User Guide to Safarimapper's Virtual Earth maps
Navigating around Safarimappers
This section outlines how the maps are structured and how to us them.
1. Safari Regions
We have divided the maps into Southern Africa and East Africa. They are
generally considered alternative destinations so we have also treated them as such.
2. Country maps
Within each region, we have a map of each country. This map is simply a map
at a more detailed level than the regional map. In other words, zoom out and you
will have the same map as the regional map
Move over the country and National Park you are interested in:
Select the information icon in the park. This will give you the park name and some information about the park:
We have identified all the major parks and reserves. We have also focussed on
cities, islands and other areas (e.g. Cape Town, Zanzibar, Victoria Falls) that
are of particular interest to tourists. By selecting the area on the map or the
menu of the left, you will be directed to a map specifically of that area.
3. National Parks, Game Reserves, Private concessions and places of
interest
The map is generally of a bigger area than the National Park, etc, that it
represents. This is because safari lodges and camps are often outside the
boundaries of the park. Also, there may be a number of smaller reserves or
concession areas that border the National Park. We show the rough boundaries of
the national parks and reserves on the map.
For example, the Okavango map:
Safari lodges, camps, airstrips and other identified points of interest are
shown on the maps. Select an icon and you will be presented with a short
description and photograph. You can get further details by clicking on "full
description".
4. Lodge pages
Each safari lodge has its own dedicated page, where we provide some details
about the lodge. We would love to hear from you about your experience of the
lodge. Where feasible we will include your comments. Any photographs you may
have will also help fellow travellers appreciate the lodge so please send them
to us.
Virtual Earth maps
Virtual Earth provide up-to-date maps. We have added the safari lodges and camps and park boundaries.
In the top left corner of the map you will notice a control panel. This allows you to zoom in and out of the maps. You can also get different views of the same
map, namely "road", "aerial" or "hybrid".
You will be able to use the 2D version of the maps without downloading any software. To access 3D maps, you will need to download Virtual Earth's map application.
This is free to download.
Quick links:
Virtual Earth website