Botswana rose out of the United Nations group of Least Developed Countries and is a country with a bright future.  Move the mouse over the points highlighted on the map and find out more.  Its history and heritage is revealed.

Nata Bird Sanctuary

This community-based project is designed to provide a safe environment for wildlife (predominantly bird life) around the Sua Pan. More than 160 species of birds can be viewed here, including flamingos, pelicans, ducks, geese, ostriches, kingfisher eagles, and spoon bills.

Matsieng Footprints

The legend of the Matsieng Footprints is shared across the whole of Botswana. Stories tell of how Matsieng, the giant, led his people and animals from within the earth out to take their place in the world. The footprint engraved into rock by a pool of water is said to have been made when Matsieng first emerged from beneath the water out into the world thousands of years ago.

Tsodilo Hills

Considered the most important rock art site in southern Africa, these four hills are famous for the pictorial stories left by past inhabitants on the rock faces and overhangs. Over 3,500 paintings portray more than 30,000 years of occupation.

South Africa Map

Explore South Africa

Explore a map of South Africa. Find out more about the most important places in South Africa

Namibia map

Explore Namibia

Find out more about Namibia’s unique conservation areas and the history behind some of its towns and cities.

Khama Rhino Sanctuary

The Khama Rhino Sanctuary was set up in the 1980s to help protect black and white rhinos which, at the time, were facing extinction due to being poached or hunted. At least 35 white rhinos have been introduced into the sanctuary and have since bred successfully. Other animals have also settled naturally in the reserve including zebra, leopards and hyenas.

Zimbabwe map

Explore Zimbabwe

Find some of the key cities, sites of interest and national parks on this map of Zimbabwe.

Foods

Africa has some of the most distinctive cuisines and flavours in the world. Food varies widely, but there are commonalities across regions. Depending on what's grown locally, dishes are also influenced by the traders, immigrants and rulers who settled across the continent. Arab, Asian and European elements blend in with traditional African cooking.

Climate

Africa is a massive continent, with a range of climates. Some regions are hot and dry, like the Sahara, Kalahari and Namib deserts. Other parts are wet or covered in tropical rainforest. Conditions also vary by altitude, from the dry salt pans of the Danakil Depression (one of the lowest points on earth) to the snowcaps (at certain times) of the highest mountains. Weather-wise, Africa has it all!

Gaborone

Botswana's capital city, sited in a flat valley between the Kgale and Oodi hills, was founded in1890 by Gaborone Matlapin, an African chief. Gaborone is the seat of government as well as the country's commercial and administrative heart. Its National Museum houses important collections of traditional crafts and southern African fine art.

Development

‘People are the real wealth of a nation.’ This is the belief of the United Nations, whose Millenium Development Goals provide a framework for improving the lives of millions.

It helps when nations are peaceful, stable and growing economically. But even where the poorest countries focus on health, education and creating fairer societies, more Africans have the chance of a better life.

Famine & Agriculture

A quarter of the population of sub-Saharan Africa is undernourished and famines can impact whole regions.

Land is available to grow more food locally. But investment is needed in  technologies such as irrigation, for land to be used effectively. Farmers must also adapt to climate change if they are to feed the continent's rising population.

Okavango Delta

Okavango, a labyrinth of lagoons, lakes and hidden channels, covers an area of over 17000 sq kms and is the world's largest inland delta. Spreading across its eastern side is the Moremi Game Reserve, boasting prolific populations of wildlife and birds.

Games & Sports

Africa is home to arguably the oldest-recorded games and sports. While some are only known through archeology, modern-day games and sports such as Mancala/Mankala and Nubian wrestling are very much alive today.

Of course, new sports have come along to claim the attention of Africans. You may have heard of one - it's called football.

Health

Africa has a high number of communicable diseases, which place a huge burden on healthcare systems. The vast majority of malaria cases and HIV/AIDS-related deaths occur in Africa; these two diseases currently represent the greatest threats.

With low investment in healthcare and a severe shortage of medical staff, many countries struggle to meet the health needs of their people.

War and Empire

The first humans are thought to have lived in Africa and powerful African empires formed from the medieval age onwards.

However, today's African nations were shaped by the European powers who colonised this vast continent. Having gained their independence, many African countries are still coming to terms with the legacy left by their colonisers.

Chobe National Park

This, one of Botswana’s largest parks, is divided into four very different eco systems: Serondela with its lush plains and dense forests in the Chobe River area in the extreme north-east; the Savuti Marsh in the west; the Linyanti Swamps in the north-west; and the hot dry hinterland in between.

Central Kalahari Game Reserve

As the second largest game reserve in the world, the Kalahari reserve is famous for its vast open plains, ancient riverbeds and sand dunes, all set within the Kalahari Desert. Because of its remote location and bleak climate, it is virtually inaccessible to tourists. However, there is a large breadth of wildlife to be seen – from cheetahs to giraffes to lions.

Poverty

Across the rest of the world, absolute poverty has halved over recent decades, but in Africa it has barely fallen.

About two-fifths of the population of sub-Saharan Africa survive week by week on what someone in the UK earns from just one hour's work on the minimum wage.

Kalahari

The Kalahari

Birds and animals employ various techniques to survive in the harsh conditions of the Kalahari desert.

Serowe

This Ngwato capital is the largest village in Botswana and one of the country’s most historically interesting villages. It is also home to The Khama Rhino Sanctuary Trust, a community-based wildlife project
set up in 1992 to help re-establish numbers of the threatened rhino.

State of Children

Around one in six children born in sub-Saharan Africa don't live to see their fifth birthday and life can be tough for those who do.

What are the common challenges facing African children and how do their lives compare with those of children in the UK?

Zambia Map

Explore Zambia

Find out about some key places in Zambia, such as Victoria Falls, one of the seven natural wonders of the world.

AfricaCentral Kalahari Game ReserveTsodilo HillsOkavango DeltaChobe National ParkGaboroneNata Bird SanctuarySeroweSouth Africa MapZambia MapZimbabwe mapKhama Rhino SanctuaryMatsieng FootprintsKalahariNamibia map