The infinite horizon, the omnipresent ochre colour, the roar of lions and the agitation of antelopes, the wild and unspoilt nature, the paradisiac landscapes, the solemn baobabs and the tireless sun. This is the image of Botswana, a southern African country nestled between Zambia, Zimbabwe, Namibia and South Africa. Botswana is a place where the dead of yesteryear cohabit peacefully with modern development. It is one of Africa's thriving countries that knows how to make the most of its wealth (diamonds, oil, copper) and is fighting effectively against its poverty.

Despite its 70% of land under the rocky and sandy Kalahari Desert, Botswana continues to develop its cities, attract tourists and display its other scenic attractions. As far as cities are concerned, Francistown and the capital Gaborone are the two main agglomerations.

Then follow other cities, or rather villages would say a stranger, like Selebi-Phikwe, Kesane, Maun, Serowe, Kanye or Molepolole, a very traditional place, a buffer between the rest of the country and the sumptuous Kalahari desert. Walk through authentic villages, where people with bright eyes will welcome you, like the king, with all the modest luxury they possess.

Secondly, in terms of scenery and other tourist attractions, Botswana is world-renowned for its gigantic delta (nearly 18,000 km2) of the Okavango River, which winds its way through the desert. The acacias and the thousands of small islets covered with salt form the face of the delta which is teeming with multiple animal species.

A safari on a mokoro (a typical African wooden boat) will allow visitors to discover the various fauna and flora of these marshy places. Imagine all the exotic birds, wildebeests, cats, varans, impalas, crocodiles, hippos and other pachyderms hiding in the wild vegetation! The town near the delta is the Maun where you can stay (ex. Audi Camp). For those who love breathtaking views, a flight over the Okavango Delta will be a magical event (2 hours).

In a 4x4 mobile safari, follow the paths of lions, hyenas, antelopes, giraffes and other proud inhabitants of the Kalahari desert. In addition, this vast terrain is endowed with some of the largest nature reserves in the world which are a must during your stay in Botswana.

Kalahari, which means enormous thirst in the local language, is among others populated by the Bochimans, the indigenous inhabitants of southern Africa. Elephant lovers will make a stopover in Chobe, they will not regret it.

Make a stopover in the North, in the vast salt desert called Makgadikgadi Pan or in his colleague Nxai Pan. Their salt pans fill with water during the rainy season - the spectacle is remarkable. On a quad, you can cross these lands while watching the hero among the trees, the Chapman baobab. Seeing diamonds makes you dream? In this country, you are allowed to marvel at it up close.

Botswana is rather a flat country, the somewhat hilly part is the Limpopo basin, a river that also waters other neighbouring countries. Botswanans are a mix of fishing, gathering and hunting peoples and they speak the Tswana language. Even though English is also the official language. If you have the opportunity, participate in their traditional, colorful celebrities.

Art and Culture in Botswana
The multitude of religions and tribes make Botswana a rich and colourful country. As are thousands of rock paintings in Tsodilo Hills, which are placed on UNESCO's World Heritage List. Many artists have fallen under the spell of Botswana's vast landscapes, such as the director of The Gods Fell at the Head, and writers Norman Rush, Alexander McCall Smith and Susan Wiliams. Here, crafts are highly developed everywhere, take the opportunity to buy beautiful baskets, pretty pots or colorful weaves.

What to visit in Botswana
Okavango Delta, Kalahari Desert, Chobe National Park (elephants), Mokolodi National Park, Kalahari Gemsbok Park - Kgalagadi Transboundary Park, Central Kalahari Game Reserve, Tuli Reserve, towns : Francistown, Gaborone, Selebi-Phikwe, Kesane, Maun, Serowe, Kanye or Molepolole, Tsodilo Hills, Makgadikgadi Pans and Nxai Pans.Gastronomic specialities in Botswana First, taste their exotic fruits like wild watermelon and tsamma melon. Main courses often consist of meat (chicken, goat) and vegetables (pumpkins, tomatoes, potatoes etc.). Corn often appears in the form of mashed corn, or better, as a porridge reminiscent of polenta, but it is less tasty. The cuisine is certainly not very varied, but as it differs a lot from European, it is always better to taste some local specialities: vetkoek, meale meal or pap, kgadi, mabele, seswaan, bogobe, Bojalwa, or amarula.