A guide to Botswana's national parks and game reserves

Tuesday, 14 February 2012 3:28 PM

Considering booking an active safari holiday for your next getaway? Botswana in Africa could be the perfect destination thanks to its fascinating, wildlife-rich national parks and game reserves.

The country is home to a large swathe of the Kalahari Desert, as well as salt pans and numerous important sources of water - making it the ideal setting in which to spot a wide variety of animals.

Take a look at our guide to the best national parks and game reserves in Botswana for African safari tours.

Chobe National Park

This park is named for the river that flows through its 11,700 sq km of terrain, which attracts cape buffalo, elephants, monkeys, giraffes, warthogs, lions, leopards and many other creatures looking to quench their thirst - or prey on those doing so!

You can also go on a river cruise to see animals like crocodiles, hippos and water birds from a unique perspective.

Chobe National Park's easy accessibility means it is perhaps the most popular of Botswana's safari areas, so if you want to avoid the crowds it may be a wise idea to look elsewhere.

Nearby Linyanti could be ideal. This waterfront is perfect for dry game viewing between May and November. Head here between November and May to take in the blooming bush - although game numbers are likely to be lower during this period.

Nxai Pan National Park

Nxai Pan National Park forms part of the massive Makgadikgadi Pans Game Reserve and is in turn made up of several pans.

The larger of these former salt lakes are covered in grass and acacia trees, while the smaller pans provide a great source of water for the local animals during the seasonal rains.

Head here between December and April after a good spell of rain and you could find yourself spotting giraffes, cheetahs, springboks, zebras, brown hyenas and lions, among other wildlife.

Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park

Located in the far south-western part of Botswana, this park is shared with neighbouring South Africa.

Antelopes, Kalahari lions, jackals and wild cats can be seen here, although it is worth noting that safaris to Kgalagadi are rare due to the lack of accommodation and the long journey required to actually get to the park.

Moremi Game Reserve

This reserve in the popular Okavango Delta was the first in Africa to be founded by the locals out of concern for the plight of wildlife threatened by cattle encroachment and increasing hunting activity.

With more than 400 species of bird, reintroduced black and white rhinos and a landscape filled with grassy plains, lagoons, forests and much more, this is a wonderful destination for a Botswana safari.

Central Kalahari Game Reserve

The world's second largest game reserve at 52,800 sq km, Central Kalahari is the place to go for an African safari experience you will never forget.

It's easy to think that you have the reserve to yourself as you travel through it, spotting gemsboks, springboks, giraffes and other creatures along the way.

The best time to go is either during or after the annual summer rains, when animals flock to the reserve to take advantage of the plentiful water supplies.

Northern Tuli Game Reserve

This reserve in north-eastern Botswana includes sections of the Motloutse, Shashe and Limpopo rivers, meaning the terrain here is particularly diverse.

Marshland, woodland, cliffs and bushland all combine to create a spectacular setting for the viewing of warthogs, zebras, elephants, huge herds of elands, lions and leopards.

There's plenty on offer here for a truly active safari; go on a hot air balloon ride, indulge in a spot of horse riding or cycling, or simply hike your way around to really get to know the Northern Tuli Game Reserve.