVE STAR More Info
Xudum Delta Lodge, perched luxuriously on the banks of one of the Okavango Delta's serene lagoons, boasts stunning views of the intricate waterways of the Delta.
Botswana

The beautiful plains of Botswana stretch over 600 000km2 of exquisite and diverse wilderness. This country is approximately the same size as France, and is surrounded by Namibia, South Africa, Zambia and Zimbabwe. This beautiful locale means that Botswana is the ideal base from which to explore much of Southern Africa. Botswana is, on average, 950m above sea level, with the nearest shore being just over 600km away. This country is bisected by the Tropic of Capricorn.

Botswana is characterised by flat silhouettes and arid conditions, with three-quarters of the country being classified as desert. Only the eastern part of Botswana enjoys more lush vegetation, as it is the only area that experiences summer rainfall, which is slightly higher than the rainfall experienced by the rest of Botswana. This is also the home of the Okavango Delta. This Delta is famous for being a flourishing wetland nestled in the heart of a desert, and is nourished by rain waters that emanate from central Africa, thousands of kilometres away. Floodwaters flow from central African highlands into the Delta on an annual basis, and their flow extends down into the Kalahari Desert. The wetland that this flow of floodwater creates is an ideal home for a wide variety of the African wildlife.

This incredible diversity of wildlife is a major drawcard and asset to the area. Together with the unrivalled water system, these create an idyllic location for locals and travellers alike to enjoy the rich African offering. Both the Chobe National Park and the Linyati Game Reserve is situated in the north-east of the Okavango Delta.

These arks comprise a number of different habitats. These are made up of marshes, waterways, riverine forests, dry woodlands and the famous Savute Channel. Because of the diversity of this area, it sustains and supports an even wider range of animals; both predator and prey. Elephants are particularly plentiful, roaming the area with a grace and majesty that defines much of the African wildlife experience. The Kalahari grasslands and the Makgadikgadi saltpans are juxtaposed with the rich, fertile Okavango and Linyati areas, which are home to an array of game.

Animal enthusiasts are rewarded with 580 different bird species, 75 species of larger mammals and over 80 types of fish in the Okavango alone.

The different regions in Botswana

The Okavango Delta

The Okavango Delta has earned its reputation as being Africa's most unique wetland. It is, in fact, one of the most remarkable natural wonders of the world. The Okavango Delta is renowned for its wide variety of wildlife and vegetation and, although it is not Botswana's richest areas in terms of flora and fauna, it guarantees visitors from around the world a fulfilling and memorable experience.

The two rivers that flow down from the rain-drenched Angolan highlands unite having turned east and inland. Once converged, these rivers form the Okavango River in Botswana. The millions of cubic metres of water flood the Kalahari, which comprises 15 000km3. This water forms the Okavango Delta, the largest inland delta in the world, and certainly one of the better known.

The Okavango Delta presents a contrast between arid desert and lush wetland, where an array of animals find their unique habitat in one location. Throughout the world, this type of arrangement is only found in the Okavango Delta, offering travellers and locals once-in-a-lifetime sightings of cohabiting plants, amphibians, birds, mammals and reptiles. The safari camps that pepper the area are located on islands and dry areas, warmly inviting local and international guests to enjoy the rich diversity of Botswana.

Maun and Kasane are two Botswana towns, and each enjoys the convenience of being served by international scheduled flights, thereby enabling prime accessibility to the Okavango Delta. Light aircrafts are used for flights to and between the game lodges and camps. Moremi Game Reserve in Botswana The Moremi Game Reserve is north-east of the Okavango Delta, and includes Chief's Island and the private concessions on its border in Botswana. This game reserve boasts spectacular game, birds, and vegetation. This region of Botswana is the venue for most of the country's best small and seasonal game lodges.

Chobe National Park, Botswana

Chobe National Park is renowned as having Botswana's best game viewing. Exquisite flora and fauna are best viewed on the Chobe riverfront and in the Savuti area. With these assets, the Chobe National Park in Botswana is a prime locale for travellers seeking a truly African experience, or for specialists desiring to observe the variety of animals within their natural environment.

The Central Kalahari of Botswana

Botswana's Kalahari comprises the Makgadikgadi and Nxai pans and offers a less-than-ordinary safari experience. The incredible ecological habitat is determined by large-scale geographical factors and the seasonal water presence. Game is abundant in the Kalahari, and a game safari promises a fascinating adventure for even the most discerning of visitors.

The Kalahari Desert is a 300m layer of sand that blankets most of Botswana and south central Africa. This area has been classified as a desert due to its lack of surface water. However, the abundance in plant- and animal life sets this region apart from other deserts, and it is home to a rich diversity of lives and species. The Kalahari also accommodates the dying race of the San or Bushmen.

Although the Kalahari Desert is not home to large concentrations of game, as are other areas of Botswana, it does accommodate many species that are not found in any other areas, particularly in the Okavango Delta or the Chobe National Park. These animals include the eland, gemsbok (oryx), red hartebeest, brown hyena, springbok, steenbok, duikers, and the bat-eared fox. Of these species, which can be found in other areas in Botswana, the actual desert specimens are different. This wildlife includes the lion, leopard and the cheetah of the Kalahari, which are considerably larger than their wetland counterparts. The smaller creatures that populate this area include the porcupine, honey-badgers, caracals, and a wide variety of small cats, mongooses and suricates.

Botswana's Makgadikgadi Pans I used the same spelling as above - please check this is correct - it had been spelt differently. The Makgadikgadi Pans are the dry beds of a prehistoric lake. This lake continues to be a mystery to the archaeological world and promises an exciting experience to all those who venture here. The Makgadikgadi Pans are characterised by the infinite space, skies and silence. Eerie wonder envelopes the traveller who ventures into these pans alone, one which will remain in their hearts and minds forever.

The Makgadikgadi Pans are also made up of lush, green grasslands where wildlife and acacia trees abound. Large mammals are not often spotted in this area, but rare species such as the brown hyena and elusive aardvark are common sightings.

The Makgadikgadi Pans undergo peak periods of new life, determined by weather and environmental conditions. Tens of millions of red quelea are spotted, and tiny birds can be watched as they blacken the African sky, eating three times their body weight in healthy vegetation.

The Makgadikgadi Pans experience constant changes, imposed by the ever-changing seasons and weather. With these changes, vast herds of zebra migrate through the area, with hooves thundering the thick dust into an impressive cloud. Summer brings with it the rains that fill the Makgadikgadi Pans and lure the pink flamingos that congregate for spectacular viewing.

Tsodilo Hills in Botswana

The Tsodilo Hills emerge from the flat horizon of the Kalahari Desert as four impressive quartzite massifs with an air of mystery that has always held an air of mystery and intrigue for people. San Bushmen have high esteem for these hills and consider them to be the home of the gods who rule the world. Indeed, the Tsodilo Hills are canvasses for some of the most important collections of rock art in the world, the likes of which spas over many centuries.

The Tsodilo Hills have been dubbed a World Heritage Site and are protected under international treaty. To this day, a small community of San remain in the area, residing at the foot of one of the hills. Local guides offer the fantastic, unique opportunity of touring the rock art sites and exploring the surrounding hills.

The Selinda in Botswana

The Selinda Spillway is a watercourse connecting the Okavango Delta to the Linyati Swamp, and linked to the Chobe and Zambezi rivers via the Chobe River floodplains.

Selinda was dry for several years, but has again begun to flood from the Okavango side. Being a lush, well-watered landscape, the Selinda area boasts remarkable game-viewing opportunities. Predators are particularly common in this area, with lion, leopard, cheetah and Cape Hunting Dogs being especially predominant. Local accommodation is provided in the form of several cosy camps, which offer the ideal retreat from which to explore Botswana. Activities on offer are plentiful and varied, including game drives (day and night to ensure a complete game-viewing experience) and overnight walking trails.

The dry plains of Selinda promise a very rewarding game viewing experience, it is an essential item for any discerning traveller's itinerary.

The Republic of Botswana

Botswana is a landlocked southern African country with a population of 1.8 million. Gaborone is the capital, the total area of the country spans 600 370 km2. The coordinates are 22 00 S, 24 00 E.

Language

The official language of Botswana is English, but most of the locals speak Setswana.

Currency

The currency in Botswana is the Pula (P) which is made up of 100 Thebe.

Time

Botswana is 2 hours ahead of Greenwich Mean Time (GMT) all year round.

Climate

Botswana's hot summers extend from November to the end of March. Although temperatures soar, this is the period that experiences the most rainfall, which is effective is refreshing the air and cooling the afternoons down somewhat.

Winter begins in May and ends in August, and is the dry season, with almost no rainfall occurring. Temperatures remain temperate, with cool to warm, sunny days, and chilly nights. In fact, night time may see temperatures below freezing.

Autumn and spring are also dry, and temperatures are mild and pleasant.