Winter:
May - October, days are dry, sunny and cool to warm
while evening temperatures drop sharply. Daytime temperatures generally
reach 20º C and can drop to as low as 5º C at night. Please note that
exceptionally cold spells can occur (although this is the exception
rather than the rule) so it is recommended to bring appropriate clothing,
just in case!
CLOTHING
Generally, casual comfortable clothing is suitable throughout
the year. The most practical items to pack for safari are: blouses
with long sleeves (even in summer, they will protect you from the
sun and from mosquito's), T-shirts, shorts or a light skirt jeans
or safari trousers for evenings and cooler days fleece or sweater
and a warm jacket for game drives (necessary, even in summer) comfortable
walking shoes sun block, sunglasses, hat, insect repellent - essentials!
Binoculars and a camera are a must track suit good for sleeping in
during winter months light, compact raincoat a good idea for the summer
swimsuit, as most hotels/lodges have swimming pools towel, torch and
sleeping bag for camping safaris (sleeping bags can be hired from
most safari operators)
Layers are most practical for the fluctuating day/night temperatures
of Botswana. Dull and/or neutral colours are more suitable for safari,
white is not practical.
VERY IMPORTANT:
Packing space is limited on all modes of safari transport
so you will need to restrict your luggage to 10-12kg (packed in a
soft bag) plus a reasonable amount of camera equipment.
COMMUNICATION
A direct international dialling service is available
from the major hotels and lodges in Kasane, Maun and Gaborone. Both
local and long distance calls are metered on a time basis and every
second counts in terms of cost. Major hotels and businesses have a
fax service. Remember that hotels levy a substantial surcharge on
all calls.
Lodges in the more remote areas of Botswana such as
the Okavango Delta do not have telephonic communication facilities.
The lodges are able to communicate with the outside world via two-way
radio.
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.
CURRENCY
The unit of currency is the Pula. Notes are in P5,
P10, P20, P50 and P100. Coins (Thebe) are in denominations of 1, 5,
10, 25, 50, P1 & P2.
ELECTRICITY
220/240 Volts AC, 50hz. Lodges in the more remote areas
of Botswana do not have electricity. These lodges generally rely on
generator power for lighting and refrigeration but this power only
runs at critical times of the day. Please be aware that you will not
find a plug socket in your room/tent at these lodges.
ENTRY REQUIREMENTS
Passports: Required by all. Passports must be valid
for 6 months beyond the intended length of stay and please ensure
that there are sufficient blank pages for any visas as well as for
entry stamps upon arrival. Visas: Updated in February 1998. This is
a guide only - please check with your nearest Botswana Consulate for
up to date information. It is the responsibility of all visitors to
Botswana to obtain all necessary visas in advance.
All nationals of foreign countries excluding the
following require visas:
All Commonwealth countries, except Ghana, Mauritius,
Nigeria, Sri Lanka, Pakistan and Bangladesh. Austria, Belgium, Denmark,
Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Iceland, Rep. of Ireland, Italy,
Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Namibia, Netherlands, Norway, Samoa (Western),
San Marino, South Africa, Sweden, Switzerland, Uruguay, USA.
Any visitor, whether visa exempted or not, wishing to
stay more than 90 days should apply for prior permission to the Chief
Immigration Officer in Gaborone, Botswana.
No visitor is permitted to work or seek employment.
General:
Visitors should have sufficient funds to support themselves
for a reasonable period after arrival and should be in possession
of a return ticket.
ETHNIC GROUPS
The main ethnic groups are the Batswana (descendants
of iron-age immigrants from Central West Africa), the Basarwa (San,
indigenous hunter-gatherers, pre iron-age), and the Herero (pastoralists).
Eighty percent of the population of Botswana are rural inhabitants.
EXCHANGE RATE
Is in your 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.
HEALTH REQUIREMENTS
It is imperative that you obtain Malaria Prophylactics
before entering Botswana. When purchasing these, please tell your
doctor or pharmacist that you intend visiting Botswana. Start your
course at least 24 hours before entering Botswana and continue taking
the pills for 6 weeks after leaving the country. If you suffer from
side effects, try taking your malaria prophylactics at night, after
dinner as this usually minimises the effect of the symptoms.
Precautionary measures that you can take to prevent
contact with mosquito's are: sleeping under a bed-net or in a room/tent
with mosquito proofing (remember to keep the flaps zipped at all times);
spraying your accommodation with insecticide; making use of a mosquito-repelling
lotion or stick; and wearing long-sleeve clothing, long trousers and
socks when outside at night.
Any person entering Botswana from, or via, a yellow
fever infected area must be in possession of a valid International
Certificate of Vaccination against yellow fever.
INSURANCE
We strongly recommend that you take out travel insurance
which includes curtailment and cancellation cover, upon confirming
your booking. If you are coming on safari with Afro Ventures, you
will automatically be covered by their Emergency Evacuation Insurance,
underwritten by Europe Assistance. This guarantees all reasonable,
practical assistance in obtaining primary and/or emergency medical
services for an insured person who suffers illness or injury. Please
note that this is an evacuation insurance only and does not replace
the normal travel insurance, which you must purchase.
LANGUAGES
Although the official language of Botswana is English,
most of the population also speak Setswana. Your safari will be conducted
in English.
MEDICAL SERVICES
Botswana does not have a national health welfare scheme.
It is therefore advisable to obtain medical insurance prior to arrival.
It is also wise to bring with you, any medicines which you may require
since you will not have access to pharmacies in most of the areas
which you will be visiting.
NATIONAL PARKS & WILDLIFE AREAS
Seventeen percent of Botswana has been given over to
National Parks and Game Reserves:
CENTRAL KALAHARI GAME RESERVE - (Now TRANS KALAHARI NATIONAL PARK),
CHOBE NATIONAL PARK, MOREMI WILDLIFE RESERVE & OKAVANGO REGION, MAKGADIKGADI
PANS GAME RESERVE, as well as other smaller reserves and parks.
PHOTOGRAPHY
Film is available at most game lodges, but stocks are
usually small and of the common sizes only. For game and bird photography
a telephoto lens of between 200 and 300mm is strongly recommended.
Larger lenses, which require a tripod, are generally impractical for
game photography from vehicles, as are double lens reflex cameras.
A lens hood and ultra violet filter are advisable and a dust cover
(plastic bag) is essential. Remember to bring spare batteries for
your camera, as these are seldom available on safari. Binoculars are
invaluable for bird and game viewing.
ROAD CONDITIONS
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.
TIPPING
Service is not usually included in the bill. Provided
the service is good, it is usual to tip porters, waiters, taxi drivers,
room attendants, golf caddies, game rangers and trackers. Generally
speaking, gratuities to waiters and taxi drivers should amount to
around 10% of the cost of the service. Porterage is usually P1.50
per bag, golf caddies usually around P20 a round, and your game ranger
P10 per person per day.
TOURISM SEASONS
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.
WATER
Throughout Botswana at hotels, inns, lodges and other
public places, tap water is purified and safe to drink. Please remember
that water is a scarce resource, especially in a drought-stricken
area such as Botswana so please be respectful and help us to conserve
water.
