Hi Manatok,
A few thoughts:
If you are coming down the panhandle then you may enjoy a stopover at Drotsky's Cabins. Good camping and excellent birding. You can take out a boat and a guide for the day. I am not an avid birder but we saw an amazing array. And they have a resident Pell's Fishing Owl ... Alternatively , or as well, Guma Lagoon Camp does mokoro trips which get you close to a lot of birdlife. Both have excellent camping facilities. And check out Lake Ngami which is on your way and is famous for it's bird life.
Remember to allow enough time in Maun to a) stock up on supplies and b) get your park permits if you go to Moremi or enter Chobe from the south. You can pre-book accomodation but the gates insist on original (not faxed/scanned) permits. You can get permits for Chobe at Sedudu Gate if you come in from Kasane side.
I was first in Moremi in 2007 and thought it was amazing but when I returned this October I was a little disappointed. Some of the best bits of the park (in my view) are inaccessible due to what are now semi-permanent high water levels. And driving there is quite tough, even in the dry. It will be more so in the wet. As an alternative you could stay outside the park at somewhere like Kazikiini (35km) from south gate and drive in for the day. The best spot for birding (I think) is Xini Lagoon which isn't far from the gate.
Khwai is a fantastic spot. You have a choice of the camp inside the park run by SKL (which is expensive) or several community camp sites outside which are less so. But be warned if you want to go direct from Khwai to Chobe you will have some serious water crossings to contend with. There have been plenty of people including experienced old hands who haven't made it and have had to be recovered. This now seems to be a year round phenomenon. Also be very aware of your fuel capacity. You will probably need around 150L to get from Maun/Moremi to Kasane via Savuti, bear in mind game drives and your consumption in mud/over rough terrain.
If you want to go from either Maun or south gate of Moremi to Savuti and then on to Kasane then getting a campsite at Savuti will be key. They are booked up far in advance so check this with SKL first off. The road up to Savuti will have some deep mud at this time of year but if you are nervous you could wait at the gate and travel with someone else. From Savuti to Kasane the problem is usually deep sand so this will be better in the wet. You shouldn't have a problem. Keep your momentum up!
I would highly recommend Ihaha campsite on Chobe riverfront. It is an idyllic spot and you will see lots of bird (and animal) life. If this isn't possible because of cost or it's booked then there are plenty of places in Kasane.
Finally don't write off the Nata route. I understand in the wet season the salt pans are a magnet for birders. Check out Nata Bird Sanctuary online for example. For some (pretty much) guaranteed close up elephant encounters you can stay at Elephant Sands on the Nata - Kasane road.
Re maps - yes Veronica Roodt is invaluable. But so is Tracks4Africa software. It will make your life much easier!!
I do hope you enjoy it. Botswana is one of my favourite places.
Any questions feel free to pm - good online resources are maun self drive website and 4 x 4 community sa website. Just google them.
