Date Published: 18th March 2026

Days 8 – 11 Wildlife of Botswana

Towards the end of their stay in Botswana. Alexander and readers from around the world, took some time on Nxamaseri Island – boating, fishing and birdwatching. Nxamaseri is not a big game viewing area. Instead it is all about enjoying the beautiful aquatic environment. The air is alive with birdsong and the waters bubble with hippos and crocs. Elephants are also to be found here.

When they visited Tsodilo Hills the following day the landscape very quickly changed to Kalahari scrub, perfectly showcasing the diversity of the Botswana landscape. This remarkable cluster of rocky hills rises from the flat Kalahari landscape about 40km from the Lodge on the banks of the panhandle and the rocks are home to around 4,500 ancient rock paintings, one of the largest concentrations of rock art in the world. These hills are sacred to the San bushmen and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The gorup were introduced to the history of the hills by a local San guide as they explored this hills.

Day 10, Sights to behold

Today the group flew on to Linyanti in northern Botswana to discover their lodge for the night on the banks of the Linyanti River, one of the country’s most wildlife-rich regions. The next two days offered opportunities to go out by day to explore the wildlife of Botswana and see elephants, lions and wild dogs and to stop and enjoy the scenery.

In the evenings, the group gathered to enjoy lively discussions about The No. 1 Ladies’ Detective Agency books—comparing favourite moments and characters while reflecting on the Botswana that inspired them.

Sigh. Doesn’t it sound glorious! In Scotland the snow was falling last night but the skies are clear today. Not much chance of big game in the centre of Edinburgh but this country too is beautiful and Alexander’s team members are fortunate to be based here. The hills are outside our windows and only a short drive away.

Alexander has returned to Botswana. This is a guided tour for readers from all over the world, with Okavango Delta Explorations. Alexander receives no fee for this adventure but benefits from the company of readers from around the world who share his love for the country. He is travelling in the company of his great friend, journalist and film maker Mats Ögren Wanger and in the footsteps of his much loved character from The No.1 Ladies’ Detective Agency, Precious Ramotswe. As ever, we are grateful to Mats Ögren Wanger for his photography and videos which help to bring this journey to life.

The photograph of Alexander sitting under a tree in this post is copyright to Chris Watt.