Botswana Safari Guide

A guide that takes the traveler to a wilderness in northern Botswana populated almost exclusively by wildlife.

A hilarious, highly original collection of essays based on the Botswana truism: “only food runs!” In the tradition of Bill Bryson, a new writer brings us the lively adventures and biting wit of an African safari guide. Peter Allison gives us the guide’s-eye view of living in the bush, confronting the world’s fiercest terrain of wild animals and, most challenging of all, managing herds of gaping tourists. Passionate for the animals of the Kalahari, Allison works as a top safari guide in the wildlife-rich Okavango Delta. As he serves the whims of his wealthy clients, he often has to stop the impulse to run as far away from them as he can, as these tourists are sometimes more dangerous than a pride of lions. No one could make up these outrageous-but-true tales: the young woman who rejected the recommended safari-friendly khaki to wear a more “fashionable” hot pink ensemble; the lost tourist who happened to be drunk, half-naked, and a member of the British royal family; establishing a real friendship with the continent’s most vicious animal; the Japanese tourist who requested a repeat performance of Allison’s being charged by a lion so he could videotape it; and spending a crazy night in the wild after blowing a tire on a tour bus, revealing that Allison has as much good-natured scorn for himself. The author’s humor is exceeded only by his love and respect for the animals, and his goal is to limit any negative exposure to humans by planning trips that are minimally invasive—unfortunately it doesn’t always work out that way! Peter Allison is originally from Sydney, Australia. His safaris have been featured in National Geographic, Conde Nast Traveler, and on television programs such as Jack Hanna’s Animal Adventures. He travels frequently to speaking appearances, and splits most of his time between Botswana, Sydney, and San Francisco.

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. Moreover, with improved air access from the US, via South Africa, Botswana has never been easier to visit. The country'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 like 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 Tsodilo Hills' ancient rock paintings 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? For something different, 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)?

A safari in northern Botswana takes the traveller to a wilderness populated almost exclusively by wildlife. Here are the predators and their prey; here, too, are the elephants, the hippos and the astonishing birdlife of the Okavango Delta. This fourth edition of Bradt's Botswana Safari Guide provides unrivalled coverage of the region's wildlife, environment and history, as well as a thorough evaluation of when, where and how to go. The guide, written by an expert author, focuses on the country's most popular areas, the Okavango Delta and the Kalahari and Chobe deserts.

A new and expanded edition of Peter Allison’s hilarious, highly original collection of essays based on the Botswana truism: “Only food runs!” With biting wit and tales of outrageous adventure, Peter Allison gives us a safari guide’s first-hand account of working in the African bush. Allison regales us with stories about confronting the world’s fiercest terrain of wild animals and most, terrifying of all, managing herds of gaping tourists run amok. His humor is exceeded only by his love and respect for the animals of the Kalahari. As a top safari guide, he knows he serves the whims of his wealthy clients, yet he often has to stop the impulse to run as far away from them as he can. When this isn’t possible, his goal is to limit any negative exposure to humans by planning trips that are minimally invasive—unfortunately it doesn’t always work out that way. With much good-natured scorn for himself, no one but Peter Allison could make up these outrageous-but-true tales!

Detailed and timely information on accommodations, restaurants, and local attractions highlight these updated travel guides, which feature all-new covers, a two-color interior design, symbols to indicate budget options, must-see ratings, multi-day itineraries, Smart Travel Tips, helpful bulleted maps, tips on transportation, guidelines for shopping excursions, and other valuable features. Original.

This new edition of Bradt's Botswana remains the only full-blown, standalone guide to one of Africa's most popular and rewarding safari destinations. Acclaimed by tour operators and travel writers alike, this is the only guide to focus on the most popular tourist areas of Botswana: the Okavango Delta, Chobe National Park and the Northern Kalahari, and this new edition includes a new full-colour wildlife guide, backed up by detailed flora and fauna information for each safari area. Fully updated, from top lodges in the Okavango Delta to small guesthouses (including many new to this edition), also included are detailed maps, comprehensive GPS coordinates (invaluable to self-drivers), and coverage of Livingstone and the Victoria Falls, ideal as an add-on trip to a safari in Botswana With this guide, explore one of the world's most stunning wildlife destinations, read up on superb safari lodges with excellent guiding, from traditional tented camps to those offering five-star luxury and top-class cuisine, and make the most of the excellent birding (almost 600 species identified). Also included are details of how to arrange mobile safaris around the national parks and reserves with your own guide, often staying in private campsites; boat cruises on the Chobe River, where herds of elephant cross every evening; and when and how to view one of the great gatherings of zebra in Makgadikgadi National Park. Botswana's wilderness is pristine. The permanent waters of the Okavango Delta attract year-round wildlife, now including all the 'big five' - for the rhinos are back thanks to a successful re-introduction programme. Spreading out from the Delta, Botswana has tremendous variety, from the arid Kalahari to lush, well-watered forest glades and the broad Chobe River. And then there's Botswana's rich history, from the ancient rock paintings at Tsodilo, to Stone Age arrowheads on the Makgadikgadi Pans. Written and updated by experts, Bradt's Botswana is the definitive companion to discovering this enchanting destination.

Written by local experts, Fodor's travel guides have been offering advice and professionally vetted recommendations for all tastes and budgets for 80 years. Fodor’s correspondents highlight the best African safari destinations in both eastern and southern Africa. Travelers will be able to determine which African safari destination is best for them and plan their trip step by step starting months before departure up to the day of arrival. We cover the best local and international safari tour operators with information on how to create a dream safari, whether it's a luxury, bespoke experience, or a rustic in-the-bush excursion. Plus, Fodor's reveals the best beaches for must-needed post-safari relaxation. More in-depth planning information is given for popular gorilla treks in Rwanda and Uganda. This travel guide includes: •UP-TO-DATE COVERAGE: New recommendations include the best new safari camps and tour operators •ILLUSTRATED FEATURES: Special full-color "Fodor's Features" throughout the guide provide rich information on the Big Five, the Great Migration, the Dunes of Namibia, and African culture. Gorgeous photos throughout, many by Fodor's travelers, provide endless inspiration. •INDISPENSABLE TRIP PLANNING TOOLS: Travelers can discover details about animals and birds, including the Big Five, with checklists for each country. Fodor's offers a hierarchy of safari parks in each country, with detailed lodging options, and compare tour operators with an easy-to-read chart broken down by experience, expertise, and clientele. Internet resources, a planning timeline, packing lists, must-ask questions, and information on what to expect after arrival are provided in easy-to-use, compact features. •DISCERNING RECOMMENDATIONS: Fodor's The Complete Guide to African Safaris offers well-informed advice and recommendations from expert and local writers to help travelers make the most of their time. Fodor's Choice designates our best picks, from hotels to nightlife. •COVERS: South Africa, Kenya, Tanzania, Botswana, Namibia, Rwanda, Uganda, Victoria Falls, South African Wine Country, Zanzibar, Kruger National Park, Skeleton Coast, Victoria Falls, Okavango Delta, Serengeti National Park, and Mount Kilimanjaro