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Botswana is a vast land, highly prized for its safaris and game. Indeed, Botswana is a country that you feel is keen to conserve what makes it
beautiful and utilise its assets. Astonishingly, around 17% of the country is designated national park, and when Botswana's huge private concessions
are also toted up, the figure swells to a proud 40%. This explains why, in some parts, there are nearly as many tourists craning their necks out of
jeeps as there is roving game.
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Furthermore, Botswana has ensured that its spectacular Delta region has been well-developed touristically, with its impressive lagoons crammed with
hovering birdlife, and elephants, giraffes and other exotic animals that amble through its vast grass flats. Incidentally, this is the largest inland delta
in the world, which explains its wealth of wildlife. It is almost enough to make you forget that most of Botswana is given over to desert.
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Botswana was also once an economic wasteland. The country gained independence in 1966, having been a British Protectorate, and at this time it was amongst
the poorest nations in the world. Nature was then kind to Botswana, when once again natural assets became apparent, ready to be exploited. The
government discovered diamonds and Botswana has enjoyed a growth rate that still continues to soar, especially when put into a context with much of the
rest of Africa.
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Despite this success story, Botswana is afflicted by controversy. There have been claims that parts of the Kalahari Desert Region have been closed at
the expense of the world's last few remaining ancient people, the Bushmen, who roam this area. The Bushmen's previously nomadic lifestyle has mostly
been quashed and they now reside in settlements. There is also the HIV/AIDS pandemic to contend with - Botswana's infection rate is amongst the world's
highest, with 20% of the country's population being estimated to have contracted the virus.
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Having a sundowner, unwinding in the glare of a sunset and hearing the sounds of singing birds and roaming game, it is easy to forget global
troubles. Botswana is both a country to relax in and a country to have adventure in.
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