Botswana Guide
GEOGRAPHY
The major geographic feature of Botswana is the Kalahari Desert - a sand-filled basin that sits around 1,100 metres above sea level. However the reason of its success as tourist destination is the area around the Chobe River that runs along part of its northern boundary, and the Okavango Delta where it is possible to enjoy the most spectacular safaris in the world.
Botswana is bordered by Zambia and Zimbabwe to the northeast, Namibia to the north and west, and South Africa to the south and southeast. At Kazungula, four countries - Botswana, Zimbabwe, Zambia and Namibia - meet at a single point mid-stream in the Zambezi River. Botswana covers an area approximately the same size as France, and 84% of this area is covered by the the Kalahari Desert, which extends far beyond Botswana's western borders, covering substantial parts of South Africa, Namibia and Angola. In the north-west, the Okavango River flows in from the highlands of Angola and soaks into the sands, forming a large network of water channels, lagoons, swamps and islands. The Okavango is the largest inland delta system in the world.
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 the summer months from November to March . Rainfall tends to be erratic, unpredictable and highly regional. 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 winter season begins in May and ends in August. This is also the dry season when there is virtually no rain. Winter days are invariably sunny and cool or 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.
Summer days are hot, especially in the weeks that precede the coming of the cooling rains, and shade temperatures rise to the 38°C mark and higher, reaching a blistering 44°C on rare occasions. Winters are clear-skied and bone-dry, the air seductively warm during the daylight hours but, because there is no cloud cover, cold at night and in the early mornings.
The best time to visit is between April and October, in terms of both the weather and the game viewing. It is during this period that the wildlife of the great spaces gather around what water there is - the natural waterholes and the borehole-fed dams - and are at their most visible.
ATTRACTIONS
Botswana is one of the finest tourist destinations on the African continent. There is a big variety of landscape, wildlife and vegetation in Botswana. However it is the Okavango Delta and Moremi Game Reserve that will attract most visitors for their unforgettable beauty.
In the lush indigenous forests more than 400 species of birds have been recorded, as well as lions, elephants, hyenas, wild dog, buffalo, hippo and crocodiles, antelope, warthog, mongoose, spotted genets, monkeys, bushbabies and tree squirrels. The Okavango forms an immense and wondrous inland delta of lagoon and labyrinthine channel, palm-fringed island and fertile floodplain. This wilderness offers the visitors game-views, bird-watching and the exploration of places among the most hidden and unspoiled on Earth.
PARKS AND RESERVES
Over 17% of Botswana's land area has been turned into national parks and game reserves, within which areas have been set aside in which visitors may camp. Many of these areas have only the most basic of facilities or are completely undeveloped, whilst other areas have formal ablution blocks. Although the national road networks between main centres are in excellent condition, many of the access tracks that lead to the parks and reserves, and many of the tracks within the protected areas, are rough and sandy, requiring the use of a 4x4 vehicle.
Access to the parks and reserves has been limited in order to ensure that visitors have an enjoyable experience and can feel the wilderness atmosphere. Because of this, advance bookings for campsites are essential.
Botswana is well known for its diverse range of wildlife. Most of the major African game species can be found, along with a number of species that are endemic to the region. Compared to the rest of Africa the game has been well protected from poaching. The statistical picture reveals that the country is home to 164 species of mammals, 157 of reptile, 80 of fish, 550 of bird and innumerable different kinds of insects.
MONEY
Botswana's unit of currency is the Pula (P), which is divided into 100 Thebe (t). Major credit cards, including Visa, MasterCard, American Express and Diners Club are accepted widely. Most hotels and lodges accept foreign currency or travellers' cheques, and there are also exchange bureaus at major border posts. Credit card cash advances are available in major cities through First National Bank, Barclays Bank or Standard Chartered Bank. Cash transfers are easiest through Western Union money transfer.
HEALTH
Botswana is not a risky place to visit from a health perspective. Botswana requires no inoculations except for visitors from yellow fever zones. The health system is very efficient and tourists in need can use one of the many hospitals or clinics around the country.
SAFETY
Botswana remains a relatively safe place to visit, however there are a few incidences 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.
CULTURE
The history of Botswana is characterised by migrations of peoples into the country from the north and west and particularly from the east and south, as well as internal movements of groups of people. The group which eventually emerged as most numerous, and dominant, were the Batswana. Their pattern of dividing and migrating saw the formation of numerous Tswana tribes, and their eventual occupation of all areas of the country. The term "Batswana" refers to the ethnic group of people who speak the Setswana language and share the Sotho-Tswana culture, while in its common contemporary usage, it refers to all citizens of the Republic of Botswana, regardless of their ethnic background. The singular is "Motswana": a citizen of the country. "Tswana" is used as an adjective - for example "Tswana state" or "Tswana culture".
ENTRY 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 that 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.
GETTING THERE
The best gateway to enter Botswana is via Johannesburg International Airport with regular connections throughout the 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.
