100% Africa !

Botswana is, without a doubt, the very best part of Africa. A country known for peace and tranquility, which alone is an attractive point, where you’ll find diamonds and beef, and it also holds lots of other surprises for you. Come and explore the diverse cultures of the people of this country, and where nature can be found at its very best. If there is a place, where one wished time could stand still, it is in this beautiful country.
This land-locked country is geographically dominated by Kalahari Desert. Botswana is bordered by Zambia and Zimbabwe to the north-east, by Namibia to the north and west, and by South Africa to the south and south-east. The Zambezi River calls for a single pointed meeting between four countries, namely Botswana, Zimbabwe, Zambia and Namibia. It is here that you will also find the Chobe River, running along the northern boundary, the Nossob River running along its south-western boundary, the Molopho River, running along the southern-boundaries, and the Marico, Limpopo and the Shashe Rivers, running along the eastern boundaries.
Amazingly enough, the Kalahari Desert stretches west covering 84 % of the country. “Desert”, is a misnomer, as its earliest travelers defined it as a “thirst-land”. Most of the Kalahari, is covered with vegetation – including stunted thorn and scrub bush, trees and grasslands.
The Chobe River runs along the northern border of the Chobe National Park. Rising in the northern Angolan highlands, it’s called the Kwando and travels enormous distances through the Kalahari sands, before reaching its destination in Botswana. It’s here where it becomes the Linyanti, and then when it reaches Ngoma, it becomes the Chobe. These three mighty rivers carry more water than all other rivers in Southern Africa.
The Chobe River first off flows directly south, but is caught by a rift at Divei, and drops out onto a swamp. It then turns north through Lake Liambezi, and then finally turning east, passing Kasane and then joins the Zambezi at Kazungula, flowing briefly together before spilling over the Victoria Falls. The Chobe twists and turns through swamps of wide reed and papyrus beds, forming hidden lagoons, which sometimes fill with beautiful water lilies. Its south bank, alternating from open flood plains, dotted with pans to thick woodlands, and across the river from Botswana, lies the Caprivi Strip – the scene of grazing cattle contrasts sharply with the scenes of wild animals in the Chobe National Park.
The second largest national park in Botswana, the Chobe National Park covers 10, 566 square kilometers and has one of the greatest concentrations of game to be found on the African continent. It’s because of its’ uniqueness in its abundance of wildlife, and true African nature, that any safari taken here, is going to be an experience of a lifetime!
Divided into four distinctly different eco-systems, your choice of where to safari is not limited by any means. Serondela – its lush plains, dense forests in the Chobe River area; Savuti Marsh – in the west and about 50metres north of Mababe gate; Linyanti Swamps – the hot dry hinterland in between. From Kasane, follow the new tar road, past the airport to Sedudu Gate. This is where all persons are required to check in. But don’t forget that your four wheel drive vehicle is essential here, especially if your intention is to travel into the park!

Botswana’s capital, Gaborone, is a vibrant and colourful city, situated in the flat valley between Kgale and Oodi hills, on the Notwane River in the south eastern corner of Botswana. It’s often described as Africa’s fastest growing city, and one only has to see the growing number of inhabitants of this land, to understand why. With a population of 192 000 people in 1998, it is the capital city, with the seat of government and the commercial and administrative heart in the centre. It is named after Kgosi Gaborone, who led the Batlokwa tribe into the area in the 1880’s. Settling in Tlokweng, which is the first urban are you reach when driving into the city. In the early 1890’s, a colonial fort was built in the area now known as The Village near Tlokweng. Its ruins can still be seen near the Village Cinema.
The Main Mall – definitely the starting point for your journey in Gaborone. Planned in 1963, the area was prepared for the Independence, its purpose to be the town centre, cleverly located between the Railway Station and the Army Garrison. Today, it’s the heart of Gaborone. It has shops, banks, business offices, and walkways with people selling crafts and many other goods of interest. At the eastern end of The Mall, is where you’ll find the Civic Centre, housing a public reference library. Commemorating the Independence of Botswana, you’ll find the Pula Arch opposite the Civic Centre.
Surrounded by other tall government buildings, The National Assembly is found at the top of the Main Mall. At the centre of this government enclave is where you’ll find a paved square with a War Memorial, built in memory of the 300 Botswana people who died fighting with the Allies against Fascism in the Second World War, 1939, to 1945. You’ll also find a statue of Sir Seretse Khama, the first President of Botwana.
Just south of the Main Mall, you’ll find the National Sports Stadium, the Gaborone Golf Club, the Cricket Club, the Rugby Club and the Botswana Tennis Association Courts where the international Davis Cup competition was hosted in 1997. Numerous gymnasiums throughout the city all have good in-house health club facilities. With a second golf course also having recently been completed in Phakalane, your visit can be filled with activities of all kinds.
On the western edge of the city, Kgale Hill dominates Gaborone. Offering pleasant climbing conditions with breathtaking views of the Dam, and not to mention the city. Visitors are allowed to choose one of the three well-defined routes up the hill namely Rusty’s Route – steep up the rocky face; Transfeldt Trail – longer up the back; Cross Kopje – the undulating walk across the saddle. All take less than an hour, but beware of the troop of baboons living on Kgale, and the pair of black eagles, consistently nesting in the craggy cliff-face below the peak. There’ve also been reportings of early morning sightings of leopard!
But we all know that lions are the major attractions, so why not pay the St Claire Lion Park a visit, it has a great deal more to offer! Situated on the Lobatse Road, set in an open woodland, a variety of outdoor activities are offered for the family, also offering a relaxing spot for weekend picnics and getaways.