The best place to see wildlife in Okavango is within spectacular Moremi Wildlife Reserve. The reserve lies in centre of delta and occupies 3,000 square kilometres. In Moremi you view game aboard a vehicle or by gliding on a makoro (dugout canoe) or other type of canoe. Accommodation is available in camps and lodges within delta area. In Moremi itself, you can stay in tented campsites but no permanent camps or lodges are allowed.

If you are interested culture, take a break at Chief's Island, largest in delta, and see ancient rock paintings. The painting were presumably executed by artistically inclined fore bearers on San people. The Okavango Delta should be avoided in summer, especially December to March, when most of camps are closed down. At that time, it is very hot and humid- temperatures rise above 38°C, and thunderstorms unleash daily. You enter Okavango through Maun - deltas' principal town, by flying or taking a bus from Gaborone, 600 km away.

Visitors to either Chobe or Okavango may wish to add on a visit to Victoria Falls. Victoria Falls is actually in Zimbabwe but is easily accessible from northern part of Botswana. Victoria Falls is one of most spectacular waterfalls in world and one of Africa's prime attractions. Situated on border of Zimbabwe and Zambia, falls occur where steadily flowing Zambezi River, unwarned, casually approaches and then suddenly plunges down a series of basalt gorges in a breathtaking display of several waterfalls. Mist and thunder emanating from falls can be witnessed from far off.

The spray from falls sustains rain forest on opposite wall of basalt and creates an almost constant rainbow visible even by light of moon. The falls are best seen from air, thus activities such as helicopter flights, balloon rides and micro-lighting over falls are a must do. Other exciting activities available are bungee jumping off bridge - which also gives a spectacular view down gorge, canoeing, white water rafting, river safaris, elephant back safaris and many more.

Adventure seekers, who travel not merely to convenient places, may wish to check out Makgadikgadi Salt Pans. The shallow saltpans cover about 6,500 square kilometres and rank among largest in world. The atmosphere here is admittedly surreal, with shimmering mirages in a vast open terrain broken only by a few baobab trees. Bird watchers in particular will be intrigued at unusual environment as they watch numerous flamingos and pelicans. The pans occupy area between Francistown (410 km north east of Gaborone) and Okavango Delta. There is plenty of wildlife, in Makgadikgadi National Park, but not as much as Chobe- so this will not be your only reason for coming here.

Botswana is site of a unique wildlife conservation initiative in Southern Africa- concept of cross border parks. The initiative is anchored on common sense observation that wildlife does not recognise international borders. Successful conservation efforts in an area bordering another country can be reduced to naught if neighbouring countries do not collaborate. The Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park is a combination of two parks -the former Gemsbok National Park in Botswana and Kalahari Gemsbok National Park in South Africa.

Covering over 36,000 sq km, Kgalagadi is one of biggest wildlife conservation areas anywhere in world. Botswana contributes about 75% of park in southern Kalahari Desert. The park is a unique conservation area for it allows large-scale wildlife migratory movements that were once common in savanna grasslands of Africa, but are sadly not possible any more. The appeal of harsh beauty of Kalahari aside, scientists are extremely curious to find out secret story of flora and fauna that has adapted to what appears to be a very difficult environment.

For ordinary folks, park is host to famous black-maned Kalahari lions. You will also see gemsbok, springbok, eland, blue wildebeest, cheetahs, wild dogs, jackals, bat-eared foxes and leopards. Birding is also excellent and of 297 species recorded, 96 are resident. It is difficult to get to Kgalagadi. From Gaborone, you drive for 860 km, of which 550 km is tarred and rest gravel. Being a cross border park, you can also access it through South Africa. The park has no permanent tented campsites and on safari you must bring in everything you need.

The dry season, especially between April and October, is best time to visit Botswana on safari. It is then easy to spot wildlife gathered near water sources. The rains come over southern summer months of November to March. The roads are then difficult to use and with abundance of water and pasture, animals tend to scatter. Early morning and night temperatures in winter (May to August) can drop below freezing, especially in southwest. But days are then cool to warm. The summer experiences high daytime temperatures of up to 38°C. The cloud cover, though, and rains tend to cool things a little bit. Beware that August is very dry and dust and sand storms tends to rise from west.

Remember to pack a pair of binoculars- they bring animals closer without usual risks. A pair of decent sunglasses is a good idea, especially if you travel to Kalahari, where glare can be somewhat unsettling. Also pack photographic and video equipment to record your safari for sake of those of your unlucky friends who may not have been to Botswana. On safari, you are advised not to wear white or bright clothing to avoid exciting animals. Light cottons and linens are adequate for summer. To survive winter mornings and evenings, you need warmer wraps and sweaters. Women should avoid wearing scanty beachwear in rural areas away from hotels and campsites to avoid offending locals.

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Alexandria, monument to Alexander Great, is located 180 km to northwest of Cairo. The city has a Mediterranean temper and compared to hothouse of Cairo has a cooler and more pleasant climate. The Greco-Roman Museum is within central Alexandria and has on display artifacts from period 300 BC to AD 300. You will see mummies, sarcophaguses, pottery, tapestries and granite sculpture of bull god Apis. Other sights in area include Roman Amphitheater, Royal Jewelry Museum and Roman era catacombs of Kom el-Shukafa.

The island of Pharos, near harbour is site of Great Lighthouse, one of Seven Wonders of Ancient World. Today, what remains on site is a 15th century fortress. After immersing yourself in antiquity, you can take a dip at some beach resorts within 20 km to west of city. At resort of Marsa Matruh, 230 km further on, you will find some excellent beaches and an opportunity for reef diving. This area right from Alexandria along coast is part of Egypt's Med. It is still relatively undeveloped despite long stretches of white sand beaches and turquoise waters.

If your primary interest is ancient Egypt, bear in mind that about 80% of Egyptian antiquities are in vicinity of Luxor. The city sits on site of ancient city of Thebes and together with surrounding areas carries magnificent treasures of antiquity such as palaces, temples and royal tombs. The royals of those times whiled their afterlife at what is referred today as Valley of Kings, Valley of Queens and Tombs of Nobles. The tombs contained treasure that has been plundered over centuries. Some of more famous tombs are those of boy king Tutankhamen and queen Nefertari.

On east bank of Nile you find Temple of Luxor and Temple of Karnak, packed with obelisks, wall murals and statues with heads of gods. If you overnight here, enjoy evening sound-and-light show at Temple of Karnak. Temples on west bank are Queen Hatshepsut's Temple and The Ramesseum, a once massive edifice that is today mostly a ruin. You need to spend at least two days here for your trip to be worthwhile. You are also advised to hire a guide who can explain historical context of each artifact or monuments. Start out early each day before day-trippers, airlifted from Cairo arrive to crowd you out.

Aswan, a scenic town by Nile lies 680 km to south of Cairo, in region that was so long ago known as Lower Egypt. Though not as numerous as elsewhere, you can find temples and tombs at those two islands in Nile- Elephantine and Kitcheners islands. You can get to islands by sailing in a felucca. The Nubian Museum celebrates history and culture of Nubian people. Aswan is also important in history of Coptic Christians and ruins of 7th-century Coptic monastery of St. Simeon laze in this area. In today's Egypt, Aswan is important as location of High Dam that finally put an end to annual bursting of banks of Nile.

The Red Sea is well known to readers of Bible as sea that God parted with his own hand so that Moses and his people could cross over to Sinai. So named because of its red tint mountain ranges, it is home to a number of resorts, biggest of which is Hurghada. The underwater world of Red Sea is alive with over 800 fish species and deep-sea fishing is excellent. Snorkellers can explore coral reef that is reputed to be one of finest in world. Hurghada aside, there are other resorts in area that have good beaches, coral reefs and some golfing too. The modern day traveler escaping city will empathise with early Christian hermits who built their monasteries here as they sought to get away from it all. Hurghada lies 380 km to southeast of Cairo.

Sinai is where Africa meets Asia. Like Red Sea coast, it has top resorts and is great for water sports. Sharm El Sheikh, towards southern tip of Sinai Peninsula is most developed resort town. Here you will find entertainment in form of casinos and nightclubs and also some good shopping malls. The marine life is abundant and coral reefs are great. Sinai is also where three great monotheistic religions meet. You can make an excursion to Mt. Horeb, said to be Mt. Sinai where Moses received Ten Commandments. For Roman Catholics, emulate Pope John Paul II who visited nearby St. Catherine's Monastery in 2000. The monastery is supposed to sit on site of Moses' burning bush.

The people of Egypt from antiquity to present day have always built their lives around Nile. It is no coincidence therefore, that probably best way to see major sites is by taking a Nile Cruise. There are several luxury cruise ships offering Nile Cruises. The longer cruise goes all way from Cairo to Aswan in two weeks. There is however not much to see between Cairo and Luxor and you will get better value if you take shorter cruise between Luxor and Aswan. This cruise, which normally takes six days, goes in both directions and you can embark at either Aswan or Luxor. You can get to Luxor or Aswan from Cairo by taking a flight or overnight sleeper train. The adventurous and thrifty can also sail along Nile by using traditional boats, feluccas.

The summer in Egpyt, which falls between April and October, is hot and dry. The winters are mild with cold nights. The best time to visit is between November and March, outside intolerable summer season. Light clothing is generally recommended though you may need a sweater and jacket for winter evenings. Remember that this is a Muslim country and dress for women in particular is expected to be modest. All same, immodest western style holiday dress is acceptable in nightclubs, beaches and hotels in Cairo and other locations frequented by tourists.

In cities and locations popular with tourists, you will find a wide variety of accommodation ranging from 5-star luxury to budget lodging. This in particular covers: Cairo, Alexandria and north coast, Luxor, Aswan and at Red Sea and Sinai resorts towns. During popular winter season, advance booking is advised. Egypt hotels and resorts are very good value and you will find accommodation cheaper here than equivalent in most other destinations. Copyright © Africa Point