Botswana Wildlife Safari Botswana
Pel’s fishing owl, white-backed night heron, bat hawk, narina trogon, carmine bee-eater colonies, lion, leopard, cheetah, wild dog, spotted and brown hyena, elephant, buffalo
Botswana Wildlife
Botswana is without doubt one of Africa’s wildlife destinations. More than 17% of the country is devoted to National Parks or Game Reserves which total in excess of 100,000km2. Surrounding areas are set aside as Wildlife Management Areas where the interests of wildlife take precedent. The varied habitats are home to an incredible range of species; 550 bird species, 170 mammals, 150 reptiles and over 3 000 recorded plant species.
On a well balanced safari you are sure to encounter most of the savannah mammals so typical of southern Africa. Northern Botswana is well watered and the lush green areas support a high density of game. The large predators are present: lion, leopard, cheetah, wild dog, spotted and brown hyena. Elephant and buffalo can be seen in large herds throughout the country, as long as there is an adequate source of water. Chobe National Park has the highest density of elephants in the world and the lions here specialise in hunting them. Sadly, heavy poaching in the 80’s and 90’s has virtually wiped out both black and white rhino. But, they are slowly being reintroduced into the private areas of Moremi. Duba Plains has a high concentration of predators, witness lion and hyena interactions on the open plains as they compete for the same prey. Antelopes are well represented, impala, springbok, tsessebe and red lechwe can all be seen. Wild dogs, one of the continent’s most endangered predators, are frequently seen along the Kwando River.
Birding specials include the elusive pel’s fishing owl, white-backed night heron, bat hawk, narina trogon (summer only) and carmine bee-eater colonies (especially during breeding season - late August to October when they nest communally in the steep river banks). Some of the best birding is to be enjoyed if you are lucky enough to come across a barbel run. This happens intermittently between mid-August and late October depending on the year and local flood levels. Barbels congregate in large numbers and swim upstream to breed. They are followed by all the predatory fish - especially tiger fish, this attracts vast numbers of hungry egrets, herons, storks and African fish eagles.