Botswana is the Africa in our heads, the one we see in nature documentaries, and think of when we say the word. 

It is a vast and untempered land filled with one of the richest concentrations of wildlife on the continent. In a single game drive you could see up to 50 different species: elephant, lion, buffalo, leopard, hippos, baboons and more. 

But beyond the wildlife there is something else too. Africa is our home. They call her the ‘Mother’, the place we all come from. And if that’s true, then Botswana is her beating heart. 

Taking us there is safari guide and author Peter Allison, who has been guiding in Botswana and elsewhere in Africa for nearly 30 years. He’ll tell us the story of his ultimate Botswana safari, traveling from Makgadikgadi Salt Pans to the Okavango Delta. It’s an adventure filled with wildlife, wisdom and more than one of his crazy stories.

Get ready for an adventure into the Africa of our dreams.

Highlights include:

Learning to track wild animals with the San Bushmen, one of the oldest continuously surviving cultures on Earth.

Walking on the surreal landscapes of the largest salt pan in the world - three times bigger than Bolivia’s Salar de Uyuni.

Going on game drives in the Okavango Delta, a vast network of floodplains that draws one of the highest concentrations of wildlife in Africa.

Finding out what it’s like to be stalked by a lion in the pitch black of night with only a kerosene lantern for company.

Discovering the story of Salvador the elephant, and one of the most magical wildlife experiences you can ever imagine.

Hearing about the time a leopard walked into Peter’s cabin, with him inside it. It’s OK, he survived to tell the tale.

FIND OUT MORE

A lot of our episodes are about huge expeditions and epic adventures.This one is about something you can actually do. 

We’ve partnered with Peter’s safari company Natural Selection Safaris, and tour operator Africa Endeavours - two of the most highly regarded sustainable operators on the continent - to create our dream Botswana itinerary. And it’s a trip you can actually book and do yourself.

To find out more go to AfricaEndeavours.com/Armchair and you will get $500 off your next trip. Even if you’re just dreaming about going one day, checking out what they do is a great way to support the show.

Follow Peter on Instagram @petersonsafari

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This week's show is supported by the new Smart Travel Podcast. Travel smarter — and spend less — with help from NerdWallet. Check out Smart Travel here. 

CREDITS

Armchair Explorer is produced by ⁠Armchair Productions⁠. Aaron Millar wrote and presented the show, Charles Tyrie did the audio editing and sound design. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit ⁠megaphone.fm/adchoices⁠.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices