Football, the most popular sport
Botswana has a strong football following, especially in the English Premier League and the Champions League. Even though the national team's results have been rather modest, this does not stop the fans from cheering for the Zebras (Zebras) at every match. The team is adored by the local population, but had little success on the international stage until 2012 when they qualified for the African Cup of Nations (CAN) in Gabon and Equatorial Guinea. Unfortunately, the Zebras were soon eliminated after three defeats in three games. Their best result is to be found in the COSAFA Cup between Southern African teams, where Botswana were finalists in 2016 and 2019. Otherwise, you'll see local teams playing all over the place in the bush villages, as well as in town.
Running, the best results
If Botswana does not shine at the Olympic Games, all its hopes rest on the running disciplines. Having never won an Olympic medal before, the 2012 London Olympics represented a great opportunity for Botswana, which had high hopes for Amantle Montsho, its 400-meter world champion. It must be said that Montsho won the only international gold medal of the country a year earlier. Finally, to everyone's surprise, she finished fourth and it was Amos Nijel who won Botswana's first Olympic medal, winning silver in the men's 800 meters. Four years later, he was the flag bearer for Botswana at the opening ceremony of the Olympics in Rio de Janeiro. Eliminated from the series, he will admit that he was injured and not in optimal physical condition. He was injured again in 2019 when he was favorite for the world title in Doha. Also noteworthy is the performance of the 4 x 400 meter relay in Rio (composed of Isaac Makwala, Karabo Sibanda, Onkabetse Nkobolo, Leaname Maotoanong) which finished fifth and won the 2019 All-Africa Games. Two years later, at the Tokyo Olympics, Botswana won the second Olympic medal in its history thanks to the men's 4x400m relay, with the quartet of Isaac Makwala, Baboloki Thebe, Zidane Ngozi and Bayapo Ndor winning the bronze medal.
Discovering a spectacular nature
Botswana is without doubt a great safari destination. The wildlife is king and the wildlife spectacles are comparable to few other countries. The vastness of the natural territories, with their varied landscapes, allows the traveller to immerse himself totally and to open wide his senses. The very low population density of the country (about 3 inhabitants/km²) and the policy of low tourist volume guarantee a privileged observation of the wildlife. Here, it happens that one does not cross another vehicle of the day in the various reserves of the country. The Okavango Delta, Moremi, Chobe, Makgadikgadi, Central Kalahari and Tuli Block are treasures of African nature. If to discover these exceptional natural sites, the classic approach is the off-road car - the famous game-drive -, you can also try other means of travel: walking, mountain biking, mokoro (dugout canoe of the Okavango Delta), horseback riding, motorboat, helicopter or even walking with elephants accustomed to humans, which will allow you to better know these magnificent creatures.
Walking can also be done outside the reserves, especially towards Tsodilo Hills
Alternatively, fishermen can indulge in their favourite activity in the Okavango Panhandle or in the Kasane area, where the Chobe and Zambezi Rivers meet.
