Botswana

Beyond the narrow eastern corridor where the majority of population is concentrated, Botswana is a largely roadless wilderness of savannas, deserts, wetlands and salt pans. Skinflints and softies beware: This remains a destination for the intrepid, well-heeled traveller.

Botswana is an African success story. It achieved independence from Britain in 1966 and immediately thereafter, in a mad stroke of luck, discovered three of the world's richest diamond mines. Today it enjoys a relatively enlightened government, and good health, educational and economic standards.

To ensure the country's natural assets are preserved, Botswana's government has embraced a policy of courting primarily high-cost, low-impact tourism, although recent years have seen options for independent, budget-minded travellers grow.