Botswana Safari Guide
Okavango Delta. Chobe. Northern Kalahari
6th Edition
Published on 8. November 2024
Book
Paperback/Softback
520 pages
978-1-80469-223-3 (ISBN)
Description
This new, thoroughly updated sixth edition of Bradt's Botswana Safari Guide remains the only full-blown, standalone guide to one of Africa's most popular and rewarding safari destinations. This is the sole guide to focus on Botswana's key safari locations: the Okavango Delta, Chobe National Park and the Northern Kalahari. Botswana's wilderness is pristine, a virtue underpinned by governmental commitment to sustainable tourism. The Okavango Delta's permanent waters attract year-round wildlife, now including all the 'big five': rhinos have been successfully re-introduced. Outside the Delta, this English-speaking country offers tremendous variety in landscapes, from the arid Kalahari to lush forests. Riverine areas harbour spectacular herds of elephants and buffalo, and mighty predator populations. Dusty savannahs attract hardier game such as oryx and springbok. On Makgadikgadi's great salt pans, zebra gather in huge congregations after rain. Birdwatching is brilliant throughout. Then there's Botswana's rich history, from the ancient rock paintings at the Tsodilo Hills, to Stone Age arrowheads on the Makgadikgadi Pans. Bradt's Botswana Safari Guide offers detailed descriptions of many lodges, from traditional tented camps to those offering five-star luxury and top-class cuisine, plus detail on what animals occur where, enabling you to select the optimum approach. With this book's comprehensive GPS co-ordinates and detailed maps, independent travellers can drive themselves around. But perhaps you prefer bespoke mobile safaris with a private guide? Either way, take a night drive to see creatures of the dark: genets and hunting leopards. For a different feel, explore rivers on gentle motorboat cruises, including on multi-day trips, or get closer to the water in a traditional mokoro (dug-out canoe), with a poler escorting you along shallow waterways. Or seek out a specialist walking camp for the excitement of bush walks - when meerkats might even pose atop your head for a great lookout. And why not use this book's advice to book-end trips by visiting Livingstone (Zambia) and the Victoria Falls (Zimbabwe)? Written and updated by Chris and Susie McIntyre, experts on all things Africa, Bradt's Botswana Safari Guide is the definitive companion to discovering this thrilling destination.
Reviews / Votes
'There can be few people better qualified to write a travel guide on Botswana than Chris McIntyre...Like all good guide books, this is packed with all kinds of practical and wide-ranging advice - from driving near elephants to maps with GPS references and how to shake hands Botswana style....What's more, even the nuts-and-bolts sections are well-written and make enjoyable reading. In particular, the region-by-region chapters on the country's reserves, camps and lodges had me longing to jump on the first plane to Maun. Each area is painstakingly described - clearly the result of meticulous first-hand research...If you can take only one book to Botswana, make sure it's this one.'BBC Wildlife
'Gives a complete coverage of this unique ecosystem and its bird and plant life.'
NHBS (Natural History Book Services)
'The definitive guide for wildlife enthusiasts.'
Wanderlust
'...excellent companion for your Okavango trip.'
Travel Africa
More details
Other editions
Previous edition
Book
07/2018
5th Edition
Bradt Travel Guides
€27.90
Article exhausted; check for reprint
Persons
Chris McIntyre (expertafrica.com) went to Africa in 1987, after reading Physics at Queen's College, Oxford. He taught with VSO in Zimbabwe for almost three years and travelled extensively before writing his first guidebook (Bradt's guide to Namibia and Botswana) in 1990. He has since written all Bradt's guides to Namibia - and co-authors (with his wife, Susie) Bradt's guides to Botswana, Zanzibar and Zambia, and (with Philip Briggs) Bradt's guides to Tanzania. Alongside keeping these guidebooks up to date, Chris is managing director of Expert Africa. This specialist tour operator organises high-quality trips for individual travellers throughout Africa, offering a wide range of trips to Botswana. McIntyre maintains a keen interest in development and conservation, acting as advisor to various NGOs. A Fellow of the Royal Geographical Society, McIntyre lives in Surrey with his wife and co-author Susie and their two children; together they regularly travel to Africa to update guidebooks.
Susie McIntyre had an adventurous childhood in Zambia and Saudi Arabia, camping in the wilderness under the Milky Way and bouncing around in Land Rovers across large swathes of southern Africa. She has since spent decades promoting responsible global travel, both as a PR and marketing consultant, and more recently as travel writer and journalist, co-authoring Bradt guides to Botswana, Zanzibar and Zambia. She is passionate about Africa: its people, wildlife and diversity. From off-grid adventures to cutting-edge conservation, community development to family travel, Susie is dedicated to thorough research. Whilst focussed on ensuring that Africa's complexities are accurately represented, she is both candid and enthusiastic about travel on the continent. When not roaming around African savannahs, Susie lives in the British countryside with her husband and co-author, Chris, and their well-travelled children.
Susie McIntyre had an adventurous childhood in Zambia and Saudi Arabia, camping in the wilderness under the Milky Way and bouncing around in Land Rovers across large swathes of southern Africa. She has since spent decades promoting responsible global travel, both as a PR and marketing consultant, and more recently as travel writer and journalist, co-authoring Bradt guides to Botswana, Zanzibar and Zambia. She is passionate about Africa: its people, wildlife and diversity. From off-grid adventures to cutting-edge conservation, community development to family travel, Susie is dedicated to thorough research. Whilst focussed on ensuring that Africa's complexities are accurately represented, she is both candid and enthusiastic about travel on the continent. When not roaming around African savannahs, Susie lives in the British countryside with her husband and co-author, Chris, and their well-travelled children.
Content
Introduction vii
PART ONE GENERAL INFORMATION
Chapter 1 The Natural Environment
Physical environment, Habitat and vegetation, Conservation
Chapter 2 Botswana Wildlife Guide
Mammals, Reptiles and amphibians, Birds
Chapter 3 History, Politics and Economy
History, Government and administration, Economy
Chapter 4 People and Culture
Population overview, Social groups or 'tribes', Language, Religion, Education, Culture
Chapter 5 Planning and Preparation
When to visit and highlights, Organising and booking your trip, Red tape, Getting there and away, What to take, Money and budgeting, Maps and navigation, Getting around, Accommodation, Eating and drinking, Shopping, Media and communications, Travelling positively
Chapter 6 Health and Safety
Health, Safety
Chapter 7 Into the Wilds
Driving, Bush camping, Walking in the bush, Boating, Minimum impact
PART TWO THE GUIDE
Chapter 8 Maun
Getting there and away, Orientation, Getting around, Tourist information, Where to stay, Where to eat and drink, Entertainment and nightlife, Shopping, Other practicalities,
What to see and do, Beyond Maun: getting organised, The road north of Maun: to Moremi and Chobe
Chapter 9 Kasane and the Northeast
Kasane, Around Kasane, Heading south from Kasane
Chapter 10 Chobe National Park and Forest Reserve
Background information, Practical information, Chobe riverfront, Chobe Forest Reserve, Lake Liambezi area, Driving from Kasane to Savuti, Ngwezumba Pans, Ghoha
Hills, Savuti, Driving south from Savuti, Linyanti
Chapter 11 Linyanti, Selinda and Kwando Reserves
Background information, Linyanti Concession (NG15), Linyanti Enclave (CH1), Selinda Concession (NG16), Kwando Concession (NG14)
Chapter 12 The Okavango Delta - Moremi Game Reserve
Background information, Practical information, The Mopane Tongue, The private areas within Moremi (NG28)
Chapter 13 The Okavango Delta - Private Reserves around Moremi
Mapula and Kadizora (NG12), Khwai Private Reserve (NG18), Khwai Community Concession (NG19), Kwara (NG20), Xugana, Camp Okavango and Shinde (NG21), Vumbura and Duba Plains (NG22, NG23 and NG23A), Jedibe Community Area (NG24), Jao, Kwetsani, Jacana, Tubu and Pelo (NG25), Abu, Seba and Macatoo (NG26), Pom Pom, Kanana and Nxabega (NG27A), Delta, Oddballs', Gunn's and Eagle Island (NG27B), Xigera, Mombo and Chief 's Camp (NG28), Xudum, Xaranna and OHS (NG29 and NG30), Chitabe and Sandibe (NG31), Stanley's, Baines', Gomoti Plains, Qorokwe and budget mokoro trips (NG32), Sankuyo Tshwaragano Management Trust (NG33 and NG34), Santawani Partnership (NG33), Mababe and Mankwe (NG41 and NG43)
Chapter 14 The Okavango Panhandle and Northwest Kalahari
The Panhandle, The Delta's western and southern fringes, The northwest Kalahari
Chapter 15 The Kalahari's Great Salt Pans
Background information, Practical information, Nxai Pan National Park, Makgadikgadi Pans, Makgadikgadi Pans National Park, Towns around the pans
Chapter 16 The Central Kalahari
Background information, Practical information, Where to stay, What to see and do
Chapter 17 Livingstone and Victoria Falls
Getting there and away, Getting around, Tourist information, Where to stay, Where to eat and drink, Shopping, Other practicalities, What to see and do
Appendix 1 Tracks and Signs
Appendix 2 Language
Appendix 3 Further Information
Acknowledgements
Index
PART ONE GENERAL INFORMATION
Chapter 1 The Natural Environment
Physical environment, Habitat and vegetation, Conservation
Chapter 2 Botswana Wildlife Guide
Mammals, Reptiles and amphibians, Birds
Chapter 3 History, Politics and Economy
History, Government and administration, Economy
Chapter 4 People and Culture
Population overview, Social groups or 'tribes', Language, Religion, Education, Culture
Chapter 5 Planning and Preparation
When to visit and highlights, Organising and booking your trip, Red tape, Getting there and away, What to take, Money and budgeting, Maps and navigation, Getting around, Accommodation, Eating and drinking, Shopping, Media and communications, Travelling positively
Chapter 6 Health and Safety
Health, Safety
Chapter 7 Into the Wilds
Driving, Bush camping, Walking in the bush, Boating, Minimum impact
PART TWO THE GUIDE
Chapter 8 Maun
Getting there and away, Orientation, Getting around, Tourist information, Where to stay, Where to eat and drink, Entertainment and nightlife, Shopping, Other practicalities,
What to see and do, Beyond Maun: getting organised, The road north of Maun: to Moremi and Chobe
Chapter 9 Kasane and the Northeast
Kasane, Around Kasane, Heading south from Kasane
Chapter 10 Chobe National Park and Forest Reserve
Background information, Practical information, Chobe riverfront, Chobe Forest Reserve, Lake Liambezi area, Driving from Kasane to Savuti, Ngwezumba Pans, Ghoha
Hills, Savuti, Driving south from Savuti, Linyanti
Chapter 11 Linyanti, Selinda and Kwando Reserves
Background information, Linyanti Concession (NG15), Linyanti Enclave (CH1), Selinda Concession (NG16), Kwando Concession (NG14)
Chapter 12 The Okavango Delta - Moremi Game Reserve
Background information, Practical information, The Mopane Tongue, The private areas within Moremi (NG28)
Chapter 13 The Okavango Delta - Private Reserves around Moremi
Mapula and Kadizora (NG12), Khwai Private Reserve (NG18), Khwai Community Concession (NG19), Kwara (NG20), Xugana, Camp Okavango and Shinde (NG21), Vumbura and Duba Plains (NG22, NG23 and NG23A), Jedibe Community Area (NG24), Jao, Kwetsani, Jacana, Tubu and Pelo (NG25), Abu, Seba and Macatoo (NG26), Pom Pom, Kanana and Nxabega (NG27A), Delta, Oddballs', Gunn's and Eagle Island (NG27B), Xigera, Mombo and Chief 's Camp (NG28), Xudum, Xaranna and OHS (NG29 and NG30), Chitabe and Sandibe (NG31), Stanley's, Baines', Gomoti Plains, Qorokwe and budget mokoro trips (NG32), Sankuyo Tshwaragano Management Trust (NG33 and NG34), Santawani Partnership (NG33), Mababe and Mankwe (NG41 and NG43)
Chapter 14 The Okavango Panhandle and Northwest Kalahari
The Panhandle, The Delta's western and southern fringes, The northwest Kalahari
Chapter 15 The Kalahari's Great Salt Pans
Background information, Practical information, Nxai Pan National Park, Makgadikgadi Pans, Makgadikgadi Pans National Park, Towns around the pans
Chapter 16 The Central Kalahari
Background information, Practical information, Where to stay, What to see and do
Chapter 17 Livingstone and Victoria Falls
Getting there and away, Getting around, Tourist information, Where to stay, Where to eat and drink, Shopping, Other practicalities, What to see and do
Appendix 1 Tracks and Signs
Appendix 2 Language
Appendix 3 Further Information
Acknowledgements
Index