About
Botswana is a landlocked country in Southern Africa, home to about 2.4 million people. It is a destination best known for its wild landscapes, where desert and wetland sit side by side and wildlife is central to the experience.
The landscape
Much of the country is shaped by the Kalahari Desert, a vast expanse of sand and scrub that gives Botswana much of its character. Set against it is the Okavango Delta, a inland delta where river water spreads across the land, creating channels, lagoons and islands that look very different from the dry country around them. The contrast between the two is one of the main reasons visitors come.
What a visit offers
- Wilderness and open landscapes, suited to travellers who want space and quiet
- Water-based and land-based exploration of the delta and its surroundings
- Wildlife viewing across the varied terrain of the two regions
Planning your trip
Botswana is a large country with sparse population, so distances between places can be considerable and travel tends to be slower than in more built-up destinations. Visitors usually build their trip around one or both of the big landscapes rather than trying to cover everything. Because the country is landlocked, most travellers reach it overland or by air, and it is worth checking current entry arrangements before you go.