Botswana
Safaris and wildlife watching
Botswana is generally considered the safest country in Africa, and its tourism is constantly growing, contributing 14% of the national GDP. The Central Kalahari Game Reserve is a large national park that covers the staggering 52,000 km² - which makes it the second largest game reserve in the world and home to an abundance of wildlife.
Obviously, we advise all tourists not to participate in hunting safaris and participate in responsible wildlife watching activities instead.
More information: http://turismo-responsable.com/en-s40-avistamientos
Hunting
Hunting is very popular in Botswana and tourists are issued permits to kill big game. One of the key areas for this activity is in the Okavango region. Even elephants become hunting trophies and the country is already a key attraction for hunters around the world. Hunting is regulated by the Botswana Wildlife Management Association which states that this type of tourism plays a fundamental role in the protection of the most remote wild areas from poaching, human and livestock invasion, fires and offering sustenance to local populations. However, international charities and successful projects in other parts of Africa show that wildlife is always worth more alive than dead.
Elephant rides
Elephant rides are a very popular tourist activity in this region. Unfortunately, the training techniques of these animals are extremely cruel, the elephants spend long hours chained and having to carry the weight of tourists, which is very damaging to their delicate feet and backs. Many of these animals were also captured from the wild. In short, elephant rides are one of the most controversial and damaging tourist activities with animals and tourists should never pay for that.
For more information on the topic: http://turismo-responsable.com/en-s37
Here is a list of local NGOs that can be contacted in case you want to make a donation, a complaint or find an animal that needs help in Botswana:
Botswana Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals
Recommended projects and rescue centers:
