Botswana: Travelling

Entry Requirements

Passport and Visa Service: Visa Information from the government of Botswana
Guidelines for Completing a Visa Application

For Further Information: Diplomatic Missions of Botswana

Check IATA Travel Website for visa requirements and health advices.

Organising Your Trip

Transportation From Airport to City Centre:

Airport	Distance	Taxi	Bus	Train	Car Rental
Sir Seretse Khama International Airport	15 km	BWP 100-150/ 15 minutes	No offical bus lines but hotels operate courtesy shuttle services	-	-

Major airlines

Name	Type	Domestic Flights	International Flights
Air Botswana	National	Yes	Yes
Mack Air	Charter	Yes	Yes
Wilderness Air	Charter	Yes	Yes

You Can Consult The EU Air Safety List. Look Also at the rating of the United States Federal Aviation Administration (FAA).

Visiting

Different Forms of Tourism

Historical: Most of historical sites in Botswana date back to the British colonial rule; however, there are also older sites from the Greater Zimbabwe period. One example is the site of Domboshaba located in the northeast of the country. The site contains cement-less stone walls dating back to the 15th century. Old Palapye, in eastern Botswana, artefacts from the Middle Stone Age, the Late Stone Age, the Early Iron Age, but also from the colonial era. The site was also one of the earliest meeting points between Europeans and the Batswana people. Serowe, in the Central District, is the birthplace of Botswana's founding father and first president Sir Seretse Khama and is home to the Khama III Memorial Museum. Manyana, near the capital city of Gaborone, is a rock painting site that includes giraffe, antelope, human figures and geometric designs, dating from between 12th and 18th centuries.
Cultural: Gabane, a village 15 km away from the capital city of Gaborone, is home to cultural sites where visitors can experience local arts and crafts. The village is home to pottery studios and the Pelegano Village Industry that includes a glass factory, metal works and a sorghum milling plant. Thamaga, located southwest of Gaborone, is another village known for its pottery. Francistown, the second largest city, is home to the Supa Ngwao Museum which hosts exhibitions on the culture and history of the Kalanga people, as well as visuals from the early years of the city and Botswana.
Nature: Botswana's nature is the main attraction for many tourists that visit the country each year. The wildlife is one of the unique in Africa and most nature reserves are easily accessible, which makes the country an ideal destination for safari. Okavango Delta, part of UNESCO's World Heritage, is an inland river delta that is home to the world's most endangered mammals, including cheetah and white rhinoceros. The Delta boasts numerous reserves and parks, including Moremi Game Reserve and Chobe National Park. Central Kalahari Game Reserve, larger than the Netherlands and almost 10% of Botswana's total land area, is the second largest game reserve in the world. Mokolodi Nature Reserve, near the capital city of Gaborone and Khama Rhino Sanctuary are among other natural sites to visit in Botswana.
Religious: While the Batswana are predominantly Christian, the country is home to major Hindu temples, including ISKCON Sri Sri Krishna Balaram Mandir and Sri Balaji Temple. Christ the King Cathedral in the capital city of Gaborone, is another major religious site visited by tourists.
Thermal: Botswana is not rich in mineral and thermal water; however, the city of Kasane (north) has hot springs that are located within a wildlife corridor.
Beach: There are no beaches in Botswana as it is a landlocked country.
Winter Sports: The climate of Botswana is not suitable for winter sports.
Outdoor Activities: Safari is by far the most popular outdoor activity in Botswana. Some safari sites also include private camps located next to wildlife hotspots. Mokoro (dugout canoes) safari through the water trails of Okavango Delta is another popular outdoor activity. There are also expeditions that include cultural activities, such as the Bushman safari to meet the San people, members of various indigenous hunter-gatherer groups.
Shopping: Some of the major handicrafts/gift items to buy in Botswana include: Lentswe-la-Oodi wall tapestries, Kalahari quilts, hand-dyed textiles, San jewellery and baskets, and pottery.

Tourism Organisations: Botswana Tourism Organisation

Living Conditions

Health and Safety

Health Precautions: WHO and foreign ministries of various countries recommend the following vaccines before entering Botswana: Hepatitis A, Typhoid, Hepatitis B, Malaria and Rabies, and vaccine against yellow fever if travelling from a country with risk of yellow fever transmission.
For Further Information on Sanitary Conditions: CDC - Health Information for Travelers to Botswana
For Further Information on Safety Conditions: U.S. Department of State - Botswana Travel Information
Government of Canada - Botswana Travel Advice
OSAC - Botswana Crime and Safety Report
Centres for Disease Control and Prevention - Botswana Health Information
Foreign and Commonwealth Office - Botswana Travel Advice

Emergency Numbers

Ambulance	997
Police	999
Fire Brigade	998
Medical Rescue	911

Time Difference and Climate

Time and Time Difference: It is %T:%M %A In Gaborone (GMT+2)
Summer Time Period: None

Map of the Time Zone

Time zone

Type of Climate: The climate in Botswana is semi-arid, with hot and dry weather throughout most of the year. The rainy season runs through summer months, with January and February being the peak months while October and April are regarded as transitional months. Rainfall tends to be erratic, unpredictable and regional. It can reach a maximum of over 650 mm in the extreme northeast area of the Chobe District and a minimum of 250 mm in the extreme southwest part of Kgalagadi District. Winter begins in May and ends in August. Winter days are invariably sunny and cool to warm; however, evening and night temperatures can drop below freezing point in some areas, especially in the southwest.
Hotel reservation websites: Botswana Tourism Organisation

Average Annual Temperatures and Rainfall

Climate

Eating

Food Specialties: The cuisine of Botswana shares some characteristics with other cuisines of Southern Africa and as such, most dishes are based on meat and maize. Seswaa is among the most popular local culinary specialties in Botswana. The dish consists of meat stew served over thick polenta or pap. The stew is made by boiling meat for two hours (mostly by men) with onion and pepper. The food is then served with a leafy green called Morogo. Goat meat, which is often stewed is the second most popular meat after beef. Bogobe, a sorghum porridge, is another popular dish and is often eaten at breakfast. Vetkoek, fried dough bread introduced by the Afrikaners, is another popular dish. Mopane worm, an edible caterpillar, is mostly served in rural areas.
Drinks: Botswana boasts a variety of non-wheat beers, as other parts of Southern Africa. Bojalwa jwa Setswana is the traditional beer brewed from fermented sorghum seeds. Millet and maize beer is also a popular beverage, especially in smaller cities, towns and villages. Madila (sour milk) is one of the most popular soft drinks in Botswana. Made from fermented milk, the drink can be consumed on its own or added to porridge. Homemade ginger beer is another soft drink that is widely consumed in Botswana.
Dietary Restrictions: None

Paying

Domestic Currency: Botswana Pula
ISO Code: BWP
To Obtain Domestic Currency: Foreign currency may be exchanged at banks, forex bureaus, and authorised hotels. The US dollar, Euros, British Pound and the South African Rand are the most easily convertible currencies.
Possible Means of Payment: ATMs accept most foreign cards; however, they are mostly found in larger towns and cities. Cultural sites and local art and craft shops tend to accept cash only.

Speaking

Official Language: English, Tswana
Other Languages Spoken: Kalanga, Sekgalagadi, Shona
Business Language: English

Useful Resources

To Find a Job: Jobs Botswana
Careerpool Botswana
PNet Botswana

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