KNOW BEFORE YOU GO

Money. Most camps and lodges list their rates in pula (some use US dollars), so the cost in rand will depend on the exchange rate. There are no shopping centres on the route between Maun and Kasane, but bring cash for park fees and other expenses. ( The man selling firewood next to the road won’t have a credit card machine…) At the time of going to print, the exchange rate was

P1 = R1,50.

Firewood. Buy as much firewood as you can before you enter the national parks. Some campsites in the parks sell wood, but it will be expensive. You’re not allowed to collect wood in the veld.

Fuel. Don’t look at your map and let villages like Khwai, Mababe and Kavimba fool you – they’re rural outposts, not bustling towns. The first place to refuel after Maun is the Puma filling station near Muchenje. Take at least four jerrycans, or more if you have space.

Food. You won’t be able to buy food along the way, so buy enough supplies in Maun. Put away your fresh fruit when you’re camping – it might attract elephants. Communication. Even if you buy a SIM card in Botswana, you won’t have any reception in the parks. That said, they’re not so remote that you’ll have to wait a week for help if you get stuck, but if you want extra peace of mind, hire a satellite phone. Contact Louis Milne from Swampland Safari Trails – you can pick up the phone in Maun and drop it off in Kasane. You can also call him if you’re stuck and need help. 00 267 71 23 4300; swampland-safari.com

Best time to visit? Year-round. The wet season from November to March is best for birders. The floodwaters reach the Okavango Delta at the start of the dry season – there might not be any rain but there will be lots of water in Moremi. The best time to see game is just before the rainy season because the animals congregate around the waterholes, especially in Savuti. Navigation. The main routes in the parks are easy to follow, but if you want to drive the smaller or seasonal roads, get Tracks4Africa on your GPS or take a good map along (like the maps in our Botswana guides).

Is it safe? All the campsites except Ihaha are safe from the perspective of people stealing your stuff – the same can’t be said about baboons and monkeys. Lock your food away. Hyenas and even elephants will also swipe food. Remember, the camps are not fenced.

Children. We don’t recommend travelling this route with young children. Predators like hyenas and wild dogs pose a threat. If you do take them along, make sure they always stay close to the tent and the campfire, and that they never walk to the ablution block without an adult.

Malaria. This is a malaria area so take precautions.

Water. Most campsites have running water, but bring drinking water just to be safe.

Light. Make sure you have torches and headlamps.