Botswana
At A glance
Capital City: Gaborone
Land size: 566,730 sq km
Population: 2,384,246 (2022 est.)
Official language: English
Currency: Botswana Pula (P / BWP)
UNESCO properties and sites:
Source: https://www.cia.gov/the-world-factbook/countries/botswana/
Botswana's breathtaking beauty and abundant wildlife provide a unique and thrilling adventure for every traveler. Journey to the vast and remote Tuli block, home to the impressive Mashatu Game Reserve, where elephants roam freely among baobab trees. Immerse yourself in the warm hospitality of the Batswana people and experiencing their rich traditions.
Botswana is a haven for equestrian enthusiasts. Begin your journey in Maun, the gateway to the Okavango Delta, and experience the thrill of riding through the vast floodplains and winding channels of this unique UNESCO World Heritage Site. Discover the iconic Big 5 from the back of a horse, for a truly unique perspective on this lush ecosystem.
Get ready to forge unforgettable connections with nature, culture, and the soul of Africa as you ride through the wild beauty of Botswana.
Brief History
Seeking to stop the incorporation of their land into Rhodesia (Zimbabwe) or the Union of South Africa, in 1885, three tribal chiefs traveled to Great Britain and successfully lobbied the British Government to put "Bechuanaland" under UK protection. Upon independence in 1966, the British protectorate of Bechuanaland adopted the new name of Botswana.
More than five decades of uninterrupted civilian leadership, progressive social policies, and significant capital investment have created one of the most stable economies in Africa. The ruling Botswana Democratic Party has won every national election since independence.
Source: https://www.cia.gov/the-world-factbook/countries/botswana/
Cultural Insights
Batswana emphasize extensive greetings and inquiries after each other. It is polite to address senior men as Rra and women as Mma (literally, father and mother).
Grown women should keep their thighs covered, but more and more women are wearing tight pants, and short skirts are seen in urban areas.
Source: https://www.everyculture.com/Bo-Co/Botswana.html
Transportation
By Air
Most major international airlines from Europe, the United States, Asia and Australia fly to Johannesburg, South Africa, where connecting flights can be booked to Sir Seretse Khama International Airport in Gaborone, or to Maun, Francistown or Kasane.
Source: https://www.botswanatourism.co.bw/travel-info/getting-there
Money
ATMs are available in the major towns and larger villages, but most only accept Visa. Major credit cards are accepted at many shops and restaurants in towns.
In Botswana, one is not under any obligation to offer gratuity (tips) for services rendered at restaurants, bars, hotels, etc. It is at the discretion of the individual whether or not to pay gratuity for services.
Source: https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/botswana
https://www.botswanatourism.co.bw/travel-info/general-information
Health
Health care in Botswana is good in major towns, but medical facilities and communications are limited in rural areas. For serious medical treatment, medical evacuation to the UK or South Africa may be necessary.
If you need emergency medical assistance during your trip, dial 997 and ask for an ambulance. You should contact your insurance/medical assistance company promptly if you’re referred to a medical facility for treatment.
Ambulance services are widely available but training and availability of emergency responders may be below U.S. standards.
Private hospitals will not treat patients unless you can pay, and the cost of health care may be high. Outpatients must pay cash before receiving treatment. You will only be accepted as an emergency patient if you have full insurance cover. Make sure you have adequate travel health insurance and accessible funds to cover the cost of any medical treatment abroad and repatriation.
Always carry your prescription medication in original packaging, along with your doctor’s prescription. Check with the Botswana Medicines Regulatory Authority to ensure the medication is legal in Botswana.
Avoid drinking tap water and ice made from tap water. Many restaurants and hotels serve tap water unless bottled water is specifically requested. Bottled water and beverages are generally safe to drink.
If you intend to camp or walk in the bush you should be aware of the risk of tick bites.
Source: https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/botswana
https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/international-travel/International-Travel-Country-Information-Pages/Botswana.html
Electricity
Botswana operates on a 230V supply voltage and uses type D, G and M plugs.
The Type D electrical plug has three large round pins in a triangular pattern. Type M plugs are often used alongside Type D plugs for larger appliances and as a result, some sockets work with both Type D and Type M plugs.
The Type M plug has three round pins in a triangular pattern and looks similar to the Indian Type D plug, but its pins are much larger.
The Type G electrical plug has three rectangular blades in a triangular pattern and has an incorporated fuse.
Source: https://www.iec.ch/world-plugs
Communication
Time zone in Botswana: Central Africa Time (GMT+2)
International country code – 128
Effective regulatory reform has made Botswana’s telecom market one of the most liberalized in the region.
In a bid to generate new revenue streams and secure market share, the three mobile network operators have entered the underdeveloped broadband sector by adopting of 3G, LTE, and WiMAX technologies.
The landlocked country depends on satellites for international bandwidth, and on other countries for transit capacity to the landing points of international submarine cables; the landing of additional cables in the region in recent years has improved the competitive situation in this sector, while prices for connectivity have fallen dramatically. (2022)
Most of Botswana is networked by automatic telephone exchanges, with public telephones in even the most remote places. All major towns in Botswana are network-covered, as well as portions of the national highway.
The International access code in Botswana is 00. When calling international to Botswana, dial +267.
Source: https://www.cia.gov/the-world-factbook/countries/botswana/
https://www.botswanatourism.co.bw/travel-info/communications
Entry Requirements
Citizens of most European and Commonwealth countries do not require a visa for entry into Botswana. However, visitors should check with Botswana embassies or consulates before departure.
Note: For countries with whom Botswana has no diplomatic representation, visa information and processing are available through British Embassies and High Commissions.
You can find a list of countries that require a visa to enter Botswana, just below:
https://www.botswanatourism.co.bw/travel-info/countries-requiring-visas
Source: https://www.botswanatourism.co.bw/travel-info/entry-formalities
Embassies and Consulates
U.S. Embassy in Gaborone
Embassy Drive
Government Enclave
Gaborone
Phone: (+267) 395-3982
Consulate of Canada in Gabrone
9th floor, iTowers North, Lot 54368
Gaborone
Phone: (+267) 3160 926 / (+267) 3160 946
Source: for USA https://www.usembassy.gov/
For Canada: https://travel.gc.ca/assistance/embassies-consulates
UNESCO Sites
Tsodilo
With one of the highest concentrations of rock art in the world, Tsodilo has been called the ''Louvre of the Desert''. Over 4,500 paintings are preserved in an area of only 10 km2 of the Kalahari Desert. The archaeological record of the area gives a chronological account of human activities and environmental changes over at least 100,000 years. Local communities in this hostile environment respect Tsodilo as a place of worship frequented by ancestral spirits.
Okavango Delta
This delta in north-west Botswana comprises permanent marshlands and seasonally flooded plains. It is one of the very few major interior delta systems that do not flow into a sea or ocean, with a wetland system that is almost intact. One of the unique characteristics of the site is that the annual flooding from the River Okavango occurs during the dry season, with the result that the native plants and animals have synchronized their biological cycles with these seasonal rains and floods. It is an exceptional example of the interaction between climatic, hydrological and biological processes. The Okavango Delta is home to some of the world’s most endangered species of large mammal, such as the cheetah, white rhinoceros, black rhinoceros, African wild dog and lion.
Source: https://whc.unesco.org/en/statesparties/BW