Destination Information

Botswana

Location: Central Southern Africa
Time Zone: GMT + 2.
Area: 581,730 sq km (224,607 sq miles).
Population: 1.8 million (estimate 2008).
Population Density: 3.2 per sq km.
Capital: Gaborone. Population: 208,411 (estimate 2005).

Geography

Botswana is landlocked, bordered to the south and east by South Africa, to the northeast by Zimbabwe and to the north and west by Namibia. It also touches Zambia just west of the Victoria Falls. The tableland of the Kalahari Desert covers the centre and south. The principal wildlife areas are the Okavango Delta to the northwest, the largest inland delta in the world, which includes the Moremi Game Reserve; Chobe National Park in the north, including Savute and the Linyanti Marshes; and Kgalagadi Transfrontier National Park in the far southwest, co-managed with South Africa.

The majority of the population lives in the southeast around Gaborone, Serowe and Kanye along the South African border. The vast arid sandveld of the Kalahari occupies much of central and western Botswana. The seasonal rains bring a considerable difference to the vegetation, especially in the Makgadikgadi Pans and the Okavango Delta.

Our visit to Botswana includes towns such as Silebi Pikwe which serves as a one night stop to break up the drive each way as well as Chobe National Park.

Government

Republic since 1966.

Head of State: President Festus Gontebanye Mogae since 1998.

Recent History

The Botswana Democratic Party (BDP) has dominated the country's politics since it gained independence. At the most recent general election, in 2004, Festus Mogae won a new five-year term by a landslide majority. He retired in 2008, handing over to his vice-president, Ian Khama. The main opposition party is the Botswana National Front (BNF).

Botswana has benefited both politically and economically from the advent of democratic government in South Africa.

Language

English is the official language. Setswana is the national language, with minorities speaking Kalanga and Sekgalagadi.

Religion

Christianity, Roman Catholic and indigenous beliefs. There are numerous small Zionist and Apostolic churches in rural villages, as well as United Reformed (Congregational and Methodist), Dutch Reformed, Lutheran, Methodist and Anglican churches, and predominantly expatriate Muslim, Quaker, Hindu and Bahai congregations in major towns.

Social Conventions

As most people in Botswana follow their traditional pattern of life, visitors should be sensitive to customs which will inevitably be unfamiliar to them. Outside urban areas and safari destinations, people may well not be used to visitors. Casual clothing is acceptable and, in urban centers, normal courtesies should be observed.

Zambia

Zambia , officially Republic of Zambia, republic (2005 est. pop. 11,262,000), 290,584 sq mi (752,614 sq km), central Africa. It borders on Congo ( Kinshasa) in the north, on Tanzania in the northeast, on Malawi and Mozambique in the east, on Zimbabwe, Botswana, and Namibia in the south, and on Angola in the west. Lusaka is the capital and largest city.

Land and People

Zambia is largely made up of a highland plateau, which rises in the east. The elevation there ranges from c.3,000 to 5,000 ft (915-1,520 m), and higher altitudes are attained in the Muchinga Mts., where Zambia's highest point (c.7,120 ft/2,170 m) is located. Also in E Zambia are Lake Bangweulu, parts of lakes Mweru and Tanganyika, and the Luangwa and Chambeshi rivers. The Zambezi River drains much of the western part of the country (where the elevation is c.1,500-3,000 ft/460-910 m) and forms a large part of Zambia's southern boundary. The impressive Victoria Falls and the huge Lake Kariba (formed by Kariba Dam ), both on the border with Zimbabwe, are part of the Zambezi in the south. The Kafue River drains W central Zambia, including the Cooperbelt in the north. There are several large swamps, or flats, in Zambia, which are noted for their concentration of wildlife. The country also has numerous national parks, but their emphasis is on tourism rather than preservation. In addition to Lusaka, other cities include Chingola , Kabwe , Kitwe , Livingstone , Luanshya , Mufulira , Nchanga, Ndola , and Nkana.

The country's population is made up almost entirely of members of several Bantu ethnic and linguistic groups. English is the official language, and approximately 75 African languages and dialects are spoken, including Bemba, Kaonda, Lozi, Lunda, Luvale, Nyanja, and Tonga. Some 50% to 75% of the population is Christian, while Muslims and Hindus make up between 24% and 49%; a small percentage follow traditional African beliefs. The greatest population density is found in the Copperbelt and the central provinces.

We will spend our time in Livingstone where the school and orphanage are located.

Economy

Some 85% of Zambians work the country's relatively infertile soil as subsistence farmers; commercial agriculture is mostly confined to a small number of large farms. The leading crops are corn, sorghum, rice, peanuts, sunflower seeds, vegetables, flowers, tobacco, cotton, sugarcane, cassava, and coffee. Cattle, goats, pigs, and poultry are raised. There is a small fishing industry.

The mining and refining of copper constitutes by far the largest industry in the country and is concentrated in the cities of the Copperbelt. Cobalt, zinc, lead, emeralds, gold, silver, coal, and uranium are also mined. Industries include food and beverage processing, construction, horticulture, and the manufacture of chemicals, textiles, and fertilizer. Most of Zambia's energy is supplied by hydroelectric plants, especially the one at Kariba Dam.

Copper, cobalt, electricity, tobacco, flowers, and cotton are the main exports. The principal imports are machinery, transportation equipment, petroleum products, electricity, fertilizer, foodstuffs, and clothing. The leading trade partners are South Africa, Switzerland, and Great Britain.

Government

Zambia is governed under the constitution of 1991 as amended. The president, who is both head of state and head of government, is popularly elected for a five-year term and is eligible for a second term. The unicameral legislature consists of the 158-seat National Assembly; 150 members are elected by popular vote and eight are appointed by the president. All legislators serve five-year terms. Administratively, Zambia is divided into nine provinces.

Vast lakes, rich wetlands and breathtaking African sunsets contribute to Zambia's scenic splendor. A land blessed with 17 waterfalls including the spectacular Victoria Falls, the country attracts nature lovers and thrill seekers alike. The wild Zambezi River is perfect for adrenaline rush activities such as river rafting, canoeing safaris, river surfing and tiger fishing.

Zambia is the land of the legendary African walking safari. Big game, abundant birdlife and raw, pulsating wilderness are what visitors can expect to find. The Zambian government has long recognized the economic importance of its wildernesses and is acutely aware of environmental concerns: almost one-third of the country is given over to national parks and game reserves.

First colonized by the British South African Company in 1889, it was not until 1924, when the company ceded administrative control to the British Crown (whereupon it became the colony of Northern Rhodesia), that serious exploitation of the country's main natural resource, copper, began. Though this could have made Zambia one of the continent's richest countries, it is one of the world's poorest.

South Africa

South Africa is a treasure chest of unforgettable scenery, from lofty mountains to sun-baked deserts and dramatic coastlines washed by the Atlantic and Indian oceans. Its game viewing equals the best in Africa, and where else can you find both penguins and elephants?

To the east is the Kruger National Park where the thorny bush harbors the ‘Big Five' animals to see (the lion, elephant, buffalo, leopard and rhino) as well as many other fascinating animals and birds.

South Africa also has a vivid history. Apartheid was broken down in 1990 by President FW De Klerk, and jailed ANC leader Nelson Mandela was released after 27 years of imprisonment. In the first democratic elections to be held in South Africa, Mandela became president in 1994. The story is told in the excellent museums in Johannesburg, by far the most vibrant of the country's cities with a rich cultural heritage.

Apartheid activist Archbishop Desmond Tutu named the newly integrated South Africa the ‘Rainbow Nation'. It is a fitting name for a country with 11 official languages and people of all colors, races and creeds, living in a vividly colored and sculpted landscape. It is no wonder then that its cities are so cosmopolitan.

History & Government

South Africa as we know it came to be because of its position along the trade route that stretched from India and Asia to Europe. (they call it the Cape of Good hope as they ‘hoped’ it would lead them to better trade with India). It was a stopping point for most ships en route and in 1652 the Dutch East India Company founded a station on what now lies Cape Town. Initially the Dutch controlled the South of Africa but Great Britain seized the Cape in 1795 and stretched its frontiers further east through a series of conflicts with the local population. (which they won more often than not) . It was made a colony in 1806, an independent Union of republics in 1910 and a true republic in 1961. But it was not a true democratic republic until 1994.

After WWII, the white leadership of South Africa instituted a series segregation laws designed to limit the rights of the non-whites. This policy was called Apartheid (which means separate-ness in the Dutch South African dialect called Afrikaans) and was enforced often violently right until 1990. Many famous stories of struggle and rebellion are known including Nelson Mandela’s EPIC struggle of 27 years of incarceration and Stephen Biko’s efforts to educate which led to his death in police custody, aka murder. (you might know Peter Gabriel’s song BIKO).

In 1974 the SA government passed a law stating that all black schools had to teach their students half in Afrikaans and half in English. Most black South Africans spoke their tribal languages like Zulu so this amounted to nothing more than an attempt to ‘convert’ the black population. Many students and student associations decided in 1976 to stage a protest. On June 16th approximately 10,000 students held a peaceful march, waving flags and singing songs. Riot police at one point fired tear gas and one thing led to another and the next thing anyone knew they were fired live ammunition. The government initially estimated the death toll around 23. but later figure put the real number around 500, mostly kids, with estimates ranging from 200 to 700 deaths being said by many news organizations. The only good to come from this is that it effectively marked the beginning of the end for Apartheid.

The whites did not end Apartheid out of their own willingness, though of course there were many who did fight to end it. Rather the sheer amount of political and economic pressure inflicted upon South Africa through sanctions starting the 60’s, picking up after Soweto but culminating in the 80’s forced the government’s hand into de segregation.

In 1990 the white government of FW De Klerk liften the ban on Nelson Mandela’a ANC party (African National Congress) and paved the way to remove segregation. In 1994 they held their first true democratic elections, which were won by Mandela and his ANC. South Africa also took the bold step of acceding to the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty and destroying its nuclear arsenal - the first and only country ever to do so.

South Africa now lies as one of the most stable and successful democratic countries in Africa. There is still a very large disparity between black and white but the gulf is narrowing and although it is stable they do have a lot of work to do. Crime is still high although it is limited to certain areas like inner Jo-burg and the beaches of Durban at night. In the parks, especially with local population there are very rare issues. They rely very much on tourism and work very hard to protect it. All in all we just need to be careful but the safety aspect is completely manageable.

Our journey will begin in Johannesburg when we arrive from North America and we will enjoy Sun City and Lost City at the end of our program for some fun in the sun.