Africa’s success story, with a stable democracy headed by honest politicians, zero corruption and one of the strongest economies in Africa, Botswana is dedicated to delivering one of the finest and authentic wildlife experiences available. With 39% of the country’s surface area dedicated to conservation-related practices, the tourism sector is managed according to strict guidelines; preventing overcrowding, enhancing the capabilities of local people through adequate training and employment, and substantial royalties for the privilege of entering these truly remarkable wilderness areas.

From the predators and large concentrations of game in the Okavango Delta, to some of the world’s largest herds of elephants in the Linyanti and Chobe parks, to the contrasts of the wide-open spaces and solitude of the Kalahari and Makgadikgadi Pans, to the endless stretches of uninhabited land seen from the air while being transported between camps, Botswana offers the most remarkable and authentic ‘game-viewing’ safari in Africa.  

The most striking features of the country are its flatness and aridity. With the exception of the eastern part of Botswana where the majority of Batswana live and where the summer rainfall is slightly higher, three quarters of Botswana is technically a desert. This is what makes the Okavango Delta even more remarkable. It is a wonderful wetland within a desert, getting its waters from rain falling in central Africa, 1 000 km away.

Prior to its independence in 1966, Botswana was one of the world's poorest countries. People living outside Botswana had never even heard of the Okavango. In those early days East Africa was "king" of the safari circuit. Botswana was undiscovered and was only visited by a few hardy adventurers (mainly hunters). But things were to change! East Africa lost its gloss in the eyes of the discerning traveller as it overcrowded its parks. South Africa became a "normal" country with Nelson Mandela's release, and the whole southern African sub-continent became a desirable region to explore.

Within Botswana there were big changes too. Diamonds were discovered in the Kalahari shortly after independence which kick-started the economy. Sir Seretse Khama was the country's first post-independence president. A great leader, he was one of the most pragmatic and far-sighted presidents any country could ever hope for. Seretse laid the foundations and the platforms that Botswana needed to propel it forward. Democracy has never been compromised and the economy has been booming. On the wildlife front Seretse's son, Ian, is one of the country's unsung conservation heroes. When he became head of the military, he positioned his troops to secure Botswana's borders from poachers. The game concentrations within the country multiplied overnight.

The country abandoned mass tourism and focused on high quality / low volume tourism. The country's leaders took the view that high quality / low volume tourism was the best way to create a sustainable industry that would employ a large percentage of its people, while still preserving the environment. Today wildlife and tourism employs about 45% of all the people who live in northern Botswana.

The country has remained focused on delivering the finest possible, authentic wildlife experience. This is accomplished through one of Africa's most sensible land plans ever devised. Much of the country's best wildlife land is outside the parks! This land has been resurveyed over the past 10 years and has been divided into massive private reserves (called concessions) that are leased out to safari companies or to rural communities. The safari companies have to manage their operations within strict guidelines and with very strict carrying capacities to prevent overcrowding. These companies have to train and employ local people - and they have to pay large amounts to the communities or the government for the privilege of being there.

While most of the country's best wildlife experiences are in these private reserves (or concessions, as they are known locally), the country still has areas for the general public to visit. These are not the areas to which you should be travelling to find the best private wildlife experience. The safari camps that Tou Safaris recommends on this website are all in the private reserves.