In the heart of Africa lies a country that is infrequently visited by tourists, despite its stunning scenery, safaris and incredible weather.
With the Easter holidays coming to an end, thoughts are inevitably turning towards the long summer and another opportunity to break out and head for the border.
Many will choose to travel close to home, heading for popular destinations such as Italy, Spain, Greece and France.
Others still might venture across the pond to explore the vast territories and mega-metropolises of the USA – perhaps including a quick visit to Las Vegas to try and strike it lucky and win a fortune.
Yet for those seeking something off the beaten track, the African nation of Botswana offers a winning combination of breathtaking scenery, tranquility and a sense of being at one with nature.
From the famed Kalahari-Desert, arid and vast to the stunning rivers and deltas, Botswana offers endless opportunities for exploration and adventure.
It is sparsely populated with just over two million inhabitants. Yet it is roughly the size of France.
The African country is a paradise for nature and wildlife lovers and promises the rare luxury of having a vast and beautiful landscape almost all to yourself.
Here the visitor will not find crowds of travellers, tour buses or high-rise hotels.
The Linyanti Private Reserve makes a perfect destination to view the varied and exotic wildlife Botswana has to offer.
Here visitors can see large predators such as lions, cheetahs, leopards, wild dogs and hyenas as well as large herds of buffalo, elephant and zebra.
The Reserve has one of the world’s largest elephant herds, making a sighting of these wonderful creatures almost a guaranteed event.
The best time to travel to see the wildlife is from June through to October as the climate is very dry and the water begins to recede, making the animals congregate in smaller areas.
Another “must see” is the Okavango Delta – a natural paradise that spans to a massive 15,000 square kilometres.
Every year, waters from the Okavango River flood the lowland plains to create an intricate ecosystem of swamps, lagoons and islands.
This enormous river delta offers not only impressive views, but also the chance to see Botswana’s vibrant wildlife up close. While there, it is also possible to explore the vast waterways in a Mokoro canoe.
Traditionally, Mokoros are dug-out from trunks of a large straight tree, like ebony or kigelia. For conservation purposes, they are now more predominantly made from fibreglass.
How to get there:
It is not an easy task to get to Botswana, as it requires two flight changes minimum. The most popular – and cheapest – way to fly, is to fly from London to Doha, Qatar, from Qatar to Johannesburg, South Africa, and then to the Gabarone in Botswana.
Round trip flights from London to Gabarone are currently being listed for £891.