Southern Africa Escapades 3 to 5 Star (4 Days) – Module Three SAE4DA

This Update: July 2021

AN OVERVIEW

One of the most interesting things about Zambia is that it is the 39th largest country in the world and one third of the country is dedicated to National Parks. It shares both Victoria Falls, also known as Mosi-oa-Tunya, the Smoke that Thunders, and Lake Kariba - the world's largest man-made lake and reservoir by volume, with Zimbabwe. The mighty Zambezi River is the source of both these dramatic water landscapes. It is the wildlife and the wild landscapes for which Zambia is most famous, and justly so. Once you have seen them, you will never forget them. The country boasts approximately 12,505 identified species – 63% of which are animal species, and 33%, plant species. It would be true to say that the North Luangwa, South Luangwa and Kafue National Parks have one of the most prolific animal populations in Africa and the beauty of the parks is almost unmatched by any other park in Southern Africa.

Zambia itself was named after the river. Which is not surprising when you consider that it is the fourth longest river in Africa after the Nile, Congo, and Niger Rivers. The Kafue River forms the border with the DRC (Democratic Republic of the Congo). Zambia is landlocked with DRC, Angola, Namibia, Botswana, Zimbabwe, Mozambique, Malawi, and Tanzania as its neighbours.

Zambia is one of the most highly urbanised countries in sub-Saharan Africa, with the majority of the 73 distinct ethnic groups living mainly around Lusaka in the south and the Copperbelt Province to the north. Both are considered the country’s core economic hubs. Apart from vast copper and other mineral reserves, Zambia has abundant natural resources such as wildlife, forestry, freshwater and arable land. In 2010, the World Bank named Zambia one of the world's fastest economically reformed countries.

It is however still a developing country. Historically, Zambia was the site of a number of large African Kingdoms in the past and was a hub of international trade routes including China, long before the Europeans arrived in the late 18th century. One of the most famous, and still respected in Zambia, was David Livingstone, the Scottish explorer and missionary, who was the first European to ‘discover’ Victoria Falls. He named them after the then Queen of England.

There are 10 provinces in Zambia; Central Province, the Copperbelt, Eastern Province, Luapula, Lusaka, Muchinga, North-Western Province, Northern Province, Southern Province, and the Western Province. With 73 ethnic groups, there is also a myriad of traditional ceremonies that take place every year.

Football, rugby union, cricket and boxing are Zambia’s favourite sports. And apart from traditional music, Zamrock, a musical genre that emerged in the 1970s, has developed a cult following in the West. 

SPECIAL MENTION: South African Rules on Travelling with Minor Children which apply when transiting through South Africa to and from Zambia

The new rules regarding travel to South Africa with minor children:

http://www.dha.gov.za/index.php/statements-speeches/621-advisory-new-requirements-for-children-travelling-through-south-african-ports-of-entry-effective-1-june-2015

Whether a child needs to present their birth certificate when visiting or departing from South Africa depends on the child’s nationality:

• South African children traveling on a South African passport do need to carry their unabridged birth certificate to enter the country
• Foreign visa-exempt children will no longer need to present their birth certificate nor parental consent letters
• Foreign visa-required children will have their birth certificate processed during their visa application, and no longer have to produce the document for inspection at the airport upon arrival

Several years ago unabridged birth certificates were introduced as a travel requirement for minors arriving in South Africa in 2015. This document was initially required to help prevent child trafficking.

However, on Friday, November 8th, 2019, South African government officials announced that birth certificates and consent letters are no longer required for foreign children traveling with their parents to enter the country.

The birth certificate requirement for South Africa is eliminated when children visit the country with their mother and father carrying a valid passport on which the child’s parents are registered as such.

Currency
Zambia’s currency is the Kwacha (ZMW). One Kwacha is made up of 100 ngwee (pronounced ing-gwhé) but steady inflation has made the ngwee (and lower denominations of kwacha) virtually worthless. While the coins still exist, they are basically redundant. Zambian Kwacha notes currently come in the following denominations:  50 000, 20 000, 10 000, 5000, 1000, 500, 100, and 50.

The Banks of Zambia
There are 19 international and local banks in Zambia. International banks include Standard Chartered Bank, Barclays (Absa), Stanbic Bank, Ecobank, and Indo Zambia Bank. The top local banks are Investrust Bank, First Alliance Bank, and Access Bank.

Credit and Debit Cards
Be sure to inform your bank of your travel plans so that your card is not blocked due to suspected fraud. Importantly, Visa is preferred to Mastercard. Most places won’t accept other cards such as Diners’ Club and American Express. Credit and debit cards are accepted at most hotels, restaurants, travel agencies as well the bigger shops, prominent stores, major supermarkets. Bigger banks will usually advance local currency against a credit card. We suggest only transacting with the international banks during your stay.

There seem to be two schools of thought when it comes to travellers’ cheques. According to some sources, they are widely accepted, but not commonly used. Other sources say that very few places accept travellers’ cheques. So few apparently, that it really isn’t worth the trouble bringing travellers’ cheques with you. If you do choose to bring them, we suggest having a credit card as well just in case. To avoid additional exchange rate charges, make sure your travellers’ cheques are in US dollars, Euros or Pounds.

ATM Withdrawals and Cash
ATMs are available within Lusaka, Livingstone and other major towns in Zambia. Most banks have ATM’s which accept Visa cards for cash.

As with most African countries, cash is king and if you’re carrying US dollars, smaller denominations are preferable ($1, $5, $10 and $20 bills). Larger notes are the most often forged and, as a result, vendors are suspicious of them. There is no limit to the importation of foreign currency, but if you do bring cash into Zambia, any amount over $5000 must be declared on arrival.

By law, payments within Zambia can only be made in Kwachas, even if the price is quoted in USD. Indeed, prices for visas at the border, import taxes, and national park fees are all quoted in US dollars, which can be confusing considering the aforementioned law. According to some sources, US dollars are widely accepted by many of the larger hotels, lodges and tour operators. It’s always best to enter the country with the required amount of Kwacha for your trip, or else bring USD or GBP with you as they can always be exchanged at the banks. As mentioned above, it’s best to transact only with international banks.

If you’re on an all-inclusive tour, most expenses will be taken care of anyway, and any tips or sundries can be paid for in dollars. If you’re self-driving, carry enough cash in both currencies. Purchasing fuel is almost always a cash-only transaction, and often only payable in Kwacha.

Banking Hours
Banks in Zambia are found in all medium to large towns. They are open for business on weekdays from 08h15 to 15h30. On Saturdays, they are open from 08h15 to 11h30. They are closed on Sundays and Public Holidays.

Travelling around Zambia is relatively easy by air, road and rail.

By Air
There are a number of airports in Zambia. The 4 which take international flights are Lusaka Airport, also known as the Kenneth Kaunda International Airport, not to be confused with the Lusaka City Airport. The Livingstone Airport is known as the Harry Mwanga Nkumbula International Airport, the Simon Mwansa Kapwepwe International Airport is the main airport in Ndola on the Copperbelt. The Copperbelt town of Kitwe also boasts the Southdowns Airport.

If you are needing internal flights, Proflight flies from Lusaka to Mfuwe (South Luangwa), Livingstone, and the Copperbelt and also does charters. Various other air charter companies will fly to any of the many airstrips around the country and most of the areas worth visiting are accessible by air. 

By Road
There are many car hire companies in Lusaka, Ndola, Kitwe and Livingstone, offering a range of vehicles. Some offer a flat weekly rate, but most charge a daily rate plus mileage, insurance and petrol. You can also hire a chauffeur.

If you are driving yourself around Zambia, the most important thing to remember is - TRAFFIC DRIVES ON THE LEFT side of the road. An International Drivers Licence is essential. Drivers licences from other countries are NOT valid except those from SADC countries (Angola, Botswana, Comoros, Democratic Republic of Congo, Eswatini, Lesotho, Madagascar, Malawi, Mauritius, Mozambique, Namibia, Seychelles, South Africa, Tanzania, Zambia and Zimbabwe). To bring a vehicle into Zambia you must obtain a temporary import permit (TIP) or, depending on the country of origin of the vehicle, a carnet de passage. If you aren’t the owner of the vehicle, you must have a letter of authorisation from the owner to use the vehicle in Zambia – an affidavit is a good idea. Check with your local AA (Automobile Association) office before leaving for Zambia in case any of these conditions have changed. Be sure to have all your vehicle papers on hand as you’re bound to encounter a few roadblocks and if you ever need to stop, pull well off the road.

There is a saying which goes, ‘Once you cross the Limpopo, you are in AFRICA. And the further north you go, the more Africa it becomes’. And while you don’t leave civilization as you know it behind completely, you should assume that you are and take the necessary precautions. Road trips are a prime example.

Zambia has 38,763 kms of roads, about 10,000 kms are tarred and another 8000 kms are all weather gravel roads. The rest range from reasonable to bad dirt roads. The gravel roads on the minor routes are fine to drive without a four by four. If you are planning an around the country road trip there are wonderful, but remote places which would require four-wheel drive vehicles.

Prepare well for your road trip. Road maps are available in Lusaka from the Map Centre in Nationalist Road or the Tourist Board in Lusaka Square, Cairo Road. While many of the villages along the main routes offer tyre mending services at a very reasonable fee, it’s always best to have a range of tools and essential spares with you. Apart from road maps, two spare wheels and a couple of spare tubes are a must due to the condition of the roads. A tow rope, compressor, winch, spotlight, and spare jerry cans of fuel and water are useful items to have. Spare fuel is essential as while both petrol and diesel are easily obtainable in major towns, remote areas can experience shortages. The further away you go from towns, fuel becomes more expensive. Unleaded petrol is available at most stations. 

Be careful, especially when travelling at night. Road markings are usually non-existent. Watch out for animals in the road, vehicles without lights, pedestrians, unannounced roadworks, bad drivers and broken-down trucks with no warning triangles. If you see a tree branch in the road, slow down immediately – these are improvised warning triangles. Never leave a car with anything visible in it anywhere in Zambia, especially the cities. Make sure you have an alarm system or steering wheel locking device. Stick to the speed limits when driving in Zambia; 65 km/h on a public road within an urban area, 100 km/h on both secondary roads and highways. The best policy when travelling on a highway or a secondary road and you are passing through a village is to slow down to 65 kms per hour or less.

Carry enough cash in both Kwacha and US Dollars. Purchasing fuel is almost always a cash-only transaction, and often only payable in Kwacha.

By Public Transport
Long-range buses frequently leave from Lusaka to all the main towns. The intercity bus terminal can be found one road up from Cairo Road at the station. Minibuses and taxis, local transport – all painted blue – can be jumped on at pretty much any juncture. They’re not expensive and you can always find a minibus that won’t cost too much to buy all the seats in it to get your own private minibus to wherever you want to go but you’ll have to negotiate, so be sharp about the value of money. There are many long-distance taxis available with negotiable prices. They travel to Chipata, Livingstone, the Copperbelt and Harare in Zimbabwe. Remember what we said about being north of the Limpopo? Long-distance taxis don’t always follow strict schedules. The main bus terminus is in Dedan Kimathi Road in Lusaka where one can inquire about timetables. Other private bus companies offer more reliable services to Livingstone, Harare in Zimbabwe and Johannesburg, South Africa.

By Rail
Zambia has three main internal train lines; Livingstone to Lusaka, Lusaka to the Copperbelt, and Kapiri Mposhi to the Northern border with Tanzania. The main train station is in Dedan Kamathi Rd in central Lusaka, one road east of Cairo Rd. The Zambezi Express leaves Livingstone on Sundays, Tuesdays and Thursdays at 14h30, arriving in Lusaka at 11h00 the next morning! The name is a misnomer as it takes 18 hours to travel 570kms. But, everyone else will be catching the bus! This means you may have all of first class to yourself. Fares are very reasonable and although the trains are a little shabby, the linen is clean.

For about US$10 you have a bed for the night and can see a bit of the real Zambia along the way. Make sure to book a first-class family compartment. You must take all your own food, as well as drinking and washing water. It leaves Lusaka on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays at 19h30 and arrives in Livingstone at 6h10. Approximately.

Cooked porridge made from maize (corn) meal is ubiquitous in Southern Africa. In each country it is called something different. In South Africa, it’s called pap (pronounced ‘pup’). In Zimbabwe, sadza. In Zambia, it’s known as nshima. For breakfast it is served as a thin mixture and eaten with sugar, possibly butter, and milk. Depending on taste, peanut butter can also be added. When eaten with lunch or dinner it is cooked to the consistency of stiff mashed potatoes, and will usually be served with a tasty relish, perhaps made of meat and tomatoes, or dried fish. Safari camps will prepare nshima if guests specifically request it. At safari camps, and in hotels and lodges catering to overseas visitors the food is famously of a high international standard, no matter how remote the camp.

If you are adventurous, you may want to try the local opaque beer. For less affluent Zambians this is the usual tipple. It is often called Chibuku, or Shake-Shake after the market-leading brands. This is the commercial version of traditional beer. Even though it’s the commercial version, it’s called Shake-Shake for a reason. You have to shake it before opening it. If it isn’t in an official 1L carton with the brand packaging of Chibuku, Chinika, Golden, Chipolopolo or Mukango, then the opaque beer has probably been brewed by the restaurant or bar. Traditional opaque beer changes flavour as it ferments. ‘Fresh beer’ is newly made, while ‘Strong beer’ has fermented for a longer period. We strongly advise that you don’t join in the local custom of buying a bucket and passing it around the circle of drinkers, all of whom will drink from the same bucket. So, what is Chibuku? It's a sour, porridge-like brew, and is an acquired taste. Chibuku can also be found in Zimbabwe and South Africa. Another traditional beer is Kachasu. No matter how adventurous you are do not drink this. It is illegal and can damage your liver and kidneys. If you are caught drinking it, you may be arrested.

If opaque beer isn’t your ‘thing’, you’ll be glad to know that clear beers, similar to European and American lagers are sold in all Southern African countries, including Zambia. They are always served cold and are widely available. Three of them are Mosi (named after Mosi-au-tunya – the local name for Victoria Falls,) Castle and Rhino. Imported lagers such as Windhoek, Holsten and Amstel are also available and will cost almost double the price of the local beers. There is one craft brewery in Zambia which makes Dr. Livingstone's Lager, Zikomo Copper Ale, Safari Stout, and Baobab White - brewed from the baobab tree fruit. All beer produced in Zambia and available in glass bottles have a deposit on its bottles. Because of the deposit system you may not be able to buy bottles of soft drinks in rural areas unless you can also supply “empties” as well. The most common soft drink is Coca-Cola, otherwise choice is limited and don’t count on finding any diet soft drinks.

Cigarettes, snuff and loose tobacco is widely available especially in the markets. The most popular cigarette brand is Peter Stuyvesant, affectionately called as 'Peters'. Do not under any circumstances purchase or try marijuana, also known as mbanje or dagga. It is illegal. If you are arrested there is no bail, and the penalty is five years in prison with hard labour. You do not want to go to jail in Africa.

Water in the main towns is usually purified, provided there are no shortages of chlorine, breakdowns, or other mishaps. If you are in the country for a long time, then it may be worth acclimatising yourself to it. However, if you are in Zambia for just a few weeks, stick with bottled, or boiled water. Most of the camps and lodges in the bush use water from bore-holes. These underground sources vary in quality, but the water is usually safe to drink as the sources are normally free from bugs. Because it is bore-hole water the taste will vary. If you are unsure whether it is safe to drink, ask advice from the lodge managers.

The closer you get to the equator, the fewer seasons there are. In Zimbabwe there are really only two, at a push 3. And they’re not known as Summer and Winter. They are the cool and dry season from May to August, the hot and dry season from September to November, and the warm and wet season from December to April. Most Zambians would say there were only two seasons – the dry and the wet, with, occasionally, a period of ‘exceptionally hot’ before the rains start.  Because Zambia is quite high, it has a more pleasant climate than most tropical countries usually experience. Most of the country is humid subtropical. The south-west has a more semi-arid or steppe climate.

The Cool Dry Season (May, June, July and August)
This is as close to winter as Zambia gets, with temperatures between 6 – 26oC. During the cool dry season, sheltered places can have frost on cloudless nights; an odd contrast with the fact that as the countryside dries up grass fires are a common feature, especially as they are fanned by high winds.

The Hot Dry Season (September, October and November)
The build-up to the rains can force temperatures up to extreme temperatures, especially in October and range between 17 and 35oC. In both Zambia and Zimbabwe, October is known as ‘suicide month’. It is the month that worries large scale farmers the most. If the rains are late, they might be ruined. A very tense time made more so by the fact that one can see the clouds build up dramatically, and then, at the last moment be driven away by the winds or simply dissolve on their own leaving nothing but a vacant, blue sky. In October, the Zambezi and Luangwa valleys endure excessive heat.

The Warm Wet season (December, January, February, March and April)
Between December to April, the Zambezi and Luangwa valleys endure a high humidity. In the warm wet season, frequent heavy showers and thunderstorms occur in the afternoons, followed by bright sunshine, especially on the Copperbelt. Temperatures range from 14 to 30oC. It’s a season of spectacular vegetation growth. The country turns from yellow to green seemingly overnight. Rivers and streams, and hopefully dams, that were dry are now full. The tarred roads often steam after a shower.

Sunblock, a brimmed hat and sunglasses are a good idea all year-round. Long-sleeved shirts and long trousers will also guard against the scorching sun rays. We recommend you wear light shoes, especially if your itinerary entails a lot of walking, unless you are hiking, then hiking boots are a necessity. 

The Cool Dry Season (May, June, July and August)
The evenings can be cool, but not dramatically so, dropping to no less than 6oC. Days rise to a warm 26oC.  A jersey or jacket and warm socks, a pair of long trousers or a warm skirt should suffice for the evenings.

The Hot Dry Season (September, October and November)
and
The Warm Wet season (December, January, February, March and April)
As both seasons have very similar day and night temperatures, light, loose clothing is ideal. If you are going to be in the country during the wet season, bring a raincoat just in case.

When on business
If you are doing business in the country, especially in the corporate sector, business attire is preferred. Smart casual is probably best.

When on Safari
Please remember to wear appropriate clothing and shoes. Earth coloured clothes, such as browns, greens and tans are advisable. You don’t want to stand out as a tasty morsel to hungry lions. And on that note, if you are in the game parks, do not get out of your vehicle and keep the doors locked. If lions are around, close the windows.

When out on the town
If you are dining at an upmarket restaurant or seeing a show, smart-casual attire is recommended.

Being able to access the internet in Zambia has been hampered by the lack of good telecommunication infrastructure, limited access to phone lines, high-cost internet bandwidth and technological limitations. Access in most parts of Zambia is expensive as it costs just slightly less than a dollar to browse for an average of 10 minutes. Most users are based in the capital Lusaka along with most of the ISPs. If having internet is important to you, please check with your accommodation or restaurant first to see if they have internet and what charges they attach to its use.

A universal travel adaptor is essential for all trips abroad. A voltage converter or transformer may also be necessary. Here’s why.

Universal Travel Adapter
Just think of the electronics we have in our lives these days that need to be plugged in to work, or to at least charge the battery - smartphone, tablet, laptop, headphones, camera or Bluetooth speaker, toothbrush, curling irons and travel kettle and travel iron. Avoid purchasing one at the airport as these are usually astronomically expensive.

It is important to note that a travel adapter, even a universal one, does NOT convert the voltage or the frequency. Travel adapters ONLY allow a device from one country to be plugged into the wall outlet of another country, using the universal adapter, as a link between the two.

There are 3 plug types used in Zambia: Types C, D, and G. It’s important to remember that some travel adaptors are not suitable for any appliance that requires an earth connection. Please check your appliance first.

Voltage Converter or Transformer
Zambia operates on a 230V supply voltage and 50Hz. It is extremely dangerous to use an electrical appliance rated at a different voltage from the supply. If the standard voltage in your country is in between 220 - 240 V (as is in the UK, Europe, Australia and most of Asia and Africa), you can use your electric appliances in Zambia. If you're plugging in an appliance that was built for 230-volt electrical input, or an appliance that is compatible with multiple voltages, then a Universal Travel Adapter is all you need. If your appliance is NOT compatible with 230 volts, a voltage converter or transformer, will be necessary.

We strongly advise that, to be on the safe side, that you should bring both a universal travel adapter AND a voltage converter or transformer for your time in Zambia.

This Update: July 2021

AN OVERVIEW

Similar in size to France, Botswana is Africa’s oldest democracy, the world's 48th-largest country and is one of the safest countries in Africa. It’s also one of the most sparsely populated countries in the world as well as one of the world’s fastest-growing economies. Which is not surprising when you consider that Botswana's Orapa mine is the largest diamond mine in the world in terms of value and quantity of carats produced annually. Landlocked between South Africa, Namibia, Zimbabwe and Zambia, Botswana has only 2.3 million people, most of whom live in the capital, Gabarone. The official language is English although Setswana is widely spoken across the country. 

There is evidence of hominids having been here 2 million years ago. In October 2019, researchers reported that Botswana was the birthplace of all modern humans about 200,000 years ago. Fewer than 10,000 San people are still living their traditional hunter-gatherer way of life. In 1885, it was declared a British protectorate and called Bechuanaland. In 1966 it became an independent Commonwealth republic and has since then been a representative republic, with a consistent record of uninterrupted democratic elections and the lowest perceived corruption ranking in Africa since at least 1998.

The name, Botswana, was adopted in 1966, and means, ‘Land of the Tswana’, the dominant ethnic group in the country, however, all citizens are known as Batswana. The Batswana use a three-way handshake, or simply greet one another by saying, "Dumelang" (doo- meh- lung) without physical contact, which is very useful in this era of COVID-19. 

The Kalahari Desert, which extends for extending for 900,000 square kilometres, covers up to 70% of Botswana. Kalahari means ‘the great thirst’. The Central Kalahari Game Reserve is the second largest wildlife reserve in the world. It is home to large herds of springbok and gemsbok, wildebeest, hartebeest, and eland. The northern valley is one of the reserve’s highlights, because of the dense concentrations of herbivores attracted by the sweet grass.

In direct comparison, the famous Okavango Delta, one of Botswana’s natural jewels is the world's largest inland river deltas. One of the major semi-forested wetlands in Botswana and one of the largest inland deltas in the world; it is a crucial ecosystem to the survival of many animals. It is also home to the Moremi Game Reserve. The Okavango Delta is a significant biodiversity area. Known for its superb wildlife, with large mammal populations and excellent birding, particularly in the breeding season. The Moremi was the first reserve in Africa established by local residents in 1963, as they were worried by the rapid depletion of wildlife in their ancestral lands due to unregulated hunting and cattle invasion. It is now under threat from mining by Australian mining companies.

In the north of the country lies the Makgadikgadi Pan, blisteringly white-hot this is one of the largest salt pans in the world. When the rains are good, large numbers of wildlife are attracted to the pan. The famous missionary and explorer, Dr Livingstone, crossed these pans in the 19th century, using a massive Baobab tree, ‘Chapman’s Tree’ as a guidepost. Kubu Island (Ga’nnyo) is an island of dry granite rock located in the Makgadikgadi Pan district. It is a national monument and the indigenous people of the region consider it a holy site.

Chobe National Park and its waterfront are the most accessible and often visited parks and is notable for large winter herds of elephants and Cape buffalo. There are a number of other parks, all as different as beautiful as each other. Botswana, is full of fascinating surprises and will never disappoint the adventurous soul of any traveller.

SPECIAL MENTION: South African Rules on Travelling with Minor Children which apply when transiting through South Africa to and from Botswana

The new rules regarding travel to South Africa with minor children:

http://www.dha.gov.za/index.php/statements-speeches/621-advisory-new-requirements-for-children-travelling-through-south-african-ports-of-entry-effective-1-june-2015

Whether a child needs to present their birth certificate when visiting or departing from South Africa depends on the child’s nationality:

• South African children traveling on a South African passport do need to carry their unabridged birth certificate to enter the country
• Foreign visa-exempt children will no longer need to present their birth certificate nor parental consent letters
• Foreign visa-required children will have their birth certificate processed during their visa application, and no longer have to produce the document for inspection at the airport upon arrival

Several years ago unabridged birth certificates were introduced as a travel requirement for minors arriving in South Africa in 2015. This document was initially required to help prevent child trafficking.

However, on Friday, November 8th, 2019, South African government officials announced that birth certificates and consent letters are no longer required for foreign children traveling with their parents to enter the country.

The birth certificate requirement for South Africa is eliminated when children visit the country with their mother and father carrying a valid passport on which the child’s parents are registered as such.

Currency
The currency in Botswana is the Pula and is made up of 100 thebe. Its name is more than just a word. Pula is Setswana (the language spoken ion Botswana) for ‘rain’. As Botswana is home to much of the Kalahari Desert, rain is both valuable and a blessing. Pula is also the country’s motto. Currently in circulation bank notes come in denominations of 200, 100, 50, 20 and 10. Coins come in 5, 2 and 1 Pula and 50, 25, 10 and 5 thebe coins.

The Banks of Botswana
All commercial banks in Botswana are either majority or wholly foreign owned. Apart from the central bank - Bank of Botswana – the commercial banks include ABSA (formerly Barclays Bank) Botswana, Standard Chartered Bank Botswana, First National Bank Botswana, Stanbic Bank Botswana, Capital Bank, African Banking Corporation, and Bank of India. Cash in foreign currency - US Dollars, Pounds Sterling, Euro and South African Rands – can be exchanged at these banks. Because the Pula floats freely on the international money markets, there is no 'black market' in foreign currency in Botswana. If you see or are approached by anyone claiming to be able to change money, you can rest-assured they are con-artists trying to dupe unsuspecting tourists.

If you are changing money at one of the main banks, then there is minimal difference in the rates between presenting a travellers' cheque or pounds sterling or US dollars in cash. This perhaps makes travellers' cheques preferable from a security point of view, as they are refundable if stolen. AMEX travellers' cheques are probably the most widely recognised.

Credit and Debit Cards
While credit and debit cards are accepted at most lodges, it’s best to stick to Visa and Mastercard. Neither the banks of Botswana nor the safari camps will accept America Express or Diners Club cards. Petrol stations only accept cash in Pula; they do not usually accept credit cards. Major hotels have foreign exchange desks, and most shops, lodges and travel agencies will accept traveller's cheques.

ATM Withdrawals and Cash
In major cities, ATMs are available, but you can access only Botswana Pula from them. Pula really is the best option in Botswana. This is especially true for smaller transactions, anything bought by the roadside. And in more rural areas, nobody will accept anything but Pula. This applies to petrol stations in the towns as well. People are suspicious of notes in foreign currency, especially larger denominations. Anything over US$50 will more than likely be refused in shops and even banks. You may find people who, if pressed, will accept small denominations of US dollars, but really, is it worth the hassle when you can just use Pula? Having said that, a small amount of US$5, US$10 and US$20 notes may be useful. US$1 notes make generous tips for porters. South African rand are sometimes accepted, but they're not popular.

Banking Hours
Banking hours in Botswana are 8:30am to 3:30pm Monday to Friday and 8:30am to 11am on Saturday.

By Air
The country's main international airport is Gaborone’s Sir Seretse Khama International Airport, Francistown Airport, Kasane Airport and Maun Airport. Internally, Air Botswana operates scheduled flights to Francistown, Gaborone, Maun, and Selebi-Phikwe. Including these airports there are 85 airports in Botswana – 10 of which are paved. Travelling by air gives you an incredible perspective of Botswana’s beautifully diverse landscapes. Private charter flights are the only way to reach most the camps in areas such as Chobe, Central Kalahari, the Moremi Reserve, and the Okavango Delta. Many camps have private landing strips on location, or just a short game drive away. It saves a lot of time compared to driving these distances, meaning more time on the ground to explore the wild places of Botswana. Light aircraft usually have a luggage restriction of 15kg. Luggage must be in soft, squash-able bags so they can be easily handled and fit into the aircraft. You are also allowed 5kg of hand luggage.

By Road
In Botswana, there are 10,217 km of highway, and whether it’s highway or dirt road, you drive on the LEFT, unless you’re overtaking. You must be 18 years old to drive in Botswana and have had a full driving licence valid in your country of residence for the minimum of a year. We recommend that you also have an international driver’s licence. At all times while driving, you must have a valid driver’s licence, registration documents and insurance documents. Roughly every 200 km you may encounter a government checkpoint in the road, and you will be asked for these documents. You may also be stopped at a Foot-and-Mouth Disease checkpoint. If you are you will be required to exit your car and walk across special medicated mats to clean your shoes of the disease. Then you will have to drive your vehicle though a trough of medically treated water, to clean the disease off your tires. Other rules of the road include no stopping at any time, no driving on the hard shoulder, no reversing, And importantly for tourists - no hitchhiking.

The two-lane roads between towns are long, straight, and flat and not always in the best condition. They always have a crumbling shoulder. In some sections of Botswana road conditions can be terrible. So, keep your speed down. Outside of town, the speed limit is 120kms per hour and 60kms per hour in the towns, cities and when passing through villages. Wearing a seatbelt is compulsory. Unless you are using a hands-free cell phone, using a cell phone while driving is illegal. Petrol stations are open from 8am to 8pm. Be warned, petrol stations in the more remote areas commonly run out of gas. Always top up your tank when passing through a town. On the main highways, you may come across a toll. Keep some change on you especially when driving around Gaborone.

Beyond the towns and in the remoter rural areas, a 4 x 4 safari vehicle equipped with extra jerry cans of fuel, a shovel and a jack are necessary and very much part of the adventure. Avoid driving at night in rural areas because of the danger of domestic and wild animals on the road. In all parts of Africa, the best advice is never drive too close behind a bus or a mini-van taxi as they brake without warning. Always watch for disembarking passengers darting across the road. As the roads are long and empty in Botswana, pay particular attention to potholes and navigate them carefully. Elephants, ostriches, kudu, warthogs, and giraffe roam free throughout the country and can sometimes wander across the highways. The potholes, checkpoints, tolls, and road construction, not to mention wild animals, will slow your journey down. Plan for it to take MUCH longer than you think, have patience, and enjoy the ride and have extra supplies of food and water with you.

By Public Transport
In most parts of Botswana, there are many taxicabs of various colours and styles. Kombis make up the larger taxis and are the main people movers in urban areas from cities, towns, major villages and even rural areas. Kombis have their own minibus station within any given area, and they all have different routes so make sure you’re on the right one before boarding. They aren’t government operated so departure times are not set in stone and despite the official limit to the number of passengers suggested by the number of seats within the vehicle may carry more than 15 people. Long distance travel both within Botswana and through neighbouring countries can be undertaken in coaches and as these are owned by private companies have departure times dictated by the Ministry of Transport. If you’re travelling to or from Zambia and Botswana you may want to try the Kazungula Ferry, a pontoon that crosses the wide Zambezi River.

By Rail
If you’re needing to travel by night and by rail, there are 2 passenger trains, Lobatse to Francistown, and Francistown to Lobatse, with stops in Gaborone, Mahalapye, Palapye, and Serule. The passenger train, known as the BR Express, stops at Otse, Ramotswa and Commerce Park Halt. The BR also has sleeper cars for those who are travelling greater distances and who would appreciate, and can afford, the larger, more comfortable berths.

If you want to try dishes enjoyed by locals, then start with pap. This is the foundation of the diet of locals and is the same as in South Africa, Zimbabwe, Zambia, Tanzania, and Kenya. It is made from cooked maize meal. Beef, goat, sheep, tswana chicken, and fish are the main source of protein in Botswana. One of the other sources is Mopane worms. This large edible caterpillar is the larvae of a species of emperor moth known as Gonimbrasia belina. It’s a favourite snack throughout southern and eastern Africa as well as the DRC.

However, if local food isn’t an adventure you’d like to take, don’t despair as the majority of hotels, restaurants, safari camps and lodges serve international-style food. Botswana is cattle country, so you’re bound to find great steaks for dinner. There are numerous eateries, coffee shops, restaurants, to cater to all tastes, giving the cities a cosmopolitan air. Watermelons are believed to have originated in Botswana and the Batswana also make homemade refreshing drink using watermelon, morula, and ginger powder.

The water in Botswana is not safe to drink. Even in urban areas where the water is chlorinated and local people drink it, we strongly advise that you only drink bottled water at all times. This includes ice cubes, drinking water and even the water you use for brushing your teeth. Always double check the seals on water bottles. If they are broken, don’t drink it. If you are on safari with a reputable company or staying at a camp or lodge bottled water is readily available.

As mentioned earlier, ‘Pula’ is not only the name of Botswana's currency. It also means ‘rain’, and for a country whose climate is semi-arid or subtropical desert climate, it’s a word that is heard frequently in the country as it is a precious, and frequently scarce commodity. Please bear this mind when visiting and be consciously and considerately frugal with water.

There are only two seasons in Botswana – and although defined as the Winter Season and the Summer Season, both of them are hot and dry with great differences in day and night temperatures. There is an in-between season, but this isn’t taken much notice of by the locals as not much changes in terms of heat or rain - or rather the lack of rain. However, it’s the season that tourists may appreciate the most.

Winter and summer occur at the opposite times to that in Europe and North America.

The “Green” Season - Summer (November, December, January, February and March)
At either end of the summer, October and April are considered the transition months for the rainy season, and January and February are generally regarded as the peak months with torrential downpours in the afternoon. Sometimes, it rains continuously for days.

Summer in Botswana has extremely high temperatures, especially in the weeks before the rains arrive. This is true of nearly all Southern and eastern African countries but in semi-arid Botswana the temperatures, even in the shade, rise to the 38°C or higher. On rare occasions they reach 44°C. Morning humidity can range between 60 to 80%, dropping to 40 or 30% in the afternoon. You can see why the rains are so anticipated. When they arrive, cloud coverage and rain can cool things down considerably. However, it’s usually only for a short period of time and rainfall can be erratic, unpredictable and highly regional. Even though there may be a heavy downpour 10 or 15 kilometres away, there may be no rain at all where you are. Unfortunately, the strong sunshine which follows the rain dries the land very quickly so not much soaks into the ground.

The Chobe District in the extreme northeast area receives a maximum of over 650mm, and temperatures at the Okavango are slightly more moderate thanks to the abundance of water. The extreme southwest part of Kgalagadi District can sometimes receive less than 250mm. This results in 2 completely different landscapes; both are well worth visiting. Although wildlife tends to scatter during the rainy season, both the Savute region and the Kalahari lie on the path of migrating animals, especially zebras and so they are at their best in early Summer. Many antelope give birth in December, so the predators are never far away.

The Summer Green Season will delight twitchers as the summer months are the best for both numbers and diversity of migrating birds. Botswana is, in fact, a prime, year-round, birding destination.

The Very Short Dry Seasons aka The “In-Between” Seasons
Autumn (April to Early May)
Spring (September to October)
This ‘season’, occurring twice in the year still tends to be dry, but with slightly cooler days than in summer and slightly warmer nights than in winter. Tourists may not even notice the difference. The heat gradually builds, and it can get extremely hot in October, rising to 38oC, dropping to approximately 34°C in the afternoon.

 In terms of both weather and game viewing, this is the best time to visit Botswana, as it’s when you are most likely to see large herds of wildlife gathering around what water there is - the natural waterholes and the borehole-fed dams. If you are a fisherman, then September and October may be the best time for visiting as the floodwaters in the Okavango delta are then retreating and the barbel run is taking place.

The Long Dry Season - Winter (May, June, July and August)
Winter days are bone-dry, invariably sunny and cool to warm, with clear skies. The air can be seductively warm during the day, with pleasant afternoons around 25°C. But don’t let that fool you. Because there is no cloud cover, night and early morning temperatures can drop below freezing point in some areas, especially in the southwest. Frost is common and small quantities of water can freeze. The humidity is more bearable than in Summer as it varies between 40 and 70% during the morning and 20 and 30% in the afternoon.

Sunblock, a brimmed hat and sunglasses are a good idea all year-round. Long-sleeved shirts and long trousers will also guard against the scorching sun rays. As Botswana has a subtropical desert climate the days can be blisteringly hot while the nights can be very cold. It’s advisable to come prepared for both extremes. We recommend you wear light shoes, especially if your itinerary entails a lot of walking, unless you are hiking, then hiking boots are a necessity. Depending on where you are in Botswana you may be at risk of catching malaria. Prevention is better than cure so cover up at night, use a 30% DEET product and take anti-malaria medication – you may have to start this medication before you leave home. Obtaining your yellow fever certificate before leaving home is also a good idea, as are having booster vaccines for Hepatitis A and B, tetanus, rabies and typhoid. In fact, it’s probably a good idea to have these shots before visiting any African country. Don’t panic or let this put you off visiting Africa. These are purely precautionary.

The “Green” Season - Summer (November, December, January, February and March)
As we mentioned above, summer temperatures, even in the shade, rise to the 38°C or higher. On rare occasions they reach 44°C. Morning humidity can range between 60 to 80%, dropping to 40 or 30% in the afternoon. Pack light, cool, cotton clothing.

The Very Short Dry Seasons aka The “In-Between” Seasons
Autumn (April to Early May)
Spring (September to October)
Temperatures range between 10°C and 25°C. Cooler than Summer and warmer than Winter. It’s best to pack for Summer but to also bring jeans and a jersey for evenings and early morning game drives.

The Long Dry Season - Winter (May, June, July and August)
The days can be hot – 25°C or higher, but the nights can be extremely cold, sometimes dropping below zero. Bring both summer and winter clothes to accommodate these drops in temperature.

When on business
If you are doing business in the country, especially in the corporate sector, business attire is preferred. Smart casual is probably best.

When on Safari
Please remember to wear appropriate clothing and shoes. Earth coloured clothes, such as browns, greens and tans are advisable. You don’t want to stand out as a tasty morsel to hungry lions. And on that note, if you are in the game parks, do not get out of your vehicle and keep the doors locked. If lions are around, close the windows.

When out on the town
If you are dining at an upmarket restaurant or seeing a show, smart-casual attire is recommended.

A universal travel adaptor is essential for all trips abroad. A voltage converter or transformer may also be necessary. Here’s why.

Universal Travel Adapter
Just think of the electronics we have in our lives these days that need to be plugged in to work, or to at least charge the battery - smartphone, tablet, laptop, headphones, camera or Bluetooth speaker, toothbrush, curling irons and travel kettle and travel iron. Avoid purchasing one at the airport as these are usually astronomically expensive.

It is important to note that a travel adapter, even a universal one, does NOT convert the voltage or the frequency. Travel adapters ONLY allow a device from one country to be plugged into the wall outlet of another country, using the universal adapter, as a link between the two.

There are 2 plug types used in Botswana: Types D, and G. It’s important to remember that some travel adaptors are not suitable for any appliance that requires an earth connection. Please check your appliance first.

Voltage Converter or Transformer
Botswana operates on a 230V supply voltage and 50Hz. It is extremely dangerous to use an electrical appliance rated at a different voltage from the supply. If the standard voltage in your country is in between 220 - 240 V (as is in the UK, Europe, Australia and most of Asia and Africa), you can use your electric appliances in Botswana. If you're plugging in an appliance that was built for 230-volt electrical input, or an appliance that is compatible with multiple voltages, then a Universal Travel Adapter is all you need. If your appliance is NOT compatible with 230 volts, a voltage converter or transformer, will be necessary.

We strongly advise that, to be on the safe side, that you should bring both a universal travel adapter AND a voltage converter or transformer for your time in Botswana.