Botswana Travel Guide

Botswana Travel Guide

BotswanaThe Republic of Botswana is a landlocked country constituted by a vast plateau that provides a natural habitat for a huge variety of African wildlife. This scenic wonderland draws thousands of tourists from around the world throughout the year. Most visitors arrive under the auspices of expensive safari-package operators.At the time that it gained Independence in 1966, Botswana was counted among the ten poorest nations on earth. A dramatic turnaround came just a few years later when a treasure-trove of diamonds was discovered. Now the country is the third largest producer of diamonds in the world and Botswana is enjoying a growth rate and economic buoyancy unparalleled in Africa.The country is bordered by South Africa in the south and southeast; Zambia and Zimbabwe in the northeast; and Namibia in the north and west. It is the northwest corner of the country that is the most sought-after by wildlife enthusiasts because it is here that the Okavango River drains inland from Angola to form the Okavango Delta - the largest inland delta in the world - which provides sustenance to a rich profusion of wildlife. The delta is extremely beautiful, big sky country with spectacular scenery across grassy plains and limpid lagoons. The Moremi Wildlife Reserve, covering 700 square miles (1,812 sq km) in the northeast corner of the Okavango Delta, is the ultimate African safari destination.
Botswana Travel Guide

Need To Know

Money:
The unit of currency is the Botswana Pula (BWP), which is divided into 100 Thebe. The word 'Pula' means rain and 'Thebe' means shield. The shield appears on the national coat of arms. Major credit cards are widely accepted, and travellers cheques and foreign currency are accepted at most large hotels and lodges. There are banks and exchange bureaux in all the main towns, as well as ATM machines. Surcharges are often high on travellers cheques, and it is best to carry cheques in US Dollars or Pounds Sterling.
Time:
GMT +2.
Electricity:
230 volts, 50Hz. Round three-pin plugs are used.
Language:
English is the official language but Setswana is widely spoken.
Health:
Malaria is a particular risk in Botswana between November and June in the northern parts of the country. Visitors who are camping or walking in the bush should be cautious of tick bites. There are no compulsory vaccinations, but a yellow fever vaccination certificate is required from travellers over one year of age coming from infected countries. Occasional outbreaks of anthrax occur among wild animals, and visitors to affected areas should seek local advice and not touch dead animal carcasses. Botswana has a good public health system, but facilities are limited outside urban areas. Health insurance for visitors is vital. Tap water in towns is safe to drink, and all foodstuffs are safe to consume.
Tipping:
Tipping is expected in tourist hotels and restaurants. Many automatically add a service charge, but where not, a 10-15% tip is appreciated. Taxi drivers, porters and golf caddies should also be tipped a relative amount. Tour guides, trackers and game rangers rely largely on tips for their income and should be rewarded accordingly.
Safety:
The majority of visits to Botswana are trouble-free, but visitors should be aware of the increasing incidence of crime, particularly armed robbery and rape, in the main towns. Wildlife and livestock make driving hazardous, so driving at night should be avoided.
Customs:
Homosexuality is illegal. Taking photos or videos near government or military buildings is prohibited, and permission should always be sought before taking photos of local people.
Business:
Business is fairly relaxed in Botswana and dress is generally smart casual. Handshakes begin and end meetings, which are usually held in private. Women are often viewed with a certain amount of sexism, but will be politely treated. Office hours are usually 8am to 5pm Monday to Friday, or 7.30am to 4.30pm Monday to Friday between October and April.
Duty Free:
Travellers to Botswana over the age of 18 can enter the country with 400 cigarettes; 50 cigars or 250g of tobacco; 2 litres of wine and 1 litre of alcoholic beverages; 50ml of perfume and 250ml of eau de toilette without incurring customs duty. Gifts and personal goods to the value of P500 can also be imported without incurring customs duty.
Communications:
The international access code for Botswana is +267. The outgoing code is 00 followed by the relevant country code (e.g. 0027 for South Africa). Gaborone's area code is 31, 35, 36 or 39; there is no NDD prefix for calling within Botswana. Mobile phones operate on a GSM 900 network and are limited to urban areas; most North American cell phones will not work. Internet cafes are available in Gaborone and Maun.
Botswana Travel Guide

Botswana Attractions

Mokolodi Nature Reserve
Description:
This 300-hectare reserve is just nine miles (15km) from Gaborone and contains examples of most of the local flora as well as an impressive collection of indigenous animals such as the white rhino, mountain reedbuck, various antelope, zebra, giraffe, hyena and warthog. The reserve was created by a non-profit organisation for the purposes of conservation and education, and was established in 1994. It offers thatched self-catering chalets for those wishing to spend a night or two, and game drives and guided walks with experienced rangers.
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Telephone:
316 1955/6
Email:
information@mokolodi.com
Website:
www.mokolodi.com

Moremi Wildlife Reserve
Description:
Moremi, about 37 miles (60km) from Maun, is a 1,160 square mile (3,000 sq km) reserve set in the middle of the Okavango Delta in one of the world's most pristine wilderness areas. It consists of a network of waterways surrounding two main islands; Chief's Island in the west and Mopane Tongue in the east. The reserve can be reached by air or road via Maun. Self-driving in the reserve is recommended only for experienced four-wheel-drive enthusiasts and only during the dry months. It is otherwise suggested that visitors arrange to be transported from Maun or make use of the vehicle safaris and boat trips offered from the reserve's luxury lodges. A wonderful way to see the delights of the Delta is on a mokoro (a dug-out canoe), which is poled through the waterways by experienced guides. The adventurous can opt to stay in one of three serviced campsites in the reserve. These are unfenced and therefore provide an opportunity to experience nature at its purest form in the heart of Africa. The reserve itself is fenced, and therefore, with a diversity of habitats, it guarantees game sightings throughout the year.
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Chobe National Park
Description:
The second largest game park in Botswana, Chobe, is situated in the far north of the country and its 4,517 square miles (11,700 sq km) is divided into four distinct regions. These comprise the river frontage with floodplains and teak forest; the Savute marshes in the west; the Linyanti swamp in the north-west; and the hot, dry hinterland in between. Chobe is especially well known for its immense elephant population, counting more than 70,000, and it is not uncommon to encounter herds in excess of a hundred members at a time. The park's north and northwest border is delineated by the Chobe River, and the river's popularity as a water source has made game viewing by boat a particularly worthwhile attraction. There are a number of game lodges, hotels and camps in the Chobe area and at Kasane, the main town in northern Botswana, which has an airport and good road network. An added advantage at Chobe is that neighbouring Zimbabwe's main attraction, the Victoria Falls, lies just over the northern border with Botswana, merely an hour's drive away.
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Website:
www.botswanatourism.co.bw/attractions/chobe_national_park.html

Tsodilo Hills
Description:
To the west of the Okavango Delta area, about 33 miles (53km) from the town of Shakawe, is a mysterious site shrouded in myth, legend and spiritual significance for the local San people, who have inhabited the area for 35,000 years or more. The Tsodilo Hills are believed by the San to be the site of first Creation. The area is festooned with thousands of rock paintings representing a variety of scenes, some of which date back to 1,300 AD. Several trails lead to more than 350 rock painting sites. The area is remote, with no shops or accommodation facilities, but it is possible to camp and draw from borehole water.
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National Museum and Art Gallery
Description:
The outstanding National Museum is situated near the centre of town and houses important collections of traditional crafts and paintings by local and regional artists. It also serves to preserve Botswana's natural and cultural heritage. The multi-disciplinary facility encompasses the National Art Gallery, National Library and Octagon Gallery, as well as recently created Botanical Garden.
Address:
331 Independence Ave
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Website:
www.botswana-museum.gov.bw

Gaborone Game Reserve
Description:
The third busiest game reserve in the country, the small Gaborone Game Reserve provides a popular escape for city dwellers with picnic sites, a bird and game hide, and a network of game viewing roads. The park is home to rhino, ostriches, zebra, a variety of antelope, and a rich bird life.
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Telephone:
358 4492
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Makgadikgadi Salt Pans
Description:
The Makgadikgadi Pans are located in the north-east of the country and are among the largest salt flats on earth, covering 6,200 square miles (16,000km²) of the Kalahari basin. During the annual rains, the pans become a source of fresh water and grass for migratory wildlife, especially the massive wildebeest and zebra herds that move through the area. Self-drive visitors are advised to use 4WD vehicles, a good map and a GPS system. Also, drive in the tracks of other vehicles and keep to the edge of the pan.
Address:
About 200 miles (322km) south-east of the Okavango Delta
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Telephone:
+267 391 3111 (Botswana Tourism Board)
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Khutse Game Reserve
Description:
Established in 1971, the Khutse Game Reserve encompasses 965 square miles (2,500km²) of semi-arid Kalahari bush savanna in the Bakwena tribal lands. Boreholes have been sunk into this undulating terrain to provide more water and encourage wildlife to stay in the area year-round. Visitors are now drawn to this undeveloped wilderness to see a wide range of herbivores including giraffe, gemsbok and wildebeest, as well as predators such as lion, leopard and cheetah, and birdlife ranging from wild ostriches to little browns. Visitors may only camp in areas marked as campsites and there are no other tourist facilities available in the reserve.
Address:
130 miles (210km) from Gaborone
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Telephone:
+267 391 3111 (Botswana Tourism Board)
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Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park
Description:
The Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park, located in both Botswana and South Africa, extends over 15,000 square miles (38,000km²) of the southern Kalahari Desert. About three quarters of the park lies in the extreme south-west of Botswana, locally known as the Gemsbok National Park. Visitors to the park can witness the fragile balance between migratory animals and their predators in this harsh, semi-arid environment, a true African safari experience. There are campsites available for visitors but other tourist facilities are very limited in the park.
Address:
Kgalagadi District, about 537 miles (865km) south-west of Gaborone
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Telephone:
+27 (0)54 561 2000 (SANParks)
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Central Kalahari Game Reserve
Description:
At 20,380 square miles (52,800km²), the Central Kalahari Game Reserve is larger than some European countries, such as Denmark or Switzerland, and is bigger than Lesotho and Swaziland put together! Indeed, the reserve is the second largest game reserve on earth and its sand dunes, saltpans, riverbeds, mopane forests and vast open plains are home to an array of fascinating wildlife species, as well as settlements of local Basarwa or San tribes - an exciting combination of both environmental and cultural experiences for visitors.
Address:
Central Botswana, just over 200 miles (322km) from Gaborone
Postcode:
Telephone:
+267 391 3111 (Botswana Tourism Board)
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