The government's tourism policies encourage community, ecological and low-volume, high-cost tourism. This sensible approach ensures the protection of the fragile environment and its resources, improves the lives of its local people and ensures Botswana remains an exclusive and unspoilt safari destination.
Those privileged to visit it, will find diverse terrain offering great photographic opportunities including the wild waterlands of the Okavango Delta, white salt pans where ancient lakes have long since dried, vast grasslands and the endless Kalahari Desert with its orange sand and low vegetation.
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Botswana is north-west of South Africa, with an area of 570,000 square km.
Though Botswana is rightfully renowned for its wildlife, it also offers a great diversity of plants, insects and reptiles.
Previously a British Protectorate, Botswana became an independent republic in 1966. It has a population of more than one million, concentrated mainly in the catchments area of the Limpopo River and the eastern part.
Wildlife is of vital importance and 17 per cent of the country has been proclaimed as either National Parks or Game Reserves. Gaborone, the capital, is situated in the south-east of the country and features an excellent National Museum with natural history and ethnological exhibitions, but it is Botswana's national parks and game reserves that are the real attraction. The Okavango Delta area, northwards in the Kalahari Desert, is home to over 300 exotic species and a variety of fauna. It is extremely beautiful, with vast grass flats, low tree-covered ridges and lagoons.
Index > Botswana
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1 Pula = 100 Thebe. Major hotels have foreign currency facilities and most shops, lodges and travel agencies will accept traveller's cheques. USD traveller's cheques are recommended. Purchases must be made in Pula, but at tourist facilities, hard currencies are accepted. An unlimited amount of foreign currency may be imported and exported as long as it's declared. On leaving, you can take P200 maximum.
There are no vaccination requirements for international travellers. Pre-arrival precautions are advised against malaria (risk exists Nov-Jun in northern parts of Botswana incl. Maun, Boteti, Chobe, Ngamiland, Okavango, Tutume districts/areas) and Hepatitis A, polio and typhoid. Other health concerns include influenza (risk throughout the year) and AIDS. Due to the dry, dusty atmosphere, those with extreme respiratory problems (e.g. severe asthma or acute allergies) should avoid travels to Botswana as medical facilities are inadequate. As a precaution boil or sterilize drinking water when outside towns.
English is the official language and Setswana the local language.
Most people follow a traditional lifestyle and may be unused to visitors, be sensitive to this. Obtain permission from locals to photograph them. Some hotels don't permit jeans and T-shirts. On safari, wear neutral colours, white is not practical. The majority of the population hold animistic beliefs.
Most of the country forms a high-lying continental plateau with few mountain features. Arid grasslands and semi-desert conditions dominate the central and southern regions while the far north is tropical, including the Okavango Delta area. Except for the northern tropical region, the country's climate is typically continental with extremely high temperatures up to 40 degrees Celsius in the dry season and occasionally low night-time temperatures, falling below zero in some areas. Generally hot throughout the year. Winter is April to October and is dry, making game viewing easier, because the grasses are low. The rainy season is November to March. The air is dry virtually all year and August is the month of dust storms.
The majority of the population is of Christian religion. There are other religions, such as Islam and Hindu, as the people enjoy freedom of religion.
Water supplies are safe in the urban areas, but not reliable in rural regions. With a large number of wildlife and cattle, the limited water sources in rural areas are heavily utilised. All water from unknown sources should be boiled, filtered and purified. It is also advisable to carry water when travelling in remote areas, including national parks and game reserves.
All visitors must have valid passports and return tickets, but nationals from Japan, America, Canada, some of the commonwealth countries and most EEC countries will not require visas.
Travel within the country can be conducted by road on good tar surfaces between major centres. For access to wilderness areas, air charter flights are the most convenient, or, in the case of very remote sites, 4X4 vehicles.
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