BOTSWANA
GEOGRAPHY
Visit Botswana the country which has got its name from the Setswana speaking native group. The land has many surprises in store for you!
Republic of Botswana is in southern Africa towards its south, landlocked by Namibia 1360 km, the Republic of South Africa 1840 km, Zimbabwe 818 km and Zambia. It is located on Tropic of Capricorn.
Much of this flat country is practically occupied by the inhospitable south-west Kalahari Desert; it is brimming with minute sand particless which are continuously being displaced by winds, as massive as 120m but there is also savanna and deciduous savanna forest. The animal life includes the antelope, zebra, gazelle, ostrich and giraffe. Towards the east it is mountainous mostly 3300 ft. height, and small water bodies occupy the north; swamps with Makgadikgadi Salt Pan manifest in this region.
Due to very little rainfall the agriculture is mainly of the subsistence type-maize, sorghum, millet, groundnuts, and tobacco. On the other hand the country has large numbers of cattle, sheep, and goats. Meat and hides are export items.
The economy depends on minerals and export of asbestos, manganese, copper, nickel, gold, and silver. Coal fields also exist here.
Two economy boosters are diamond extraction and the growing tourism industry.
The undermost point in the region is at the intersection of Limpopo River and Shashe River at 513 m. The highest elevation is at 1489 m in Tsodilo Hills.
The major cities are Serowe, and Kanye.
Chief rivers are Limpopo, and Kwando. Intermittent droughts are frequent; the westerly winds displace and fetch sandy particless and fine dust along its course causing haze.
THE CAPITAL
The capital city is called Gaborone; it rests on a leveled valley amidst Kgale and Oodi hills. The place takes it name after Chief Gaborone who pioneered the Batlokwa tribe in 1880. The Gaborone Game Reserve in 600 hectares was made in 1988 has aviary and game birds in and around swampy land, crimson boubou and luminescent breed lives here; if you lucky you may see zebra, springbok, bushbuck, and some more rare and not so rare mammals. Art admirers can visit the National Museum and art Gallery or Kgosi Sechele I Museum. The Livingstone Memorial at Kolobeng is worth a visit.
In the region close by are the Manyana Rock Paintings of last stage of Stone Age and beginning Iron Age mostly of animals and geometrical designs. Many colors are used tastefully. Kolobeng River flows nearby. The Matsieng Footprints dating back to 10,000 years is one long impression of man’s feet on rock. There are some engravings around it. Many visit Gaborone Dam for picnic.
THE CLIMATE
It is hot and dry; but winters are pleasant, and rain scarce. Humid summer coincides with the months of October-March; scorching in day but cool at night. From May-August it is winter season arid and cold.
Tourist season is between April and October the weather is comparatively kind and it is the most appropriate time to view wildlife.
POPULATION
This scantly populated country’s national composition consists of Tswana or Setawana, Mashona, Kalanga, Kgalagadi, Bushmen and the white minority. The land is governed through parliamentary republic. The transport connectivity through road and air is deficient in many ways.
Religion practiced is Animist, and Protestant
Official languages in use are English, and Setswana.
The currency for transaction is pula.
HISTORY
The inhabited history of the region mostly in and around the Kalahari traces its roots to tribal San 30,000 years ago who were animal keepers and into agriculture. First and second century witnessed the arrival of Hottentots and Bantu tribe. The new entrants existed in harmony even inter marrying among themselves. Tswana a Bantu tribe shifted base to Kalahari after Zulu War. In 1885 Britain rule began and the region was called Bechuanaland
It became independent in 1966 from Britain domain but still affiliated to it and ever since is known as Botswana. Mineral rich nature saw prosperity through mining in 1970-80’s. The prosperity is very much visible in health, education and in economic sphere
TOURISM
Safari tourism is in demand by tourist here. The region is a land of diverse topologies, wildlife, and cultural blend; that is the reason it is stirring thrilling and mind blowing vacation experience. The Okavango River gigantic Delta is rich in wildlife and still in its natural format; the topology here is arid land, merging into swamp, water bodies, pastures, and dense vegetation. Moremi Game Reserve Chobe National Reserve in 11,000 sq. km and Makgadikgadi and Naxi Pans National Parks are nestling variety of mammals and those in herd living like the zebra. The government has given the region five bifurcations each with its own set of wildlife similarities and differences.
Whether you are in south, east central, Kgalagadi, Makgadikgadi, Chobe, or Moremi and Okavango there are ample places to visit.
The St.Marks Anglican Church at Lobatse of 1934 with hut like roof is held sacred and is in good condition. The Mokolodi Wildlife in 3000 ha was established in 1994. The elephant rides and tracking extraordinary white rhino is a memorable experience. There are five self-service chalets well equipped with overnight stay facilities and a few gift shops in the vicinity of the water body in the reserve. The young couple visit Lentswe La Baratani or rocky hills for lovers for blessings as it is considered sacred
Basalt Solomon Wall near Motloutse River in Tuli is very amazing; once it formed a bridge across the river. The avenue is now a picnic spot and a good beach. At the Limpopo area the elevation is 1200 m and it tapers to 900m southwardly and as it meets Shashe River it dwarfs to 500m. The Tswapong Hills almost thousand million years old are in layers of sandstone, ironstone pebbles with noticeable color. There are many waterfalls on route. In the region visit other attractions like Mothabaneng Rock painting, Letsibogo Dam, Khama Rhino Sanctuary, Shoshong Hills, Khama III Memorial Museum, and Mashatu Game Reserve.
If you happen to be in Kgalagadi Area you have Deception valley, Kgalagadi Trans-frontier Park, Khutse Game Reserve and museum like Kuru to see and enjoy.
It is possible to carry out outdoor sports here such as biking, hiking, skiing, diving etc.
ACCOMMODATION
The tourism industry has taken care of all pockets by proving accommodation at the top as luxury guests, to basic amenities at the safari camps as public camps or the more exclusive types, budget hotels or even guest houses.
FOOD
Beef is commonly accepted food in the diet. Meat of goat and fish is also eaten in daily meals. The dish prepared by meat is Seswaa or Chotiho and Oxtail; the inner organ intestine of cow, sheep or goat is a popular delicacy. Porridge or bogobe as it is commonly called in local dialect is a mixture of sorghum, maize, boiling water and vegetables. Abundant vegetable crop is preserved through drying and consumed later. In far flung areas the staple food is Morama a kind of beneath the ground fungus tuber; Mopane a crawly insect is cooked in a variety of ways and served. The food is delicious to eat and all those who visit taste the local specialty and relish it.
Many places serve Asian and continental food; the choice is unlimited.
MUSIC
The music is with a difference; unlike other African countries the drum is absent but the singing is accompanied and enriched through string instruments. The typical native dance is enjoyed with the beats of the music. It is played in most eating joints and visitors relax with music as they eat their meals.
SHOPPING
Oodi Weaver Sentswe produces multicolored picturesque table linen, bed covers, etc. The basic fiber is handspun wool. The renowned Thamaga Pottery produces beautiful kitchen crockery. Tourists shop here for gifts and personal use.
Happy holidays cheerful time for you and your family.
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