Advice about Botswana

Hi all - this will be my first time traveling to Botswana in mid April.

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I will be doing a 6 night horse safari. I would like to spend some days doing other things before the safari.

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What's the best way to connect with local culture, visit small villages, be guided around by true locals, learn from the bushman .... in a non-overly touristy way?

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I don't want my whole trip to just be about visiting reserves/national parks...

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Also - trying to decide which airport to fly into. My horse safari is near Maun. I'm considering flying into Windhoek and road tripping from there - thoughts? Or should I go right to Maun and rent a car there? Not rent a car at all?

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Thanks for any advice!