Recommended Safari Reading
We have listed a few of our favorite books about Botswana. Most of these are available in large bookshops (especially those that specialize in travel or international books), by mail order, and from Internet sites.
Chobe – Africa's Untamed Wilderness by Daryl and Sharna Balfour
(Coffee-table Picture Book)
Good pictures and a readable diary-format style give a fair picture of the changing seasons and the wildlife in Chobe area.
The Miracle Rivers – The Okavango and Chobe of Botswana by Peter and Beverly Pickford.
(Coffee-table Picture Book)
The book is one of the very large scale coffee-table size books but instead of page after page of animal photos, this one combines many unique sepia-tones photos, color drawings, maps and illustrations, and more unusual full-color photos than you would expect. The book covers the Okavango Delta, Chobe and the two rivers through a series of interviews with local people, anecdotes of their own experiences, and intimate photographs.
Savuti – The Vanishing River by Clive Walker
(Coffee-table Picture Book)
Using many simple line drawings, and just a sprinkling of generally impressive photographs, this is less pictorial than most coffee-table books. It concentrates mainly on Walker's personal experiences in Savuti, where he spent time with Lloyd Wilmot, amongst others, and witnessed the final drying out of the Savuti Channel. It's a good read, though too large to easily travel with.
Hunting with the Moon – The Lions of Savuti by Dereck and Beverly Joubert (Coffee-table Picture Book)
These two renowned authors, cinematographers, photographers and conservationists are highly respected in Southern Africa. They have produced several acclaimed films for National Geographic and have lived and worked in Botswana for many years now. They have lived among Lions for most of their adult lives. Beverly's excellent images, many of the Savuti Lions' nighttime hunting forays, are accompanied by Dereck's field notes and engaging text
Newman's Birds of Southern Africa by Kenneth Newman
(Nature)
The standard field guide to birds in southern Africa, it covers most species found in Botswana. This guide features hundreds of large color plates, a comprehensive checklist, and revised information on habitats and distribution.
Botswana: Okavango Delta, Chobe, Northern Kalahari – The Bradt Travel Guide by Chris McIntyre
(Paperback)
The Bradt guide to Botswana concentrates on the prime regions for travelers in the north of the country, with the essentials on the gateway cities of Gaborone and Maun. The Okavango Delta is a wetland paradise and one of the top destinations in Africa for wildlife enthusiasts, who will delight in the thorough descriptions of the unique ecosystem and its multitude of bird and plant life. Other key regions covered in depth are the Chobe National Park--an important conservation area--the Linyanti Swamps, Central Kalahari Game Reserve, and Tsodilo Hills with their wealth of bushman rock art.
The Bradt guide to Botswana concentrates on the prime regions for travelers in the north of the country, with the essentials on the gateway cities of Gaborone and Maun. The Okavango Delta is a wetland paradise and one of the top destinations in Africa for wildlife enthusiasts, who will delight in the thorough descriptions of the unique ecosystem and its multitude of bird and plant life. Other key regions covered in depth are the Chobe National Park--an important conservation area--the Linyanti Swamps, Central Kalahari Game Reserve, and Tsodilo Hills with their wealth of bushman rock art.
Botswana Travel Guide by Globetrotter
(Guidebook)
Its small size makes it very portable. Written with the first-time visitor in mind, Globetrotter guides recommend worthwhile sights and places of interest to visit; offer advice on where to stay, eat and shop and which excursions to take.
Audubon Field Guide to African Wildlife by Peter Alden and Dr. Richard Estes
(Nature)
An authoritative natural history guide by two distinguished authors, this book thoroughly covers mammals, reptiles, birds and insects in one volume. Peter and his team describe the climate, landscapes, and wildlife of Botswana and 57 other African countries. Maps show park locations and country borders, and hundreds of color photos are incorporated.
Okavango - Africa's Wetland Wilderness by Adrian Bailey
(Coffee-table Picture Book)
Excellent photographs, superbly edited and full of great information. A must have for anyone who has visited the Okavango Delta.
Trees & Shrubs of the Okavango Delta by Veronica Roodt
(Nature)
An outstanding field guide packed with medicinal uses, lore and beautiful artwork.
An outstanding field guide packed with medicinal uses, lore and beautiful artwork.
Botswana The Insider's Guide– by Ian Michler
(Paperback)
This book gives excellent insight into the culture and life of Botswana's people as well as valuable information on overland travel routes, recommended camps and lodges, and tips on where to find the best arts, crafts, festivals and music on your travels.
This book gives excellent insight into the culture and life of Botswana's people as well as valuable information on overland travel routes, recommended camps and lodges, and tips on where to find the best arts, crafts, festivals and music on your travels.
The Behavior Guide to African Mammals– by Richard Despard Estes
(Nature)
(Nature)
A definitive field guide to African mammals. This book has details on distribution, ecology, social organization, postures and locomotion, predatory behavior, reproduction, parent/offspring behavior, etc. An excellent reference guide.
Tracks & Signs of Southern and East African Wildlife - Chris & Tilde Stuart
A field guide to the spoor and signs of the mammals of Southern Africa. Contains aides to identifying tracks, what may have killed a carcass by how if fed, etc. Lots of excellent photos - very detailed guide book.
