Botswana
Population: 2.3 million
Visited: 28/12/2017 - 29/12/17 & 03/01/2018 - 07/01/2018
Places visited: Chobe National Park (twice), Okavango Delta, Ghanzi
Visa: Nothing (although officially $20 USD)
Botswana was the country in which I experience a pride of 16 lions followed by elephants charging followed by a lion jumping out and chasing our open air vehicle within a 35 minute period! That got the heart racing before setting up our bush camp under the stars in the
Chobe National Park. I learnt to respect nature a lot more on that day.
I visited Botswana twice in a short time with no border visa charge either time and very easy at immigration crossings except you need to wash all your shoes on a chemical covered mat and there are inspections inside the country as well.
Chobe National Park is a marvel, some much wildlife. The
Okavango Delta can't be underestimated either which for me included a mokoro (canoe) ride, a walking safari and a flight over the amazing Delta. In the
Ghanzi area, which is very arid, an experience with the San people (bushman) highlighted to me that I would quickly die out in the wild.
Of all the countries I visited during this two months Botswana provided the most memorable experiences that felt most like Africa. If you only have a limited time to visit Africa try to ensure Botswana is part of it.
Botswana Blog Entries.