Botswana Travel Guide

Full Name

Republic of Botswana

Former Name

Bechuanaland

Capital City

Gaborone

Government Type

parliamentary republic

Area Size

At 600,370 km

Time Zone

UTC/GMT +2 hours

Climate

Botswana's climate is semi-arid. Though it is hot and dry for much of the year, there is a rainy season, which runs through the summer months. Rainfall tends to be erratic, unpredictable and highly regional. Often a heavy downpour may occur in one area while 10 or 15 kilometres away there is no rain at all. Showers are often followed by strong sunshine so that a good deal of the rainfall does not penetrate the ground but is lost to evaporation and transpiration. The summer season begins in November and ends in March. It usually brings very high temperatures. However, summer is also the rainy season, and cloud coverage and rain can cool things down considerably, although only usually for a short period of time. The winter season begins in May and ends in August. This is also the dry season when virtually no rainfall occurs. Winter days are invariably sunny and cool to warm; however, evening and night temperatures can drop below freezing point in some areas, especially in the southwest. The in-between periods - April/early May and September/October - still tend to be dry, but the days are cooler than in summer and the nights are warmer than in winter.

Geography

Botswana is predominantly flat, tending toward gently rolling tableland. The Kalahari Desert is located in the southwest of the country. The Limpopo River Basin is the major landform of all of southern Africa, including Botswana. Botswana is dominated by the Kalahari Desert, which covers up to 70% of the land surface of the country. The Okavango Delta, the world's largest inland delta, is in the northwest. The Makgadikgadi Pan, a large salt pan lies in the north.

Languages

Setswana 78.2%, Kalanga 7.9%, Sekgalagadi 2.8%, English 2.1% (official), other 8.6%, unspecified 0.4% (2001 census)

Culture

In the northern part of Botswana, women in the villages of Etsha and Gumare are noted for their skill at crafting baskets from Mokola Palm and local dyes. The artistry of these baskets is being steadily enhanced through color use and improved designs as they are increasingly produced for commercial use. Other notable artistic communities include Thamaga Pottery and Oodi Weavers, both located in the southeastern part of Botswana. The oldest paintings from both Botswana and South Africa depict hunting, animal and human figures, and were made by the Khoisan (Kung San!/Bushmen) over twenty thousand years ago within the Kalahari desert. 750 years ago, the Mapungubwe culture began in what is now Mashatu,Botswana. This culture was a result of trade links with Arab traders. Unfortunately because of climate changes, most of the people moved in a north eastly direction. Consequently, trade control moved north east and Great Zimbabwe was formed. In Mashatu, you can still see some of the stone walls this great culture left behind. After the collapse of the Great Zimbabwe empire some of the people returned to the Mashatu area.

History

Formerly the British protectorate of Bechuanaland, Botswana adopted its new name upon independence in 1966. Four decades of uninterrupted civilian leadership, progressive social policies, and significant capital investment have created one of the most dynamic economies in Africa. Mineral extraction, principally diamond mining, dominates economic activity, though tourism is a growing sector due to the country's conservation practices and extensive nature preserves. Botswana has one of the world's highest known rates of HIV/AIDS infection, but also one of Africa's most progressive and comprehensive programs for dealing with the disease.

Travel Information

The best gateway to enter Botswana is via Johannesburg International Airport with regular connections throughout the whole world. Air Botswana flies regularly between Johannesburg, Harare and Victoria Falls with over 37 flights a week only to Johannesburg. If we include South African Airways, that would make two flights per day Gaborone - Johannesburg, with connections to and from Durban and Cape Town. Botswana's main Airport is Sir Seretse Khama International Airport situated 15km from the capital of Gaborone, which has banks, a post office and duty free shop. Other airports receiving international flights include Francistown, Selebi-Phikwe, Maun and Kasane. Botswana has a well-developed road network with easy access to its neighbouring countries. The vast majority of the roads are tarmac. Gaborone is only 360km from Johannesburg, with a good road link.

Accommodation

The majority of the safari lodges are found in the Chobe National Park, Moremi Game Reserve and Okavango Delta, with some in the Makgadikgadi Pans and Tuli Block. Some lodges are permanent structures but the majority are tented; they are invariably luxurious, comfortable and spacious, with ensuite facilities. Hotels generally maintain a reasonable standard, particularly those in main centres in the east of the country. The largest number of hotels and motels are in or near Gaborone, Francistown, Kasane and Maun, some with air conditioning, swimming pools and facilities for films, bands and entertainment. Many other hotels have fairly basic amenities. A grading scheme is being applied to all hotels in Botswana to ensure they meet an acceptable standard. More than half of hotels have been inspected (late 2006).

Visa Requirements

All visitors entering Botswana must hold a passport that is valid for at least six months, except those with United Nations Convention travel documents. Visitors must also have outgoing travel documents and sufficient funds to finance their stay. Valid entry visas for the countries which do require them may be obtained from Botswana's various embassies and high commissions abroad. In countries where Botswana is not represented, visas may be obtained from the British High Commission. Entry visas obtained at border posts are valid for a maximum of 30-90 days. Extensions may be obtained from any immigration office in Botswana. No visitor is allowed more than a 90-day stay in every calendar year, unless permission has been granted in the form of a waiver pending the outcome of a residence permit application. Requirements for visa application: * Completed immigration supplementary Form D by the applicant (Visa form). * Letter of support from the host. * Two passport size photos (identical). * Fee of P25.00 (around USD 5) * Return visa or residence permit from his/her country of residence. * Return air ticket. * Confirmation letter from the country if the person is coming for business purposes

Getting Around

The national carrier, Air Botswana, operates scheduled domestic flights from Gaborone to several destinations, including Francistown, Maun, Kasane, while numerous other carriers operate services to the capital and private operators maintain links to a variety of tourist destinations. The air charter industry is well developed in Botswana, offering flights to the national airport network as well as private destinations. Maun Airport, which serves a huge tourist market, is one of the busiest in southern Africa. All Botswana's population centres are connected by highways and very good tarmac roads. Other areas are being developed and road-tarring projects are moving ahead at a record pace. Off main routes, the roads range from good, high-speed gravel to deep, rutted sand. As in most other southern African countries, driving is on the left side of the road. The national speed limit on tarred roads is 120km/h, while through towns and villages the speed limit is 60km/h, even in the absence of a sign. Seat belt use is compulsory, as is proof of no-fault insurance. Botswana Railways operates one of Africa's few air-conditioned passenger rail services, with a variety of passenger accommodation from luxury private sleeper compartments on the overnight train to the modern well-serviced economy class on the day train. All taxis licensed to carry passengers can be easily identified by their number plates, which have blue backgrounds. Taxis carry up to 5 passengers at a time.The mini-buses (Combis) are operating in towns. Each mini-bus will travel a particular route, often a circular journey and most of them at some point pass through the mall or the station.

Health & Safety

Compared to the rest of Africa, Botswana is not a risky place to visit from a health perspective. In spite of this, there are certain precautions visitors should take even though there are no legal requirements for taking these precautions. Botswana requires no inoculations except for visitors from yellow fever zones. Botswana's public health system consists of different kinds of health facilities: 23 district health teams, 3 referral hospitals, 12 district hospitals, 17 primary hospitals, 222 clinics, 330 health posts and 740 mobile stops.There is also a private hospital in Gaborone, as well as many private medical practitioners. Private medical rescue services are also available. Botswana remains a relatively safe place to visit, however there are a few incidents of crime. It is advisable to take basic precautions: always lock car doors; always lock your hotel room or house; do not leave valuables in your hotel room or car; and take care with your bags in crowded places, particularly the malls and nightclubs.

National Holidays

Fixed Dates: January 1 - New Year's Day (Ngwaga o mosha) January 2 - Public Holiday July 1 - Sir Seretse Khama Day July 19 - President's Day July 20 - Public Holiday September 30 - Independence Day (Boipuso) December 25 - Christmas Day (Keresemose) December 26/27 - Boxing Day Varied Dates: March-April - Good Friday (Labothano yo o molemo) March-April - Easter Monday May - Ascension Day (Tlhatlogo)

Currency

Botswana Pula (BWP)

Electricity

220-240 volts AC

Emergency Numbers

997(Ambulance) 998(Fire) 999(Police) 911(Med Rescue)