botswana
The flight to the Moremi Reserve on the edge of the Okavango offers an unparalleled opportunity to observe a landscape that is unique in the world: only from above can you truly appreciate the whole picture. The Delta is an unparalleled ecosystem located in the center of one of the largest expanses of sand in the world, the Kalahari Basin, like an oasis in an inhospitable land. The Okavango River has its source in the Benguela Plateau in Angola and, before entering Botswana, crosses about 1,300 km of sand, then widens and disperses, forming three main courses and an infinite number of branches: streams, pools, and lagoons of incredibly clear and pure water covering an area of about 16,000 square kilometers. The Moremi Reserve (4,870 square kilometers) is located on the eastern banks of the Okavango Delta, of which it incorporates 20%. The idea of creating a reserve in this area dates back to 1961, and in 1976 Chief’s Island was included. The fauna that abounds in this area includes elephants, lions, leopards, cheetahs, buffaloes, giraffes, wild dogs,hippos, and of course antelopes.
Traveling north, you arrive at Victoria Falls (The Smoke That Thunders) on the geographical border between Zambia and Zimbabwe. The front of the falls is more than a kilometer and a half long, while their average height is 128 meters. Their uniqueness is linked to the conformation of the place, which allows you to admire the entire front of the waterfall from a single point. David Livingstone, the famous explorer and Scottish missionary, was the first Westerner to visit the falls on November 17, 1855, and named them after the then sovereign of England, Queen Victoria. The falls are known locally as Mosi-oa-Tunya, an expression meaning “the smoke that thunders.” Both names are officially recognized.
The falls are part of two national parks, the Mosi-oa-Tunya National Park in Zambia, named after the indigenous name for the falls, and the Victoria Falls National Park in Zimbabwe, and are now one of the most important tourist attractions in southern Africa. Victoria Falls is a World Heritage Site protected by UNESCO.
namibia
Namib Desert – The oldest desert in the world, it boasts extraordinary apricot-colored dunes. A veritable sea of sand with towering dunes reaching heights of 400 meters, where nothing seems to be able to survive. The Namib is a special, unique desert, and thanks to its particular ecosystem, it receives water in the form of moisture from the very cold Atlantic Ocean, which every day pushes large clouds laden with water from the coast inland for tens of kilometers. The moisture is collected by plants, insects, and reptiles, often using incredible stratagems, allowing them to survive in this extreme part of the world. Sossusvlei is an ancient dry lake that wedges itself between the dunes for about 50 km, allowing visitors to venture into the desert. It is possible to climb one of the highest dunes to admire the magnificent panorama and the play of shadows. Don’t miss a visit to Sesriem Canyon, a gorge cut into limestone rock dating back millions of years. It was carved out by the Tsauchab River, which originates in the Naukluft Mountains and flows between pools and rocks only during the rainy season.
Etosha Park covers an area of about 22,000 km, the center of which is the famous “pan.”This dried-up lake is located in a flat, desert-like depression of about 5,000 square kilometers. Paradoxically, the “pan” offers protection to the most vulnerable animals, as the absence of vegetation leaves predators nowhere to hide.This “large” park is home to 114 different species of mammals, including rhinos, lions, leopards, cheetahs, elephants, hyenas, giraffes, zebras, and a wide variety of antelopes, including kudu, eland, gemsbok, impala, and dik-dik. The animals are attracted to the area by a series of waterholes located on the southern side of the pan, where they can be easily spotted.
The Himba tribe inhabit Damaraland and are descendants of the first Herero who migrated to this area in the 16th century. Around the middle of the 18th century, overpopulation and an environment too dry for their livestock led many Herero to migrate further south. The Himba are a nomadic pastoral people. They wear very little clothing and the women cover their bodies with a red mixture of butter, ochre, and herbs to protect themselves from the sun. Himba women do the heaviest work: they milk the animals, look after the children, carry water, and build houses.
Rwanda
The Republic of Rwanda is known as the “land of a thousand hills.” It is a landlocked country located in the Great Lakes region of Central Africa, bordering Uganda, Burundi, the Republic of Congo, and Tanzania. Despite its proximity to the equator, the country enjoys a cool climate due to its altitude. The territory is mainly covered by hills and fields. Thanks to gorillas and many other animals, tourism is becoming one of the most important sectors of the economy. The country became infamous in 1994 due to the genocide in which an estimated 800,000 people were killed. Since then, the country has been recovering its lost image and is considered one of the model developing countries, gaining stability and economic growth. The capital, Kigali, is recognized as one of the cleanest and safest cities in Africa.
The Republic of Rwanda is known as the “land of a thousand hills.” It is a landlocked country located in the Great Lakes region of central Africa and borders Uganda, Burundi, the Republic of Congo, and Tanzania. Despite its proximity to the equator, the country enjoys a cool climate due to its altitude. The territory is mainly covered by hills and fields. Thanks to gorillas and many other animals, tourism is becoming one of the most important sectors of the economy.
The country became infamous in 1994 due to the genocide in which an estimated 800,000 people were killed. Since then, the country has been recovering its lost image and is considered one of the model developing countries, gaining stability and economic growth. The capital, Kigali, is recognized as one of the cleanest and safest cities in Africa. Mountain gorillas are one of two endangered species in the world. Today, there are only about 655/800 gorillas left, all of which are still in the wild. They are found only in northwestern Rwanda, southwestern Uganda, and the Democratic Republic of Congo. Gorillas in Uganda are found in the Bwindi Forest, while in Rwanda they are found in the Virunga Volcano region. Gorillas live in stable families with a male “silverback” who dominates his harem. They are not aggressive but very peaceful.
Sudafrica
Madikwe Reserve – The Madikwe Game Reserve was established in 1991 with the aim of protecting endangered animals and promoting sustainable tourism initiatives to create jobs for the local population, which is particularly poor and isolated. A massive repopulation operation brought over 10,000 animals to the area that were once endemic but had been decimated by hunting and agricultural exploitation. The project took over seven years to complete, during which time the animals (including entire herds of elephants) were transported by plane or truck from other reserves in southern Africa.
Tanzania
“We walked for miles across a scorching, endless expanse… little by little, plants appeared on the horizon and suddenly I found myself in paradise…” from the notes of American hunter Edward White, the first witness to the existence of the Serengeti. The park covers an area of approximately 30,000 square kilometers. One of the oldest ecosystems in the world, its hills hide traces of life dating back more than 2 million years, as evidenced by the discovery of hominids in the Olduvai Gorge. After all these years, the Serengeti continues to thrill us, each time as if it were the first, like the constant amazement of a Masai accustomed to grazing his flocks before its immensity… Syringet, the endless plain. The park is undoubtedly best known for the spectacular migration of millions of herbivores that every year, following their primordial instincts for survival, cross it to reach the Masai Mara and return to the southern regions.
After traveling along a winding track through the forest, you can see the crest of Ngorongoro, a volcano that became extinct millions of years ago. A few more kilometers and the road ends abruptly at the edge of the crater. The view is breathtaking. 700 meters below you, the caldera opens up… After passing through the entrance for a few kilometers, you are captivated by a large number of “brushed” baobab trees, like in an impressionist painting, along the soft hilly landscape.
The park is home to numerous families of elephants throughout the year. During the dry season, from July to December, thousands of other animal species move along the banks of the Tarangire River, where they find enough water to last until the rainy season.
Zambia and Zimbabwe
South Luangwa National Park – Bordering the Luangwa River, the northern and southern Luangwa National Parks contain some of the most breathtaking and untouched wilderness in Africa. As a result of this and the parks’ successful anti-poaching campaigns, the area has developed into a world-renowned wildlife haven.
Lower Zambezi – Located on the Zimbabwean border in the southern reaches of Zambia, the Lower Zambezi region is best known as the home to the Lower Zambezi National Park which features exceptional, undeveloped wildlife areas. It is renowned for its abundant game – hippos, buffalo, crocodiles, fish eagles, and herds of elephants can be spotted, among other species. The landscape is characterised by rugged, unspoilt wilderness of vast floodplains, scattered with indigenous woodlands. Visitors can look forward to an array of wonderful activities along the Zambezi including game drives, walking safaris, canoe trips, and excellent tiger fishing.
Victoria Falls (Zimbabwe) – Victoria Falls is one of the world’s most impressive waterfalls. It is set on the magnificent Zambezi River which creates the border between Zambia and Zimbabwe. These spectacular falls can be easily visited and viewed from the Zimbabwean side. Considered to be the world’s widest waterfalls, Victoria Falls measures an impressive 1708 metres in width. The small town of Victoria Falls, which lies adjacent to the waterfalls, serves as a great base from which to explore the many attractions this area of Zimbabwe has to offer.
