Botswana salt pans - budget

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.

VISAS – to be arranged by you with the assistance of specialist visa agents or your local embassy

First, we strongly recommend travelling with a passport with a validity of at least six months - some countries may require more. Second, make sure your passport has blank/unused pages, as some countries use a full page for their arrival and departure visa stamps.

Currency: 
Local currency: Pula (BWP) 
Symbol: P 
ISO code: BWP 
Central bank: Bank of Botswana 
Subunit: Thebe 
Banknotes: P100, P50, P20, P10 
Coins: P5, P2, P1; T50, T25, T10, T5 

Banking: 
Card Transactions: Yes 
ATMs: Yes 
Mastercard: Generally, no 
Visa: Yes 
American Express: Generally, no  
Diner’s club: Generally, no 
 
Banking Hours: 
Weekdays: 08h00 or 09h00 – 16h15 or 17h15 

Weekends: 08h00 or 09h00 – 10h45 or 12h00  

Public Holidays: No 

Foreign exchange services: Yes 

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 

Africa is no different to the rest of the world. If you plan to spend time in a city, take precautions as you would in your home country. Petty theft is common in cities, but physical attacks on tourists are very rare.

Safety tips for cities:

* Don't wander around the streets after dark.

* Ask your hotel about unsafe areas if any and avoid them.

* Leave very expensive jewellery at home and wear a cheap plastic watch.

* Don't carry cameras and video cameras when unnecessary

* Keep your money and passport in a money belt and out of sight or in a safe at your hotel.

* Dress like a local or at least dress casually.

* Use your cell phone discreetly

Our final comment regarding crime and safety: you will spend most of your African holiday in a relatively remote and wild area where crime of any sort is extremely rare, if not non-existent.

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.

Annual rainfall: 475 mm  
Average temperature: 27°C 
 
Summer: 
Average in highs: 31°C 
Average in lows: 20°C 
 
Winter: 
Average in highs: 23°C 
Average in lows: 22°C 
 
Best time to visit: It’s best to visit Botswana between April and September – the dry winter months. At this time, animals usually stay close to their water sources, increasing your chances of seeing them.  

Spring and Summer 
Cool, light, breathable and comfortable: Yes 
Lightweight warm clothes: Yes 
 
Winter and Autumn 
Jerseys, cardigans, sweaters, jackets: Yes 
Heavyweight clothing and boots: Yes 
 
General 
Umbrella and raincoat: Yes 
Warm gloves, hat and scarf: Yes 
Swimming costume (bathing suit): Yes 
Hat, sunglasses and sunblock: Yes 
Walking shoes: Yes 
Casual: Yes 
Smart-casual attire: Yes 

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 

Travel Insurance: It is vital that you acquire adequate travel insurance. We strongly suggest you purchase one whenever traveling anywhere in East Africa, as medical services are basic even in the capitals and one should think about returning home if serious medical assistance is required. Should you be uninsured at present, please make sure that you have proper cover before you travel. This can be arranged easily through your travel agent, your insurance broker or your bank. The policy should have provision for emergency repatriation to your country of residence (by air ambulance if necessary), and a 24-hour emergency telephone number should be provided; make sure your guide has such numbers too.

Should you want to make a claim on your insurance, you will need documentation with which to substantiate it. Generally, the more documentation you have, the faster your claim will be processed. All claims should be notified to the insurance company as soon as possible after your return.

Travel insurance can be very handy to avert a number of potentially threatening scenarios to the smooth and enjoyable course of your trip. As the ditty goes...nothing beats expecting the unexpected.

Make sure you read and understand your insurance policy carefully to determine the exact extent of cover provided. In the event of a claim being filed make sure you retain all original and relevant documents and send copies of statements, affidavits, etc. with the completed claims form.

Keep photocopies of all your important documents and pack them in different places; preferably carry a set of these on you at all times.

In case of any of the following events happening, you will need to notify your travel insurer as follows:

For lost, damaged or delayed baggage: a copy of your notification in writing to the carrier concerned (the form should be completed by you before leaving the airport) together with a copy of their written report. Additionally, the loss or damage should be notified (again in writing) to the airline’s main office.

For loss of money, travellers’ cheques and items of value: You should report all missing items to the police within 24 hours of discovery of loss, and obtain a written police report. Keep all evidence of money changed either in Europe or in Tanzania and a separate note of any travellers’ cheques numbers (travellers’ cheques are usually refundable by the company which issued them). Please note that even the best travel insurance policies will cover a cash loss of only $1000 or less. Items of particular value, such as jewellery, more expensive cameras, video equipment etc. should be separately insured before you go. Your household contents insurance can often be extended to cover these items.

For medical expenses: Any doctor’s, dentist’s or hospital prescriptions, bills, receipts or receipted accounts, and a certificate showing the nature of the illness or sickness. If possible, a written report from the doctor, dentist or hospital involved.

For travel delay: A written report from the airline stating length of delay and its cause. For interruption of travel services: A written report from the carrier concerned.

Credit Card Insurance: Some credit card companies give you automatic travel accident insurance free of charge if you have used their card to pay for part or all of your holiday cost.

In many cases the cover provided is not as comprehensive in terms of medical expenses, loss of baggage, money, or cancellation charges etc., as policies that you can buy separately. Should you have no travel insurance, we strongly advise you to check with your credit card company as to the exact extent of the cover that they provide.