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CURRENCY :
The local currency is the Pula (which means rain) and the thebe (which means drop). One pula is equal to 100 thebe. US$ 1-00 is approximately equal to 5,5 pulas.
FOREIGN CURRENCY :
We advise you to carry US dollars, both traveler's cheques and cash. Once in Africa, only authorised banks or moneychangers should exchange money. Our rangers will provide assistance if required. Major credit cards are widely accepted.
TIME DIFFERENCES:
Throughout the year, Standard Time in Botswana is two hours ahead of Greenwich Mean Time, one hour ahead of Central European Winter Time, and seven hours ahead of Eastern Standard Winter Time in the U.S.
CUSTOMS REQUIREMENTS :
Visitors to Botswana are subject to clearance through customs. Personal property, which will be re-exported at the end of your visit, is not subject to customs duties.
DUTY FREE :
400 Cigarettes or 50 cigars or 250g of tobacco. 1 Litre of spirits, 2 Litres of wine, 0.25 Litres of perfume, 6 cans of beer.
ELECTRICITY:
Power supply is 220/240 AC. Both round and square plugs are used.
HEALTH REQUIREMENTS :
Malaria is common in Botswana. It is imperative that you obtain malaria prophylactics before entering Botswana. When purchasing these, please tell your doctor or pharmacist that you intend visiting Botswana. Take precautionary measures to prevent contact with mosquitoes, like: sleeping under a bed-net or in a room/tent with mosquito proofing (remember to keep the flaps zipped at all times); spraying your accommodation with insecticide; making use of a mosquito-repelling lotion or stick; and wearing long-sleeve clothing, long trousers and socks when outside at night.
RECOMMENDED IMMUNISATIONS:
As a sensible precaution we recommend that you consider getting at least some of the following recommended immunizations:
Yellow Fever
Cholera
Tetanus
Typhoid fever
Bilharzia
Hepatitis
Please check with your local travel clinic for the latest recommendations.
MEDICAL SERVICES :
It is advisable to obtain medical insurance prior to departure. Health care standards in Botswana are high, with excellent hospitals in Gaborone and Francistown. All main towns have well stocked pharmacies, but as most tourist areas are in remote areas, it is recommended that you bring any medicines you may require with you. Most chemists in the major towns are open from Monday to Friday 08h30 to 12h30 and 14h00 to 17h00 from 08h00 to 13h00 on Saturdays.
WATER :
Tap water in the major towns is purified and perfectly safe to drink. In the more remote areas always boil it first, except if you're staying at a lodge or hotel where drinking water is perfectly safe.
TRAVEL INSURANCE :
It is advisable to buy travel insurance covering accidents, illness or hospitalization for the period of your stay. People who may require emergency medical attention on safari are flown to South Africa for the best medical attention available in Southern Africa.
LANGUAGE :
The national language is Setswana. English is the official language. Each of the tribes in Botswana speaks different languages.
BANKS :
Banking hours are standardized across the country. They are from 9 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday; from 8:15 a.m. to 12:00 noon on Wednesday and from 8:15 a.m. to 10:45 on Saturday. There are no foreign currency transactions on Saturday, but hotels and lodges do exchange money.
TIPPING :
A tip of 10% for good service is adequate. Service charges are frequently added and it is usual to tip a tour driver or guide at least US $10 a day.
COMMUNICATIONS :
All major hotels have fax machines at the disposal of their guests as well as telex services. Telephone directories will list all the international dialing codes. Both local and long-distance calls are metered on a time basis.
SAFETY :
Botswana is a safe destination with a low crime rate. The people of Botswana are generally very friendly. Make photocopies of the first few pages of your passport, air ticket and other important travel documents. Keep this separate from the originals. Most hotels offer safety deposit box services. Always remember that while some animals have become accustomed to the presence of people they are still wild animals. Keep your distance. It is illegal to feed any animal, make excessive noise to attract their attention, or deviate from designated roads for that closer photograph. Never get out of your vehicle except at designated points.
PHOTOGRAPHY :
Botswana offers breathtaking scenery and wildlife and thus exceptional photographic opportunities. Be sure to bring your own photo supplies including plenty of film (video cassettes if you're bringing a camcorder) and batteries - they will not be readily available everywhere. A telephoto lens of at least 200 mm is useful for wildlife photography, and an ultra violet filter and lens cap are strongly recommended. Note that taking pictures of government and military personnel and installations is not advised. It is customary to ask before you photograph people.
PASSPORTS & VISAS :
All visitors are required to carry a passport that is valid for six months beyond the intended length of stay. There should be sufficient blank pages for entry stamps upon arrival.
Nationals of the following countries do not require visas for a stay of less than 90 days: All Commonwealth Countries (except nationals of Ghana, Nigeria, Sri Lanka, Pakistan and Bangladesh, who do require a visa) Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Finland, France, German Federal Republic, Greece, Iceland, Republic of Ireland, Italy, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Namibia, Netherlands, Norway, Western Samoa, San Marino, Sweden, Switzerland, Uruguay, USA, Yugoslavia, Israel, South Africa, Canada.
Where applicable, visas should be obtained from your nearest Botswana Consulate before departure. Requirements for obtaining a visa are:
photocopy of passport,
original application form and two passport photos.
All visitors may be requested to show proof of sufficient funds and onward travel / return ticket.
This is a guide only - please check with your nearest Botswana Consulate for up to date information.
BOTSWANA DIPLOMATIC MISSIONS
Belgium
169, Avenue de Tervuren
B1150 Brussels
Belgium
Tel. (32) 2 735-2070/735-6110, Fax: (32) 2 735-6318
China
Unit 811 IBM Tower
Pacific Century Place
#2A Gong Ti Bellu
Cha Oyan District
Beijing 100027
People's Republic of China
Tel. (86) 10 653-91616, Fax. (86) 10 653-91199
South Africa
24 Amos Street, Colbyn
P.O. Box 57034
Arcadia, 0007
PretoriaTel. (27) 12 342-4761/2/3/4, Fax. (27) 12 342-1845
South Africa
8 Riebeeck Street
4th Floor, Southern Life Centre
P.O. Box 3288
Cape Town, 8000
Tel. (27) 21 211-045, Fax. (27) 21 211-046
Ethiopia
P.O. Box 22202
Code 1000
Addis Abbaba
Ethiopia
Tel. (25) 11 715-422/23, Fax. (25) 11 717-215
Switzerland
80, Rue de Lausanne
1202 Geneva
Switzerland
Tel. (41) 22 906-1060, Fax. (41) 22 906-1061
Japan
Shiba Amerex Building No. 2
4-5-10 Shiba Minato-Ku
Tokyo
Japan
Tel. (81) 3 5440-5676, Fax. (81) 3 5765-7581
United Kingdom
6 Stratford Place
London WIN 9AE
4958595
Tel. (44) 207 499-0031, Fax. (44) 207 409-782
Namibia
101 Klein Windhoek
P.O. Box 20359
Windhoek
Namibia
Tel. (264) 61 221-941/2-7, Fax. (264) 61 236-034
USA
3400 International Drive N. W.
Suite 7M
Washington DC, 2008
USA
Tel. (1) 202 244-4990, Fax. (1) 202 244-4164
Sweden
Tyrgatan 11
P.O. Box 26024
10041 Stockholm
Sweden
Tel. (46) 8 723-0035, Fax. (46) 8 723-0087
Zambia
5201 Pandit Nehru Road
Diplomatic Triangle
P.O. Box 31910
Lusaka
Zambia
Tel. (260) 1 252-058, Fax. (260) 1 253-895
Zimbabwe
22 Philips Avenue
Belgravia
P.O. Box 563
Harare
Zimbabwe
Tel. (263) 4 729-551/3, Fax. (263) 4 721-360
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