The Maplanga Africa Botswana Top 10

1. Star gaze on the Magadigadi pans. Look up into the unlimited clarity of the night slies to see the sky uncluttered by pollution, a true astronomers paradise.
   
   
2. Say "howzit" to a genuine San Bushman. The Ghanzi area is home to this tribe of truly wonderful people. Discover their hunting skills and take in a community where little has changed over the years.
   
   
3. Take a pic of your Sandton 4x4 rig and yourself under the famed Baines Baobabs, take nothing but pics. Be still for a minute and listen to the silence; let the vast, silent open space put your 21st  century live into perspective.
   
   
4. Go fly fishing for Tiger Fish and other species along the Chobe River, take care not to bump into one of the legendary "mutha" crocs that frequent the river.
   
   
5. Embark on a real safari. The Moremi, Savuti, Kalahari and Chobe National Parks are yours for the taking. Camping on your own steam is an option or join a mobile safari and stay in private wilderness camps. Your soul will thank you.
   
   
6. For wall to wall elephants, visit the Chobe National Park in the dry winter months. If you visit the park and you do not see an elephant, consider yourself jinxed. Sadly the over populated pachyderms have wreaked huge destruction on this magnificent park- the use of birth control or culling methods fires up a heated and ongoing debate. 
   
   
7. Enjoy a horse trail in the Tuli Block, become one with nature as you blend into the wilderness with your trusty steed. All levels of riders skills are catered for, the game is more relaxed when being gauped at by horse and rider, a different game viewing experience. Sore bum guaranteed!
   
   
8. Squeeze into a "Mokoro", a traditional Botswana dug out canoe. Negotiate the crystal clear waters of the Okavango Delta. Take in the prolific birdlife but watch out for grumpy hippo's. Don't be tempted to take a dip in the warm waters, rather request your personal poler to take you to a safe sandback where you can dip your lily-white legs into the river.
   
   
9. Take a light aircraft into the Okavango Delta. Flying over this natural wonder will offer game viewing opportunities second to none, complete with the backdrop of Ilala palms and crystal clear water.. as we say in Africa - too lekker!
   
   
10. Get a Botswana customs guy to smile - Botswana customs have the reputation of the being the most unfriendly border control staff anywhere in Africa.