In the West and North, Botswana is bordered by Namibia, to the northeast by Zambia, in Eastern Zimbabwe and in the South of South Africa. The 581,730 km country adds numerous geographic superlatives. With 15 000 km² is the Okavango Delta the largest inland delta on earth and with 12 000 km² are the Makgadikgadi Pans world's largest salt pans. Over 84% of the country extends the Kalahari, the largest contiguous sand desert of the world.

With around 2.3 million inhabitants, Botswana is one of the most sparsely populated countries in the world.  It is an inland country with no access to the sea.  Kalahari, thorn bush savannah, salt pans, mopane forests and the great Okavango Delta determine the landscape. The Tsodilo Hills are one of the highest peaks.  They have been of great spiritual importance for millennia, as documented more than 4,500 rock paintings.  National parks and game reserves make up around 17 percent of the country's area.

There is no mass tourism in Botswana.  This is prevented by a high price policy, access restrictions to national parks and the careful use of resources by the government.  In this respect, our small group tour offers optimal conditions for being able to explore this fascinating country in the heart of southern Africa individually: be it in authentic encounters with people in their respective everyday worlds or during the numerous wildlife experiences in northern Botswana, whose uniqueness of flora and fauna on the African continent seeks its equality.

Several small kingdoms ruled the country in pre-colonial and colonial times.  In order to protect the kingdoms against the rapidly expanding European settler colonies, the British established a protected area (Protectorate Bechuanaland) in 1885, which primarily served to maintain their own economic, political and geostrategic interests in this region.

Botswana owes its relative wealth to several mineral resources such as diamonds, gold and coal.  In addition, beef exports and tourism play an important economic role.  Botswana has joined forces with other countries in southern Africa to form a customs union (SADC).

These economic boundary conditions are the basis for a well-developed health and education system, a necessary transport infrastructure and communication networks.  The supply of water is of great importance and complicated, because drinking water can mostly only be obtained from great depth.

Botswana is a country with parliamentary democracy (following the British model) that has undergone remarkable development since its independence in 1966.  In its history, the country was able to successfully oppose the incorporation into the apartheid state of South Africa and has followed a self-confident path since its independence from the British Empire.  With a size of 582,000 km² (one and a half times the size of the Federal Republic of Germany) and approx. 2.3 million inhabitants (4 inhabitants per km²), education and health care, transport and infrastructure are becoming challenges.

Botswana is a multilingual society with around 20 different languages.  English and Setswana are the official languages; the latter is spoken by the vast majority, even if it is not the mother tongue of all ethnic groups.

Despite the good framework conditions, Botswana also has to struggle with high unemployment, poverty and social inequality.  Future challenges such as the consequences of climate change or scarcity of resources are already emerging.

The people in Botswana are extremely friendly and helpful.  Courtesy is very important.  Older people are treated with respect.  Most of the Batswana are devout, active Christians and belong to numerous Protestant churches or sects, which indicates intensive western proselytizing in the 19th century, among others through the Hermannsburg Mission "to convert the gentiles in Bechuanaland" is to be returned.  Nevertheless, traditional customs of African origin have survived to this day, including come to fruition at family celebrations such as weddings or funerals.

Family life predominantly takes place in large families.  Taking care of each other and looking after each other are a matter of course.  Many families are female headed households, as men often work as migrant workers for several months.

Climate and Travel  

Botswana has a semi-arid climate with hot summers from December to March and cool, dry winters from July to August. December and January are the hottest months, with average temperatures hovering around 40°C. In winter with 20 to 25 °C during the day, but temperatures can drop to 3 °C at nightand even fall below freezing in the Kalahari.

The rainy season in Botswana is in the southern summer, but the rainfall is unpredictable and varies from area to area.

Botswana, as one of the most peaceful states in Africa, and with its friendly and open-minded people is ideal for a voyage of discovery, whether study or photo tour, all year round.

When booking one of our wildlife safaris in the regions of the Okavango Delta or the Chobe National Park, the months of May to October can be considered the best travel time. These months fall in the dry season, with infrequent rainfall, resulting in Botswana having few watering holes in these natural spaces. In this respect, the game population is drawn to these few waterholes, which means that they can be observed and photographed from a safe distance while quenching their thirst.