DESTINATION DIALOGUE
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IT OFFERS SOME OF AFRICA’S BEST GAME, BUT BOTSWANA REMAINS SOMETHING OF A SECRET. SELLING LONG HAUL INVITED THE TOURISM OFFICE’S DAWN PARR TO MEET 50 TRAVEL AGENTS IN THE GRANGE ST PAU'LS HOTEL, LONDON TO DISPEL SOME MYTHS AND STIMULATE DEBATE. LAURA GELDER REPORTS.
Beautiful Botswana
THE HISTORY: Missionaries, hunters and traders began to arrive in the area now known as Botswana in the 1800s. It became a protectorate of the UK and Ireland in 1885, called Bechuanaland, until it became the Republic of Botswana in 1966. It is bordered by Namibia, South Africa, Zambia and Zimbabwe. THE CONTEXT: There are over 85 tribes living in Botswana today and it is consistently listed as the 'least corrupt' country in Africa. Botswana's main industry is diamonds but it has a long record of democracy and political stability, with no history of wars. Botswana also prides itself on its
ecological policies. A third of the country is dedicated to national parks or reserves, the army protects its rhino population and commercial hunting was banned from January 1, 2014 There is an eco-certification programme which all hotels and lodges are encouraged to qualify for using eco-initiatives, like recycling.
Accommodation ranges
from permanent and mobile tented camps to city hotels. THE CHALLENGES: Botswana is generally more expensive than other safari destinations but because safaris are all-inclusive they are great value. THE OPPORTUNITIES: In the water- dominated Okovango Delta, safaris are often done by dug-out canoe or motorboats, as a walking tour, on horse- back or elephant-back and helicopter. The Okovangois a bird watcher’s haven, home to over 400 species. Chobe National Park is 70km from Zimbabwe and Victoria Falls and boasts Africa’s largest population of elephants, plus giraffe, leopard and cheetah. In Makgadigadi/Naxi Pan the stark
scenery is the pull rather than the wildlife. Salt pans and baobab trees hide black-maned lions, meerkats and flamingos, and there is also a zebra and wildebeest migration. Scenery is also a big draw for the Central Kalahari Game Reserve, where game drives reveal giraffe, warthog, cheetah, leopards and lions.
A good place to add on to South Africa is the Northern Tuli Game Reserve which offers off-road safaris and night drives. It’s also a great place for the ‘little five’, including the elephant shrew, leopard tortoise and rhino beetle. The most wild and undisturbed
of all of Botswana’s parks and reserves, Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park only built its first two lodges in 2013 and access to them is via plane from South Africa. Gaberone, Bostwana’s capital, didn’t
exist until 1966 so history isn't a strong point. However, visitors will find five-star hotels, casinos and golf courses and literature fans can take the No. 1 Ladies’ Detective Agency tour here, following scenes from the popular book. Other activities in Botswana include walks with the San Bushman, to understand the way they source food and medicine from the land. The Tsodilo hills is an outdoor art gallery, showcasing more than 4,000 ancient rock paintings from the San Bushmen. QUESTIONS FROM THE FLOOR: Q: How do you get there? Via Johannesburg or Cape Town with domestic flights into Kasane, Gaberone or Maun. Q: What is the ideal time to go to Botswana? Late November/early December Q: What inoculations do you need to travel to Botswana? None! But malaria medication is needed. Q: What's the national language? English Q: How expensive is petrol? Very cheap because it's not taxed! Around 45p a litre. Q: What can you expect to pay for tips? Wait until the end of your stay. £10 per person per day for guides and for lodge staff, £15 for the whole stay.
“TO SELL HIGHER
PRICES YOU NEED TO KNOW WHAT YOU’RE
TALKING ABOUT AND THIS EVENT WAS
FAR MORE IN-DEPTH THAN ANY OTHER
I’VE BEEN TO” SARAH BOLTON,
TRAVEL COUNSELLOR
www.sellinglonghaul.com
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