Bayan and Sandi Dekker - The Dekker's Safari in support of Rhino Conservation Botswana

Country Overview

Botswana is a landlocked country surrounded by Namibia, South Africa, Zambia and Zimbabwe – with a population of just over two million people. Slightly larger than France, the landmass covers 581 730 square kilometres, most of which is desert. The northern regions however, form a striking contrast with the dry Kalahari, where the stunning wetlands of the world-famous Okavango Delta and the diverse habitats of the Chobe and Linyanti add to the wealth of this wonderfully diverse country. The capital city is Gaborone while Maun and Kasane are the safari “hubs”.

Governments

Botswana is a stable multi-party democracy with legislative power vested in the Parliament, which comprises the president as ex-officio member and a unicameral National Assembly. Elections are held every five years. A 34-member House of Chiefs advises on tribal matters. The Botswana Democratic Party has governed Botswana since independence in 1966.

Language

The official language in Botswana is English, with Setswana being the most widely spoken African language. There are eight major Tswana tribes, each of which occupies its own separate territory with its own traditional chiefs, and each tribe maintains communal ownership over its lands.

Time

Botswana share the same time as all southern Africa (except Namibia), which is Greenwich Mean Time – (GMT) + 2 hours. There is no daylight savings time. World Time Server is a useful online tool to help determine the local time in the countries you will visit: http://www.worldtimeserver.com/. Additionally, you can learn more about Greenwich Mean Time (GMT) and determine your local GMT at http://wwp.greenwichmeantime.com/index.htm

Duty Free and shopping

There is selected duty free shopping available at O.R. Tambo International Airport (Johannesburg) on flights to Zambia, Zimbabwe, Namibia and Botswana. Please make sure any duty free purchases of perfume, alcohol, etc. are made before arriving in southern Africa or upon departure from the continent. Please be advised that souvenirs may be exported without restriction but game trophies such as tooth, bone, horn, shell, claw, skin, hair, feather or other durable items are subject to export permits.

Gratuity/Tipping Guidelines

Tipping is not compulsory. If, however, you would like to tip because you have received good service, the following guidelines will assist you. You may wish to add a nominal amount ranging between US$ 10.00 to US$ 30.00 per day for incidentals (subject to personal budget choice) – i.e. if additional activities are booked once on your journey, if travel arrangements change for any reason, in acknowledgement of good service received in another area, etc.

Regional (Botswana/Namibia/Zambia/Zimbabwe)

· Guides, Specialist Guides & Butlers – We recommend US$ 10.00 per guest per day.

· Mokoro Paddlers & Trackers – We recommend that paddlers receive US$ 5.00 per guest per day and that camp/lodge trackers receive US$ 5.00 per guest per day.

· General Safari Camp, Lodge or Hotel Staff – We recommend about US$ 10.00 per guest per day for safari camps. This should be placed in the communal tipping box to be distributed equally amongst all the staff.

· Transfer Driver – We recommend about US$ 2.00 to US$ 3.00 per guest per transfer.

· Porterage – We recommend about US$ 2.00 to US$ 3.00 per guest per movement.

Generally speaking, gratuities can be paid in cash (local or foreign currency, i.e. US Dollars, Euro) or alternatively, depending on the establishment, by credit card or Travellers Cheques

Travelling Companions

When travelling to camps and lodges on your safari, you will meet up with other guests who are from different parts of the world and who are of various ages. To get the most out of your safari experience, cooperation and harmony between you and your fellow guests is essential. Should any guest behave in such a manner that it affects either the enjoyment or safety of other guests, that guest will be warned and if need be, taken off the safari.

Use of Drones, Quadcopters & Terrestrial UAVS

As leaders in the African ecotourism industry, as well as in terms of ethics and operational principles, most lodges do not want to encourage the possibility of irresponsible behaviour. Therefore, in the case of unmanned aerial vehicles being used for wildlife photography, most lodges have decided to prohibit this activity on their concessions in Botswana, The Republic of the Congo, Namibia, South Africa, Zambia and Zimbabwe. This extends to terrestrial UAVs, as well as to aerial UAVs, so-called drones. They apply this policy to their own staff, to their guests and even professional photographers. Exceptions to this are possible in locations where wildlife and guests will not be disturbed and where landscape photography is the aim (for example in remote areas of the Kulala Wilderness Reserve), and of course where such activity is permitted by law.

Communication in the Camps

It has been a conscious decision of majority of safari lodge companies to refrain from providing internet access for guests at most of their safari camps. While there are a very small number of camps that do have internet access, the beauty of being away in the wilderness is the very fact that you are not in contact with your office or the outside world. Guests have new and different experiences, which includes the liberating feeling of not being contactable or involved in work or the affairs of the world, something most guests comment very positively on. Of course, if there is a problem, the camp managers will relay messages to and from guests

In addition, the safari camps/lodges you are visiting may be located in very remote areas and often do not have telephones. It is not always possible to rent satellite phones in the various regions, although this can be arranged at O.R. Tambo International Airport (Johannesburg) and Cape Town International Airport. Should you require this service, we highly recommend that you pre-book this in advance. Telecommunications in more urban areas are generally easily accessible; however, if you do bring a satellite phone with you on safari, please respect the guidelines we have laid out below as most people come on safari to “get away from it all”:

Please ensure the ring tone is kept at a low volume or on silent/vibrate to avoid disturbing other guests or wildlife.Please use your phone in the privacy of your room and not in any of the common areas: dining room, bar/lounge area, or on any of the vehicles or on game drives.

Wild animals and the wilderness

Please be aware that this safari takes you into close contact with wild animals. Attacks by wild animals are rare, but no safari into the African wilderness can guarantee that this will not occur. Neither the company, nor their employees, nor agents can be held responsible for any injury or incident on the safari. Please note that all the camps are unfenced. Please also note that this safari will take you over dirt tracks and across remote plains in some of the most remote parts of Botswana.

Removing animal artefacts/products

The removal of any animal artefacts (skin, bones, teeth, claws, horns) from the wilderness is prohibited. All passenger bags are routinely searched upon returning from safari before departing Botswana. If any such items are found in a visitor's bag, the owner of the bag will be charged and arrested. Wapuka Safaris will not be held liable for arrests arising from such incidences.

Packing Suggestions

This list of suggested items should be used as a guideline whilst planning your trip. Please bear in mind that as mentioned above, there are luggage restrictions of 20kg (44lbs) (in a soft bag with no wheel or frame) on some light aircraft transfers and 20kg (44lbs) on most scheduled airline flights.

Equipment/Other

1. Download a mobile app that shows you the star constellations, e.g. Night Sky/Star

Chart/Star Walk/Sky View etc

2. Good quality sunglasses, UV protected, preferably polarised. Tinted fashion

glasses are not good in strong light

3. Clear glasses – useful for night game drives on evenings when there are a lot of

flying bugs in the air

4. If you wear contact lenses, we recommend that you bring along a pair of glasses in

case you get irritation from the dust

5. Flashlight/head torch

6. Southern African bird guide if you are a keen birder, e.g., Newman’s or Sasol.

Alternatively download the Sasol or Roberts Bird mobile app

7. Personal toiletries (basic amenities are supplied by most establishments e.g.

shampoo, conditioner, body wash, body cream)

8. Malaria tablets (if applicable)

9. Antihistamine tablets if you suffer from any allergies

10. Anti nausea tablets if you suffer from motion sickness

11. Ear plugs for light aircraft transfers

12. Moisturising cream and suntan lotion – SPF 30 or higher recommended

13. Insect repellent for body application e.g. Tabard, Rid, Jungle Juice, etc. (also

provided by camps). Tip: Elizabeth Arden 8 Hour cream takes the sting out of

mosquito bites

14. Basic medical kit (aspirins, plasters, Imodium, antiseptic cream and antihistamine

cream etc)

15. Wet Wipes/ hand sanitizer for bathroom breaks while on game drives

16. Visas, tickets, passports, money, credit cards, insurance details etc.

17. Camera equipment including spare batteries, chargers, memory sticks etc.

18. Waterproof/dustproof bag or cover for your camera

19. Binoculars – we highly recommended that you bring your own pair for viewing

both wildlife and birds. 8x40 and 10x42 are the recommended general purpose binocular specifications

Photographic Tips

The choice of the correct camera equipment will determine the quality of your photographs on safari.

1. For photography of birds and animals, a good digital SLR camera and telephoto lens is necessary.

2. High resolution digital cameras are outstanding and give superb quality images, especially if you are using a digital SLR camera body, with inter-changeable lenses.

3. Camera bodies from Canon, Nikon and Sony are excellent.

4. Spare batteries are essential (we recommend that you bring 3 spare batteries) and an image storage device of some sort is recommended.

5. Make certain you have enough card storage – most people take more photographs than they expect to.

6. There are no charging facilities on the Selinda Canoe Trail, so all batteries for photography and video filming need to be charged before arriving for the Trail along with enough batteries to last you the full 5 days of the Trail.

Recommended Reading

We recommend the following books specific to Botswana.

· Okavango: Wetland Wilderness - Adrian Bailey

· Okavango: An African Paradise - Daryl Balfour

· Chobe: Africa’s Untamed Wilderness - Daryl Balfour

· The Lions and Elephants of the Chobe - Bruce Aitken

· This is Botswana – Daryl Balfour

· Color Bar: The triumph of Seretse Khama and his nation – Susan Williams

· The Bushmen - A Changing Way of Life - Anthony Bannister

· Botswana: A Brush with the Wild - Paul Augustinus

· The Kalahari, Survival in a Thirstland Wilderness - Nigel Dennis

· Newman’s Birds of Southern Africa and Common Birds of Botswana - Ken Newman

· Guide to the Trees & Shrubs of the Okavango Delta - Veronica Roodt

· Guide to the Wildflowers of the Okavango Delta - Veronica Roodt

· Botswana Tourist Map & Guide - Veronica Roodt

· Running Wild: Dispelling the Myths of the African Wild Dog - John McNutt, Lesley Boggs, Dave Hamman & Helene Heldring

· Wild About the Okavango - Duncan Butchart

· Botswana - The Bradt Travel Guide - Chris McIntyre

Reference materials and books can be found in camps and vehicles.

Visitors to southern Africa must ensure they have sufficient blank VISA pages (not endorsement pages) in their passports, with at least two consecutive/side by side blank pages. Our recommendation is 3 pages (or even 4 if you are travelling through more than one country on your journey). If there is insufficient space in the passport then entry into a country could be denied. Please ensure that you have the appropriate travel documentation before departing for Botswana. All visitors to Botswana must have a passport which is valid for at least 6 months beyond their intended departure date from Botswana. Note that Botswana Immigration do not consider travelling on holiday an emergency and will therefore not grant entry to any guest travelling on an Emergency Travel Document.

South African Travel Regulations for Children

As of 01 June 2015, all visitors under 18 years of age will need to present an unabridged birth certificate as well as a valid passport when entering, departing or transiting South Africa. This requirement applies to minors of all nationalities – whether travelling unaccompanied, with both parents, with one parent or with a guardian/s or another adult/s.

An “Unabridged Birth Certificate” contains the following details:

· Particulars of the child/ren: date & place of birth, gender and name in full

· Particulars of the parents: full names, date & place of birth and their citizenship at time of birth

For single parents, or those travelling alone with their child/ren, the following must be provided:

· An affidavit (no more than 3 months old on the date of travel) in which the absent parent gives consent for the child to travel, or

· A court order granting full responsibilities or legal guardianship of the child, or

· The death certificate of the absent parent

Currency and Money

The currency in Botswana is the Pula (P/BWP) which is made up of 100 Thebe. Botswana banks only accept U.S. Dollars, Pound Sterling, Euro and South African Rand in cash. Any cash payments made to camps for curios or gratuities to guides or staff must be in one of these currencies. Travelers Cheques in any of the above currencies are also acceptable. However, U.S. Dollar currency prior to 2007 will not be accepted. Damaged or marked notes are also not accepted.

Credit Cards

Credit card companies, if not forewarned, are blocking transactions that take place in foreign countries. Please ensure you contact your credit card companies prior to departure, to advise them that you will be using your card/s in the specific countries relevant to your itinerary. Visa and MasterCard are usually accepted throughout Botswana. However, American Express and Diners Club are not accepted by the banks in Botswana and therefore not at the camps either.

Value Added Tax (VAT)

All goods and services in Botswana are priced to include value added tax (VAT) of 12%.

On departing from Botswana, non residents may claim a VAT refund on goods exported as accompanied luggage. In order to claim, the original tax invoice, with passport details reflected thereon, must be presented to the designated Customs Officer together with the VAT 006.1 claim form and the BW500 export declaration form.

The value of the goods must exceed BWP 5 000.00 (Pula), all in one invoice, per export and the goods must be available for inspection. Refunds are made by way of a transfer into your account. Customs also ask for bank account details and payment may be deposited directly into the account from Botswana. Guests must have these details on hand, as refund documents have to be submitted on the same day that the items leave the country. Bank details cannot be sent at a later stage.

Departure Taxes

Botswana and South Africa’s flight rates include departure taxes therefore guests are not required to pay any airport taxes on departure from Botswana or South Africa.

Light Aircraft Transfers & Luggage

Passengers travelling on a seat in plane (seat rate) basis may have up to 2 or 3 stops en route to destination. Air charter companies reserve the right to stipulate departure and arrival times of passengers being transferred between the various lodges and are scheduled with consideration to the relevant airport’s international arrival and departures times. Should a specific time be requested, some charter companies will try their best to accommodate but should they be unable to accommodate, then guests may revert to a private charter and a new cost will be quoted.

There are strict weight restrictions in place on any itinerary which includes light aircraft transfers. Because the aircraft are designed with a maximum bodyweight and luggage weight allowance, operators must manage all weight and balance calculations ahead of time to maintain safety and a quality air service. Additionally, with many Botswana airfields located over 1000 meters above sea level and in the tropics; the permissible aircraft carrying capacity is reduced. The aircraft also have physical space restrictions.

Specific weight limit rules must be followed:

· Luggage, including camera equipment and hand luggage, is restricted per person travelling on seat rates to 20kg (44lbs)

· Only soft bags will be accepted - no wheels, frames or rigid structures can be transported as they physically cannot fit into the aircraft

· The maximum dimensions of the soft bags which can be accommodated are as follows: 25cm (10 inches) wide x 30cm (12 inches) high and 62cm (24 inches) long. Please keep in mind that the baggage compartments on the light aircraft are only 25cm high (10 inches), so the pilots must have the ability to manipulate the bag into the compartment

Guest weight on light aircraft

Light aircraft operators have to manage all weight and balance calculations ahead of time in order to maintain safety and a quality air service. For this reason we require ALL guest weights prior to travel (to be filled in on the Guest Information form). Any guest weighing more than 100kgs (220 pounds) when flying with Major Blue Air (if staying at Jack’s Camp, Camp Kalahari or San Camp) need to book an extra seat on the charters. Passengers weighing over 110kg (240 pounds) when flying with Mack Air may have to purchase an extra seat. Please inform us prior to travel if this is the case. Wilderness Air will not charge for guests weighing more than 100kgs (220 pounds) but will still require knowing guest weight ahead of time.

While these luggage restrictions appear restrictive, please bear in mind the following:

· Most safari camps / lodges and hotels provide basic toiletry amenities

· Laundry can be done on a daily basis (the camps provide this service free of charge)

· Mainly casual clothing is required

As formal clothes are not needed throughout most of southern Africa, we recommend that luggage is limited to the basics. More formal attire is usually required only when staying in the more prestigious city hotel establishments or on any of the luxury trains. On a wildlife safari, casual clothing is the order of the day. Please refer to the suggested packing list as a guideline.

Excess Luggage

If you need to bring luggage in excess of your allowance, you may have the option of buying an extra seat. This "seat in plane" allows for a maximum of 70kg (154 lbs) excess weight, on the proviso that the bag(s) conforms to the dimensions 40 x 40 x 80 cms (16 x 16 x 31 inches); soft bag i.e. no wheels/frame/rigid structures; able to physically fit onto a light aircraft seat; able to be physically secured with one seatbelt; will not impact the comfort of other guests on the flight. The additional cost varies depending on your flight schedule so please contact us for further details. Should you be starting and ending your safari in Maun and do not require the excess luggage to accompany you on your trip, we may be able to store this for you at the various lodge companies’ offices in Maun at no extra charge. Please inform us ahead of your trip if you need to store excess luggage in their offices. Wapuka Safaris, their affiliates and their staff will not accept responsibility for luggage kept in the offices on behalf of our guests. We do not anticipate any problems with stored luggage being damaged or stolen, but guests must ensure that they are in possession of full travel insurance including luggage coverage.

Loss of Articles

Please note that we cannot accept any responsibility for the misplacement of any articles whilst on your travels. Naturally, we will endeavour to reunite you with your misplaced items, however, please bear in mind that logistics may not always be favourable for the return of articles without incurring costs. Should you require the item/s to be returned to you, any costs incurred in this process will be for your own account.

Lost Luggage

Luggage that goes missing on scheduled flights is beyond the control of us, and/or the airline concerned. The relevant airport controls what happens to passengers’ luggage from when it is checked in until it is put on/taken off the aircraft. We would like to suggest that you take precautionary action and pack a small bag with your essentials, including any life sustaining medication, which can be carried with you as hand luggage. Pack a second bag containing non-essentials that can be loaded in the aircraft hold. If the second bag does not arrive, you will still have your essential items on hand to see you through the first couple of days while we try and recover your baggage.

Please consult your medical practitioner and check with your health department or travel clinic prior to departure from your home country, in the event there have been changes in the health regulations of the country you are visiting.

As a general guide, the following vaccines commonly recommended for travellers to Africa:

• Tetanus
• Diphtheria • Polio
• Typhoid
• Hepatitis A • Hepatitis B • Rabies
• Meningitis

Malaria

Malaria is transmitted by a very small percentage of female Anopheles mosquitoes. They are mainly active
in the early evening and throughout the night. Malaria transmission is at its highest during the warmer and wetter months of November through to April. From May through to October the risks of contracting malaria are reduced.

Malaria within South Africa's borders is encountered mainly in northern and eastern Mpumalanga, northern KwaZulu-Natal, and the border areas of the Limpopo and North-West provinces.

Outside of the South African borders it can be found in the lower lying areas of Swaziland, in Malawi, Mozambique, Zambia and Zimbabwe, northern parts of Botswana (more specifically Kasane / Chobe), in northern Namibia, and in Congo and Kenya.

The disease is less prevalent in remote areas where most camps are situated. Nonetheless, you need to consider taking preventative measures. Expert opinion differs regarding the best approach to malaria prophylaxis.

It’s important to bear in mind that malaria may be contracted despite chemoprophylaxis, especially in areas where chloroquine resistance has been reported. Both chloroquine- resistant and normal strains of malaria are prevalent in Africa.

There have been very few cases of guests contracting malaria. Please remember that the best precaution is the preventative kind.

Avoid being bitten by using mosquito repellents liberally. Camps provide a locally made repellent, however, please feel free to bring your own if you suffer from any skin sensitivities or allergies.

• Wear long-sleeved shirts and trousers/slacks in the evenings.

• Please use the mosquito net over your bed where supplied and available.

• Where provided, please use the insecticide supplied to kill any mosquitoes that may have flown into your room. Mosquito coils are also effective.

If you are a scuba diver, please consult your medical practitioner regarding
the use of Larium in conjunction with diving.

There is a 6 to 7 day minimum incubation period before symptoms present themselves. If you become
ill on your return, while still on prophylaxis or even once you have stopped taking them, ensure that your medical practitioner establishes that your illness is not malaria.

It is inadvisable for pregnant women to visit malarial areas as malaria infection during pregnancy can be detrimental to mother and child. Caution should be exercised with small children as they can be more susceptible and

are unable to take some forms of medication.

Yellow fever

Yellow fever is a viral infection spread by a particular type of mosquito. The virus is found in areas of Africa and South America.

A safe and highly effective vaccine prevents yellow fever.

We’d recommend having the vaccination, and travelling with the certificate.

Inoculations must be had at least 10 days before travel.
The vaccine provides immunity against the disease for 10 years. You will receive a Yellow Card which you have to carry with you when you travel.

International health regulations concerning yellow fever are unequivocal, and unvaccinated travellers may face denial of entry, or even quarantine in certain circumstances. This strict control is maintained to ensure that both the individual traveller and the broader communities are protected against outbreaks of this disease.

Pregnant women, people with HIV, and anyone undergoing chemotherapy or with a suppressed immune system are exempt from requiring Yellow Fever vaccinations.

You still need to go to a clinic/ medical practitioner for a consultation and have to be given an exemption certificate which will allow you to travel without having had the injection.

Babies under the age of 9 months and people over the age of 60 years can qualify for an exemption; this is at the discretion of the medical practitioner.

Ticks

Ticks occur the world over and are well known ecto-parasites. The most obvious species in the savannah regions of Africa are the ‘hard ticks’ which attach themselves to their hosts to feed before they either fall or are brushed off.

Ticks are also well known as carriers of diseases that affect both animals and humans; in southern Africa
this is referred to as tick bite fever. Symptoms of this disease present after a 5 to 7 day incubation period and include fevers, headaches, malaise and even a skin rash.

A dark black mark usually results at the site of the infected bite and is a helpful diagnostic. The disease is easily treated with antibiotics although this is not always necessary.

After walking in the bush with your guide it’s best to brush your clothes down and to examine your body for ticks, taking care to remove these entirely without leaving the biting mouth parts behind in your skin. Anti-tick sprays such as Bayticol can be very effective against ticks and wearing long pants will prevent many bites.

Medication

Certain over-the-counter medications contain ingredients that may be isted as controlled substances in certain countries. As a precaution we recommend that you do not take unnecessary non-prescription medication when travelling. For prescription medication, please carry a medical practitioner’s prescription with you and ensure that the medication is in its original bottle. A list of these controlled substances is available from us on request.

Ebola

The Botswana and Zambian Ministries of Health have declared that any travelers who have visited Ebola affected countries within a 30-day period of arrival in Botswana or Zambia will be denied entry.

Water

It’s important to drink plenty of water and stay well hydrated, especially during the warmer months. It’s generally recommended that you drink at least 2 to 3 litres of water per day to limit the effects of dehydration. Generally, water throughout southern Africa is safe to drink directly from the tap. Water from the taps in camps may not be suitable for drinking. Bottled or filtered water is readily available in camps, so please do not allow yourself to become dehydrated.

Dietary requirements and medical conditions

Please ensure that you inform Safari Footprints of any specific dietary requirements prior to arrival. Camps can accommodate most reasonable requests, but will need advance warning in order to do so. Please notify us of any medical condition you may have prior to your arrival. This includes any allergies or intolerances.

Your stay in Botswana camps include all meals and local alcoholic and non alcoholic beverages, unless otherwise stated on this itinerary. Premium import alcoholic beverages are charged for in camp at the end of your stay. Most beef, some fresh produce and local beer is sourced locally (some camps grow their own fresh produce) while poultry, dairy, fruit and vegetables, beverages (alcoholic and non) and other consumables are imported fresh from South Africa weekly.

The weather in Botswana is generally pleasant throughout the year – warm to hot days, and cool to warm nights. During winter months (May to September), it can get quite cold at night and in the early morning, particularly when on safari. It is suggested that you pack accordingly – warm clothing including an anorak/winter jacket, a beanie, scarf and gloves are recommended.

Clothing:

During our winter months (May to August), it can get really cold at night and in the early morning, particularly when on safari, so we would like to suggest that you pack accordingly:

1. Sun hat/bush hat

2. Headscarf/bandana – particularly for dusty dry regions

3. Golf-shirts and/or T-shirts – preferably with a sleeve to protect your shoulders from the sun

4. Long-sleeved cotton shirts

5. Shorts and/or skirts – really short skirts are not practical for getting in and out of game drive vehicles

6. Long trousers/slacks

7. Pyjamas – lightweight for summer and warm/thermal for winter

8. Underwear – on game drives the roads can be bumpy and uneven so a suitable bra may be required

9. Socks – thermal options are recommended for the winter months

10. Good closed-toe walking shoes (running/tennis shoes are fine)

11. Sandals – preferably low heeled or flat if you are going on safari

12. Swimwear

13. Lightweight jersey or fleece in summer

14. Light rain gear or jacket for summer months

15. Warm jersey or fleece plus anorak or parka in winter

16. Additionally, a scarf, gloves and beanies/woollen hats for the cold winter months

17. More formal attire for your stay at prestigious city hotels or on one of the luxury trains

Bright colours are not advised whilst on safari. Camouflage clothing is not recommended for travel in southern African countries (e.g. camouflage or military-inspired clothing is prohibited when travelling in Zimbabwe).

Laundry

At certain camps the camp staff will not wash underwear, due to prevailing local traditions in the country (in these cases washing powder is supplied for guests to rinse their own underwear).

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 at camps

Most camps are situated in remote areas and have to generate their own electricity. This is done in a number of ways but most camps have a generator which runs for about 6 – 7 hours per day (split between morning and afternoon when guests are out on activities). In most camps, these generators charge a bank of batteries known as an inverter system which then provides 220V power in each tented room for lighting and ceiling fans. Some camps use solar power to generate electricity. It is not possible to use appliances such as hairdryers or electric shavers in the tented rooms at most camps in Botswana as they have low wattage fuses which will trip. Hair dryers are supplied on request at certain camps. Check with us to determine if the camps you will visit supply hair dryers.

Plug Points

Most camps have 220V plug points in the tents but these can be used for the charging of batteries and sleep apnoea machines only (except in some camps where hairdryers can be used). At certain camps you will need to hand any batteries which need charging to the camp staff who will charge these for you in the bar or office areas while you are out on an activity. Guests who need to charge their battery should bring a spare one for use while the other is being charged, as well as a power converter if applicable as power is mostly 220V. While some camps can supply adaptors (3 prong round, 3 prong square, 2 prong round and 2 prong flat) it is advisable that guests carry their own adaptors with them to ensure the ability to charge their equipment. It is not possible to use appliances such as hairdryers or electric shavers in the tented rooms at most of the camps in Botswana as they have low wattage fuses which will trip. Hair dryers are supplied on request at certain camps. Check with us if the camps you will go to supply hair dryers.

Country Overview

Botswana is a landlocked country surrounded by Namibia, South Africa, Zambia and Zimbabwe – with a population of just over two million people. Slightly larger than France, the landmass covers 581 730 square kilometres, most of which is desert. The northern regions however, form a striking contrast with the dry Kalahari, where the stunning wetlands of the world-famous Okavango Delta and the diverse habitats of the Chobe and Linyanti add to the wealth of this wonderfully diverse country. The capital city is Gaborone while Maun and Kasane are the safari “hubs”.

Governments

Botswana is a stable multi-party democracy with legislative power vested in the Parliament, which comprises the president as ex-officio member and a unicameral National Assembly. Elections are held every five years. A 34-member House of Chiefs advises on tribal matters. The Botswana Democratic Party has governed Botswana since independence in 1966.

Language

The official language in Botswana is English, with Setswana being the most widely spoken African language. There are eight major Tswana tribes, each of which occupies its own separate territory with its own traditional chiefs, and each tribe maintains communal ownership over its lands.

Time

Botswana share the same time as all southern Africa (except Namibia), which is Greenwich Mean Time – (GMT) + 2 hours. There is no daylight savings time. World Time Server is a useful online tool to help determine the local time in the countries you will visit: http://www.worldtimeserver.com/. Additionally, you can learn more about Greenwich Mean Time (GMT) and determine your local GMT at http://wwp.greenwichmeantime.com/index.htm

Duty Free and shopping

There is selected duty free shopping available at O.R. Tambo International Airport (Johannesburg) on flights to Zambia, Zimbabwe, Namibia and Botswana. Please make sure any duty free purchases of perfume, alcohol, etc. are made before arriving in southern Africa or upon departure from the continent. Please be advised that souvenirs may be exported without restriction but game trophies such as tooth, bone, horn, shell, claw, skin, hair, feather or other durable items are subject to export permits.

Gratuity/Tipping Guidelines

Tipping is not compulsory. If, however, you would like to tip because you have received good service, the following guidelines will assist you. You may wish to add a nominal amount ranging between US$ 10.00 to US$ 30.00 per day for incidentals (subject to personal budget choice) – i.e. if additional activities are booked once on your journey, if travel arrangements change for any reason, in acknowledgement of good service received in another area, etc.

Regional (Botswana/Namibia/Zambia/Zimbabwe)

· Guides, Specialist Guides & Butlers – We recommend US$ 10.00 per guest per day.

· Mokoro Paddlers & Trackers – We recommend that paddlers receive US$ 5.00 per guest per day and that camp/lodge trackers receive US$ 5.00 per guest per day.

· General Safari Camp, Lodge or Hotel Staff – We recommend about US$ 10.00 per guest per day for safari camps. This should be placed in the communal tipping box to be distributed equally amongst all the staff.

· Transfer Driver – We recommend about US$ 2.00 to US$ 3.00 per guest per transfer.

· Porterage – We recommend about US$ 2.00 to US$ 3.00 per guest per movement.

Generally speaking, gratuities can be paid in cash (local or foreign currency, i.e. US Dollars, Euro) or alternatively, depending on the establishment, by credit card or Travellers Cheques

Travelling Companions

When travelling to camps and lodges on your safari, you will meet up with other guests who are from different parts of the world and who are of various ages. To get the most out of your safari experience, cooperation and harmony between you and your fellow guests is essential. Should any guest behave in such a manner that it affects either the enjoyment or safety of other guests, that guest will be warned and if need be, taken off the safari.

Use of Drones, Quadcopters & Terrestrial UAVS

As leaders in the African ecotourism industry, as well as in terms of ethics and operational principles, most lodges do not want to encourage the possibility of irresponsible behaviour. Therefore, in the case of unmanned aerial vehicles being used for wildlife photography, most lodges have decided to prohibit this activity on their concessions in Botswana, The Republic of the Congo, Namibia, South Africa, Zambia and Zimbabwe. This extends to terrestrial UAVs, as well as to aerial UAVs, so-called drones. They apply this policy to their own staff, to their guests and even professional photographers. Exceptions to this are possible in locations where wildlife and guests will not be disturbed and where landscape photography is the aim (for example in remote areas of the Kulala Wilderness Reserve), and of course where such activity is permitted by law.

Communication in the Camps

It has been a conscious decision of majority of safari lodge companies to refrain from providing internet access for guests at most of their safari camps. While there are a very small number of camps that do have internet access, the beauty of being away in the wilderness is the very fact that you are not in contact with your office or the outside world. Guests have new and different experiences, which includes the liberating feeling of not being contactable or involved in work or the affairs of the world, something most guests comment very positively on. Of course, if there is a problem, the camp managers will relay messages to and from guests

In addition, the safari camps/lodges you are visiting may be located in very remote areas and often do not have telephones. It is not always possible to rent satellite phones in the various regions, although this can be arranged at O.R. Tambo International Airport (Johannesburg) and Cape Town International Airport. Should you require this service, we highly recommend that you pre-book this in advance. Telecommunications in more urban areas are generally easily accessible; however, if you do bring a satellite phone with you on safari, please respect the guidelines we have laid out below as most people come on safari to “get away from it all”:

Please ensure the ring tone is kept at a low volume or on silent/vibrate to avoid disturbing other guests or wildlife.Please use your phone in the privacy of your room and not in any of the common areas: dining room, bar/lounge area, or on any of the vehicles or on game drives.

Wild animals and the wilderness

Please be aware that this safari takes you into close contact with wild animals. Please note that all the camps are unfenced. Please also note that this safari will take you over dirt tracks and across remote plains in some of the most remote parts of Botswana.

Removing animal artefacts/products

The removal of any animal artefacts (skin, bones, teeth, claws, horns) from the wilderness is prohibited. All passenger bags are randomly searched upon returning from safari before departing Botswana. If any such items are found in a visitor's bag, the owner of the bag will be charged and arrested. We will not be held liable for arrests arising from such incidences.

Packing Suggestions

This list of suggested items should be used as a guideline whilst planning your trip. Please bear in mind that as mentioned above, there are luggage restrictions of 20kg (44lbs) (in a soft bag with no wheel or frame) on some light aircraft transfers and 20kg (44lbs) on most scheduled airline flights.

Equipment/Other

1. Download a mobile app that shows you the star constellations, e.g. Night Sky/Star Chart/Star Walk/Sky View etc

2. Good quality sunglasses, UV protected, preferably polarised. Tinted fashion glasses are not good in strong light

3. Clear glasses – useful for night game drives on evenings when there are a lot of flying bugs in the air

4. If you wear contact lenses, we recommend that you bring along a pair of glasses in case you get irritation from the dust

5. Flashlight/head torch

6. Southern African bird guide if you are a keen birder, e.g., Newman’s or Sasol. Alternatively download the Sasol or Roberts Bird mobile app

7. Personal toiletries (basic amenities are supplied by most establishments e.g. shampoo, conditioner, body wash, body cream)

8. Malaria tablets (if applicable)

9. Antihistamine tablets if you suffer from any allergies

10. Anti nausea tablets if you suffer from motion sickness

11. Ear plugs for light aircraft transfers

12. Moisturising cream and suntan lotion – SPF 30 or higher recommended

13. Insect repellent for body application e.g. Tabard, Rid, Jungle Juice, etc. (also provided by camps). Tip: Elizabeth Arden 8 Hour cream takes the sting out of mosquito bites

14. Basic medical kit (aspirins, plasters, Imodium, antiseptic cream and antihistamine cream etc)

15. Wet Wipes/ hand sanitizer for bathroom breaks while on game drives

16. Visas, tickets, passports, money, credit cards, insurance details etc.

17. Camera equipment including spare batteries, chargers, memory sticks etc.

18. Waterproof/dustproof bag or cover for your camera

19. Binoculars – we highly recommended that you bring your own pair for viewing both wildlife and birds. 8x40 and 10x42 are the recommended general purpose binocular specifications

Photographic Tips

The choice of the correct camera equipment will determine the quality of your photographs on safari.

1. For photography of birds and animals, a good digital SLR camera and telephoto lens is necessary.

2. High resolution digital cameras are outstanding and give superb quality images, especially if you are using a digital SLR camera body, with inter-changeable lenses.

3. Camera bodies from Canon, Nikon and Sony are excellent.

4. Spare batteries are essential (we recommend that you bring 3 spare batteries) and an image storage device of some sort is recommended.

5. Make certain you have enough card storage – most people take more photographs than they expect to.

6. There are no charging facilities on the Selinda Canoe Trail, so all batteries for photography and video filming need to be charged before arriving for the Trail along with enough batteries to last you the full 5 days of the Trail.

Recommended Reading

We recommend the following books specific to Botswana.

· Okavango: Wetland Wilderness - Adrian Bailey

· Okavango: An African Paradise - Daryl Balfour

· Chobe: Africa’s Untamed Wilderness - Daryl Balfour

· The Lions and Elephants of the Chobe - Bruce Aitken

· This is Botswana – Daryl Balfour

· Color Bar: The triumph of Seretse Khama and his nation – Susan Williams

· The Bushmen - A Changing Way of Life - Anthony Bannister

· Botswana: A Brush with the Wild - Paul Augustinus

· The Kalahari, Survival in a Thirstland Wilderness - Nigel Dennis

· Newman’s Birds of Southern Africa and Common Birds of Botswana - Ken Newman

· Guide to the Trees & Shrubs of the Okavango Delta - Veronica Roodt

· Guide to the Wildflowers of the Okavango Delta - Veronica Roodt

· Botswana Tourist Map & Guide - Veronica Roodt

· Running Wild: Dispelling the Myths of the African Wild Dog - John McNutt, Lesley Boggs, Dave Hamman & Helene Heldring

· Wild About the Okavango - Duncan Butchart

· Botswana - The Bradt Travel Guide - Chris McIntyre

Reference materials and books can be found in camps and vehicles.