Comments on: How to Find Hotels in Botswana

on 12/6/2006 When my daughter graduated from college, she asked if we could take a safari and we went to Chobe Game Park in Botswana. My husband initially thought it would be "like visiting the zoo" but now thinks that it was the BEST vacation we have ever taken. (We went back for a second time!) The guides were outstanding! And seeing the African wildlife up close was AMAZING! We woke early for the first trek of the day because animals are on the move early. We traveled in open jeep like vehicles and had good views of the game. What really amazed was the keen eyesight of the native tracker. He would say "there are giraffes at 2 o'clock" and we would raise the binoculars in vain and then 2-3 minutes later we would see them. We went to the Chobe river late in the afternoon to observe the elephants crossing back from the other side. And we watched as a pride of three lionesses reunited with their cubs. The tracker had noticed that the tall grass had been bent slightly, earlier in the day and predicted that as it neared dusk, we would find them. And we did! One realizes that the rangers are doing their jobs, checking on the game and the guests are along for the ride, rather than "taking tourists" out to see the game.
Be sure to take a camera with a telephoto lens, or a video camera, lots of film (it can be very expensive to buy in Africa) and a good pair of binoculars.
I highly recommend a safari in Botswana!