Botswana is a very dry country - though surprisingly enough one of the biggest attractions is the wetlands of the Okavango delta. The major cities are the capital Gaborone and Francistown. However, Botswana offers the most beautiful wildlife and nature scenes.
Serowe - outside Serowe is the Khama Rhino Sanctuary a tribal project to save the last remaining Rhino in Botswana (6) and breed Rhino with the ultimate objective of re-introducing them to the wild, the herd has increased to 30 over the last 10 years, an unparalleled success story.
Tourists mostly come to this country for two reasons: the Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park (previously known as the Kalahari Gemsbok National park), which covers about 85% of the country and the Okavango delta, a huge wetland system of up to 15,000 square kilometers. The Delta is the most abundant wildlife area in Africa; its diverse and unspoiled habitats, together with unequaled scenic beauty, makes it one of Africas most important wilderness destinations. A highlight of a visit to this area is the incredible wealth of birdlife - Pels Fishing Owl, Wattled Cranes, Slaty Egrets, Rufous-Bellied Heron, Swamp Boubous, and a host of eagles, vultures and other raptors will have the bird lover in 7th heaven.
The Savuti Channel area, bordering the Delta to the west and Bedford Park to the east, is one of Africas most famous big game areas. Approximately 37 kilometers northwest of the Savuti and off the main tourist track lies Botswanas best kept secret: Linyanti and the western reaches of the Savuti Channel. The Linyanti and upper Savuti areas grade among the most beautiful in Botswana. Chobe National Park has a magnificent concentration of animals but has become very crowded due to the number of camps and lodges in the area.
South of Maun and the Okavango delta, lays the huge open expanse of the Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park. In March and April the Kalahari blossoms with life and huge open spaces of the Makgadikgadi pans fill with water, attracting vast migrating herds. Every visitor to the natural beauties will not regret his trip.
Gaborone, the capital of Botswana, is named after Chief Gaborone. He was a leader who arrived in this area at the end of the 18th century. Today it has all the amenities of any modern capital city with a range of hotels, and a choice of cinemas and casinos. Restaurants are numerous and diverse, night clubs often host live music by local artists. The National Museum is located near the centre of town and houses important collections of traditional crafts and southern African fine art. The international airport is lovated outside of town.
Francistown, known fondly as "old lady of Botswana" is the countrys second largest municipality and the oldest urban settlement in Botswana. Located over 400 km north of Gaborone, the city may not have much to offer as a vacationer spot, but there is a small museum and an interesting market and of course the culture. More notably its convenient location makes Francistown an ideal gateway to the Okavango delta, Moremi Game Reserve, the Chobe national park and the borders of Zambia and Zimbabwe.
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