|
|
| |
| Outdoor Adventure Information – Your Guide to Outdoor Fun | |
|
|
|
Botswana Safari Top Five National Parks and Game Reserves
A Botswana safari is an excellent trip to undertake because the setting is as unique as you will find anywhere in Africa, the game viewing is exceptional and the accommodation is top notch. By using travel journals submitted at the African Safari Journals website, my personal experience of over twenty years, forums, magazines and the general consensus in the travel industry this is the list of the five best national parks and game reserves to go on a Botswana safari in... 1. Okavango Delta and Moremi GR The Okavango Delta must qualify as the most unique and varied safari area in Africa. The delta lies in the North of Botswana and it consists of narrow water channels lined by papyrus, floodplains covered knee deep in water, hippo filled lagoons, forest glades and savannah grassland. You can go on outstanding wildlife viewing expeditions here on foot, using a 4x4 vehicle, a mokoro (dug-out canoe) or a motorised boat. Vast herds of buffalo, elephant, gazelle and zebra roam this rich ecosystem which is fed by the Okavango river which has its source in the Angolan highlands and floods the delta every year. This treasure trove of available prey attracts the predators too and lion, leopard, cheetah and wild dog thrive here. The dry season is the best for game viewing because the animals are drawn to the permanent water sources. The Moremi game reserve consists of strictly controlled, privately managed concessions and it falls within the Okavango delta area and has no fences which leaves the animals free to roam around as they please. There are a number of upmarket Botswana safari lodges in Moremi such as the Vumbura concession which contains both wetland and savannah areas for the best of both worlds. The Delta is at its most impressive in August when the water is at its deepest and most of the young are born between November and March when the vegetation is lush and dense so it might be a good idea to plan any botswana safari to coincide with these events. 2. Chobe NP One of the defining activities of a Botswana safari in the Chobe National Park is to take a cruise on a river boat just before sunset on the stretch of the Chobe river from Kasane town to Serondela campsite and watch masses of hippo, crocodile and elephant along the banks as the fiery orb dips slowly beneath the horizon with a glass of champagne in your hand. But you shouldn't restrict yourself to only this area because a deeper exploration of the park will reveal a great variety of habitats, wildlife and birds. The area is rich in plant life and contains floodplain, grassland, baobab, mopane woodland and sandveld habitats. This is elephant country and there are so many of them that they cause considerable damage to the vegetation in the park. It also has big buffalo herds (which attract lion and hyena), zebra, lechwe, the chobe bushbuck and the rare puku antelope. Leopard and cheetah also avail themselves of the big gazelle herds and the Savuti channel which bisects the park is a good place to see the predators. Over 440 species of bird have been recorded here including the rare Pels fishing owl which can be spotted at dusk and small flocks of African skimmers which visit in June and July. The distinctive call of the Fish Eagle is a common sound as they thrive in this water rich area. There are over twenty species of edible fish that you can catch in the Chobe river. 3. Mashatu GR This is the largest privately owned game reserve in Southern Africa and it is situated in the remote eastern part of Botswana at the confluence of the Limpopo and Shashe rivers. A Botswana safari here will reveal no less than seven of Africa's giants: the African elephant, the lion, giraffe, the baobab tree, the eland, the ostrich, and the kori bustard. Night drives are available which will allow you to see leopard, genet, serval, caracal, aardwolf, aardvark and springhares and because this is a private reserve off-road riding is allowed which gets you much closer to the animals and helps in tracking them. You are almost guaranteed of seeing the big five here and a large variety of birdlife too such as the martial and black eagles, kingfishers, rollers and the strange looking ground hornbill. 4. Linyanti GR The Linyanti river forms a natural border between Botswana and Namibia and on its southern banks the Linyanti reserve contains marshland and lagoons similar to the Okavango farther south. This is a private reserve so off road and night drives are the order of the day and some fantastic game viewing is on offer with a proliferation of birdlife too. The wildlife here lives in a world of floodplain grassland-- dotted with islands of ivory palms and other trees-- savannah, scrub and woodland. Rare and beautiful antelope like the sable, roan, red lechwe and the aquatic sitatunga which submerges itself under the water when it feels threatened make their home here. The main predators are lion, hyena, leopard, cheetah, wild dog, serval and bat eared foxes. If you are very lucky on your Botswana safari, you might catch a glimpse of the multi colored Narina Trogon bird which is quite rare in this area. 5. Makgadikgadi NP For a Botswana safari with a difference, the Makgadikgadi National park is hard to beat. Standing in this vast expanse which was once a superlake but has dried up to form a huge salt pan which is flat as far as the eye can see with an occasional rocky outcrop and sand dune dotting the landscape is an amazing experience. And the contrast with the wet season when the park is transformed into a water wonderland is simply breathtaking. Wildebeest, zebra, springbok and gemsbok migrate here during the rainy season to take advantage of the temporary pans that form and then leave again once they start drying up in the searing heat of the dry season and if the rains are good thousands of migratory flamingos arrive to breed. The primary objective in visiting this reserve is not to view game because the areas they frequent during the rainy season are virtually inaccessible, but to experience the magnificent solitude and true isolation of this location. You will experience millions of stars in the night sky and absolute unremitting silence which is a rare thing in the modern world. This Top Three safari in Botswana operators list will help you choose between all the companies available to guide your own African safari. So what are Botswana safaris to the best national parks and game reserves there really like? Find out from these travel journals at the African Safari Journals website.
MORE RESOURCES:
Google News |
|
|
|
RELATED ARTICLES
GOA - A Carnival of Beaches The state of Goa on the West coast of India, is located in the coastal belt known as Konkan. While this tourist magnet has much to offer: old churches, carnival atmosphere, Portuguese flavour, wildlife, nature and tantalizing cuisine, yet, mention Goa and the first, often only, image that flashes in one's mind is of the BEACHES. How To Buy a Used RV - Part 2 The key to getting a good bargin, instead of a lemon, when buying your used RV is knowing what to look for. Here is a useful checklist to help with your search. The Benefits of Inflatable Fishing Boats Inflatable fishing boats are great yacht tenders/camping boats that are light enough to be carried in a backpack. Some 8-foot inflatable fishing boats are good for two and gear, and are large enough to float in moderate whitewater rivers. Tips for Mountain Bikers in Spain As any keen mountain biker will know, there are some important rules to follow and bike handling skills to master before subjecting yourself and your bike to the thrills and spills of off-road riding. Although most of us ride within our capabilities most of the time, riding on different trails in hot weather conditions can present a new set of challenges requiring some new biking skills and knowledge. Scuba diving in South Africa This truly beautiful country at the southern tip of dark and mysterious Africa offers diving and wildlife experiences beyond your wildest dreams.. Boondocking America Boondocking is fun! Boondockers go anywhere they want, at any time they want and at any speed they want! If you are a member of Loners on Wheels (LoW) or any other single RV'ing group you will want to boondock at least some of the time.Boondocking provides an almost perfect way to see America for little housing costs. Ultralight Backpacks - The Lightest Why ultralight backpacks? Devotees of ultralight backpacking know you reduce your packweight most by concentrating on the "big three;" backpack, shelter, and sleeping bag. Forget those 6-pound backpacks, 9-pound tents and 5-pound sleeping bags. How to Repair an Inflatable Boat The owner can attempt small inflatable boat repair if factory-gluing instructions are followed closely. Rips and holes larger than one inch in the air chambers, or those within two inches of a seam, should be repaired with internal and external patches by a professional repair technician at a certified repair facility. Old Sturbridge Village - Links to Our Past Guide, Part 2 Once described in a 1950 article as "The Town That Wants to Be Out of Date," Old Sturbridge Village in Sturbridge, Massachusetts is a lovingly recreated village of early 19th century New England. You'll be whisked back to the dawn of modern commerce and experience what life was like in a typical New England Village of that time. No Artificial Ingredients Indeed Back from our family's vacation to Costa Rica, I am left feeling extremely grateful for not only the well-received rest and relaxation with family; I enjoyed exhilarating experiences previously unimaginable.Costa Rica's ad in this Sunday's New York Times includes the tagline "No Artificial Ingredients. Taking an Alaskan Cruise - What to Pack Packing in general can be a hassle. But when going on an Alaskan cruise, it can be even harder because of the colder weather. 4 Steps to an Enjoyable Hike Some people have fought many years of their lives to preserve the rich heritage of the outdoors and nature we now enjoy. That dedication and effort has been rewarded by fantastic hiking opportunities in our local, state, and national park systems. Things to Make Your Gap Year in Africa Easy! The kind of things you pack when you go on a trip says a lot about where you're heading and what you're going to be doing.Taking a warm top and a 'blanky' is OK if you're going to stay at Granny's house, but when you're taking a gap year in Africa, these items come highly recommended. Great Family Camping Trips Make Excellent Traditions A wonderful way to invest in your families' treasure trove of memories is by spending time in the great outdoors. Camping trips can be an excellent tradition that your family will look forward to and in time, look back upon with fond memories. Hiking Trails Mt. Washington Valley NH - Trekking trails USA Mt. Washington Valley Trails & Mt Washington - NHThe highest mountain in the northeast state of New Hampshire, at 6288 feet, Mt. River Rafting in the Grand Canyon Rafting through the Grand Canyon is the experience of a lifetime. Viewing the canyon from along the rim is a stunning experience on its own, but it pales in comparison to the adventure of riding the river through it. PaintBall Gun Buying Tips There are so many selections available when it comes to paintball guns that choosing one can be overwhelming.The most important thing is to make sure that you have done research on the guns that you are interested in buying. Protection from Lightning - Smart Strategies for Hikers and All Outdoor Enthusiasts Prevention is your best protection against lightning. Be sure to check your local weather report before you head outside. Hiking Safely on the Hills SAFE WALKING TREKKING OUTDOORSIf you are contemplating a long distance walk, or indeed a day walk, on the any of the high level routes in the UK, such as The Pennine Way, for the first time, between October and May, please be aware that you are embarking on a test of your endurance and stamina, especially when carrying a backpack.Each stage in a long distance walk involves a period of several hours spent outdoors, often in isolated and remote locations and sometimes at altitudes above 400 metres, in possibl;y rain or snow. How to Grab a Bite to Eat and Help the Planet You CAN grab something to eat, enjoy every bite, AND help the planet..
|
| home | site map |
| © 2006 |
