Botswana's dry lands boast more than 70 species of snakes, including three species of spitting cobra. Botswana's wonderful national parks and reserves are home to an amazing variety of wildlife, including elephant, cheetah, hunting dog, leopard, hyena, giraffe, hippopotamus and zebra. Most of Botswana is covered by savanna - either acacia or low thorn scrub. The soft wood of the marula is used in local crafts, and its fruit goes into a local beer. Although it straddles the Tropic of Capricorn, Botswana experiences extremes in temperature.
Days are normally clear, warm and sunny, but nights range from cool to bitterly cold.
Botswana is primarily a dry country, but a summer rainy season lasts roughly from November to March. From late May to August, rain is rare anywhere in the country. Lonely Planet Publications Pty. Ltd. All rights reserved.