[hollis_f]

Am off to Botswana for two weeks in October - my first trip to the S. hemisphere. I've bought two books, both called 'Birds of Southern Africa' - Sasol and Newman's.

But they're both fairly hefty tomes. Is there a smaller, lighter, alternative I could carry about with me?

[Jos Stratford]

Sasol is the best guide overall to Botswana, a smaller guide is going to lack many of the species (difficult to squeeze over 900 species into something smaller). Didn't though think it was that big - you don't have an enlarged edition do you (if they do this).
If you want any info or a trip report for Botswana, get in touch - spent seven months down in southern Africa in the last couple of winters and one full month was in Botswana, mostly doing a bird survey in the Okavango

[brianfm]

Jos has said it all really. The SASOL guide in my opinion is a must. Only problem is that with so many birds to cover there is little room for anything but the barest of information. If you have to, ditch something else to keep the weight down as I am sure you would regret trying to manage with a smaller guide. Enjoy the trip.

[hollis_f]

Thanks guys. I was hoping there may have been something that concentrated on the birds found inland. Doubt I'll be seeing too many penguins!

[Jos Stratford]

Originally Posted by hollis_f

Doubt I'll be seeing too many penguins!

Ha ha, the rains were very impressive in northern Botswana this year and many of the pans had their best water levels for many years ...so perhaps penguin might be taking an excursion

[hollis_f]

Originally Posted by Jos Stratford

If you want any info or a trip report for Botswana, get in touch - spent seven months down in southern Africa in the last couple of winters and one full month was in Botswana, mostly doing a bird survey in the Okavango

That is most kind of you. I've sent a PM.