If high on your agenda is having unique elephant experience in Botswana, then a Botswana safari vacation will not disappoint! With an estimated number of more than 130 thousands, the country is home to around a third of Africa's total elephant population.
Ever since the hunting ban in 2014, the number of elephants in Botswana has gradually increased and their efforts have been praised by conservationists around the world. However, the recent lifting of the hunting ban has caused much debate and divergent opinions.
On the one hand, the number of elephants has increased to the point that the government now declares that the population is causing more and more human-elephant conflicts leading to devastating conflicts and on the other hand, Botswana is one of the last strongholds of the elephant population and almost a talisman for all of Africa.
Importance of elephants to the economy of Botswana
Let this message persuade you to visit Botswana. Wildlife tourism accounts for nearly a fifth of the economy of Botswana's, and as more and more people travel to this extraordinary environment, the country's wildlife becomes more important.
Botswana is home to the largest number of elephants in Africa, with estimates ranging from 60 thousands to 120 thousands and Botswana safaris certainly offer some of the most intimate elephant experiences with these fascinating creatures. Often during Botswana's dry season, when the inland water has dried up and cattle have to drink from permanent water sources, the many attractions along the canals are the order of the day.
Botswana is popular for being home to the biggest elephant population in Africa. Hundreds of thousands of people roam freely in its nature reserves, including Chobe National Park and Linyanti Nature Reserve (Kwando, Selinda and Linyanti). Botswana for good reason has been dubbed the "Elephant Capital of the World" in the safari industry, because at any one time during peak season, Chobe National Park can be home to up to 250 thousand elephants.
With the highest concentrations and largest herds seen from the month of June to November, it is not uncommon to view hundreds of elephants on safari in certain areas. The two areas that our team suggest you visit are Linyanti Nature Reserve and Chobe National Park
Botswana the largest concentration of elephants in Africa
Botswana is at the center of the ancient migratory routes of elephant herds that once traversed southern Africa, but with political unrest and civil war in neighboring countries, the elephants have found (legend has it), safety in well-protected parks and in born reserves in Botswana. With the end of poaching and wars in neighboring countries, elephants are starting to move again on some of the old migration routes, but for now, Botswana remains their sanctuary.
Guests can only marvel at the sight of thousands of elephants in the river's permanent floodplain during the dry season. The rainy season is also a good time to see elephants, except in large numbers during the dry season. During the rainy season, the herds scatter across Botswana's vast parks and nature reserves and although not seen as they are during the dry season, sightings in the rainy season are still very good.
Where can you see elephants?
Elephants are found primarily in northern Botswana, including the Linyanti, Chobe, Okavango Delta, and into the Tuli Block along the eastern border. In the meantime, however, many venture into northern Makgadikgai and Nxai Pan National Park during certain seasons.
1. Botswana’s KALAHARI:
Elephants migrate through the Desert of Kalahari each year, & its landscape contrasts sharply with the more famous wilderness areas to the north. Stretched out on a giant plate, the views are simply magnificent.Your elephants experience starts in the Game Reserve of Central Kalahari located at the Kalahari Plains Camp, which for the next 3 nights will be your home.
This is the San Bushman land and though it is a wilderness, it is the home to an amazing wildlife variety. While you may see here a few lone bull elephants, herds roam the land and continue their pathway further north searching for water.
2. Botswana’s OKAVANGO DELTA:
Okavango & its several waterways provide an oasis for elephants. Visitors can glide down the delta channel by boat or mokoro for a different safari elephant experience. The elephants migrate to the Delta of Okavango From the Kalahari, where there’s availability of water after the delta floods that reached Botswana during the dry season.
You will spend 3 nights here on Hunda Island at Tubu Tree Camp on the 60 thousands -acre Jao concession. This island provides the most diverse hunting scene in the concession & wildlife can be seen on boat safaris, game drives or gliding through the lilies in a mokoro canoe, and perhaps even the beautiful elephants.
3. Botswana’s LINYANTI:
Located at the Okavango Delta north side, this is one of the best safari destinations in Africa, known for its large elephants herd and intense predatory action. The elephant experience ends at the Savuti Camp, which is located along the Savute Canal on the private Linyanti concession.
A phenomenon that is natural occurs here, with the Savute water flowing rapidly (attracting animals that are thirsty) or receding leaving fertile grasslands where steppe animals & therefore breed of predators.
This creates theme game-watching opportunities, mostly in dry seasons when regular sightings can be made at the camp's waterholes, a desired area for their elephants herd!
Bottom line:
In a nutshell, Botswana is full of excellent elephant experience areas. The hardest part of planning your trip is choosing areas and camps that work well together and give you great elephant experiences and sightings of other species.
