Botswana was chosen by Lonely Planet as the best country to travel to in 2016
Botswana is
one of the most sought after wildlife destinations in the world, and also,
Botswana was chosen by Lonely Planet as the best country to travel to in 2016.
But, what
is the reality? Is Botswana a tourist country? The international arrivals were
approximately 2 million in recent years. A very small part of the world's total
tourists.
Conclusion: Botswana is still unknown.
What is the
opinion of tourists about the country?
Botswana
may have a reputation as the most exclusive safari destination in Africa.
Stunning accommodation, luxury lodges with infinity-pools overlooking giraffes
and lions, overflights in small planes, lunches in the middle of national
parks, boat trips at sunset… All of this sounds expensive, and it really is.
The government has a policy of low ecological impact that affects directly to
the type of tourism, prevailing luxury tourism.
But it does
offer an incredibly tempting alternative to the fly-in, upmarket-tented-camp
experience: the more budget-friendly self-drive safari.
Many travel
agencies try to convey fear to travellers in order to keep their millionaire’s
business. Botswana is a very tourist-friendly country, politically stable, safe
and with acceptable transport and healthy infrastructure. Ah,I forgot the most
important: full of friendly people (English speakers) ready to help. All of
this makes more likely that, little by little, more tourists decide to visit
the country on their own account in a self-drive safari.
Botswana is
made for road (and road-less) trips. It is big-sky country wonderful sunsets, a
land of flood plains, deserts and eternal horizons… If you drive in this
beautiful country by yourself, you will undoubtedly have one of the most
amazing safari experiences.
If you want
to do a self-drive safari you just need 3 things: A plane ticket, a 4WD rental
vehicle and some campsite bookings (particularly in peak periods).
When you
have these three things you will be ready to start the safari! The customised
vehicles are typically well equipped, with internal beds or folding roof-top
tents, cooking equipment and even fridges. They are like mobile homes. Buy a
map and just enter in the national parks: Moremi, Chobe, Makgadikgadi Pans (or
Kalahari if you are more daring). There is so much wildlife and you will not
have any problem to find elephants, giraffes, zebras, lions, birds… at every
step. It's that simple. There is no reason for you to be scared of
difficulties.
Good
trip!
