Botswana safari camps offer a very wide range of adventures and activities, something for everyone. For those who are after a more scenic and serene safari there are relaxing boat cruises, game drives and sundowners to end off an amazing day. There are also many activities for those who are seeking a little more adventure and are looking to get their adrenaline pumping. Bush walks take place with experienced guides, as well as horseback riding and for people with an even more keen sense of adventure there is river rafting in the Zambezi river and quad-biking.

One of the most commonly sought after experiences (and for good reason) are game drives, all safari goers will be eager to lay eyes on the majestic animal inhabitants of the country. Many people want to add “seeing the big five” to their bucket list, experienced trackers and guides do everything in their power to make this happen. Experienced safari guides have a deep knowledge of the land and the habits of the wild-life, if anyone is going to find you an elusive leopard or a pride of lions on the prowl, it will be them.

After your day of activities is over, you can expect to be treated to the most delectable African cuisine. African game meats are arguably some of the best and most delicious in the world, couples with seasonal vegetables that have been cooked to perfection, it will be a culinary experience that you will never forget. Chefs working at most prestigious resorts and camps around the country will have been trained in preparing top quality cuisine.

At all of the luxury resorts that are spread around the country, you can find a bars and lounge areas guests like to spend some of their free time and socialise and get to know some of the other guests. A perfect spot to relax, kick back and share a drink among friends.

Rather than taking a conventional approach to writing about the Big Five and writing about how majestic and beautiful they are we’re going to look at what characteristics they possess that got them into the esteemed titles of the Big Five.

The Cape buffalo: Many wildlife experts believe that the buffalo are the most dangerous of the Big Five, because they are reported to cause more fatalities than any other animal in Africa. Although this may be true, we have to remember that buffalo are the most abundant among the the Big Five and this would most likely be the reason for their reputation for the highest fatality rate. The buffalos unpredictable nature is the main reason it is so dangerous, they are known to charge and attack at the drop of a hat. The cape buffalo can reach 1.7 meters tall (around the height of an average man), 3.4 meters long and weigh as much as a ton.

The African elephant The African elephant is the largest land mammal on earth male elephants can reach up to four meters tall and weigh up to 6 tons. Aside from having 7-foot tusks to defend themselves from predators, elephants have another asset that makes them extremely formidable: they are one of the most intelligent species on earth, having a brain that weighs around 5 kilograms.

The black rhino This massive, thick-skinned herbivore has two sharp horns on the tip of its nasal passage. These beasts can get up to 1.8 meters tall, almost 4 meters long and can weigh up to 1.4 tons. They have poor eyesight but make up for it with a relatively wide rotational range to detect sound and a very keen sense of smell, they are not easily crept up on. They are able to run at speeds of up to 56 km per hour, so fast that all four of their legs can leave the ground simultaneously. Being charged by a black rhino would be similar to being charged by a car, with horns.

The African lion By far the most popular animal in Africa, if not the world. These cats deserve all of the hype and excitement that they cause. Their diet consists mostly of wildebeest, impalas, zebras, buffalo, and warthogs, however they have been knows to take down everything short of crocodiles… Their ingenious hunting tactics couples with their share speed and power make them the ultimate hunters. When driven by hunger, lions have been seen taking down rhinos and even bull elephants.

The leopard Sadly the leopard is one of many species that are slowly decreasing in numbers, coupling this with the fact that they are so solitary and cautious makes it very difficult to spot one in the wild, unless you know exactly where and when to look. The average leopard is around 60 kilograms, perhaps it is not nearly as big as the other animals in the Big Five, but it makes up for it with its incredible cunning and deadly subtlety. Leopards have been known to eat birds (on rare occasions snatching them right out of the air) and beetles, however they also prey on larger animals such as elands weighing up to 900 kilos… that’s 15 times the weight of an average leopard.

All of these animals are definitely a force not to be reckoned with, they all rightfully deserve their place on the Big Five.

Adventure safari have been looking at sources, such as the Botswana Tourism Facebook page and other wildlife related pages, for the most captivating and aesthetically pleasing Photographs of some of Botswana’s wildlife and scenery. We managed to find some incredible Photos for our top five list:

This photo was taken in the Moremi game reserve in Botswana, an extremely diverse park and arguably one of the most beautiful in the country. This Photo was one of many stunning pictures we found on the Botswana Tourism page.

This photograph of a baobab in a rock outcrop was taken on Kubu island, an island in the middle of one of Botswana’s fables salt pans. The salt pans were formed thousands of years ago when the massive lakes dried up leaving a thick crust of salt

This picture, taken by Paul Vorster, depicts a herd of elephants taking a drink at one of the watering holes in the Mashatu Game Reserve.

Taken from the Tuli lodge contest, this photo of Eland that have been completely silhouetted is particularly eye catching.

Taken from photographafrica.com shows a lion in bliss after gnawing on a freshly killed carcus.

Maun serves as the gateway to the world famous Okavango Delta, which offers an opportunity for the safari holiday of a lifetime.

The Okavango Delta is rich with a very wide range of wildlife, including the big five, hippos, cheetah, painted dogs, hundreds of bird species and more. Another drawing factor to this destination is the massive number of herbivores, which in turn leads to a large amount of predators such as, lions, leopard, hyena and crocodiles.

This service is in perfect timing with the peak of the tourism season, making it extremely convenient and hassle free for potential safari goers.

After being exposed to much criticism from the media and public around the globe, the Trump boys stood their ground and stated that what they did was completely lawful and all the animals meat was contributed to grateful villagers, however, many people have found it hard to believe that villagers were gratefully feasting on leopard and elephant meat. Trump Jr. later defended their actions on twitter, “I’m a hunter, for that I make no apologies.”

It’s common knowledge that leopards and elephants numbers are dwindling as the years go on and a viewing of them is something special and rare, so why kill them? The brothers are now under further scrutiny, the trip is currently the subject of an investigation led by conservationists in Zimbabwe, the independent Zimbabwe Conservation Task Force says the South African safari company the sons used was not registered in Zimbabwe. In one of many disturbing pictures that were leaked from the hunting trip, you can see Trump Jr hold up the severed tail on an elephant.

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Botswana may be famous for its No.1 Lady Detective – Precious Ramotswe – but it is also a premier safari destination. So, what’s stopping you from visiting Botswana? This blog investigates some of the questions visitors may be asking about Botswana.

Is Botswana a safe destination?

What about the infrastructure?

With the exception of parks and outlying areas, Botswana has well tarred and kept roads. Should you want to visit spots off the beaten track, self-drive safaris are not recommended for inexperienced 4×4 driver. Again using a tour operator who has access to the best transport and drivers is advisable. Driving around major cities is no problem. Landline telephone services are very reliable and mobile phone coverage is being extended constantly. Do check with your mobile operator that they have a service agreement with Botswana before assuming your mobile will work on international roaming.

Will I need a visa?

Most Commonwealth and European countries do not need a visa to enter Botswana.

What do I need to be immunised against and what if I fall ill?

Unless you are visiting from a country with yellow fever, you need not have any vaccinations prior to your arrival in Botswana. While not essential, it is wise to be up-to-date on your tetanus, polio and diphtheria vaccines. These are now administered in one vaccine called Revaxis. Hepatitis A is also recommended. Botswana is a malaria area so it is imperative that you see your travel physician at least a month prior to your departure to take the correct medication. There have been great advances in anti-malaria medication and side effects are much slighter than they used to be. Because of Botswana’s low density population and climate, it is a very healthy country in comparison to its African neighbours. There are great private clinics in the main cities that cater to the needs of ex-patriots and tourists.

Is it really worth coming?

Spend some time at the Okavango Delta, Chobe National Park or Kalahari Game Reserve and let me know if it wasn’t worth your while.

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