Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
low viewpoint, it's a great way to appreciate the delta's birdlife and gain an appreciation,
hopefully from a distance, of the formidable bulk of hippos.
MOTORBOAT & FISHING TRIPS
The only two places where motorboats can operate for wildlife cruises and fishing trips
are along the Okavango and Chobe Rivers.
For fishing, the only stretches of water to consider are the deep and fast-flowing w aters
of the Okavango Panhandle. The most popular form of freshwater fishing is fly fishing for
tigerfish, although pike, barbel (catfish) and bream are also plentiful. Tigerfish season
runs from September to June, while barbel are present from mid-September to December.
QUAD BIKES
Some lodges in the Makgadikgadi Pans area in northeastern Botswana offer trips across
the expansive salt pans on four-wheeled quad bikes, also called ATVs (all-terrain
vehicles). These are safe to drive, require no experience, do not need a car or motorbike li-
cence and are great fun. Most are reputable operators, but sadly in recent years some trav-
ellers have begun to bring their own quad bikes to Botswana, where they criss-cross the
pans with little concern for the wildlife of the area.
SCENIC FLIGHTS
A scenic flight of fancy in a light aircraft or helicopter high above the Okavango Delta is a
thrilling activity. These can be arranged either in Maun directly with the operator or
through your accommodation.
Children
Botswana can be a challenging destination for families travelling with children. That's
primarily because the distances here can be epic and long days in the vehicle along bumpy
trails will test the patience of most kids. It's also worth remembering that many upmarket
lodges and safari companies won't accept children under a certain age (sometimes seven,
more often 12), and those that do will probably require you to book separate game drives.
On the other hand, if you can keep the kids entertained on the long drives (bring lots of
activity books, CDs and games), camping out in the wilds can be a wonderful family ex-
perience. It may require eternal vigilance - almost no private or public campsite in the
country has enough fencing to keep animals out and children in, and there are the addi-
tional hazards of campfires, mosquitoes, snakes and biting/stinging insects. But long dis-
