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Tourist safaris are a significant source of income, allowing visitors to get up close and experience big game for themselves.

A satellite photograph of Jwaneng Diamond Mine in southern Botswana.

The flooded channels of the Okavango Delta to the west of the Makgadikgadi salt pans. The Delta is a lush and refreshing relief for wildlife seeking water.

A pink sackhead wetland Marabou stalk;one of many species of birds making up the rich tapestry of Botswana's wildlife

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Diamond mining at the De Beers mine in Jwaneng, Botswana. Botswana is second largest diamond exporter in the world.

The Okavango Delta (dark green fan to the north-west) and Makgadikgadi pans (the white area in the centre), Botswana.

An elephant dusting next to the hole dug to allow water seepage for animals to drink.

Open mine on a dust-disturbed day, Jwaneng Diamond Mine, Botswana.

An elephant drinking at the hole dug to allow water seepage for Botswana's precious wildlife to drink.

Although the dry Makgadikigadi pans look desolate, they are a valuable source of salt and soda ash after the seasonal rains.

Thunderstorm over the Makgadikgadi; water is essential to salt production.

A salt works in Botswana with channels of water awaiting evaporation - the red algae is clearly visible in the water, giving it the pink colouring.

A satellite image of salt evaporation pools full of algae in the Makgadikgadi salt pans.

Salt crystals extracted from a salt evaporation pool.

Live brine shrimp similar to those that live in evaporation pools.

A thick crust of salt crystals gathers on the surface of the Makgadikgadi pan after the rainy season, as the fierce heat quickly evaporates surface water, leaving behind the carpet of crystals.

Flowing in 2010 for the first time since the late 1990s, the Boteti River dries up as it reaches the Makgadikigadi salt pans (bottom right of the image) where there is often insufficient water to sustain it.

During evaporation, salt forms in patchy clumps as the moisture is drawn out of the uneven ground, leaving the salt behind on the dry surface.

The pink sunset over the flooded Sua Pan reflected in the pink algae filled water.

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A flock of resting Lesser flamingos at sunset - thousands and thousands flock to the wetlands to feed after the replenishing rains.

A storm gathers over the Kalahari Thirstlands, promising water and life for the parched landscape below.

Antelope drink from a hole dug to allow water seepage during a drought.

Wildebeest make the most of the abundance of water during the rainy season.

A flock of flamingos taking off across the Makgadikgadi pan.

An elephant drinks from a hole dug to allow water seepage. Savuti Camp, near the border with Zambia.

Antelope drink from a hole dug to allow water seepage.

An elephant cools itself by plastering mud on its skin, and makes the most of what little water is available.

A baobab tree on Lekhubu Island prior to the rain: these trees store vital moisture in their trunks between periods of rain to survive the drought.

Zebra find much needed relief at a waterhole after the water has been replenished by the seasonal rains.

A lion waits its turn to drink from a vital watering hall.

Clouds gathering on the horizon promise rain over the Makgadikgadi salt pans.

Sunset along the edge of the Makgadikgadi pans, once again replenished with water after the autumn rains.

A baboon waits for his turn to drink from a hole dug to allow water seepage.