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Basic Facts
Full Name : Republic of Botswana (formerly Bechuanaland)Capital : Gaborone
Time : GMT +2 hours
Currency : Pula (P)
Language : Tswana, English
Getting Around
Rail & BusA single railway line runs from Ramatlabama on the South African border to Ramokgwebana on the Zimbabwean border. The main stops on this route are Lobatse, Gaborone, Mahalapye, Palapye, Serule and Francistown. Public transport is very limited. Bus and minibus services operate in the more populated areas, but service is generally unscheduled and run according to demand. As rail service is scheduled, it is a more reliable form of public transport.
Airports
Domestic air services operate between the major airports:
Gaborone Airport (GBE)
Francistown Airport (FRW)
Maun Airport (MUB)
Kasane (BBK)
There are a total of 92 runways in Botswana, of which only 12 are paved. Charter services can be arranged to reach remote areas. These tend to be very expensive, but are cheaper when booked through a tour operator.
Roads
There are 18,482 km of highways in Botswana, of which 4,343 km are paved. Road conditions in the reserves of Botswana are extremely rough and dusty, and the roads tend to be badly signposted. Four-wheel drive vehicles are essential as are considerable driving skills to negotiate these roads in the wild. Botswana is definitely not recommended as a self-drive destination. If you will be driving in Botswana, your home driving license is accepted, with an English translation if necessary. Driving is on the left side of the road. The national speed limit on tarred roads is 120 km/h and 60 km/h in towns and villages. Watch out for wildlife on the roads!
Passports and Visas
Entry Requirements(as at June 2000)
This is a guide only - please check with your nearest Botswana Consulate for up to date information. All visitors are required to carry a passport that is valid for six months beyond the intended length of stay. There should be sufficient blank pages for entry stamps upon arrival.
Nationals of the following countries do not require visas for a stay of less than 90 days: All Commonwealth Countries (except nationals of Ghana, Nigeria, Sri Lanka, Pakistan and Bangladesh, who do require a visa), Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Finland, France, German Federal Republic, Greece, Iceland, Republic of Ireland, Italy, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Namibia, Netherlands, Norway, Western Samoa, San Marino, Sweden, Switzerland, Uruguay, USA and Yugoslavia.
Where applicable, visas should be obtained from your nearest Botswana Consulate. The cost is Pula 25. Requirements for obtaining a visa are: photocopy of passport, original application form and two passport photos.
All visitors may be requested to show proof of sufficient funds and onward travel / return ticket.
General Accommodation Info
It is strongly recommended that you reserve all your accommodation as far in advance as possible, since most of the lodges in Botswana are very small and availability for most accommodation is at a premium. Lodges and safari camps are predominantly located in the Chobe, Moremi, Okavango and Tuli Block areas and range from tented sites, to established camps with permanently tented camps (often including an en suite bathroom with flush toilet), to chalets built from reeds or brick. Campsites at the national parks are very basic. One can expect flush toilets and open fireplaces at some of the campsites in Moremi and Chobe, but at most of the other parks, the sites are often just cleared spots. It is essential that campsites are booked in advance, as is entrance to the parks.When To Go
Botswana is an all year round wildlife destination. However there are certain seasons for special interest groups to take note of:
· Best birding months are Nov - March when the Delta is brimming with migratory birds.
· Best botanical months are Dec - May when the vegetation is lush and green, and also when most plants are in flower.
Botswana's popularity as a destination is gaining in leaps and bounds to the extent that seasonal differences are not as marked as in previous years. Traditionally, however, peak season is from July - October and middle season is from May - June. Note that availability is at a premium during these seasons so you will need to book well in advance.
There are several reasons for November to April being a less popular time for travel. This is the wet season and due to the abundance of water, it is less certain that one will see wildlife at perennial water holes. Also, the heavy rains can make dirt roads impassable.
Currency
The unit of currency is the Pula (P), which is divided into 100 thebe. Notes are in P5, P10, P20, P50 and P100. Coins are in denominations of 1, 5, 10, 25, 50 (thebe) and P1 & P2. (Pula also means rain or greeting in Tswana.)
Exchange Rate
Most visitors will find the exchange rate is in their favour. Generally, you will find that fine cuisine, wine, and entertainment cost a fraction of the tariff charged by equivalent establishments elsewhere in the world.
Banks
Banks in Maun & Kasane:
Mon - Fri 08h30 - 14h30
Sat 08h15 - 10h45
First National Bank, Maun:
Mon - Fri 09h00 - 12h45; 14h15 - 15h30
Sat 08h30 - 11h00
Standard Chartered Bank, Maun:
Mon, Tue, Thur, Fri 08h15 - 14h00
Wed 08h15 - 13h00
Sat 08h15 - 10h45
Major hotels have foreign exchange facilities and most shops, lodges and travel agencies will accept traveller's cheques.
Credit Cards
All major credit cards are accepted at hotels, shops and restaurants. However, please note that certain lodges and restaurants do not accept payment by Diners or American Express. Credit cards are not accepted at petrol filling stations.
