Travel Tips on Botswana

>>Botswana Safaris

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CLIMATE
Botswana is a very dry, semi-arid land. The northern two-thirds of the country lies within the tropics. Day time temperatures of 27 degrees Celsius may drop to below freezing point occasionally during the night.
The rainfall ranges from 600mm in the Northwest to 250mm in the southern part. The rainfall is extremely unpredictable therefore there are frequent droughts.
Summer (September - April)
Frequent rain and thunderstorms; days and nights are very hot, but cooling off after rain spells.
Winter (May - July)
Dry and cold days and nights cold especially in the early hours of the morning.

CLOTHING
Generally throughout the year casual comfortable clothes are worn, blouses, shirts, shorts or light skirts are best. Some hotels in Gaborone do not permit jeans although they are useful on safari. Jerseys and jackets are necessary for winter mornings and evenings.

Dull colours are more suitable on safari, white is not practical. In winter, warmer clothing is needed and track suits are very useful for sleeping in on safari. Comfortable shoes are essential.

ACCESSORIES
Sun block lotion, sunglasses, hats and insect repellents are essential.
Binoculars are an absolute must.

HEALTH
Consult a doctor at least 2 weeks prior to entering Botswana on what precautions should he taken against malaria. There has been a dramatic increase in the incidence of malaria infection amongst visitors and residents of Botswana's malaria endemic areas. As a precaution boil or sterilize drinking water outside of the main towns.

Botswana like other countries has been threatened by the Aids pandemic. However, the government has put in place measures like the National Aids Control Program to help address the many problems that this scourge has created. The general advice given by Worldwide Aids awareness campaigns should be adhered to while in the country.

VISA REQUIREMENTS
Visas are required by all nationals of foreign countries excluding the following: All Commonwealth countries, Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece., Iceland, Rep. of Ireland, Italy, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Namibia, Netherlands, Norway, Pakistan, Samoa (Western), San Marino, South Africa, Sweden, Switzerland, Uruguay and USA.

Any visitor wishing to stay more than 90 days will have to apply for prior permission to the Chief Immigration Officer, PO Box 942, Gaborone, Botswana.

The following countries although Commonwealth countries do require visas: Ghana, India, Mauritius, Nigeria and Sri Lanka.

Visa application forms are obtained from:
Department of Immigration and Citizenship
P.O. Box 942, Gaborone, Botswana
Tel: +267 3611-300/342
Fax: +267 352-996

Visa applications may be obtained from Botswana Embassies or High Commissions. In those countries where Botswana is not represented, the British High Commission does provide Botswana visas.

CUSTOMS & DUTY FREE ALLOWANCES
Tobacco...................400 cigarettes or 50 cigars or 250g of tobacco
Liquor......................2 litres of wine and 1 litre of spirits
Perfume...................50ml of perfume and 250ml of eau de toilette
Cameras.................. Must be declared on arrival
Film.........................Reasonable for personal use
Agriculture items.....   Refer to consulate
Currency................. Must be declared on arrival

CURRENCY
The unit of currency is the Pula. Notes are in P5, P10, P50 and P100. Coins (Thebe) are in denominations of 1, 5, 10, 25, 50, Pl & P2.
The Visa, MasterCard, American Express and Dinners Club are accepted as forms of payment, but only to a limited extent. Most hotels and lodges accept major foreign currencies or traveller's cheques, but the surcharge may be high. It is advisable to change money into local currency.

COMMERCIAL BANKS
Barclays Bank of Botswana, Standard Chartered Botswana Limited, Stanbic, First National Bank of Botswana, Union Bank of Botswana and Zimbank of Botswana.

Banking Hours:    Monday – Friday: 09h00 – 14h30
Wednesday: 08h00 – 12h00
Saturday: 08h00 – 10h45

Major hotels have foreign currency facilities and most shops, lodges and travel agencies will accept travellers cheques.

CAR HIRE
Cars can be booked from anywhere in the world to be available on arrival at Gaborone airport. Cars, trucks, minibuses and four – wheel drive vehicles are also available, some with professional guides and drivers.

There are three vehicle – hire companies in Maun. Vehicles from all three companies come with drivers for which there is no additional charge. Prices, which vary, are available on request, but in all cases fuel costs are an extra.

GETTING TO
The best gateway to enter Botswana is via OR Tambo (Johannesburg) International Airport. Air Botswana and South African Airways flies daily between Johannesburg, Harare and Victoria Falls.
Botswana's main Airport is Sir Seretse Khama International Airport situated 15km from the capital of Gaborone. Other airports receiving international flights are Francistown, Selebi-Phikwe, Maun and Kasane.

Botswana has a well-developed road network with easy access to its neighbouring countries. Gaborone is only 360km from Johannesburg, with a good road link.

The main entry points by road into Botswana are as follows:
From Zimbabwe - Ramokgwebane, Pandamatenga and Kazungula
From Namibia - Mamuno, Mohembo and Ngoma Bridge
From Zambia - Kazungula Ferry
From South Africa - Martin's Drift (from Limpopo); Tlokweng (from Johannesburg); Ramatlabama (from Mafikeng)

An easy way to reach Johannesburg is by mini-bus. There are mini-buses everyday from Gaborone to Mafikeng and Johannesburg departing from the main bus station in Gaborone.

LANGUAGE
English is the official language. Setswana is the local language.

LOCAL TIME
G.M.T. plus 2

ELECTRICITY
230 V AC 50hz.

INTERNATIONAL TELEPHONE DIALING
Int. Code + 267