National Parks - Botswana
The Central Kalahari Game Reserve is the largest national park in Africa. It is located in the Kalahari sand desert, which is home to the San, the indigenous people of Southern Africa. They have been living here for 25,000 years, and about 500 of them still live in this area today. The Kalahari Desert with its flat landscape conveys to the visitor a sense of never-ending silence and wideness. It is home to the famous Kalahari lions, hyenas, giraffes, antelopes and many other animal species.
Location: Central Botswana, about 250 km north of Gaborone
Size: 53,000 km2
Animals: Lions, giraffes, antelopes, hyenas, leopards, cheetahs, 260 bird species
Particularities: Largest national park in Africa, homeland of the San
The Chobe National Park was established in 1967 and is the second largest national park in Botswana. It is located south of the Chobe River, which gave it its name. It is worth visiting only during the dry season (April – October), as the area is otherwise known for flooding. No other national park in Southern Africa features such a high density of wildlife. The park is mainly accessed by cross country vehicles, from which the visitors can observe the large elephant herds and many other animal species.
Location: Northern Botswana, about 300 km northeast of Maun
Size: 11,000 km2
Animals: Elephants, lions, blue wildebeests, kudus, impalas
Particularities: Largest elephant population in Southern Africa
The Kgalagadi Transfrontier National Park is the first border-crossing nature reserve in Africa. In 1999, the Gemsbok National Park of Botswana and the Kalahari Gemsbok National Park of South Africa joined together. The indigenous people, the San, call the Kalahari Desert “Kgalagadi”, the dried up country. The landscape with red, parallel running sand dunes is home to Oryx antelopes, cheetahs and many other animals who have perfectly adjusted to the harsh living conditions.
Location: North Cape & Botswana, 360 km north of Upington
Size: 38,000 km2
Animals: Lions, cheetahs, leopards, Oryx antelopes
Particularities: First border-crossing nature reserve in Africa
The Moremi Game Reserve has been often described as the most beautiful wildlife reserve in Africa. It covers almost a third of the Okavango Delta, the world’s largest inland delta. The best time to visit is during the dry season, when the animals come together at the waterholes and therefore can be observed more easily.
Location: Northern Botswana, about 100 km north of Maun
Size: 5,000 km2
Animals: Big Five, Lechwe waterbucks, wild dogs, giraffes, buffalos
Particularities: Largest inland delta, large populations of Lechwe waterbucks and wild dogs
