For my trip to Cape Town and Namibia, I read a number of books and also surfed the net extensively for information. Some of the books that I have found to be extremely helpful are the Lonely Planet series, including “Africa on a Shoestring” and “Southern Africa”. These books can serve as the stepping stone for you to freeze on which countries you want to visit in the African continent, depending on your interests. Lonely Planet also has country-specific books like those covering Namibia and Botswana
The “State of Africa” by Martin Meredith is the most complete work on the African continent that I have read-it traces Africa’s history right from the time when the colonial powers divided it among themselves, then the African people’s struggle for independence and the corruption, ineptitude and greed of the African rulers which pushed the continent further into the depths of misery.
“Tropic Of Capricorn” by Simon Reeve is an account of a journey tracking the Tropic Of Capricorn around the globe. Capricorn cuts across Namibia, Botswana, South Africa, Mozambique and Madagascar in the African continent. While tracking the Capricorn, the author has ventured into very remote areas in these countries and has talked about the social, political, conservation and humanitarian issues plaguing the region.
The “Sheltering Desert” by Henno Martin is an account by two German geologists of the two and a half years that they spent in the Namib desert during the World War II and their fight for survival in the desert landscape.
Of course, having a detailed map of the region that you are traveling to is indispensable. You feel more involved and it is more fun if you can trace your route on a map, especially if you are going on an overland tour. Bartholomew’s ‘Africa World Travel Map’ – covers the entire African continent on one map.
The internet is of course a minefield of information and must definitely be tapped for information right from the necessary vaccinations (www.cdc.gov/travel/eafrica.htm ) to the tips, travelogues, must-sees and must-dos.
The “State of Africa” by Martin Meredith is the most complete work on the African continent that I have read-it traces Africa’s history right from the time when the colonial powers divided it among themselves, then the African people’s struggle for independence and the corruption, ineptitude and greed of the African rulers which pushed the continent further into the depths of misery.
“Tropic Of Capricorn” by Simon Reeve is an account of a journey tracking the Tropic Of Capricorn around the globe. Capricorn cuts across Namibia, Botswana, South Africa, Mozambique and Madagascar in the African continent. While tracking the Capricorn, the author has ventured into very remote areas in these countries and has talked about the social, political, conservation and humanitarian issues plaguing the region.
The “Sheltering Desert” by Henno Martin is an account by two German geologists of the two and a half years that they spent in the Namib desert during the World War II and their fight for survival in the desert landscape.
Of course, having a detailed map of the region that you are traveling to is indispensable. You feel more involved and it is more fun if you can trace your route on a map, especially if you are going on an overland tour. Bartholomew’s ‘Africa World Travel Map’ – covers the entire African continent on one map.
The internet is of course a minefield of information and must definitely be tapped for information right from the necessary vaccinations (www.cdc.gov/travel/eafrica.htm ) to the tips, travelogues, must-sees and must-dos.
