Chobe River Front, Botswana 5 Star Zambezi Queen (3 Days) ZIMQ2N

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.