The recent counting has revealed that Botswana, with a 130,000-elephant population, is accommodating 33% of Africa’s elephant population. While hunting has been banned since 2014, the recent lifting of the ban has triggered debates concerning the impacts particularly as regards human/wildlife interactions.
The national parks in Botswana are among the best sites to witness elephants in the wild. These are Chobe National Park, Okavango delta and the Linyanti region and possibly some of the best scenic views of elephants in entire Africa. Elephants in these regions are nevertheless abundant, and these animals roam over immense areas; the tourists will not forget this experience.
The greatest concentration of elephants in Africa can be found in Chobe National Park, sometimes referred to as the “elephant capital of the world,” particularly during the dry season. Many herds migrate towards the Chobe River to look for water from June up to November. Ngoma Lodge and Chobe Game Lodge are excellent locations to see these magnificent creatures.
Apart from Chobe, Linyanti is the best place to have the full safari experience since you get more luxury and higher concentrations of predators. Linyanti and Kwando Concessions that lie within the Namibia-Botswana border have numerous elephants, and specifically during the rainy season, they visit the two concessions in large numbers.
A large number of independent campsites in the region are much smaller in size but famous for providing the warm experience of watching wildlife. Herds of more than 300 elephants drink from the lagoon outside of the rooms at camps like Kwando Lagoon Camp, where visitors are treated to regular spectacles of elephants. As is with any safari, Linyanti boasts of lion, leopard and wild dog sightings.
Another wonderful place that is favorable for watching the elephants is the Okavango Delta, which is included in the list of UNESCO. Wildlife is also readily available in this area due to the high vegetation growth and the constant presence of elephants. There exists a diverse population of elephants in the Okavango Delta, even though the herds were comparatively small compared to what they are in the Chobe.Â
Campers can spot elephants in smaller family units of five to thirty elephants or large lone bulls, especially along waterholes or while on game drives. Some lodges use boats or walking in their services to bring visitors closer to elephants and get a different perspective.
However, as a result of people and wildlife conflicts, Botswana remains among the preeminent destinations in Africa for elephants. Efforts to promote elephant sustainability; Together with several nonprofit organizations, the government has been engaging a lot of effort to help elephants remain relevant even as they maintain a friendly relationship with adjacent communities.Â
To other elephants around the continent, Botswana is a real source of hope due to its vast area covered by parks and reserves and its commitment to the conservation of animals.
Conclusion
When it comes to elephants, Botswana offers a lifetime opportunity for anyone who would like to see elephants drinking at the Chobe River, large herds in Linyanti, or small family units in the Okavango Delta. At first, it is quite easy to understand why many people visit the national parks in Botswana just to be close to these beautiful animals.Â