The wait is over – The Big Cats Dance Party is published today and Mma Ramotswe is back at the top of the ‘to read’ piles in bedrooms across the land. The latest despatch from Botswana is certainly full of events, even if it starts with a leisurely trip to buy a pair of shoes […]

Day 6 Botswana Elephant Havens An adventure in Botswana would not be complete without a visit to the Elephant Havens, a sanctuary on the edge of the Okavango Delta dedicated to rescuing and rehabilitating orphaned elephants. This is a charity that Alexander is very happy to support. The activity of the team there is to […]

Days 3 & 4, SOS Children’s Home and Old Naledi In the morning, the group set out for the SOS Children’s Village in Tlokweng, the real-life inspiration for the orphan farm in The No.1 Ladies’ Detective Agency books. Here they met the dedicated staff, spent time with the children, enjoyed a taste of the matron’s […]

Alexander McCall Smith returns to Botswana Amongst those Alexander met up this past weekend in Botswana with was Professor Sheila Tlou, Board of Member for Botswana Harvard AIDS Institute Partnership (BHP), Co-Chair of the Nursing Now Global Campaign and the Global HIV Prevention Coalition, and a Former Minister of Health and Wellness in Botswana from […]

– Day 2 – A visit to Mma Ramotswe’s home village, Mochudi This morning Alexander travelled to the charming village of Mochudi, about an hour out of town, the home of the fictional Mma Ramotswe from The No.1 Ladies’ Detective Agency. Here he was welcomed by celebrated singer Nnunu Ramagotsi – Africa’s Jewel – who […]

– Day 1 Alexander McCall Smith returns to Botswana, the country of his heart. Yesterday was the first day of Alexander’s 2026 visit. During the day he took guests (readers from across the world who have joined him in the birthplace of Precious Ramotswe) on a guided tour of Gaborone, taking in landmarks from The […]

Video by Mats Ögren Wanger Alexander is returning to Botswana in 2026 for a further guided tour of the country with Okavango Delta Explorations, 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. […]

Over the last week, Alexander has been out travelling on a very special Readers’ Safari in glorious Botswana, home to Precious Ramotswe and The No.1 Ladies’ Detective Agency. His friend Mats Ögren Wanger has sent some outstanding photographs from the Okavango for us to share (copyright Mats Ögren Wanger). The readers’ safari and the pre-safari […]

A return to Elephant Havens Alexander is back in his happy place, Botswana! He is joining readers from around the world for a very special safari experience in the country. ‘Sandy’ is travelling with his good friend Mats Ögren Wanger. And we are grateful to Mats for the photographs above and below. On Sunday they […]

A final ‘From Botswana with Love‘ film from this, Alexander’s first return to Botswana since the Covid Pandemic. You can watch him here on the readers’ safari in the country that he loves with all his heart. Lions, hippopotamuses, elephants, gazelles, a leopard, stunning birdlife – all come into view in this moving and uplifting […]

Alexander visited Elephant Havens in Botswana on his recent trip back to the country that means so much to him. The work of those involved in Elephant Havens (as mentioned in the 21st book in his No.1 Ladies’ Detective Agency series, How to Raise an Elephant), along with some really lovely footage of their baby […]

Photo journalist and documentary maker, Mats Ögren Wanger is travelling with Alexander on his visit back to Botswana, country of the author’s heart. He has sent back some stunning photographs from their time in the Bush. They capture the treasures of Botswana, home to Precious Ramotswe and The No.1 Ladies’ Detective Agency. More photographs will […]