Are you ready to begin planning your next trip? Instead of visiting a tropical island, or sailing on a cruise ship, your next trip should be to somewhere that you have probably only seen on TV or in textbooks, Africa! Many people consider all of mankind can trace their roots back to Africa. With so much history, so many cultures, and natural beauty that can’t be found anywhere else in the world, everyone should make a point to visit this continent at least once in their life.
While there are many countries in Africa that are worth visiting, for 2016 Botswana is at the top of our list. This year Botswana celebrates its 50th year of independence from the United Kingdom. With plenty of celebrations planned, this year is the time to make Botswana a top destination. It is also one of Africa’s top safari destinations. Go camping and see the night sky how it was meant to be seen. Get in touch with nature and see wildlife such as the “Big 5” (lion, elephant, cape buffalo, leopard, and rhinoceros). You can visit Botswana year round, however between May and October which is their dry season, you have a much better chance of seeing animals.
For those that don’t remember, earlier this year we wrote a blog, “The Top 5 Places to Visit in 2016.” Number four on that list was Botswana!
Chobe National Park
Chobe National Park is located in northern Botswana, and is Botswana’s first national park. This park has one of the largest concentration of game animals in all of Africa, and is especially famous for its elephants. While Chobe National Park offers many different ways to explore such as a traditional safari ride, here you can take a safari from a different perspective, by boat! Try the Chobe River cruise where you can see hippos, crocodiles, and a plethora of other animals as the approach the river to rehydrate. Chobe is also a great place to go for bird watching as about 460 bird species have been recorded in the national park.
Okavango Delta
The Okavango Delta is an inland delta in northern Botswana. It’s formed where the Okavango River meets a tectonic trough where the water eventually evaporates as it doesn’t flow into oceans. It is one of the most diverse natural habitats that range from wetlands to drylands. It’s no wonder that it was voted as one the Seven Natural Wonders of Africa in 2013. One reason it is such a great place to see wildlife is because many of the animals in the surrounding area migrate here during the summer wet season. You can see much of the big game animals here such as elephants, giraffes, zebras, lions, cheetahs, etc. The Delta is also home to one of the popular national parks that Botswana has to offer, the Moremi Game Reserve.
A trip to the Okavango Delta is not complete without a mokoro ride. A mokoro is a shallow canoe commonly used to navigate the shallow waters of the delta, and should give you the opportunity to see animals that may otherwise be scared away by louder boats or vehicles.
Makgadikgadi Pans National Park
Unlike other areas in Botswana, the Makgadikgadi Pans National Park is a dry and arid environment. This is home to one of the largest salt pans in the world, Makgadikgadi Salt Pan. Salt pans, or salt flats, are areas of ground covered in salt or other minerals that shine white under the sun, typically found in desert areas. The Makgadikgadi Salt Pan is all that is left of Lake Makgadikgadi which dried up thousands of years ago. Here you can find the famous Boabab trees, which have very fat trunks with short, skinny, and winding branches. In fact, they look as if they are straight out of a Dr. Seuss book. During the dry season very little wildlife can exist here, however how many places in the world can you see a salt pan this epic?
Another point of interest in this national park is Kubu Island. Famous for its archaeological history, Kubu Island is a very isolated and remote area. Seeing the landscapes, fossils scattered on the beaches, and stone age tools along the shoreline will have you feeling like you are in another world.
Kuru Dance Festival
Most people come to Africa to get in touch with nature and experience untouched natural beauty. However, a trip wouldn’t be complete without diving into the culture of the area in order to get the full experience. The Kuru Dance Festival is a great way to get entwined into the native culture of Botswana. You will get a firsthand experience of the originally people of Botswana who are known as Basarwa, San, or Bushmen. See the wardrobe which consists of clothing made from animal skin and colorful headbands. Watch men, women, and children dance to drums and traditional songs. The Kuru Dance Festival takes place every August and is organized by the Kuru Cultural Center. Oh, and don’t forget to dance!
Gcwihaba Caves
If you’re looking to see a different side of Africa rather than going on a safari, try visiting the Gcwihaba Caves, one of the most remote destinations in Botswana. Hike through caverns and crevices ranging from 10 meters high, to tight spaces that you may need to crawl through. While making your way through the caves you will come across stalagmite and stalactite formations, thousands of bats, and birds and plants that are unique to this region. This experience will only add to what would be an unforgettable trip to Botswana.
Khama Rhino Sanctuary
Rhinos are one of the most endangered species in the world and their total population decreases by the day as poachers hunt them for their ivory. Visiting the Khama Rhino Sanctuary is one of the best ways to see these animals up close in their natural habitat, along with many of the other animals you would want to see while in this part of the world. Now it’s just a matter of what you want to do! Here you can go camping, take a 4x4 safari, or stay in one of the accommodation facilities on the grounds.
Now that you have some ideas of where you should be traveling in the upcoming year, don’t forget to protect yourself by getting Travel Insurance. As stated in a previous blog, “Tips Everyone Should Follow When Traveling Abroad”, it is important to have proper travel insurance coverage in case of an unexpected emergency while traveling abroad. Our Insurance Specialists have the knowledge and experience to offer advice or help select the best insurance plan for your needs. Visit mhginsurance.com or call +1 954 828 1819 or +44 (0) 1624 678668 for help in selecting the plan that fits you best. Safe travels!