7 Magical Places You Should Visit in Zambia, Botswana, Namibia

There’s no better place to get away from it than Namibia, Botswana and Zambia’s national parks and game reserves. The national parks are a great place to spot big game, but if you’re looking for an even more immersive wildlife experience, you’re in luck.

Some of this country’s most luxurious lodges and tented camps have been set up in these areas, where you can get up close to some of Africa’s most impressive wildlife, including elephants, lions, cheetahs and leopards. You’ll also be a short drive from the African bush, where you can spot a wide variety of other animals, including baboons, crocodiles, hyenas and jackals.

There are also plenty of bird species to see and lots of other outdoor activities to try, such as hiking, bungee jumping, nature walks in the wild, white water rafting, fly camping, canoeing and horseback riding. Some of the properties also offer fly-in safaris, which allow you to explore the parks and game reserves from the safety of a luxury Safari Lodge or Tented camp.

1. The Etosha National Park, Namibia

Namibia is the only African country to have all three; a high-desert landscape allows you to explore the most inhospitable and breathtaking parts of the continent, wildlife sanctuaries and a stunning coastline.

The Etosha Pan dominates the landscape; it´s a name derived from the indigenous language of the Ovambo means great white place, referring to the white sand pans. Etosha hosts all kinds of wildlife, including the endangered black rhino. During the dry season, animals meet in the pans to drink and rest.

Etosha has no crowds and is the perfect place to see the wildlife in their natural habitat. The best times to visit are between May and October

2. The Kalahari Desert, Namibia

The Kalahari Desert is home to a wide variety of wildlife, such as the Meerkat, Bat-eared Foxes, and Cape brown Fox, and you can find the three big cats here, Cheetah, Leopards and Lions.

The Kalahari desert stretches across the southern part of Namibia. It is one of the most beautiful places in the world, covering much of Botswana and the northern cape province of South Africa. The Kalahari does not really qualify as a desert, as it is semi-arid and receives more rain than the Sahara.

Skeleton Coast, Namibia

The Skeleton Coast is famously named so due to whale bones and the hundreds of broken ships that ran aground, remnants of which can be found on the beaches.

The Skeleton Coast is also home to the flourishing Cape Cross seal colony, one of the world’s largest breeding colonies of Cape fur seals.

4. Sossusvlei, Namibia

Sossusvlei´s salt and clay pans, apart from being beautiful, are the world’s highest rust-red sand dunes in the Namib-Nukfut national park. A striking contrast exists between the dunes’ burnt orange hue and the pans’ grey-white, which are dotted with dead acacia trees that make up the ex-Deadvlei oasis.

Dune #45 is a strangely-shaped dune, and Big Daddy is one of the highest dune formations in the world. These are both made from sand that dates back more than five million years.

5. Okavango Delta, Botswana

Botswana is a country made up of two regions, the Okavango and the Kalahari. It offers an unforgettable safari experience and is known for its diverse array of ecosystems and its beautiful wildlife. Botswana is known for its abundant wildlife.

The Great Okavango Delta is one of Africa’s most impressive natural sites. Stretching over 220,000 square km of water and land, it is the world’s largest inland delta and the source of one of the world’s great rivers – the Okavango – which flows north into Angola.

Some of the best game viewing in the world is found here at the Okovango delta. African wildlife in this region is truly amazing. From the incredible diversity of animals, including African elephants, rhinos, lions, cheetahs and cape buffalo, you will not be disappointed.

6. Spectacular River cruises, Botswana

Among Africa’s most diverse waterways, the Chobe river is breathtaking. A boat ride along this magnificent river is the best way to see its array of wildlife, including hippos, buffalo, birds, and wildebeest.

Following the discovery of Lake Ngami in the mid- 1800s, it vanished but reappeared toward the end of the century. Throughout the years, it has exhibited this pattern and is a haven for birdwatchers

Botswana has the longest game reserve in southern Africa, with a 1.6 million hectare expanse that’s 16 times the size of Manhattan. It’s also the most significant private wildlife preserve in the world, with a lion population that is now at more than one thousand. In addition, you will find more elephants than anywhere else in the world.

Botswana is one of the least crowded countries in the world and has set aside more than 45% of its land for conservation.

Victoria Falls is without a doubt Zambia`s most famous landmark. This natural wonder is located in the country`s northwestern corner and is considered one of the world’s seven natural wonders. From here, you can witness the spray of the mighty Zambezi River as it crashes over the edge of the gorge.

Zambia boasts immense natural beauty and is an adventure lovers’ paradise, providing a range of activities like white water rafting, bungee jumping, nature walks in the wild, mountain biking, rock climbing, the list is endless. It is a fantastic place to visit with so much to offer: wildlife, adventure, diversity and most of all a safe destination for your holiday in Africa.

The article was first published by twelve adventures expedition.