Botswana is a land of tremendous contrasts. In this country you can encounter extremes from the miles of arid sand which is the Kalahari Desert, to the verdant Eden of the Okavango Delta, where water takes precedence over land. Botswana has a very progressive land management program and the government has acknowledged the need for wildlife conservation, devoting a large percentage of the total land to national parks and game reserves. The country is particularly rich in game, especially the area of the Okavango Delta with it's unique ecosystem. With few roads in the Delta, travel to the camps, and from camp to camp, is in small aircraft and by boat. To many, Botswana represents a true exposure to the "real Africa".

Centered on the Tropic of Capricorn, Botswana, is a landlocked, semi-arid country. It is bounded on the west by Namibia, the east by Zimbabwe, the south by South Africa and the north by portions of Angola, Zambia and Namibia. Two-thirds of the country is Kalahari Desert, an immense area of thornbush and dry grasslands. Botswana is roughly the same size as Texas, but with a population of just over one million it is one of the most sparsely populated countries on the continent.

RECOMMENDED READING (in no particular order)
a) Okavango: Wetland Wilderness - Adrian Bailey
b) Okavango: An African Paradise - Daryl Balfour
c) Chobe: Africa’s Untamed Wilderness - Daryl Balfour
d) The Lions and Elephants of the Chobe - Bruce Aitken
e) This is Botswana - Daryl Balfour
f) The Bushmen - A Changing Way of Life - Anthony Bannister.
g) Africa's Top Wildlife Countries - Mark Nolting
h) Botswana: A Brush with the Wild - Paul Augustinus.
I) The Kalahari, Survival in a Thirstland Wilderness - Nigel Dennis, Dr Michael
j) Birds of Prey of Southern, Central, and East Africa - David Allan
k) Newman’s Birds of So Africa and Common Birds of Botswana - Ken Newman.
l) The Kingdon Field Guide to African Mammals - Jonathan Kingdon
m) The Behaviour Guide to African Mammals - Richard D. Estes
n) Guide to the Trees & Shrubs of the Okavango Delta - Veronica Roodt
o) Guide to the Wildflowers of the Okavango Delta - Veronica Roodt
p) Botswana Tourist Map & Guide - Veronica Roodt
q) Wildlife of Southern Africa, A Field Guide - Vincent Carruthers
r) Running Wild: Dispelling the Myths of the African Wild Dog - John McNutt 
s) Field Guide to the Snakes & Reptiles of Southern Africa - Bill Branch
t) Field Guide to the Mammals of Southern Africa - Chris & Tilde Stuart
u) Wild About the Okavango - Duncan Butchart
v) Botswana: The Bradt Travel Guide – Chris McIntyre

PHOTOGRAPHY
The choice of the correct camera equipment and film will determine the quality of your photographs on the trip. For good photography of birds and animals, a good SLR camera and telephoto lens is necessary. A zoom lens can be extremely useful on safari and the minimum recommended size is 200mm. Consideration should be given before travelling with any lens bigger than 400 mm as most interesting shots are taken using hand-held equipment. The new high-resolution digital cameras are outstanding and give great quality images, especially if you are using a digital camera body which takes normal camera lenses. Camera bodies like the Canon D60 and 1D are superb. The advantage of digital photography is that one can get instant feedback and adjustments can be made in the field to your techniques to ensure that your photographs are the quality that you would like. Colour reversal film (slides) will give far better quality than prints. The guides have found that they are getting the best results using Fuji film. Fuji has brought out a good high-speed film that gives good colour with very little grain (less so than any of their competitors). This is especially useful when using a big lens in low light situations. The guides' personal preference is the slower film (either 50 or 100 ASA) as this gives almost perfect quality for normal light. However, you may consider going to 200 ASA for a larger lens in low lighting conditions. The new Fuji 400, we believe is giving great results too. The only disadvantage with the low ASA film is that you need a tripod for the early morning and evening shots. IMPORTANT: BRING SPARE FILM AND A SPARE CAMERA BATTERY.

TORCHES/FLASHLIGHTS
As all campsites in Botswana are unfenced, it is essential that you bring a good torch as you may encounter wild animals in camp at night. We suggest at least a TWO D-cell torch/flashlight. You should also bring a spare globe as well as batteries as they are often unobtainable in Botswana or Zimbabwe.

SUGGESTED CLOTHING LIST- MAXIMUM 20 KGS IN SOFT BAG (including camera equipment within reason)

1. Good quality sunglasses with good UV protection preferably polarised. Tinted fashion sunglasses are not much good in harsh light.
2. Bush hat
3. T-shirts and one long-sleeved cotton shirt
4. Shorts/slacks/skirts and swimming costume
5. Long trousers
6. Warm track suit (essential for the very cold June/July/August early mornings)
7. Underwear (sports bra recommended on game drives as the roads can be bumpy and uneven) and socks
8. Good walking boots (sneakers or running shoes are sufficient)
9. Thongs/slip-slops/strops.
10. Sweater/jersey.
11. Anorak/parka (polar fleece is good), head “beanie” and gloves (essential for the very cold June/July/August early mornings)
12. Camera equipment and sufficient film. Spare camera batteries.
13. Tissues/"Wet Ones"
14. A good LARGE flashlight which takes at least 2 large batteries. Please bring spare batteries and a spare globe.
15.  GOOD QUALITY BINOCULARS - ESSENTIAL (Night vision binoculars are not essential, but highly recommended if your safari includes night activities)
16. Moisturising cream and suntan lotion
17. Insect repellent e.g. Tabard
18. Personal toiletries, in addition to those specified above
19. If you wear contact lenses we recommend that you bring along a pair of glasses in case of eye irritation from the dust.
20. A small "day pack" (without frame) for use on walks and in the vehicle
21. Light rain gear for the summer months (late September to April)

PLEASE NOTE : As it can be cold in the early mornings and evenings during our winter months of June, July and August, please ensure you bring warm jackets, track suits and gloves as mentioned above.

WEATHER CONDITIONS
 Temperature (ºC) - These are the average lows and highs
               Jan      Feb    Mar      Apr    May   June   July 
Maun    19/32  19/31  18/31   14/31   9/28   6/25  6/25 

             Aug    Sep     Oct       Nov     Dec
           19/32   9/28  13/33     18/35  19/34 

Rainfall (mm). This varies according to the year and where you are.

            Jan   Feb Mar Apr May June July Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
Maun    110   80  70   25     7      3      0    0     0    30   50