“It’s a short, sharp breath; a long sigh, a racing heart, a fleeting moment, the feeling that maybe you were never really there - or that you’ve never really left.

Wild Attractions - Let Africa make an impression on you.”

Consult Wild Attractions destination information to complete your safari wish list. This is an overview of each of Botswana’s prime areas - nothing however, can explain just how special, diverse and intriguing the country is - you simply have to experience it yourself.

MOREMI GAME RESERVE:

Moremi has to be the most consistent, prime game and bird viewing area in Botswana, and the most diverse in vegetation. Ranging from open grasslands, interspersed with small stands of acacia and palm trees divided by a small stream in the Khwai area, to huge hippo pools edged with Mopani forests and watery swamp areas, heavily wooded with lofty trees as you get closer to Xakanaxa and the Okavango Delta.

CHOBE NATIONAL PARK - SAVUTI & NOGATSAA:

Once an area dominated by marshland, Savuti has evolved into vast grassland with spectacular rocky outcrops. The area is well known as a home to lion and hyena and often, sitting round the campfire at night, you will hear them calling. On a practical note, Savuti is en route from Moremi to Chobe, so a stopover is both sensible and interesting.

CHOBE NATIONAL PARK - SERONDELLA:

Being only 7 km’s from the village of Kasane, Chobe is one of Botswana’s more accessible National Parks, making it popular with tourists, and rightly so! Most game drives traverse the banks of the Chobe River and its ubiquitous watering holes. Elephant in particular are plentiful, as are most of the antelope, including the rarely spotted, shy little Chobe bush buck. Hippo and crocodile abound, and a lion sighting is always likely. It all adds up to an unforgettable experience particularly when witnessed from a sunset boat cruise which allows for a unique game viewing perspective.

THE CENTRAL KALAHARI:

A few days exploring the Central Kalahari Game Reserve (CKGR) can only be described as an amazing experience. It is the second largest conservation area is the world, covering 51800 sq. km’s, and is typically semi desert. Vast open grasslands allow for sightings of huge herds of springbok and Oryx. Small stands occasionally shade lion, leopard and cheetah but due to lack of water in the area one is not likely to see elephant and much other plains game. Small mammals such as the bat-eared fox and the honey badger are possible sightings, and for birders there are all the desert species, as well as many species of raptors. The beauty of the CKGR is in its vastness, its amazing topography which speaks of a time, millennia ago when the area was a huge inland sea and, driving through and observing the landscape one can actually imagine ancient shorelines, beaches and islands. One of the most exciting times to visit here is actually in the rainy season when the desert game congregate on the new green spr outs of the plains.

NXAI PAN AND BAINES BAOBABS:

Situated on the northern side of the Makgadikgadi game reserve is the Nxai Pan National Park where one literally stumbles across the famed Baines Baobabs. As this area forms part of the Makgadikgadi Salt Pans system, the terrain is unusual and quite surreal, especially under a full moon - another aspect of Botswana well worth experiencing. The game population includes lion, elephant, giraffe, springbok, Oryx, leopard and cheetah, as well as many small mammals, and a large variety of birdlife.

KHAMA RHINO SANCTUARY:

This community run haven is a success story that is situated 20 minutes North of Serowe - a large village worth a visit for the historically minded - on the edge of the 'Sandveld' (Kalahari semi desert). It is an area of 4500 hectares, and is home to the largest population of white rhino in Botswana, and 1 lone black rhino. Other animals making game drives interesting include giraffe, zebra, kudu, hartebeest, wildebeest, Oryx, eland, springbok, impala, brown hyena, jackal, leopard and the occasional cheetah. Birdlife is prolific and a visit to the sanctuary is guaranteed to either start or end your safari on a good note.

THE PAN HANDLE:

This is where the Okavango River enters Botswana from Namibia, and before it begins to fan out into the delta. One therefore has the benefit of both the open river and various small channels and lagoons. Fishing includes tiger fish, bream and catfish and one can either experience the waterways by boat or mokoro (dug out canoe). There is not much in the way of game here, apart from hippo, crocodile and the occasional elephant or buffalo, but the beauty and tranquillity make it all worth while, especially if you’re keen on fishing or birding. It is also one of the few places where you may just be lucky enough to see the rare Sitatunga, a shy, aquatic antelope.