Fun facts about Botswana

Learn more about breathtaking Botswana with these 21 facts

KarienN

12-12-2021

  1. Did you know that in Botswana, water is so valuable that the currency is called the ‘pula’, meaning ‘rain’ or ‘blessing’ in Setswana, the national language?
  2. Did you know that Botswana is home to the world’s largest concentration of African elephants? With the highest concentration found in Chobe National Park.
  3. Did you know that the Makgadikgadi Salt Pans are one of the largest salt pans on earth? They stretch over an area of 12,000 km2.
  4. Did you know that the Okavango Delta is a birdwatcher’s paradise? Over 500 species have been recorded there, and the best time to visit for birding is during summer between November and April.
  5. Did you know that Botswana is a landlocked country? Bordering South Africa, Zimbabwe, Zambia and Namibia.
  6. Did you know that the native Mopane Worms are a delicacy in Botswana?
  7. Did you know that Taylor Swift’s music video ‘Wildest Dreams’ was shot in the Makgadikgadi Salt Pans?
  8. Did you know that a few camps and lodges can only be reached by light aircraft? Isn’t that just an adventure in itself?!
  9. Did you know that Botswana is covered with over 70% of its total area in desert? The semi-arid sandy savanna of the Kalahari Desert occupies more than two thirds of Botswana’s total area.
  10. Did you know that Botswana is approximately the size of France? However, it has only 2 million people living in the country, compared to France’s almost 67 million.
  11. Did you know that Botswana’s Okavango Delta is the 1,000th UNESCO World Heritage Site?
  12. Did you know that the horizon of the Makgadikgadi Salt Pans is vast enough to see the curvature of the earth?
  13. Did you know that the national animal of Botswana is the zebra? The black and white stripes symbolize racial harmony.
  14. Did you know that diamonds are a huge part of Botswana’s economy, and more than 17 percent of the world’s diamonds come from Botswana?
  15. Did you know that the border between Botswana and Zambia is only 150 meters (492 feet), which makes it the world’s shortest border?
  16. Did you know that Botswana has an abundance and variety of wildlife? More than 150 different types of mammals live in the country (including the Big 5) along with 460 bird species and over 200 reptiles and amphibians.
  17. Did you know that approximately 38% of the country’s land surface is devoted to National Parks, Reserves, and Wildlife Management Areas? Ranking among the highest in the world.
  18. Did you know that the earliest inhabitants of Botswana are believed to have been the San or Basarwa (Bushmen)? Their presence in the area dates back 30,000 years.
  19. Did you know that until 2004, Botswana had one of the highest rates of HIV/AIDS infection in the world? Today, it has one of Africa’s most advanced treatment programmes, and medicine for the virus is readily available.
  20. Did you know that the Botswana flag is one of the few African flags that does not incorporate the pan-African colours of red, black, and green? It consists of a light blue field cut horizontally in the centre by a black stripe with a thin white frame. It has been the flag of the Republic of Botswana since the country gained independence in 1966.
  21. Did you know that in an area of Botswana known as the ‘Louvre of the Desert’, over 4,500 rock paintings are preserved? It is believed that the ancient paintings in the Tsodilo Hills date back 100,000 years.

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Inside Scoop

Unique accommodation options in Southern and Eastern Africa - be inspired by some of the amazing adventures you do not want to miss.

Travel throughout Botswana on a mobile safari
Moremi Game Reserve, Botswana

Travel the Okavango Delta by houseboat
Okavango Delta, Botswana

Spend a night in a treehouse overlooking a private waterhole in the bush
Khwai Private Reserve, Botswana

Tracking elusive and endangered pangolins and aardvarks at a private reserve
Northern Cape, South Africa

Spend a night at a private castle set on a beach near Plettenberg Bay
Knysna, South Africa

Take part in a Guided Walking Expedition through a Private Game Reserve
Shamwari Private Game Reserve, South Africa

Explore the NamibRand Nature Reserve on a 3-day hiking trail
NamibRand Nature Reserve, Namibia

Get lost in the beauty of a lodge that resembles an ancient shipwreck
Skeleton Coast, Namibia

Spend the night in a quirky Airstream Trailer in the outskirts of Cape Town
Elgin Valley, South Africa

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ZULA Bucket List

Creating memories

We offer unmatched activity options when traveling to Southern or Eastern Africa. Read up here on a few highlights and check these off your bucket list.

Desert Elephant Sleep-Out
Get up close and personal with desert-dwelling elephants and the elusive black rhino because seeing both the elephant and rhino in the desert can be a once-in-a-lifetime experience. This is a truly amazing opportunity for anyone who gets the chance to participate and view these beauties up close. This ZULA Bucket List can replace any itinerary activity in the same area or add to any program as an additional activity.
Sesfontein, Namibia

Photographic Hides at Mashatu Lodge
Experience wildlife encounters and photographic opportunities like never before because this game reserve homes impressive big cats and giant Baobab Trees. There are also undulating plains that offer out of this world photographic opportunities for any level of photographer. This ZULA Bucket List can replace any itinerary activity in the same area or add to any program as an additional activity.
Mashatu Game Reserve, Botswana

Overnight in a Dream Cruiser
Experience the African bush like no other while sleeping under the stars in a luxurious land cruiser because you can fall asleep to the sounds of Namibia’s bush, which is as vast and eerie as its surroundings. You can expect the usual amenities synonymous with safari luxury. This ZULA Bucket List can replace any itinerary accommodation in the same area or add to any program as an extended stay.
Onguma Game Reserve, Namibia

Pony Trekking in Lesotho
Experience a traditional and scenic Basotho pony trek on horseback because Lesotho has great pride in horses, and the Basotho people pride themselves on being great horsemen. These ponies have been bred for generations as an ideal form of transportation. This ZULA Bucket List can replace any itinerary activity in the same area or add to any program as an additional activity.
Nyane, Lesotho

Cheetah Tracking at Samara
Track the fastest land animal on foot in one of the most beautiful locations because tracking cheetahs in the Karoo is a thrilling experience that you will never forget. Unlike other activities, it is completely unique and offered by very few reserves. This ZULA Bucket List can replace any itinerary activity in the same area or add to any program as an additional activity.
Samara Private Game Reserve, South Africa

Walking Trails Camp in Kruger
Get the full safari up close to wildlife with a specialised walking experience through the African bush because walking safaris offered by Simbavati are led by the most knowledgeable guides. Four tents, each with an en-suite bathroom, make this an intimate and secluded experience. This ZULA Bucket List can replace any itinerary accommodation in the same area or add to any program as an extended stay.
Timbavati Private Nature Reserve, South Africa

Cape Malay Cooking Safari
An authentic, traditional South African cooking experience in the Bo-Kaap district of Cape Town because the tour includes guided walking tours of historical sights in the centre of the Bo-Kaap, cooking demonstrations, a full course traditional meal, and hotel transfers. This ZULA Bucket List can replace any itinerary activity in the same area or add to any program as an additional activity.
Cape Town, South Africa

Helicopter Flight & Balloon Safari
Experience a bird's eye view on the African skyline in two very different and unique ways because the combination of an incredible helicopter flight, and the experience of an age-old Balloon Safari, in one of Africa’s great wilderness destinations, epitomises the very best of game viewing. This ZULA Bucket List can replace any itinerary activity in the same area or add to any program as an additional activity.
Okavango Delta, Botswana

Bushman Walk through the Desert
Explore the Kalahari's open plains with authentic descendants of the San Bushmen because most camp staff members in the Kalahari area are from San Bushmen clans in the region, which allows you to gain insight into their culture through their dress, their language and their activities. This ZULA Bucket List can replace any itinerary activity in the same area or add to any program as an additional activity.
Makgadikgadi Pans National Park, Botswana

Helicopter Flight over the Falls
Witness one of the seven wonders of the world at its most magical, with the flight of the angels because the helicopter flies over the falls in a figure of eight, giving you the best possible view. As you continue, you will be able to see game as you fly over the Zambezi National Park in Africa. This ZULA Bucket List can replace any itinerary activity in the same area or add to any program as an additional activity.
Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe

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