Botswana - Tourist Information |
Statistics
Statistics
Population: 1.64 million
Area: 600 370 sq. kms.
GDP per capita: US$ 10 700
Languages: English, Setswana |
Climate
All areas in Botswana experience dry winter conditions with summer rains falling in the form of thunderstorms. Rainfall in the country is a scarce commodity with higher levels of precipitation in the...
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Currency and Credit Cards
The unit of currency in Botswana is the Pula, which is divided into 100 Thebe. Bank notes currently available are in denominations of P100; P50; P20; P10 and P5. Coins in denominations of P2; P1; 50t;...
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Electricity
The Botswana power grid uses 220/240 volts AC 50 Hertz. Wall sockets (round and square 3 pin) are rated to carry a maximum of 15 amps. It is important to carry a 3 pin round and square adapter, which...
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Public Holidays
01 January - New Year’s Day
02 January - Public Holiday
Good Friday (Easter weekend) - April (variable date)
Family Day (Easter weekend) - April (variable date)
Ascension Day - (variable...
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Visas and Entry Requirements
Valid passports are required by all foreign nationals to enter Botswana. Citizens of the Commonwealth and the following countries do not require visas to enter Botswana: USA, Sweden, Belgium, Finland,...
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Economy
Botswana owes much of its economic wealth to the discovery of diamonds after independence. Together with South Africa and Namibia is Botswana today one of the largest exporters of diamonds in the...
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General
Cloaked by an immense mantle of red sand, Botswana is a country with a wild heart. Dominated by the Kalahari Desert with vast tracts of land given over to wilderness; Botswana can overwhelm the...
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History
Much of Botswana’s history was influenced by events that took place in present-day South Africa. At the turn of the nineteenth century many of the ancestors of Botswana’s current population resided in...
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Physical Features
The isolated Tsodilo Hills in the far north-western corner of Botswana and occasional rocky hills in Botswana’s south-east are the only stark interruptions to the vast mantle of the Kalahari Desert,...
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Political Features
Botswana is divided into ten regions and has two main languages, Setswana and English, with English the language of business and government. The capital city is Gaborone located close to the countries...
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Accommodation
The variety of accommodation in Botswana ranges from luxury or comfortable hotels in Gaborone, Francistown and Kasane to exclusive game lodges in the wildlife areas to National Park campsites in the...
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Banks and Foreign Exchange
Banking hours in most centres are 09h00 to 13h00 and 15h00 to 16h00 Mondays to Fridays and 09h00 to 13h00 on Saturdays.
Foreign bank notes and travellers cheques may be converted into local...
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Business Hours
Most businesses and shops are open between 08h30 and 17h00 on weekdays and between 09h00 and 13h00 on Saturdays. Many shops close for lunch between 13h00 and 15h00. |
Dining and Drinking
The food of Botswana reflects the agricultural products of the country. Superb meat products including beef and venison feature prominently. Gaborone boasts a wide variety of restaurants featuring...
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Media and Television
Three weekly newspapers in English and Setswana are produced in Botswana. In addition a number of daily and weekly newspapers published in South Africa are available in Gaborone. Regular periodicals...
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Medical Care
Visitors are responsible for their own medical needs and it is advisable to carry comprehensive medical insurance. There are Public Hospitals in most towns and cities with a reasonable quality of...
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Postal Services
Post Offices are open from 08h15 to 12h45 and 14h00 to 16h00 on weekdays and from 08h30 to 11h30 on Saturdays. |
Telephones
A modern and efficient telephone service is available in almost all parts of the country. Direct national and international dialling is possible in most areas. There are no area codes in Botswana. Pay...
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Tipping
Tipping for service is standard practice in Botswana and usually ranges around 10% in restaurants and about P4 for hotel porters. Cleaners and maids in hotels and other accommodation establishments...
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Air Travel
Direct flights from Europe, North and South America, Australia, the Far East and the Middle East provide easy access to Botswana via Johannesburg in South Africa. Regionally, Botswana has regular...
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Rivers and Waterways
The Kavango River, which has its source in the distant central highlands of Angola, feeds the inland water wonderland of the Okavango Swamps. This is a vast area of secluded waterways, papyrus, palm trees and...
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Road Travel and Public transport
The road network is well developed and being improved on an on-going basis. Most major international and a number of local car hire companies are represented in Botswana. Easy access to car hire from...
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Security
Botswana is a relatively crime free country with very low levels of violent crime. Petty crime can impact on the enjoyment of your holiday in the country and in order to avoid this inconvenience...
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