By Chris and Susie McIntyre, published by Bradt Guides in 2024

The Bradt Travel Guide focuses on wilderness safaris but also has some good introductory chapters on the people, the culture, the history and the economy. 

Available: https://www.bradtguides.com/product/botswana-6/

By Veronica Roodt, published by Vivo Energy Botswana in 2010.  

This guide is full of information, including about the people, the history and the geology as well as the typical safari advice and places to see in the Gaborone and Serowe areas.  There are very good photo check lists of birds, animals and insects.

By Alec Campbell and Mike Main, published in association with the Botswana Society in 2003.  

A very useful guide to the natural history, the history of the Batswana and to places of interest in the area of the capital city.

Published by Southern Book Publishers in 1987.

Somewhat out-of-date and concentrating on the Kalahari and Okavango but an excellent source of information about the San people and Botswana’s culture and traditions.  Now out of print but copies do appear on Amazon and Ebay.

Published by Botswana Tourism in 2015.  This is a guide to the Gaborone area and includes good maps and useful information for visitors.  

In the same series: Kgalagadi/Central includes Khama Rhino Sanctuary and Serowe.

Available free of charge from Botswana’s Tourism Office in London.  Phone 0207 499 0031 or email dwilson@botswanatourim.org.uk. 

Published by Botswana Tourism (2012). 

A really helpful map of Botswana with plenty of information and attractive enough to frame.  

Available free of charge from Botswana’s Tourism Office in London. Phone 0207 499 0031 or email dwilson@botswanatourim.org.uk.

By Mike Main, published by Kuperard in 2021.  

This little book is perfect for information on customs, traditions, attitudes and the social structure of Botswana.

By Ednah Rosen. published by Rosens Media in 2023.

Taste of Botswana was Awarded 'Best African Cookbook of the World' at The Gourmand World Cookbook Awards.

By Bessie Head, published by Heineman in 1981. 

A collection of the words of nearly 100 Serowe villagers, compiled by the refugee from South Africa who lived most of her life in Serowe. 

Also see in Fiction: When Rain Clouds Gather

By Paul Mmolotsi Tantao, published by Pentagon (Botswana) in 2006.  

Very interesting on Botswana history, customs and culture, written by a Botswana citizen.  Sadly, out of print but copies do appear on Amazon and Ebay.

By Susan Williams, published by Penguin in 2007.  

A fascinating and disturbing account of the UK government’s awful racist attitudes in the 1950s which were encouraged by apartheid-driven South Africa. The good outcome stemmed from Seretse Khama’s tolerant nature and that of the Batswana.

Movie starring David Oyelowo and Rosamund Pike, released 2017.

The story of King Seretse Khama of Botswana and how his loving but controversial marriage to a British white woman, Ruth Williams, put his kingdom into political and diplomatic turmoil. Based on the book "Colour Bar" by Susan Williams.

Trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LKPDNKdpys8

Streaming on Amazon Prime, DVD available

By J Clark Leith,  published by McGill-Queen’s University Press in 2005.  

A serious study of Botswana’s successful economic and political development and its roots in tribal history.

By M E Chaimberlain, published in the Seminar Studies series by Pearson Educational in 1999.  

A guide to the history of colonisation in Africa and the ignorant Victorian assumption that this was a continent of primitive savages.

By Laurens van der Post; published by Penguin in 1962.  

This is old-fashioned, romantic, travel writing, describing the San People.

Series, by Alexander McCall Smith, published by Abacus from 2003 onwards.

Mma Ramotswe solves problems and crimes in typical Botswana fashion by gently talking them through. These novels are very true to Botswana.  

TV series based on the book series by Alexander McCall Smith, released 2008-2009 and produced by the BBC in conjunction with HBO.

Trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9miomiLZhz8

BBC radio 4 released a complete radio series in 2023.

Available as an audiobook from Amazon audiobooks.

By Bessie Head, published by Heineman in 1995.  

Bessie (white mother, black father) was forced to flee apartheid South Africa in her twenties and she settled in Botswana.  This story captures the character of Botswana life.  She is celebrated in the Khama Museum in Serowe.

By Norman Rush, published by Vintage in 1986.  

Stories of the lives of both black and white residents of Botswana.

By Robyn Scott, published by Bloomsbury in 2008.  

The adventurous childhood of the family of a flying doctor who spent 15 years in Botswana in the late 1980s and 1990s.

By Will Randall, published by Abacus in 2005.  

Will’s story of his time as a teacher in Kasane, Botswana.

• Botswana Tourism https://www.botswanatourism.co.bw/

• Travel Africa Magazine www.travelafricamag.com

• Wikipedia https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Botswana