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56-410: At the time of the 2021 census, there are 21,420 people living in the town with another 6,900 nearby. Ghanzi is the administrative center of Ghanzi District and is considered the "capital" of the district, as it is the largest in terms of population and geographical measure. Ghanzi District measures 117,910 square kilometres (29,140,000 acres) and is bordered by Ngamiland to the north, Central District to

112-569: A hydropower station in the Zambezi Region , which would regulate the Okavango's flow to some extent. While proponents argue that the effect would be minimal, environmentalists argue that this project could destroy most of the rich animal and plant life in the delta. Other threats include local human encroachment and regional extraction of water in both Angola and Namibia. South African filmmaker and conservationist Rick Lomba warned in

168-423: A 9 foot high fence to keep lions out, hosted the only bar and discotheque in the area. Ghanzi is a place of different ethnic groups such as Afrikaners, Basarwa , Bakgalagadi and Baherero , who all have a spirit of tolerance. Residents of this place speak different languages such as Afrikaans, English, Sesarwa, Setswana, Sekgalagadi and Seherero, but their standard language is Shekgalagari and Naro. Though there

224-520: A few Wayeyi live in their putative ancestral home in the Caprivi Strip. Within the past 20 years many people from all over the Okavango have migrated to Maun, the late 1960s and early 1970s over 4,000 Hambukushu refugees from Angola were settled in the area around Etsha in the western Panhandle. The Okavango Delta has been under the political control of the Batawana (a Tswana nation) since

280-682: A large seasonal wetland. The Makgadigadi was one of the Earth's largest lakes during the Pleistocene , but currently provides a vast summer wetland to support tens of thousands of migrating flamingos in the rainy summer season. The largest town in the district is the capital Ghanzi with a population of 21,420 according to the 2011 census, which is fifteen times more than the second-largest village Ncojane has. Most part of Botswana has tableland slopes sliding from east to west. The region has an average elevation of around 550 m (1,800 ft) above

336-402: A mixture of the palm Hyphaene petersiana and acacias . The plants of the delta play an important role in providing cohesion for the sand. The banks or levees of a river normally have a high mud content, and this combines with the sand in the river’s load to continuously build up the river banks. The river’s load In the delta consists almost entirely of sand, because the clean waters of

392-629: A protected area for wildlife. It now provides the core area for much of the resident wildlife when the waters rise. The Delta's profuse greenery is not the result of a wet climate; rather, it is an oasis in an arid country. The average annual rainfall is 450 mm (18 in) (approximately one-third that of its Angolan catchment area) and most of it falls between December and March in the form of heavy afternoon thunderstorms. December to February are hot wet months with daytime temperatures as high as 40 °C (104 °F), warm nights, and humidity levels fluctuating between 50 and 80%. From March to May,

448-404: A tree then takes root on the mound of soil. Chief's Island ( 19°12′S 22°48′E  /  19.200°S 22.800°E  / -19.200; 22.800 ), the largest island in the delta, was formed by a fault line which uplifted an area over 70 km long (43 mi) and 15 km wide (9.3 mi). Historically, it was reserved as an exclusive hunting area for the chief, but is now

504-675: Is a stop over point for travellers wishing to visit the Okavango Delta ; there are many lodges in the area and three filling stations. It is the only available fill-up point between Kang and Maun, which is about 500 km, if one are travelling to the Okavango Delta. There is one hotel in Ghanzi town, the Kalahari Arms Hotel which offers accommodation and has a restaurant and bar open to non-residents. Tau Tona Lodge

560-642: Is a vast inland delta formed where the Okavango River reaches a tectonic trough at an altitude of 930–1,000 m in the central part of the endorheic basin of the Kalahari Desert . It is a UNESCO World Heritage Site as one of the few interior delta systems that do not flow into a sea or ocean, with a wetland system that is largely intact. All the water reaching the delta is ultimately evaporated and transpired . Each year, about 11 cubic kilometres (2.6 cu mi) of water spreads over

616-406: Is another hotel approximately 5 km from the centre of town it also has accommodation and a restaurant and bar open to non-residents. Less formal accommodation, food and drink is available at Thakadu Camp about 6 km from the centre of town. There are other B&Bs and lodges scattered throughout the town. There are some interesting things to see in Ghanzi. Kuru, which is a charity assisting

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672-547: Is home to 71 fish species, including the tigerfish , species of tilapia , and various species of catfish . Fish sizes range from the 1.4 m (4.6 ft) African sharptooth catfish to the 3.2 cm (1.3 in) sickle barb . The same species are found in the Zambezi River , indicating an historic link between the two river systems. The Okavango Delta is home to 1068 plants which belong to 134 families and 530 genera. There are five important plant communities in

728-517: Is no available information as to the current numbers of the Afrikaner population, in 1973, Kalahari Boer made up about 10% of the population in Ghanzi. The district's land surface mainly consists of gently undulating sandveld which lies between 1,100 and 1,230 meters above sea level. The Kalahari is the largest continuous stretch of sand in the world, covering some 2,500 km. Karoo sediments, covered by younger basaltic lavas, underlie most of

784-750: Is now a popular tourist attraction. All of the big five game animals—the lion , leopard , African buffalo , African bush elephant and rhinoceros (both black and white rhinoceros )—are present. Other species include giraffe , blue wildebeest , plains zebra , hippopotamus , impala , common eland , greater kudu , sable antelope , roan antelope , puku , lechwe , waterbuck , sitatunga , tsessebe , cheetah , African wild dog , spotted hyena , black-backed jackal , caracal , serval , aardvark , aardwolf , bat-eared fox , African savanna hare , honey badger , crested porcupine , common warthog , chacma baboon , vervet monkey and Nile crocodile . The delta also hosts over 400 bird species, including

840-489: Is oil exploration by Canadian company ReconAfrica. Initial exploration in April 2021 revealed oil deposits in sedimentary rock. Environmentalists are concerned that the project will have a negative ecological impact and that some of the main bodies of water could be threatened. ReconAfrica has stated, "There will be no damage to the ecosystem from the planned activities." The Namibian government has presented plans to build

896-443: Is very flat, with less than 2 m (7 ft) variation in height across its 15,000 km (5,800 sq mi), while the water drops about 60 m from Mohembo to Maun. When the water levels gradually recede, water remains in major canals and river beds, in waterholes and in a number of larger lagoons , which then attract increasing numbers of animals. Photo-safari camps and lodges are found near some of these lagoons. Among

952-651: The Kalahari sands and about half of the country of Botswana. The sands of the Kalahari vary in depth from 5m to 200m. The climate is semi-arid. Mean maximum daily temperatures are 33-45 °C in January and around 22 °C in July; mean minimum temperatures are 4 to -5 °C in the winter months. The long-term mean annual rainfall is around 375mm although this can vary by up to 50% year by year. Generally speaking, both

1008-402: The helmeted guineafowl , African fish eagle , Pel's fishing owl , Egyptian goose , South African shelduck , African jacana , African skimmer , marabou stork , crested crane , African spoonbill , African darter , southern ground hornbill , wattled crane , lilac-breasted roller , secretary bird , and common ostrich . Prime bird-watching areas are those with a mix of habitats such as

1064-519: The 1980s of the threat of cattle invasion to the area. His documentary The End of Eden portrayed his lobbying on behalf of the delta. The Okavango catchment is projected to experience decreasing annual rainfall as well as increasing temperatures as a result of global warming. The effects of global warming are likely to result in reductions in the extent of floodplains in the Okavango Delta, which will have significant impacts on water availability as well as livestock rearing and agricultural activities in

1120-568: The 6,000–15,000 km (2,300–5,800 sq mi) area. Some flood waters drain into Lake Ngami . The area was once part of Lake Makgadikgadi , an ancient lake that had mostly dried up by the early Holocene . The Moremi Game Reserve is on the eastern side of the delta. The delta was named one of the Seven Natural Wonders of Africa , which were officially declared on 11 February 2013 in Arusha , Tanzania . On 22 June 2014,

1176-583: The Botswana Rhino Reintroduction Project founded in 2000. From 2010 to 2018, seven rhinos were killed by poachers. By 2019, the rhino population in Botswana had decreased to an estimated 400, with the largest population of roughly 150 living in the northern Okavango Delta. From 2020 to 2021, 92 rhinos were killed by poachers in the delta region leaving only 40 individuals, prompting the government to move those rhinos out of

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1232-542: The Okavango Delta became the 1000th site to be officially inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List. The Okavango is produced by seasonal flooding. The Okavango River drains the summer (January–February) rainfall from the Angola highlands and the surge flows 1,200 km (750 mi) in around one month. The waters then spread over the 250 by 150 km (155 by 93 mi) area of the delta over

1288-578: The Okavango Delta, over the past 150 years or so, Hambukushu, Dceriku, and Bugakhwe have inhabited the panhandle and the Magwegqana in the northeastern delta. ǁanikhwe have inhabited the panhandle and the area along the Boro River through the delta, as well as the area along the Boteti River . The Wayeyi have inhabited the area around Seronga as well as the southern delta around Maun , and

1344-439: The Okavango Delta. The most abundant large mammal is the lechwe, with estimates suggesting approximately 88,000 individuals. The lechwe a bit larger than an impala, with elongated hooves and a water-repellent substance on its legs that enable rapid movement through knee-deep water. Lechwe graze on aquatic plants and, like the waterbuck, take to water when threatened by predators. Only the males have horns. The Okavango Delta

1400-479: The Okavango contain little mud. The plants capture the sand, acting as the glue and making up for the lack of mud, and in the process creating further islands on which more plants can take root. This process is not important in the formation of linear islands. They are long and thin and often curved like a gently meandering river because they are actually the natural banks of old river channels which have become blocked up by plant growth and sand deposition, resulting in

1456-514: The San / Bushmen has a small shop selling hand made Bushmen crafts. There are few sightseeing spots in Ghanzi - lions are kept in enclosures at the main gate of TauTona. "Ghanzi gat" is a hole that was made while the tar road was being made in Ghanzi, but while using dynamite to break the rock open, the people accidentally opened a water vein. This filled the 40m deep hole with water. Ghanzi is primarily dominant in cattle farming industry in Botswana. Today

1512-418: The activities of the show. However, in recent years crop production exhibition has gained a spot in the show as way of diversifying activities of the show and the agricultural aspect of the region. Stakeholders and government departments like Local Enterprise Authority also exhibits at the show. Actions are also held at the premises and BDF (Botswana Defense Force) usually comes to show their weaponry. Ghanzi

1568-579: The administration are framed by the Ministry of Local Government. The major activities of the council are Tribal Administration, Remote Area Development and Local Governance. The executive powers of the council are vested on a commissioner appointed by the central government. Technical services wing of the Department of Local Government is responsible for developing roads, infrastructure in villages like water supply, schools and recreational facilities. All

1624-438: The body part of an antelope, and later cattle that congregated around a pan in the area. The first Afrikaner to settle in Ghanzi was the flamboyant Hendrik van Zyl , who crossed the Kalahari and set up a small hunting and trading enterprise in the area around 1870 and gained extravagant wealth in the ivory trade. However, the first substantial Boer migration into Ghanzi began around 1897–1898. The place known today as Ghanzi

1680-415: The channel sides. On the islands and mainlands edges above the flooded grasslands different communities of flora are found. These species are located according to their water preference: for instance Philenoptera violacea requires little water, is found at the highest elevations in the perennial swamps, and is common on drier seasonal swamp islands. Trees restricted to islands within the perennial swamp are

1736-531: The climate and the soils are unfavorable for arable farming. Small cultivation is spread over the district but is limited to subsistence crops of maize, sorghum, beans, peas, and melons. The record high temperature ever registered in Ghanzi was 42.2 °C (108.0 °F). The lowest temperature registered in Ghanzi was −8.5 °C (16.7 °F). Ghanzi has three banks – Barclays Bank , First National Bank , and Bank Gaborone , all of which have ATMs. Ghanzi now has three shopping centres: Ghanzi Spar, Shoprite and

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1792-725: The collection of wild plant foods, and pastoralism. The Bugakhwe and ǁanikwhe are Bushmen , who have traditionally practised fishing, hunting, and the collection of wild plant foods; Bugakhwe used both forest and riverine resources, while the ǁanikhwe mostly focused on riverine resources. The Hambukushu, Dceriku, and Bugakhwe are present along the Okavango River in Angola and in the Caprivi Strip of Namibia, and small numbers of Hambukushu and Bugakhwe are in Zambia, as well. Within

1848-536: The country. The sex ratio stood at 107.41 for every 100 males, compared to 104.07 in 2001. The average house hold size was 2.94 in 2011 compared to 4.21 in 2001. There were 1,424 craft and related workers, 615 clerks, 3,730 people working in elementary occupation 230 Legislators, Administrators & managers 534 Plant & machine operators and assemblers, 131 professionals, 1,043 service workers, shop & market sales workers, 771 skilled agricultural & related workers 509 technicians and associated professionals, making

1904-429: The district. As of 2006, 3,507 were involved in agriculture, 323 in construction, 724 in education, 43 in electricity and water, 121 in finance, 264 in health, 83 in hotels and restaurants, 560 in manufacturing, 93 in other community services, 399 in private households, 1,849 in public administration, 355 in real estate, 185 in transport and communications, 1,788 in wholesale and retail trade. The total number of workers

1960-474: The east, and Kgalagadi and Kweneg Districts to the south. Its western border is shared with Namibia . Other spellings of Ghanzi include "Gantsi" - which is more consistent with Setswana , the national language of Botswana - "Ghansi"; and "Ghantsi". It has also been purported that the various renderings of Ghanzi actually stem from the Naro language word "Gaentsii", meaning "gigantic swollen buttocks", referring to

2016-510: The floods were more intensive than normal and flood recession cropping was not possible, so severe food and fodder shortages occurred. In response, the Molapo Development Project was initiated. It protected the molapo areas with bunds to control the flooding and prevent severe flooding. The bunds are provided with sluice gates so the stored water can be released and flood recession cropping can start. One possible threat

2072-440: The following districts: North-West on the north, Central on the east, Kweneng on the southeast, Kgalagadi on the south. Ghanzi , Central Kalahari Game Reserve , Deception Valley , Ghanzi Craft , Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park and Khutse Game Reserve are the major game areas in the district. The district is administered by a district administration and district council which are responsible for local administration. In

2128-554: The interior of the country. The district's administrative centre is the town of Ghanzi . Most of the eastern half of Ghanzi makes up the Central Kalahari Game Reserve . The human population at the 2022 census was 56,555, less populous than that of any other district in Botswana. Ghanzi's area is 117,910 km². In the west, Ghanzi borders the Omaheke Region of Namibia . Domestically, it borders

2184-437: The larger lagoons are: The agglomeration of salt around plant roots leads to barren white patches in the centre of many of the thousands of islands, which have become too salty to support plants, aside from the odd salt-resistant palm tree . Trees and grasses grow in the sand around the edges of the islands that have not become too salty yet. About 70% of the islands began as termite mounds (often Macrotermes spp.), where

2240-481: The late 18th century. Led by the house of Mathiba I, the leader of a Bangwato offshoot, the Batawana established complete control over the delta in the 1850s as the regional ivory trade exploded. Most Batawana, however, have traditionally lived on the edges of the delta, due to the threat that the tsetse fly poses to their cattle. During a hiatus of some 40 years, the tsetse fly retreated and most Batawana lived in

2296-493: The mean sea level. The vegetation type is Savannah , with tall grasses, bushes and trees on the eastern sides, but it is arid in the Central and Western regions. The annual precipitation is around 25 cm (9.8 in), most of which is received during the summer season from November to May. Most of the rivers in the region are seasonal which are prone to flash floods , being the most prominent. The tourist and game reserves in

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2352-501: The next four months (March–June). The high temperature of the delta causes rapid transpiration and evaporation , resulting in three cycles of rising and falling water levels that were not fully understood until the early 20th century. The flood peaks between June and August, during Botswana 's dry winter months, when the delta swells to three times its permanent size, attracting animals from kilometres around and creating one of Africa’s greatest concentrations of wildlife . The delta

2408-512: The panhandle, the seasonal delta and the parts of the Moremi Game Reserve that are close to the water. Since 2005, the protected area has been considered a Lion Conservation Unit together with Hwange National Park . In 1992, the black rhino was thought to be extinct in the Okavango Delta, while only 19 white rhinos remained. By 1993, all rhinos had been killed in Botswana. Hundreds of white and black rhinos were reintroduced by

2464-414: The perennial swamp: Papyrus cyperus in the deeper waters , Miscanthus in the shallowly flooded sites, and Phragmites australis , Typha capensis and Pycreus in between. The swamp-dominant species, which are usually found in the perennial swamp, also extend far into the seasonally inundated area. Papyrus cyperus reeds beds grow best in slow flowing waters of medium depth and are prominent at

2520-477: The recently opened Choppies, another retailer in Botswana. Ghanzi Airport serves the town. There is currently no scheduled service, only charter and private operations. Ghanzi is well known countrywide for its annual agricultural show usually held in August each year. The show was first held in 1974 with initial aim to exhibit livestock breeds, for the longest time livestock breeds exhibition has dominated part of

2576-411: The region are Ghanzi , Central Kalahari Game Reserve , Deception Valley , Ghanzi Craft , Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park , Khutse Game Reserve and Kuru Museum and Cultural Centre . As of 2011, the total population of the district was 43,355 compared to 33,170 in 2001. The growth rate of population during the decade was 2.71. The population in the district was 2.14 per cent of the total population in

2632-902: The river changing course and the old river levees becoming islands. Due to the flatness of the delta and the large tonnage of sand flowing into it from the Okavango River, the floor of the delta is slowly but constantly rising. Where channels are today, islands will be tomorrow and then new channels may wash away these existing islands. The Okavango Delta peoples consist of five ethnic groups, each with its own ethnic identity and language. They are Hambukushu (also known as Mbukushu, Bukushu, Bukusu, Mabukuschu, Ghuva, Haghuva), Dceriku (Dxeriku, Diriku, Gciriku, Gceriku, Giriku, Niriku), Wayeyi (Bayei, Bayeyi, Yei), Bugakhwe (Kxoe, Khwe, Kwengo, Barakwena, G|anda) and ǁanikhwe (Gxanekwe, ǁtanekwe, River Bushmen , Swamp Bushmen, Gǁani, ǁani, Xanekwe). The Hambukushu, Dceriku, and Wayeyi have traditionally engaged in mixed economies of millet/sorghum agriculture, fishing, hunting,

2688-514: The staff of the local administration expect District Administration are selected via Unified Local Government Services (ULGS) and the Ministry of Local Government is responsible for their training, deployment and career development. Charles Hill Sub-District, Ghanzi Sub-District are the two sub districts of the district. Okavango Delta The Okavango Delta (or Okavango Grassland ; formerly spelled "Okovango" or "Okovanggo") in Botswana

2744-446: The swamps from 1896 through the late 1930s. Since then, the edge of the delta has become increasingly crowded with its growing human and livestock populations. After the flooding season, the waters in the lower parts of the delta, near the base, recede, leaving moisture behind in the soil. This residual moisture is used for planting fodder and other crops that can thrive on it. This land is locally known as molapo . During 1974 to 1978,

2800-408: The temperature reduces, with a maximum of 30 °C (86 °F) during the day and mild to cool nights. The rains quickly dry up leading into the dry, cool winter months of June to August. Daytime temperatures at this time of year are mild to warm, but the temperature falls considerably after sunset. Nights can be cold in the delta, with temperatures barely above freezing. Frost is sometimes seen over

2856-550: The total work force to 9,015. As of 2011, there were a total of 23 schools in the district, with 1.70 per cent private schools. The total number of students in the Council schools was 7,202 while it was 69 in private schools. The total number of students enrolled in the district was 7,271: 3,645 girls and 3,626 boys. The total number of qualified teachers was 305: 185 female and 120 male. There were around 17 temporary teachers, 17 male and 34 female. There were no untrained teachers in

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2912-405: The town features a thriving Afrikaner cattle ranching industry. A large copper-silver deposit is being outlined at Ghanzi by Hana Mining . 21°42′S 21°39′E  /  21.700°S 21.650°E  / -21.700; 21.650 Ghanzi District Ghanzi (sometimes Gantsi ) is a district in western Botswana , bordering Namibia in the west and extending east into much of

2968-474: The west, Ghanzi borders the Omaheke Region of Namibia . Domestically, it borders the following districts: North-West on the north, Central on the east, Kweneng on the southeast, Kgalagadi on the south. Ghanzi is traversed by the northwesterly line of equal latitude and longitude. This region is largely covered by the Kalahari Desert , some of which is also covered by the Makgadikgadi Pans ,

3024-429: The winter. The September to November span has the heat and atmospheric pressure build up once more, as the dry season slides into the rainy season. October is the most challenging month for visitors: daytime temperatures often push past 40 °C (104 °F) and the dryness is only occasionally broken by a sudden cloudburst. The Okavango Delta is both a permanent and seasonal home to a wide variety of wildlife which

3080-464: Was 10,294: 5,959 male and 4,335 female. Botswana gained independence from the British in 1966 and adapted the colonial administration framework to form its district administration. The policies were modified during 1970-74 to address some of the basic issues. The district is administered by a district administration and district council which are responsible for local administration. The policies for

3136-460: Was first called "Kamp". The Kalahari Arms Hotel and the Barclays bank in Ghanzi were some of the first businesses established in Ghanzi. The town of Ghanzi was the subject of a 1988 LA Times article which described the close-knit relationship between resident Afrikaners and Bushmen . At the time, there was no radio or television in Ghanzi, and the Kalahari Arms Hotel, which was surrounded by

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