BOTSWANA
Botswana is a land-locked country located in Southern Africa and bordering on Namibia, South Africa, Zimbabwe and Zambia. Botswana is famous for its wildlife, areas like the Chobe National Park, Moremi National Park in the Okavango Delta and the Central Kalahari Game Reserve have a very high concentration of game.
Currency
The Botswana currency is the Pula (meaning ‘rain’ in Setswana).
It is divided into 100 thebe (meaning ‘shield’ in Setswana). Travellers’ cheques and foreign currency may be changed at banks, bureaux de change, and authorised hotels. The US dollar, Euros, British Pound and the South African Rand are the most easily convertible currencies. Automatic teller machines accept foreign visa cards, but are mostly found in larger towns and cities. Cultural sites and community art and craft outlets usually only accept cash.
Banks
Seven main commercial banks, as well as a number of foreign exchange bureaux, operate in Botswana.
Banking hours
Monday to Friday 8:30-15:30
Saturday 8:30 to 10:45
Credit cards
Major credit cards, such as MasterCard and Visa, are accepted throughout the country, in most hotels, restaurants, retail outlets and safari companies. However, shops in remote areas and service stations may only accept cash.
Language
English is an official language in Botswana. It is taught at schools, and is widely spoken in all urban centres. Even in rural areas, many local villagers (especially younger ones who have received schooling) will be able to converse in English. All guides and general staff in the camps, lodges and hotel have got a good command of English.
German, Italian and French translators are available on request – request through your travel operator or agent. When staying at a private camp or lodge, your guide will very often be able to introduce you to his or her friends and family, and will act as interpreter if necessary. Some amazing interaction with local people is possible, and more than likely to occur while on your trip to Botswana.
Electrical Supply
Electricity is supplied at 220/240v. Both square and round wall plugs are used.
GETTING THERE
By Air
Air Botswana, Botswana’s national and only airline, provides international flights between Gaborone and Johannesburg, Gaborone and Harare, Maun and Johannesburg, Kasane and Johannesburg and Francistown and Johannesburg. Domestic flights run between Gaborone and Francistown, Maun and Kasane, and the airline has recently re-introduced its Maun to Kasane flight (three times per week).
- Air Botswana has thrice daily flights between Gaborone and Johannesburg with direct flights from Johannesburg to Maun and Francistown
- South African Airways has twice daily flights between Johannesburg and Gaborone, during the week.
- South African Express has five flights daily between Johannesburg and Gaborone, during the week.
- SA Airlink operates Gaborone to Johannesburg and Chobe
- Air Namibia flies Gaborone and Durban through Gaborone
- Ethiopian Airlines flies Nairobi to Gaborone
- Qatar Airways flies to Gaborone
- Air charter services are also available.
Visas
· Citizens of most European and Common-wealth countries do not require a visa for entry into Botswana.
· Visitors should check with Botswana embassies or consulates, or their travel agents, before departure.
· It is vital for visitors to carry a valid passport and sufficient funds to facilitate their stay.
· Note: For countries with whom Botswana has no diplomatic representation, visa information and processing is available through British Embassies and High Commissions.
Luggage Restrictions
· It is advisable to adhere to the luggage restrictions for both scheduled international, domestic and charter flights: 20kgs (44lbs) on domestic flights, 12kgs (26lbs) on light aircraft (including Okavango Delta charter flights), and 20kgs (44lbs) on international flights.
Vaccinations
· If you are travelling to Botswana from areas infected with Yellow Fever, you must have a valid Yellow Fever vaccination certificate. Otherwise, no other immunisations are required. However, it would be wise to have an updated TPD (tetanus, polio, diphtheria) vaccine, and a Hepatitis A vaccine.
Customs
· All goods acquired outside Botswana must be declared when you enter the country.
· Pets
· The importation of animals is closely regulated for public health reasons and also for the wellbeing of the animals. Domestic pets and livestock may be imported subject to animal health restrictions.
DESTINATIONS
· Gaborone : A commercial city for meetings, events , educational tours and day trips
· Francistown: A great stop over in transit to Maun, Chobe ,Victoria falls and a gateway to Kubu Island
- Okavango Delta - A unique geological formation where a delta is formed by a river (the Okavango) flowing into the Kalahari desert instead of the ocean. Part of the Delta is designated as Moremi National Park: Moremi Game Reserve is a protected area in Botswana. It lies on the eastern side of the Okavango Delta and was named after Chief Moremi of the BaTawana tribe. Moremi was designated as a game reserve, rather than a national park, when it was created. This designation meant that the BaSarwa or Bushmen that lived there were allowed to stay in the reserve
- Central Kalahari Game Reserve The Central Kalahari game Reserve (CKGR) is the largest, most remotely situated reserve in Southern Africa, and the second largest wildlife reserve in the world, encompassing 52 800 sq kms.
- Chobe National Park - A great place to see wildlife, and a good point from which to move on to Victoria Falls, Nambia, Zambia and Botswana; where the 4 countries meet
- Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park : Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park is a large wildlife preserve and conservation area in southern Africa. The park straddles the border between South Africa and Botswana and comprises two adjoining national parks: Kalahari Gemsbok National Park in South Africa Gemsbok National Park in Botswana The total area of the park is 38,000 square kilometres. Approximately three-quarters of the park lies in Botswana and one-quarter in South Africa. Kgalagadi means "place of thirst
- Nxai Pan National Park : Nxai Pan National Park is a national park in north-eastern Botswana, consisting of Nxai Pan, which is one of the Makgadikgadi Pan salt flats. Nxai Pan National Park lies just north of the Maun-Nata main road and adjoins Makgadikgadi Pans National Park on its northern border. The pan itself is a fossil lakebed about 40 square km in size. The National Park is also home to the cluster of millennia-old baobab trees, which owe their name to Thomas Baines, the man known to have discovered them.
- Northern Tuli Game Reserve - a unique corner of Africa where nature & culture combine in spectacular wildlife, stunning scenery and fascinating history
- Khama Rhino Sanctuary - a good stop between Gaborone & Maun where you can do a rhino tracking with rangers (Mmupi is one the most experienced rangers)
Public Holidays
The public holidays in Botswana are:
- 1 Jan New Years' Day
- Easter weekend of "Good Friday", "Easter Saturday", "Easter Sunday" and "Easter Monday"; a four day long weekend in March or April set according to the Western Christian calendar.
- 1 May Workers Day
- 1 July Sir Seretse Khama Day
- Mid July. President's Day
- September 30. Botswana Day
- December 25. Christmas Day
- December 26. Day of Goodwill