Botswana: The Bradt Travel Guide

Having just returned from Botswana, I highly recommend this book. It is accurate with just the right amount of detail. Although the author owns his own travel company, his comments and reviews were accurate, thorough and objective as to safari experiences as well as other tour operators.

I've been waiting for this book for a long time!! None of the other guides on the area even comes close. It is the most detailed guide I've read on the Okavango, Chobe, Makgadikgadi, and the northern Kalahari. In my view the information seems to be very up-to-date (which is not true for Bradts second edition on Namibia!). This book is suitable for people going on an organized safari (I envy them their $'s and the luxury that awaits them :-) ), and those planning an independent self-drive. The maps are good, and a number of useful GPS coordinates are included. The descriptions of off some of the beaten track sites that I have visited are very accurate. If you are a self-drive tourist you might want to look at Mike Mains: "African Adventurer's Guide to Botswana". It has many trails that are more detailed in the same region, but lacks the overview given in this guide describing the many concession areas surrounding the Okavango. The book also includes a very useful section on Livingstone in Zambia, telling you how to get the most out of your visit to the famed Victoria Falls. What do I miss? Talking to Elein Drotsky, she mentioned that here sisters company could arrange boat trips from Shakawe to Maun, water levels permitting. There is no mention of this or any other such service in the book, guess I'll have to do some digging on that one myself. All in all, your $'s, £'s, €'s or Rand's will be well spent on this guide.

This guide provides as excellant overview to Botswana's history, cluture, and travel options. The descriptions of the private game concessions were very helpful in planning my trip.

Received in a very timely fashion & book in excellent condition as advertised. Enjoyable reading that covers the places I plan on visiting.

I read this guide book cover to cover like a novel. It's interesting, well written, and extremely helpful with all aspects of planning. My safari is scheduled for August 2010.