Botswana became independent in 1966 following the sting of new countries which had emerged only a few years earlier farther north. Fortunately Botswana stayed clear of most of the trouble that they faced help along by the discovery of huge diamond reserves. The country is quite politically stable. The main area of tourist focus is in the eastern portion of the country which is well prepared for tourism. This area is not an area for groups as most of the accommodations have less than 15 rooms. The country is quite beautiful and the government has an excellent attitude about the preservation of wildlife and its habitats.
Capital: Gaborone
Population: 1,556,000
Area: 587,202 sq km.
Language: English
Time: +7 hours from New York (GMT +2)
Electricity: 220 Volts AC
Geography: Botswana is landlocked. The average elevation is about 3500 ft and is not mountainous anywhere. The country is mostly sand with scrub and savannah. The country is surrounded by Zimbabwe to the northeast, South Africa to the south, Namibia to the west and north and a tiny speck of Zambia to the north.
Francistown - This is not a very interesting place. The city was set up as a gold mining depot which has since dried up. Other commercial activities have taken over and the city has become a wholesale shopping center. The main activity in town is the historical museum called the Supa-Ngwao.
Gaborone - The city is very confusing being overwhelmed by urban sprawl and lack of a real master plan. The are several things in and about the city which are interesting. The National Gallery is rather well endowed attracting some respectable painters from the region and Europe as well. The National Museum, although not very large, has a well defined collection of material from Botswana's past and present. Not far away is the Gaborone Game Reserve which has rhinos and bountiful other wildlife.
Kasane - The town sits in an odd spot at meeting point of Botswana, Namibia, Zimbabwe and Zambia. The confluence of the Choba and Zambezi rivers is also here. Most importantly, Kasane is the town which is the point will all visitors must go to enter the wonderful Chobe National Park which is teeming with varied wildlife including over 73,000 elephants!.
Maun - The city serves as a jumping off point for travelers going into the Okavango Delta . In town is the Nhabe Museum which shows cultural artifacts and the natural history of the area. In the area is the Maun Environmental Education Center which has places where you can observe wildlife.
Mashatu Game Reserve - This game reserve is set adjacent to the Tuli Game Reserve. This reserve is in private hands and is one of Africa's largest private reserves.
Okavango Delta & Moremi Wildlife Reserve - Here the Okavango disappears into the 5,000 quare miles of channels, islands and lagoons. It is teeming with wildlife and is the largest inland delta in the world. Besides a wonderful range of bird species, there are lots of elephant, buffalo, zebra, wildebeest, hippo and zebra to be found.
Serowe - This is one of Botswana's largest villages. Serowe has the Khama III Museum which contains the history of the Khama family. Not far from town is the Khama Rhino Sanctuary which is home to half of Botswana's Rhinos. The village is well known for its very fine woodcarving which is not outrageously expensive. Also nearby is the Thathaganyana Hill which has the ruins of an 11th century village including a royal cemetery. Here is also the grave of Khama III.
Tuli Game Reserve - A very large game reserve which is stuffed with lots of wildlife and has perhaps some of Botswana's best scenery and neat little villages.
International Airport
Gaborone - The airport is about 4 miles from town. Bus service exists but is not recommended. Taxis are dependable and take about 20 minutes to transit. Note that airfares into Gaborone are among the highest in the region. Rates into Harare, Zimbabwe or Johannesburg, South Africa are far more reasonable.
Tipping: It is not usual to tip here - even in restaurants. Tips should be given, however, to porters and support people on tours who are not terribly well paid.
Shopping: Most shops are open by 9 am and close at about 5 pm. Many shops will close for lunch beginning at 12:30 for about an hour.
Food and Drink: There are many restaurants to be found here. Best to stay with the meal program of your tour however.
Social: The people are surprisingly friendly. The country is overwhelmingly black and has a very non-racial attitude about everyone. Since everyone speaks English there is relative little problem in communicating except that the pronunciation of words is markedly different from what you are used to hearing. Always listen very carefully and don't be afraid to ask the person to repeat anything that you do think that you've gotten quite right.
Business: Business is conducted in English. Business hours begin at 9 in the morning and last until 5 pm. Best to make appointments in the morning or early afternoon. Dress is not terribly important but you should look smart and have a jacket. A tie is not necessary.
Money and Banks
Banking: Banking hours are 9 in the morning to 2:30 pm on Mondays, Tuesdays and Thursdays and Fridays. On Wednesdays the banks open at 8:15 in the morning and close at noon. On Saturdays the hours are 8:15 to 10:45 am.
Currency: The Pula (P)
Money Exchange: This is best to do at banks. Banks in teh country may not at times cash travelers checks. ATMs are not present. Cash advances on credit cards are fairly quick in most banks in the capital of Gabarone, Lobaste and Maun. Elsewhere the authorization process is grindingly show.
Credit cards: Visa, Master Card, American Express and Diners Club. Credit cards are accepted almost exclusively at hotels and upscale restaurants.
Climate
The purpose of coming to Botswana is usually viewing the wildlife. Visiting during the dry season which runs from late May to mid-August is best since that is when the wildlife is near the watering places and more easily seen. The dry time is during the winter months which tend to be clear and warm during the day but quite chilly and sometimes very cold at night. The rainy season is November through March.
HIGHLIGHTS:
- Okavango Delta: A maze of channels and islands teeming with wildlife. Chobe National Park.
- Tsodilo Hills: Impressive peaks, good hiking, gallery of ancient San paintings.
- Sua Pan: Vast expanses immortalised in The Gods Must be Crazy.
- Tuli Block: Private wildlife reserves lying on Limpopo river.
- Makgadikgadi and Nxai Pan National Park.
- Gcwihaba Caverns: In the heart of Kalahari offer an entirely undeveloped underground experience.
- Serowe: Home of Sir Seretse Khama and his forebears.
- Jwaneng: Visit the diamond mines.
- The Kalahari: Magnificent sand dunes and desert scenery
CURRENCY:
Pula, divided into 100 thebe. Banks in all major cities and travelling banks in remote areas where travellers cheques can be exchanged. Credit cards accepted at tourist hotels and in major cities (but can’t be used to buy petrol).
EXCHANGE RATE:
£1=4 pula
LANGUAGE:
English is the official language, but Setswana is spoken by 90% of the population.
GETTING AROUND:
Bus service limited, rail more reliable, slow but relaxing. Hiring a vehicle is the best option, although expensive it allows you to get the most out of Botswana. | 