Botswana Country & Its People

Geographically, politically and culturally, Botswana is truly unique among African nations. In its four decades of independence, it has generally been an impressive model of good government, addressing the needs of its people, and taking an active role in the preservation of its natural environment. Botswana encompasses the lush wetlands of the Okavango Delta, and the harsh desolate expanses of the Kalahari Desert. Most of the population live around the central watershed region, where the climate is highly suitable for rearing cattle. Towards the southwest, the harsh conditions of the Kalahari dominate nearly two-thirds of the country. Traditionally, this land has been home to the San-speaking people, sometimes inaccurately referred to as the Bushmen. Culturally, almost 90% of the population understand Setswana, a Bantu language. This fact has helped Botswana avoid much of the ethnic strife that has scarred so much of African post-independence politics.

Most of the areas visited by travelers are in the northeast, around the Chobe River, and the myriad wetlands of the Okavango Delta. This is a land of spectacular biodiversity, where hundreds of species of flora and fauna flourish. This is one of the world's largest inland deltas, trapping the overflow of the Okavango River that rises in Angola. The dry season, from April to October, sees the delta at its most verdant and luxurious, swollen with the river's flood waters from the preceding rainy season. The waters peter out in the Kalahari Desert sands. Throughout these months, wildlife gathers around the water sources, and game viewing is at its best. Cold nights and early mornings are balanced by pleasantly warm days. As the dry season progresses, the temperatures rise, and more and more animals gather around the decreasing water holes. The rains begin again in November, bringing a luminous verdancy to the parched world. As the rains progress, the grass grows, limiting game viewing, but creating its own magical atmosphere. From November to mid-March, both temperature and humidity are high. April and May are fine months to visit - warm, dry, and fresh, albeit with long grasses abounding. Many visitors feel that May to mid-August is the ideal time to visit, with moderate temperature and almost no rain. The Kalahari Desert is an extreme realm, whose harsh landscape can see temperatures over 40 C in the rainy season, and nights which plummet to -5 C in the cooler months.

Botswana's cultural history is as fascinating as its natural splendor. Archaeological remains suggest that hunter-gatherers lived in the area for tens of thousands of years. In many parts of the country, ancient rock paintings have been discovered, illustrating shamanic states and hunting scenes. Later on, an iron age culture from the northwest moved into the region. Remains dating back to 350 AD have been discovered. European missionaries entered the area in the early 19th century. During the years of the Struggle for Africa, Botswana managed to remain relatively unmarred, although a British Protectorate, and deeply entangled with neighboring South Africa. Botswana became independent in 1966, and began its life as one of Africa's poorest nations. Its position as one of the Front Line States also exacerbated domestic problems. The discovery of diamonds in 1967, and the development of a carefully managed eco-tourism industry, have helped Botswana to develop a relatively strong and stable economy and government.

The San people of the Kalahari region have been much written and talked about over the years: their unique social system, based on hunting and gathering, carried on until late in the 20th century, and was seen as a direct continuation of the cultures that existed in the region for thousands of years. Today, many of the San (or bushmen) have been alienated from their traditional land and lifestyle, although certain ancient elements continue. Most notable is the trance dance, where healing forces are believed to be invoked through dance, clapping and singing. While traditional San culture has been radically disrupted over the recent years, it is still possible to visit the Kalahari desert with San guides, who are expert trackers and hunters. Many visitors find such an experience to be a life-changing experience, giving a rare and privileged insight into mankind's earliest history, and its relevance in today's