Plan Your Trip
Planning a Safari
The unique wildlife and the landscapes they inhabit make for a magical safari experience in Botswana and Namibia. But making the most of this dream journey into the African wilds requires careful planning – here's where we show you how.
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Tips for Desert Hiking
Rise before the sun does and hike until the heat becomes oppressive. Rest through the midday heat and begin again after about 3pm.
During warmer months, time your hike with the full moon so you can hike at night.
Places to Spot Wild Dogs
In Linyanti, east of the Okavango Delta in northern Botswana – one of the few healthy wild-dog populations in Africa.
In Namibia, head for Bwabwata National Park.
Destinations for a Safari
In Botswana, the Okavango Delta and Chobe National Park; in Namibia, Etosha National Park.
Tips for a Self-Drive Safari
If you haven’t driven in Africa before, go with someone who has.
Take a satellite phone – they're easy and relatively inexpensive to hire.
Planning Your Trip
Choosing an Operator
A good operator is the single most important variable for your safari, and it’s worth spending time thoroughly researching those you’re considering. At the budget level in particular, you may find operators who cut corners – be careful to go with a reputable outfit. There are many high-quality companies that have excellent track records. Operators we recommend enjoyed a good reputation at the time of writing, as do many others that couldn’t be listed due to space considerations. However, we can’t emphasise enough the need to check on the current situation with all of the listed companies and any others you may hear about.
Do some legwork (the internet is a good start) before coming to Botswana or Namibia. Get personal recommendations, and once in the region, talk with as many people as you can who have recently returned from a safari or trek with the company you’re considering.
Be sceptical of price quotes that sound too good to be true, and don’t rush into any deals, no matter how good they sound.
Also, take the time to go through the itinerary in detail, confirming what is expected and planned for each stage of the trip. Be sure that the number of wildlife drives per day and all other specifics appear in the written contract, as well as the starting and ending dates and (approximate) times.
Safari Style
While price can be a major determining factor in safari planning, there are other considerations that are just as important.
AAmbience Will you be staying in or near the park? (If you stay well outside the park, you’ll miss the good early-morning and evening wildlife-viewing hours.) Are the surroundings atmospheric? Will you be in a large lodge or an intimate private camp?
AEquipment Mediocre vehicles and equipment can significantly detract from the overall experience. In remote areas, lack of quality equipment or vehicles and appropriate back-up arrangements can be a safety risk.
AAccess and activities If you don’t relish the idea of spending hours on bumpy roads, consider parks and lodges where you can fly in. To get out of the vehicle and into the bush, target areas offering walking and boat safaris.
AGuides A good driver/guide can make or break your safari.
ACommunity commitment Look for operators that do more than just give lip service to ecotourism principles, and that have a genuine, long-standing commitment to the communities where they work. In addition to being more culturally responsible, they’ll also be able to give you a more authentic and enjoyable experience.
ASetting the agenda Some drivers feel that they have to whisk you from one good ‘sighting’ to the next. If you prefer to stay in one strategic place for a while to experience the environment and see what comes by, discuss this with your driver. Going off in wild pursuit of the Big Five (lions, leopards, buffaloes, elephants and rhinos) means you’ll miss the more subtle aspects of your surroundings.
ALess is more If you’ll be teaming up with others to make a group, find out how many people will be in your vehicle, and try to meet your travelling companions before setting off.
ASpecial interests If birdwatching or other special interests are important, arrange a private safari with a specialised operator.
When to Go
Getting around is easier in the dry season (May to October), and in many parks this is when animals are easier to find around waterholes and rivers. Foliage is also less dense, making wildlife spotting simpler. However, as the dry season corresponds in part with the high-travel season, lodges and camps in some areas get crowded and accommodation prices are at a premium.
Apart from these general considerations, the ideal time to make a safari very much depends on which parks and reserves you want to visit and your particular interests. For example, the wet season is the best time for birdwatching in many areas, although some places may be inaccessible during the rains. Wildlife concentrations also vary markedly, depending on the season.
A BEGINNER’S GUIDE TO TRACKING WILDLIFE
Visitors to Africa are always amazed at the apparent ease with which professional guides locate and spot wildlife. While most of us can’t hope to replicate their skills in a brief visit, a few pointers can hone your approach.
ATime of day This is possibly the most important factor for determining animal movements and behaviours. Dawn and dusk tend to be the most productive periods for mammals and many birds. They’re the coolest parts of the day, and also produce the richest light for photographs. Although the middle of the day is usually too hot for much action, this is when some antelope feel less vulnerable at a watering hole, and when raptors and reptiles are most obvious.
AWeather Prevailing conditions can greatly affect your wildlife-viewing experience. For example, high winds may drive herbivores and birds into cover, so concentrate your search in sheltered areas. Summer thunderstorms are often followed by a flurry of activity as insect colonies and frogs emerge, followed by their predators. Overcast or cool days may prolong activity (such as hunting) by normally crepuscular predators, and extremely cold winter nights force nocturnal species to stay active at dawn.
AWater Most animals drink daily when water is available, so water sources are worthwhile places to invest time, particularly in the dry season. Predators and very large herbivores tend to drink early in the day or at dusk, while antelope tend to drink from the early morning to midday. On the coast, receding tides are usually followed by the appearance of wading birds and detritus feeders such as crabs.
AFood sources Knowing what the different species eat will help you decide where to spend most of your time. A flowering aloe might not hold much interest at first glance, but knowing that it is irresistible to many species of sunbirds might change your mind. Fruiting trees attract monkeys, while herds of herbivores with their young are a predator’s dessert cart.
AHabitat Knowing which habitats are preferred by each species is a good beginning, but just as important is knowing where to look in those habitats. Animals aren’t merely randomly dispersed within their favoured habitats. Instead, they seek out specific sites to shelter: hollows, trees, caves and high points on plains. Many predators use open grasslands but also gravitate towards available cover, such as large trees, thickets or even grass tussocks. ‘Ecotones’ – where one habitat merges into another – can be particularly productive because species from both habitats overlap.
ATracks and signs Even when you don’t see animals, they leave many signs of their presence. Spoor (tracks), scat (droppings), pellets, nests, scrapes and scent marks provide information about wildlife, and may even help to locate it. Check dirt and sand roads when driving – it won’t take long for you to recognise interesting spoor. Elephant footprints are unmistakable and large predator tracks are fairly obvious. Also, many wild cats and dogs use roads to hunt, so look for where the tracks leave the road – often they mark the point where they began a stalk or sought out a nearby bush for shade.
AEquipment Probably the most important piece of equipment you can have is a good pair of binoculars. These help you not only to spot wildlife but also to correctly identify it (this is essential for birding). Binoculars are also useful for viewing species and behaviours where close approaches are impossible. Field guides – pocket-sized books that depict mammals, birds, flowers etc of a specific area with photos or colour illustrations – are also invaluable. These guides also provide important identification pointers and a distribution map for each species.
Types of Safari
As safaris become more crafted to their clientele, the typical image of khaki-clad tourists bush whacking through the scrub is becoming obsolete. These days a safari can incorporate anything from ballooning over the undulating dunes of the Namib, to scooting along the lush channels of the Okavango in a traditional mokoro (dugout canoe). Horse riding, trekking, birding, fishing, night-drive and camel safaris are all on the agenda. The typical safari is now a highly sophisticated experience that reconnects with that vital sense of adventure.
Wildlife watching tops the region’s list of attractions and forms the basis of most safaris, and little wonder. Etosha National Park in Namibia and Botswana’s Okavango Delta and Chobe National Park (among others) are packed with animals – in fact, you’ll find the greatest density and variety of wildlife in Southern Africa, and some of the best wildlife watching on the continent. The evocative topography is just the icing on the cake.
It’s good to keep in mind that although there are safaris catering to most budgets, a Botswanan, and to a lesser degree Namibian, safari can be expensive. Certainly most safari experiences are skewed towards the top end of the market in Botswana.
Here we provide an overview of the factors to consider when planning a safari. There is a lot more to choose from at the higher end of the price spectrum, where ambience, safari style and the operator’s overall focus are important considerations. However, good, reliable budget operators can also be found in both countries.
Fly-In Safaris
If the world is your oyster, then the sheer sexiness of taking off in a little six-seater aircraft to nip across to the next remote safari camp or designer lodge is a must. It also means you’ll be able to maximise your time and cover a selection of parks and reserves, giving yourself an idea of the fantastic variety of landscapes on offer.
The biggest temptation will be to cram too much into your itinerary, leaving you rushing from place to place. Be advised, it’s always better to give yourself at least three days in each camp or lodge in order to really avail yourself of the various activities on offer.
While a fly-in safari is never cheap, they are all-inclusive, including meals, drinks and activities in each camp; flight transfers often cost extra. Obviously, this all takes some planning and the earlier you can book a fly-in safari the better – many operators advise at least six to eight months' notice if you want to pick and choose where you stay.
Fly-in safaris are particularly popular, and sometimes a necessity, in the delta region of Botswana. Given the country’s profile as a top-end safari destination, many tour operators specialise in fly-in safaris or include a fly-in element in their itineraries.
Mobile Safaris
Most visitors to Botswana and Namibia will experience some sort of organised mobile safari, ranging from an all-hands-on-deck ‘participation safari’, where you might be expected to chip in with camp chores and supply your own sleeping bag and drinks, all the way up to top-class, privately guided trips.
As trips at the lower end of the budget scale can vary enormously in quality, it pays to canvass opinion for good local operators. This can be done on Lonely Planet’s Thorn Tree forum (http://thorntree.lonelyplanet.com), or by chatting to other travellers on the ground. Failing this, don’t hesitate to ask lots of questions of your tour operator and make your priorities and budget clear from the start.
Maun is Botswana’s mobile-safari HQ, while most safaris in Namibia will need to be booked out of Windhoek. For those booking through overseas tour operators, try to give as much notice as possible, especially if you want to travel in the high season. This will give you a better chance of booking the camps and lodges of your choice.
Overland Safaris
Given the costs and complex logistics of arranging a big safari, many budget travellers opt for a ride on an overland expedition, run by specialists like Africa in Focus (www.africa-in-focus.com) and Dragoman (www.dragoman.com). Most of these expeditions are multicountry affairs with Namibia and Botswana featuring as part of a longer itinerary starting in either Cape Town (South Africa) or Nairobi (Kenya) and covering a combination of countries including Namibia, Botswana, Zimbabwe, Zambia, Malawi and Tanzania.
The subject of overlanding often raises passionate debate among travellers. For some the massive trucks and concentrated numbers of travellers herded together are everything that’s wrong with travel. They take exception to the practice of rumbling into tiny villages to ‘gawk’ at the locals and then roaring off to party hard in hostels and bush camps throughout the host countries. Often the dynamics of travelling in such large groups (15 to 20 people at least) creates a surprising insularity, resulting in a rather reduced experience of the countries you’re travelling through.
For others, the overland truck presents an excellent way to get around on a budget and see a variety of parks and reserves while meeting up with people from different walks of life. Whatever your view, bear in mind that you’re unlikely to get the best out of any particular African country by racing through on an inflexible itinerary.
The classic overland route through Namibia and Botswana takes in Fish River Canyon, Sossusvlei, Etosha National Park, Swakopmund, the Skeleton Coast, the Caprivi Strip, the Okavango Delta and Chobe National Park and goes on to Victoria Falls in Zimbabwe.
RENTING A 4WD
There are numerous variations on the theme when it comes to 4WD rentals, but the most common vehicle models are two- or four-berth Toyota (Hilux, LandCruiser or Fortuner), Land Rover (Defender or Discovery, although the former is slowly disappearing) and Ford Ranger, all adapted for camping. This may mean a pop-up roof which has space to sleep two people, rooftop tents and/or ground tents, as well as all camping gear (ie bedding, although some, including Avis, don't offer sleeping bags), cooking and eating equipment, fridge/freezer and all mechanical tools necessary to get you out of a tight spot. To be sure of what you're getting, make sure you ask for a full equipment list at the time of your booking.
Prices range from US$80 to US$190 per day.
If you’re looking to rent a car for exploring Botswana, we recommend booking through companies who offer specialist rental of fully equipped 4WDs with all camping equipment. Most can also arrange for pick-ups/drop-offs in Maun, Kasane, Gaborone, Windhoek, Victoria Falls, Harare or Livingstone, but remember that you'll usually pay a fee if you pick up your vehicle other than from the company's main office, or if you drop it off other than where you picked it up. Fees range between US$250 and US$650 for either service.
The following are among the better 4WD rental agencies:
AAvis Safari Rentals (in South Africa +27 11-387 8431; www.avis.co.za/safari-rental)
A
Bushlore (
%in South
Africa +27 11-312 8084;
www.bushlore.com)
A
Travel Adventures Botswana (%74 814 658,
686 1211; www.traveladventuresbotswana.com)
In an ever-expanding market, other 4WD-rental companies include the following:
AAfricamper (www.africamper.com)
ABritz (%in Jo'burg 27
11 230 5200, in Namibia 264-61-219590; www.britz.co.za) (in Namibia 264-62-540242, in Jo'burg +27
11-230 5200; www.britz.co.za)
If you rent directly through the rental company, you'll get just the vehicle and you'll need to make all of the other travel arrangements on your own. For most travellers, it works out more convenient to book through an operator who can also make campsite and other accommodation bookings, arrange a satellite phone and make any other necessary arrangements. For this, try the following:
A
Safari Drive (%in the UK
01488 71140;
www.safaridrive.com)
A
Self Drive Adventures (%686
3755; www.selfdriveadventures.com)
Self-Drive Safaris
It’s possible to arrange an entire safari from scratch if you hire your own vehicle. This has several advantages over an organised safari, primarily total independence and being able to choose your travelling companions. However, as far as costs go, it’s generally true to say that organising your own safari will cost nearly as much as going on a cheap organised safari. Also bear in mind that it’s wise to make all your campsite bookings (and pay for them) in advance, which means that you’ll need to stick to your itinerary.
In addition to the cost, vehicle breakdowns, accidents, security, weather conditions and local knowledge are also major issues. It’s not just about hiring a 4WD, but about having the confidence to travel through some pretty rough terrain and handle anything it throws at you. However, if all this doesn’t put you off then it can be a great adventure.
Your greatest priority will be finding a properly equipped 4WD, including all the necessary tools you might need in case of a breakdown.
Note: if you’re planning a self-drive safari in northeastern Namibia or northern Botswana, you’ll need to watch out for the wet season (December to March) when some tracks become completely submerged and driving is particularly risky.
You can find pretty much all the camping essentials you need in major supermarket chains, which have outlets throughout Botswana and Namibia. They stock everything from tents and sleeping bags to cooking equipment and firelighters.
WILD DRIVING & CAMPING IN BOTSWANA & NAMIBIA
These are road-tested tips to help you plan a safe and successful 4WD expedition.
AInvest in a good Global Positioning System (GPS). You should always be able to identify your location on a map, though, even if you’re navigating with a GPS. We found the Tracks4Africa app to be the best.
AStock up on emergency provisions, even on main highways. Fill up whenever you pass a station. For long expeditions, carry the requisite amount of fuel in metal jerry cans or reserve tanks (off-road driving burns nearly twice as much fuel as highway driving). Carry 5L of water per person per day, as well as a plenty of high-calorie, nonperishable emergency food items.
AYou should have a tow rope, a shovel, an extra fan belt, vehicle fluids, spark plugs, bailing wire, jump leads, fuses, hoses, a good jack and a wooden plank (to use as a base in sand and salt), several spare tyres and a pump. A good Swiss Army knife or Leatherman-type tool, plus a roll of gaffer tape, can save your vehicle’s life in a pinch.
AEssential camping equipment includes a waterproof tent, a three-season sleeping bag (or a warmer bag in the winter), a ground mat, fire-starting supplies, firewood, a basic first-aid kit and a torch (flashlight) with extra batteries.
ANatural water sources are vital to local people, stock and wildlife, so please don’t use clear streams, springs or waterholes for washing yourself or your gear. Similarly, avoid camping near springs or waterholes lest you frighten the animals and inadvertently prevent them from drinking. You should always ask permission before entering or camping near a settlement. Remember that other travellers will pass through the region long after you’ve gone, so, for the sake of future tourism, please be considerate and respect the local environment and culture.
AAvoid camping in shady and inviting riverbeds, as large animals often use them as thoroughfares, and even when there’s not a cloud in the sky, flash floods can roar down them with alarming force.
AIn the interests of the delicate landscape and flora, keep to obvious vehicle tracks; in this dry climate, damage caused by off-road driving may be visible for hundreds of years to come.
ASand tracks are least likely to bog vehicles in the cool mornings and evenings, when air spaces between sand grains are smaller. Move as quickly as possible and keep the revs up, but avoid sudden acceleration. Shift down gears before deep sandy patches or the vehicle may stall and bog.
AWhen negotiating a straight course through rutted sand, allow the vehicle to wander along the path of least resistance. Anticipate corners and turn the wheel slightly earlier than you would on a solid surface – this allows the vehicle to skid round smoothly – then accelerate gently out of the turn.
ADriving in the Kalahari is often through high grass, and the seeds it disperses can quickly foul radiators and cause overheating; this is a problem especially near the end of the dry season. If the temperature gauge begins to climb, remove as much plant material as you can from the grille.
AKeep your tyre pressure slightly lower than on sealed roads, but don’t forget to reinflate upon returning to the tarmac.
AAvoid travelling at night, when dust and distance may create confusing mirages.
AKeep to local speed limits, with a maximum of 100km/h on sealed roads, and 40 km/h off-road.
AFollow ruts made by other vehicles.
AIf the road is corrugated, gradually increase your speed until you find the correct speed – it’ll be obvious when the rattling stops.
AIf you have a tyre blowout, do not hit the brakes or you’ll lose control and the car will roll. Instead, steer straight ahead as best you can, and let the car slow itself down before you bring it to a complete stop.
AIn rainy weather, gravel roads can turn to quagmires and desert washes may fill with water. If you’re uncertain, get out and check the depth, and only cross when it’s safe for the type of vehicle you’re driving.
AAlways be on the lookout for animals.
AAvoid swerving sharply or braking suddenly on a gravel road or you risk losing control of the vehicle. If the rear wheels begin to skid, steer gently in the direction of the skid until you regain control. If the front wheels skid, take a firm hand on the wheel and steer in the opposite direction of the skid.
AIn dusty conditions, switch on your headlights so you can be seen more easily.
AOvertaking can be extremely dangerous because your view may be obscured by dust kicked up by the car ahead. Flash your high beams at the driver in front to indicate that you want to overtake. If someone behind you flashes their lights, move as far to the left as possible.
Walking & Hiking Safaris
At some national parks and private concessions, you can arrange walks of two to three hours in the early morning or late afternoon, with the focus on watching animals rather than covering distance. Following the walk, you’ll return to the main camp or lodge.
It’s also possible in Namibia to arrange safaris on foot to track black rhinos. This presents a unique opportunity to see one of Africa’s most endangered animals in the wild. Such a safari usually takes place on private concessions.
Horse-Riding Safaris
Riding on horseback is a unique way to experience the landscape and its wildlife – Botswana presents numerous opportunities to canter among herds of zebras and wildebeest. The horse-riding safaris in Botswana are highly rated and there are numerous operators. You’ll need to be an experienced rider, though, as most horseback safaris in Botswana don’t take beginners – after all, you need to be able to get yourself out of trouble should you encounter it.
Local Tour Operators
Typically most visitors to Botswana and Namibia will book a safari with a specialist tour operator and many local operators do the bulk of their business this way. The recommendations here provide an overview of some of the best operators in Botswana and Namibia. Other agencies are listed throughout the guide.
&Beyond (www.andbeyond.com) Stunning lodge in various remote locations in Botswana plus one in Namibia, mixed with impressive conservation programs.
Capricorn Safaris (www.capricornsafaris.com) One of the largest operators in Botswana, with affiliations in Kenya and Tanzania. It has a focus on luxury tented safaris in all the main national parks. Note: groups can be quite large.
Desert & Delta Safaris (www.desertdelta.co.za) A top-notch tour operator with luxury camps and lodges located in Moremi, Chobe and the Okavango Delta. You can expect a uniformly high standard of service.
Drive Botswana (%in Palapye
492 3416; www.drivebotswana.com)
This excellent operator arranges 4WDs and complete-package
itineraries, including maps, trip notes and bookings for campsites.
We found the owner, Andy Raggett, to be outstanding and unfailingly
professional.
Great Plains Conservation (www.greatplainsconservation.com) Among the elite of safari operators, combining a growing portfolio of stunning lodges with cutting-edge conservation work.
Kwando Safaris (www.kwando.com) Respected Botswanan operator of long standing, with a handful of lodges in the delta and surrounding area, as well as in Nxai Pan National Park and Central Kalahari Game Reserve (CKGR).
Mabaruli African Safaris (www.mabaruli.com) Based in Windhoek, this outfit offers cycling safaris as well as a tour that takes in Namibia (Etosha National Park), Botswana (Okavango Delta) and Zambia (Victoria Falls).
Masson Safaris (www.massonsafaris.net) A family-run outfit based in Botswana, with over 25 years' experience running mobile safaris.
Namibia Horse Safari Company (www.namibiahorsesafari.com) A range of multi-day horse-riding safari expeditions, including in the Namib Desert Damaraland in search of desert elephants; the Sperrgebiet in search of wild horses; and elsewhere as well as shorter rides.
Safari Drive (www.safaridrive.com) Expensive but professional and upmarket company with its own fleet of recent-model vehicles. Prices include all equipment, emergency backup, detailed route preparation and bookings, satellite phone and free tank of fuel.
Safaris Botswana (www.safaris-botswana.com) Specialises in budget mobile and mokoro trips. Safaris are practically all-inclusive but you have to bring your own sleeping bags and drinks. It also runs the friendly, no-frills Audi Camp.
Skeleton Coast Safaris (www.skeletoncoastsafaris.com) Conducts four- to six-day fully catered expeditions that use a combination of aircraft and 4WD vehicles to explore this wonderfully remote coastal landscape, including shipwreck sites. Some of the safaris also take in other prime Namibian destinations such as Sossusvlei and Etosha.
Uncharted Africa Multiday mobile safaris across the salt pans of northern Botswana and further afield.
Wild Dog Safaris (www.wilddog-safaris.com) This popular backpacker-oriented tour operator runs a variety of expeditions throughout Namibia.
Wilderness Safaris (www.wilderness-safaris.com) Manages an impressive array of luxury camps and lodges in Namibia, Botswana, Zimbabwe and further afield, and supports a number of commendable conservation and community projects. It even has its own airline.
Wildlife Specialists
All international companies offering safaris to Botswana and Namibia – and there are many of them – will most likely make wildlife-watching the centrepiece of the safari experiences they offer. But there are two UK companies in particular for whom wildlife is their raison d'être, with all of the benefits that brings:
A Nature Trek (www.naturetrek.co.uk)
A Wildfoot Travel (www.wildfoottravel.com)
UP CLOSE & PERSONAL
The threat of attack by wild animals is rare, but compliance with a number of guidelines will further diminish the chances of an unwelcome encounter. The five most dangerous animals are the Big Five: lions, leopards, buffaloes, elephants and rhinos.
AAlways sleep inside a tent and be sure to zip it up completely. If you hear a large animal outside, lie still even if it brushes against the tent.
ANever pitch a tent in an open area along a riverbank – this is probably a hippo run.
AWhen camping, don’t keep fresh fruit (especially oranges) in your tent, because they can attract elephants.
AIf you encounter a lone buffalo, a lion (especially a lioness) or an elephant that detects your presence, back away slowly and quietly.
ATry not to make eye contact with a leopard if you encounter one while on foot.
ADo not run away from a lion. If you respond like a prey species, the lion will react accordingly.
AElephant cows with calves should be avoided. Likewise, do not approach any elephant with visible injuries.
AWhen travelling in a boat, watch for signs of hippos and steer well away from them.
AWhen a hippo feels threatened, it heads for water – don’t be in its way!
AVisitors should take care not to swim in rivers or waterholes where crocs or hippos are present. Always use extreme caution when tramping along any river or shoreline.
ABe aware that hyenas are also potentially dangerous, although they’re normally just after your food.
Which Field Guide?
Field guides, apart from being damned interesting to read, can be invaluable tools for identifying animals while on safari. Our favourites:
A Field Guide to the Carnivores of the World (Luke Hunter; 2011) Wonderfully illustrated and filled with fascinating detail.
The Kingdon Field Guide to African Mammals (Jonathan Kingdon; 2nd ed, 2015) The latest edition of the classic field guide covering over 1150 species.
The Behavior Guide to African Mammals (Richard Despard Estes; 1991) Classic study of the behaviour mammal species. Estes' follow-up The Safari Companion: A Guide to Watching African Mammals (1993) is an excellent, slightly more accessible alternative.
Stuarts' Field Guide to Mammals of Southern Africa (Chris & Mathilde Stuart; 2014) Another excellent guide with easy identification clues and information on tracking.
Birds of Southern Africa (Ian Sinclair et al; 4th ed, 2011) Easily the best field guide to the country’s birds.
Watching Wildlife: Southern Africa (Matthew Firestone & Nana Luckham; 2nd ed, 2003) Lonely Planet’s very own field guide, complete with colour photographs.
Mammals of Botswana & Surrounding Areas (Veronica Roodt; 2011) Handy, well-written guide available in many lodges and bookstores around Botswana.