Camille's Okavango Delta trip

Situated in the southern reaches of Africa, Botswana is renowned for its pristine wilderness areas characterised by deep lagoons, wetlands, lush palms, rugged hills and desert plains. The country’s primary tourist drawcard is undoubtedly the vast red expanse of the Kalahari Desert and its remarkably beautiful Okavango Delta, the largest inland delta in the world. These natural wonders provide a tranquil haven for an abundance of African wildlife to thrive. Other highlights include the impressive Makgadikgadi Salt Pans, where visitors are privy to massive zebra migrations during the flood season; the Savuti plains, which host a significant pride of lions; and the Tsodilo Hills, where 4500 rock paintings form a unique record of human settlement over many millennia.

ENTERING BOTSWANA

You do NOT require a visa to enter Botswana if you are a citizen of -

· USA

· Canada

· Australia

· United Kingdom

· any of the EU countries

If you are a citizen of another country, please check THIS LIST to determine if you need a visa before you enter.

In all cases, ALL visitors are required to have a passport which is valid for at least six months beyond your intended departure date from Botswana.

In all instances, ALL visitors must ensure there are TWO successive blank pages in their passport per country to be visited.

Visitors traveling through South Africa, to and from Botswana, should be advised that the passports of ALL travellers to South Africa must contain at least TWO blank consecutive (unstamped) visa pages each time entry to South Africa is requested; these pages are IN ADDITION to the endorsement/amendment pages at the back of the passport.

Minors travelling through Botswana’s borders are required to produce certified copies of unabridged birth certificates in addition to their valid passports. In the event that one parent is not travelling with the child, the other parent’s affidavit consenting to such travel should be presented. However, an affidavit will not be required if the father’s name does not appear on the child’s birth certificate.

CURRENCY & CREDIT CARDS

The currency in Botswana is the Pula (P), which is made up of 100 Thebe.

Generally however, there is no real reason to exchange money in Botswana.

Credit Cards

As in most African countries, Visa and MasterCard are usually accepted throughout Botswana. American Express and Diners Club are frequently NOT accepted at all.

Be sure to ask your bank about a Visa or MasterCard with no foreign transaction fees!

Debit cards are not acknowledged.

TIPPING

Although not compulsory, if you are happy with the level of service provided, it is customary to tip guides, drivers, and support staff, and it is appropriate to do so in US$ or South African Rand (ZAR). You may also use these two currencies for local purchases.

General Guidelines for Tipping

· Ranger/ Guide - $20 per couple per day

· Tracker or Mokoro Paddler - $11 per couple per day

· Butler - $15 per couple per day

· Camp Staff - $15 per couple per day

· Transfer Drivers - $5 per transfer

· Porters - $1 per bag

· Restaurants - 10-15% of the bill

Whilst it is not encouraged to carry enormous quantities of cash, visitors should be aware that facilities for exchanging or drawing any type of currencies are restricted to the bigger towns and the cities.

NOTE: US dollars dated 2006 or earlier are NOT accepted in Botswana.

Air:
Airports in major cities  
Main airlines: Mack Air and Kalahari Air  
International Airports: In major cities

Road:
Tar roads: Yes
Gravel roads: Yes
Valid International Drivers License needed: Yes, if your national licence is not in English. If your national licence is in English, you may use it for up to 6 months.  
Car hire available: Yes
Taxis: Yes
Uber available: No, but similar services

Bus: 
Inter-city bus services: No 
Local city bus networks: No 
 
Rail: 
Railway system: Yes, overnight train from Francistown to Gaborone to Lobatse. 
Subway System: No 
 
Water: 
Ferries: No 
Water taxis: No 
Leisure cruises: No 

VACCINATIONS & GENERAL HEALTH INFORMATION

Malaria

Since there is malaria in many parts of Botswana, it is strongly recommended you obtain anti-malaria medication before entering the country. To obtain a prescription, consult your own medical doctor or health authority prior to departure. Currently, the most commonly prescribed anti-malarial tablet is Malarone. Your primary-care physician will be able to offer the best advice.

Vaccinations

If you are traveling from a country with a risk of yellow fever, upon your arrival the government of Botswana requires proof of a yellow fever inoculation. USA, Canada, Australia, United Kingdom, and the EU, do NOT fall into this category, BUT, if you have travelled or transited through countries where yellow fever is apparent, you will be required to provide a Yellow Fever certificate. A list of yellow fever risk countries may be viewed HERE. The yellow fever vaccination is valid for ten years, and must be administered no later than ten days prior to departure.

NOTE: should you fall into the yellow fever risk category, you are required to travel with your Yellow Fever certificate/card.

Water

All safari camps and lodges supply clean (bottled or filtered) water for their guests. Do however always check with the camp/lodge staff if it safe to brush your teeth with the tap water.

Medication

Pack your own basic medications for headaches and hay fever for instance, as well as for any other minor afflictions, and/or travel-related maladies. You must pack sufficient supplies of prescription/chronic medication for the entire duration of your trip.

Food and water safety:  
Can you drink the tap water: Yes within major cities 
Fresh fruit and veg: Yes within major cities 
Ice: Yes within major cities 
Meat: Yes within major cities 
Street food: Yes within major cities 
 
Local cuisine: Food centres around meat such as goat, beef, chicken and fresh water fish, and a maize meal known locally as “pap”.  Adventurous culinary enthusiasts may want to try the traditional speciality of Mopane Worms, while those with a sweet tooth should make sure to sample the local Kalahari Truffles (made as a dessert) and unusual fruit called Marula. It is believed that watermelon originated here.  

Drinks:  Bojalwaja Setswana (the beer of Botswana) - created using fermented sorghum seeds.  

Tipping: 10%, usually added to the bill at restaurants. It is also customary to tip game drivers and guides.

THE WEATHER in BOTSWANA

Summer is from November until the end of March, and usually brings very high temperatures. It is also the rainy season, and cloud coverage and rain can cool things down, 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.

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.

LUGGAGE SPECIFICATIONS & RESTRICTIONS

The most common mode of transport between the camps in Botswana is a light aircraft such as a Cessna Caravan. Your total luggage weight (INCLUDING carry-on hand luggage), should NOT exceed 20kg/44lbs.

Should you need to bring additional luggage in excess of your allowance, you may have the option of buying an extra seat, which will allow you a further 70kg/154lbs.

The additional cost of this varies depending on your flight schedule, please contact your consultant well in advance of travel for further details.

NOTE: should you have a multi-country or multi-camp itinerary, please check your total luggage weight complies with restrictions for ALL of your destinations pre-Botswana, as well as for onward travel.

WHAT to PACK for BOTSWANA

Whilst muted colours are recommended for a safari holiday, there is no need to purchase serious safari gear for your visit to Botswana. It is quite acceptable to wear jeans with a comfortable neutral-coloured shirt, with the emphasis on comfort and ease.

Must Haves

· A good wide-brimmed sun hat – for the intense African sun

· A bandana - for the dusty, dry regions

· Comfortable sneakers, tennis shoes - you do not need specilized hiking shoes for bush walks

· Sandals – flip-flops for around the camp

· Golf shirts or T-shirts

· Long-sleeved cotton shirts – to provide protection from sun as well as from mosquitos in the evenings

· Shorts - note that short skirts are not practical and not recommended

· A sport bra - for bumpy game drives

· A micro-fibre zippered jacket and light rain gear - for rainy summer months

· Swimwear - whilst at all times respecting modesty of local custom.

· Warm fleece, anorak, scarf, gloves and beanie - for morning and evening game drives, for the winter months, and for higher altitudes, where it can be cool even in summer.

A Detailed List of the Most Practical Items to Pack

· Khaki, green, beige, neutral colours

· Shirts with long sleeves

· T-shirts

· Shorts or light skirt (not short)

· Jeans or safari trousers for evenings and cool days

· Wind-proof warm jacket

· Light sweater/jumper

· Lightweight water-proof jacket

· Swimwear

· Comfortable walking shoes

· Socks & underwear

· Personal toiletries

· Sun block, after-sun gel, moisturiser, lip salve/balm

· Strong insect repellent

· Hat and sunglasses

· Binoculars and camera equipment (dustproof bag for accessories)

LAUNDRY

Laundry can be done at most camps. At many of the camps and lodges, this service is complimentary, but there may be a nominal charge at other establishments. Depending on prevailing local traditions in the country, the staff at some camps will not wash underwear or intimate apparel.

It is totally acceptable to wear the same outfit more than once while on safari, there is no need to be a fashionista in the bush!

Internet cafes: Yes in cities 
Accommodation options: Yes 
Restaurants: Yes in cities 
Cafes: Yes in cities 
Shopping malls: Yes 
Public parks: No 
Libraries: Yes in cities 

POWER in BOTSWANA

Camps and lodges in Botswana are situated in remote areas and generate their own electricity - either by solar power or by diesel generator. These power sources in turn charge banks of batteries known as an inverter system, which then provides 220Volt power in each tented room for lighting and ceiling fans.

Hairdryers & Electric Shavers

It is very often not possible to use appliances such as hairdryers or electric shavers in tented rooms at the camps/lodges, as they have low-wattage fuses which will trip the power. You will however be able to charge your equipment in a designated area in the camp - either in your room, or in a central charging station in the common areas.

Most camps have adapters for your use, but if you would like to purchase one prior to departure, the most commonly found plug/socket type in Botswana is the ‘M’ (shown below), the ‘D’ (shown further below), and the less commonly used ‘G’ (shown furthest below), which utlises the universal plug adapters WA-10L, WA-10, and WA-7 respectively.

E-CONNECTIVITY

Mobile telephone services are usually available in urban areas. Although there are currently efforts to provide nationwide mobile coverage, the cell/mobile network can be unreliable and/or non-existent in some parts. Internet and wireless capability is available in the bigger centres. However, the more remote the location, the less accessible it becomes. Only some of the isolated lodges and camps do have Internet capability, but some areas have no Wi-Fi at all. If available, Internet usage is ordinarily charged for and can be expensive.