Country Profile - Botswana

Religion: The majority of the population holds animistic beliefs, 30 per cent are Christian. There are small Muslim communities and the Bahá’í Faith is also represented.

Time: GMT + 2.

Electricity: 220-240 volts AC, 50Hz. 15- and 13-amp plug sockets are in use.

Communications:

Telephone: IDD is available to over 80 countries. Country code: 267. Outgoing international code: 00. There are very few public phone boxes.

Mobile telephone: GSM 900 network. Local providers include Mascom Wireless (website: www.mascom.bw) and Orange Pty LTD (www.vista.bw). Coverage is limited to the main inhabited areas.

Fax: Widely available in urban areas, although there are very few facilities in wildlife areas.

Internet: Local ISPs include IBIS and Mega (website: www.mega.bw).

Telegram: There are facilities in Gaborone and other large centres (usually in major hotels and main post offices).

Post: There are post offices in all towns and the larger villages, open weekdays 0815-1245 and 1400-1600 and Sat 0800-1100. Services are slow but cheap. Airmail service to Europe takes from 1 to 3 weeks. There are post offices in all the main towns, although there are no deliveries and post must be collected from boxes.

Press: The daily newspaper is the Dikgang tsa Gompieno (Botswana Daily News), published in Setswana and English. Other English-language newspapers include Mmegi (The Reporter), The Botswana Gazette, The Botswana Guardian and The Midweek Sun, all published weekly.

Radio: BBC World Service (website: www.bbc.co.uk/worldservice) and Voice of America (website: www.voa.gov) can be received. From time to time the frequencies change and the most up-to-date can be found online.

Passport/Visa:

PASSPORTS: Passports valid for at least 12 months required by all.

VISAS: Required by all except the following for stays of up to 90 days:

• 1. nationals referred to in the chart above (except nationals of Czech Republic, Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland and Slovak Republic);
• nationals of Commonwealth countries (except nationals of Bangladesh, Ghana, India, Nigeria, Pakistan and Sri Lanka, who do require visas);
• nationals of Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway, San Marino, Serbia & Montenegro, Switzerland and Uruguay;
• transit passengers provided continuing their journey by the same or first connecting aircraft and not leaving the airport.

Types of visa and cost: General Entry: £5 (single- or multiple-entry).

Validity: Maximum of 90 days from the date of issue. No visitor is allowed to seek employment.

Application to: Consulate (or Consular Section at Embassy or High Commission); see Contact Addresses section.

Application requirements: (a) Two completed application forms. (b) Two passport-size photos. (c) Passport valid for at least 12 months, with at least one blank page. (d) Fee (cash or postal order only). (e) Tourists going on safari must be able to produce evidence of their itinerary in Botswana and a valid return ticket if required to do so. (f) Letter of invitation or letter of offer of employment and flight booking details if travelling on business. (g) For minors who share a passport with their parent(s), an authentic proof of identity must be provided.

Temporary residence: Anyone wishing to stay for more than 90 days should contact the Immigration and Passport Control Officer, PO Box 942, Gaborone.

Working days required: 5.

Money :

Currency: Pula (P) = 100 thebe. Notes are in denominations of P100, 50, 20 and 10. Coins are in denominations of P5, 2 and 1, and 50, 25, 10 and 5 thebe. Various gold and silver coins were issued to mark the country’s 10th anniversary of independence, and are still legal tender.

Currency exchange: Money should be exchanged in banks at market rates. There are five commercial banks in the country (Bank of Baroda, Barclays Bank of Botswana, First National Bank, Stanbic Bank Botswana and Standard Charted Bank) with branches in major towns and villages. Owing to limited facilities in small villages, it is advisable to change money at the airport or in major towns, where credit card cash advances may also be available. There are also Exchange Bureaus at major border posts.

Credit & debit cards: American Express, Diners Club, MasterCard and Visa are widely accepted. However, the majority of tourist facilities accept credit cards. Check with your credit or debit card company for details of merchant acceptability and other services which may be available.

Travellers cheques: To avoid additional exchange rate charges, travellers are advised to take travellers cheques in US Dollars or Pounds Sterling. Most hotels accept travellers cheques, but the surcharge may be high.

Currency restrictions: There are no restrictions on the import of local or foreign currencies, provided declared on arrival. Export of local currency is limited to P50 and foreign currencies up to amount declared on arrival.

Exchange rate indicators: The following figures are included as a guide to the movements of the Pula against Sterling and the US Dollar:

Banking hours: Mon-Fri 0900-1530; Sat 0815-1045. Most banks work these core hours with occasional regional differences.

Duty Free :

Duty-Free: The following goods may be imported into Botswana without incurring customs duty:

400 cigarettes and 50 cigars and 250g of tobacco; 2l of wine and 1l of spirits; 50ml of perfume and 250ml of eau de toilette; goods up to the value of P500.

Public Holidays :

Public Holidays: Jan 1 2004 New Year. Apr 9-12 Easter. May 1 Labour Day. May 20 Ascension Day. Jul 1 Sir Seretse Khama Day. Jul 15-16 President’s Day. Sep 30 Botswana Day. Dec 25-26 Christmas. Jan 1 2005 New Year. Mar 25-28 Easter. May 1 Labour Day. May 5 Ascension Day. Jul 1 Sir Seretse Khama Day. Jul 15-16 President’s Day. Sep 30 Botswana Day. Dec 25-26 Christmas.

Health:

• Risk of typhoid fever exists throughout the region especially if travelling outside cities. Botswana is practically free of poliomyelitis.
• Malaria risk exists from November to May/June in the northern part of the country (Boteti, Chobe, Ngamiland, Okavango and Tutume districts/subdistricts), predominantly in the malignant falciparum form. Some of the falciparum-related cases have been reported as chloroquine-resistant; in which case, the recommended prophylaxis in risk areas is mefloquine.
• A yellow fever vaccination certificate is required from all travellers over 1 year of age travelling from infected areas.

Food & drink: Tap water is considered safe to drink, although drinking water outside main cities and towns may be contaminated and sterilisation is advisable. Mineral water is available in most tourist centres. Milk is pasteurised and dairy products are safe for consumption. Local meat, poultry, seafood, fruit and vegetables are generally considered safe to eat.

Other risks: Hepatitis A, C and TB occur. Hepatitis B is hyperendemic. Bilharzia (schistosomiasis) is endemic. Avoid swimming and paddling in fresh water; swimming pools which are well chlorinated and maintained are safe. Trypanosomiasis (sleeping sickness) is transmitted by tsetse flies in the Moremi Wildlife Reserve, Ngamiland and western parts of the Chobe National Park. Protective clothing and insect repellent are recommended. Tick-bite fever can be a problem when walking in the bush. It is advisable to wear loose-fitting clothes and to search the body for ticks. The disease may be treated with tetracycline, though pregnant women and children under 8 years of age should not take this medicine. Natural foci of plague have been reported.

In recent years, there has been a high prevalence of HIV/AIDS cases detected; indeed, Botswana has a prevalence rate of 39 per cent (statistics: end of 2002), the highest in the world. Visitors should therefore take necessary precautions.

Rabies is present in animals. For those at high risk, vaccination before arrival should be considered. If you are bitten, seek medical advice without delay. For more information consult the Health appendix.

Health care: The dust and heat may cause problems for asthmatics and people with allergies to dust. Those with sensitive skin should take precautions. Botswana’s altitude, 1000m (3300ft) above sea level, reduces the filtering effect of the atmosphere. Hats and sunscreen are advised.

The public health system is made up of 23 district health teams, 3 referral hospitals (Francistown, Gaborone and Lobatse), 12 district hopsitals, 17 primary hospitals, 222 clinics, 330 health posts and 740 mobile stops. All main towns have chemists, and pharmaceutical supplies are readily available. Health insurance is essential. There is a government medical scheme and medicines supplied by government hospitals are free.

Travel – International:

Note: Although most visits to Botswana are trouble-free, there is, unfortunately, an increasing incidence of violent crime (on the street but also in the percentage of burglaries), particularly in the major towns of Gaborone, Francistown and Maun.

AIR: The national airline is Air Botswana (BP) which only operates within Africa. The airline’s agent in the UK is British Airways (tel: (0845) 773 3377). There are no direct flights from London to Gaborone but regular connections can be made from Johannesburg, Windhoek, Harare and Victoria Falls. Other airlines serving Botswana include South African Airways.

Approximate flight times: From Gaborone to London is 15 hours (including stopovers).

Departure tax: None.

International airports: Sir Seretse Khama International (GBE) is 15km (9 miles) northwest of Gaborone. There are no regular bus services to and from the airport but several hotels run minibuses (combis). Taxis are available to the city centre (travel time – 15 minutes). Airport facilities include left luggage, bank (Barclays Bank available for all flights), bar, snack bar, restaurant, post office, shops and car hire (Avis and Imperial). There is a major airport at Kasane (north Botswana) and at Selebi-Phikwe that take international flights.
Maun International Airport (MUB) receives direct flights from Johannesburg, Windhoek and Gaborone. This gateway to the Okavango Delta is served by Air Botswana, Air Namibia and several charters. For information on charters, see the Travel – Internal section.

RIVER: A car ferry operates across the Zambezi River to Zambia.

RAIL: There are good connections between South Africa and Botswana (Johannesburg–Mafikeng–Ramatlhabama–Gaborone) and Botswana and Zimbabwe (Gaborone–Francistown–Bulawayo–Harare). From Gaborone to Bulawayo takes 20 hours; passengers are advised to take their own food and drink as the buffet has a limited range. There are three classes, and sleeping compartments are available. First-class cars have comfortable reclining seats. Complicated formalities may be necessary for crossing the border from Zimbabwe and to or from South Africa, where the South African Customs Union agreement is in operation. Botswana has assisted in the construction of the Limpopo line from Zimbabwe to Mozambique, an act which will speed up the availability of alternative routes into Botswana. Other plans include extending the network into Namibia.

ROAD: There are reasonable roads running roughly along the same routes as the railway, linking Botswana with South Africa and Zimbabwe. There is also road access from Namibia. Bus: Services are available from Namibia and Zimbabwe. Frequent services also operate between Gabarone and Johannesburg.

Travel – Internal :

AIR: Major areas of the country are linked by air. There are airports in Francistown, Ghanzi, Jwaneny, Kasane, Maun, Pont Drift and Selebi-Phikwe. Many visitors use charter companies based in Maun to fly to the various lodges in Botswana. These include Delta Air, Mack Air, Moremi Air Services, Northern Air, Sefofane and Wildlife Helicopters. Kalahari Air Services, PO Box 41278, Gaborone (tel: 395 1804 or 3593) offers charters within Botswana and to Lesotho, Namibia, South Africa, Swaziland, Zambia and Zimbabwe.

RAIL: The main railway line runs between Ramatlhabama and Francistown. Work on upgrading and extending the rail network continues. In Botswana, children under 7 travel free and children aged 7 to 11 pay half fare.

ROAD: Botswana has good tarmac roads on the following routes: running from south to north from Lobatse to Francistown up to Ramokgwebana and from Lobatse to Jwaneng; running from Francistown to Kazungula via Nata. There are over 2500km (1500 miles) of bitumised roads in the country. Others are either gravel or sand tracks. Drivers should be careful as many drivers ignore safety rules. There are plans to construct a road network with more major highways. Reserve fuel and at least 20l of water, plus emergency supplies, should always be carried on journeys into more remote areas, and visitors are advised to make careful enquiries before setting out. Wildlife and stray livestock may occasionally pose a hazard, especially in more remote areas. Bus: There are bus services between Gaborone and Francistown, and from Francistown to Nata and Maun. Buses from Francistown to Maun run every day. The journey takes about 6 hours. Timetables can be obtained from bus operators. Taxi: There is taxi service in all major towns, and it is generally safe. Prices should, however, be agreed before embarking on journey. Car hire: Services are available in Gaborone, Francistown or Maun. 4-wheel-drive vehicles are necessary in many areas. Traffic drives on the left and seat belts must be worn. It is advisable to keep the petrol tank at least half full as distances between towns can be long. There is a speed limit of 120kph (75mph) outside built-up areas, and about 60kph (37mph) in built-up areas. Speed limits are strongly enforced with high fines. Documentation: An International Driving Permit is not legally required, but is recommended for stays of up to 6 months, or a UK licence is needed and must be carried at all times; thereafter, a Botswana driving licence must be obtained, which will be issued without a test if a valid British licence is produced.

URBAN: Public transport within towns consists of share-taxis or minibus services operating at controlled flat fares. Exclusive use of taxis is sometimes available at a higher charge although fares should always be agreed before setting off.

Travel times: The following chart gives approximate travel times from Gaborone (in hours and minutes) to other major cities and towns in Botswana.

Accommodation :

HOTELS: Although there is no grading system, all hotels generally maintain a reasonable standard, particularly those in main centres in the east of the country. The largest number of hotels and motels are in or near Gaborone, Francistown Kasane and Maun, some with air conditioning, swimming pools and facilities for films, bands and entertainment. Many other hotels have fairly basic amenities.

SAFARI LODGES & CAMPS: The majority of the safari lodges are found in the Chobe National Park, Moremi Game Reserve and Okavango Delta and there are a few lodges and camps in the Makgadikgadi Pans and Tuli Block. Standards are generally high, with luxury and comfort being the order of the day. Some lodges are permanent structures but the majority are tented. The tents are luxurious and spacious with en-suite facilities. Most lodges only accommodate between 10 and 28 people so the emphasis is on personalised service. Along the banks of the Chobe river near Kasane, there are also luxury hotels and lodges. It is recommended to spend at least 2 nights at each lodge and do a circuit of the various tourist regions in the country. Charter flights on 6-seater planes are the standard means of transfer. Visitors can also do a mobile safari, camping in a variety of different regions. Standards on these vary from simple to luxurious.

CAMPING: There are campsites at Chobe National Park, Makgadikgadi Pans National Park, Moremi Game Reserve and Nxai Pan National Park. These campsites need to be pre-booked with the Department of Wildlife and National Parks. Permission should be sought before camping on private land. Grass fires should not be started, and all litter should be buried or removed. The presence of lions and other dangerous animals in all the National Parks and Game Reserves as well as in some of the more remote areas makes it advisable to exercise extreme care, such as keeping tents zipped up and not walking around at night. It is not permitted to leave your vehicle in a national park or game reserve unless in a designated camping or picnic area. A booklet entitled Where To Stay In Botswana, giving details of prices and facilities, may be obtained from the Department of Tourism (see Contact Addresses section). The following is an umbrella organisation comprising hotels and lodges, travel agents, tour operators and airlines: The Hotel and Tourism Association of Botswana (HATAB), Private Bag 00423, Gaborone (tel: 395 7144 or 395 6498; fax: 390 3201; e-mail: hatab@info.bw).

NOTE: For further information on accommodation in Botswana, see the Resorts & Excursions section.

Sport & Activities :

Wildlife: Botswana’s magnificent wildlife can be observed in the national parks; for details of these, see the Resorts & Excursions section. Visits can be arranged independently or with tour operators. 4-wheel-drive vehicles tend to be expensive to hire, and budget travellers are not encouraged. Botswana is particularly good for horseback safaris and it is also possible to go on elephant-back safaris. Entry permits are required for all reserves. Visits can be booked up to 12 months in advance through Embassies and High Commissions or through the Parks and National Reserves Office in Gaborone (see Resorts & Excursions section). The best time of year to visit the parks is between April and October; the game is more difficult to see in the rainy months when the grass is high and there is plenty of water around, so the game does not have to rely on the waterholes and moves off into remote areas. In the dry winter season however, the animals congregate around water sources. For further details contact the Department of Tourism (see Contact Addresses section).

Watersports: Fishing trips, water-skiing, motorboat and canoe hire are available to varying degrees. Near to Gaborone is a dam with a yacht club offering sailing, water-skiing and fishing; use of facilities is available to visitors at the invitation of a club member.

Social Profile :

Food & Drink: Restaurants and bars can be found in main towns, often within hotels. Millet and sorghum porridge constitutes much of the cuisine. Visitors to Botswana may encounter Morama (an underground tuber), the Kalahari truffle and the Mopane worm (boiled, cooked or deep-fried). Most lodges and safari camps also have restaurants and licensed bars, although food is generally basic outside major hotels and restaurants. The standard of food in lodges and camps is generally very good.

There is local beer and in general no restrictions on alcohol. Traditional drinks include Palm wine (which is extremely strong) and Kgadi (made from distilled sugar or fungus).

Nightlife: Most people get up early in the morning, and nightlife is not very extensive. However, there are some bars and restaurants in Gaborone. The city also has a cinema. Maun has a handful of restaurants and a small cinema.

Shopping: Woodcarvings, handcrafted jewellery, woven goods and attractive basketry are recommended. Shopping hours: Mon-Fri 0800-1800; Sat 0830-1300.

Special Events: The following is a selection of special events celebrated annually in Botswana:

Mar 1-Aug 31 Lost in the Kalahari, Mabuasehube Game Reserve. Apr Botswana Defence Force Day. Apr 16-24 Maitisong Festival, Gaborone. May Industrial Trade and Commercial Exhibition. Jul 16 President’s Day (celebrated with traditional dancing, musical events, including performances by the Defence Force Band, and karate shows). Jul 25-27 National Music Eisteddfod, Selebi-Phikwe. Aug International Trade Fair; Kuru Traditional Dance and Music Festival, Ghanzi District. Sep 27 World Tourism Day. Sep 30 Botswana Day (marked by colourful parades). Oct Food and Drink Exhibition. Nov 15-Dec 14 Flowers in the Kalahari Desert, Khutse Game Reserve.

Social Conventions: As most people in Botswana follow their traditional pattern of life, visitors should be sensitive to customs which will inevitably be unfamiliar to them. Outside urban areas, people may well not be used to visitors. Casual clothing is acceptable and in urban centres, normal courtesies should be observed. Photography: Airports, official residences and defence establishments should not be photographed. Permission should be obtained to photograph local people. Tipping: A discretionary 10 per cent in urban centres. In many places, a service charge is automatically added. It is customary to tip the game guide and lodge staff while on safari.

Business Profile :

Economy: As a key foreign exchange earner, livestock farming is the most important part of Botswana’s agricultural sector. In addition, there is substantial subsistence agriculture, cultivating maize, sorghum and millet. The country’s other main export industry is mining, extracting diamonds (of which Botswana is the world’s largest producer by value), nickel, gold, cobalt, copper, salt and coal (the principal source of energy) and soda ash. The small manufacturing sector is largely devoted to the production of food products and textiles. Botswana is economically closely connected to South Africa and is a member of the Southern African Customs Union (SACU). It also hosts the Southern African Development Conference, which is the principal mechanism for economic co-operation.

The bulk of the country’s imports come from within SACU, other African countries and Korea. Europe is the key export market. Prudent management and the successful development of new mineral resources have afforded Botswana healthy economic growth of around 5 per cent since the late 1990s. But the vulnerability of the agricultural sector to bad weather and commodity price fluctuations has led the government to seek to develop a service sector, with tourism and financial services as the best prospects. However, the HIV/AIDS epidemic, which is extremely serious in Botswana and mainly afflicts the productive, young and middle-aged population, is starting to have a negative effect on the country’s economy.

Business: Lightweight or tropical suits should be worn. Office hours: Mon-Fri 0800-1700 April-October; 0730-1630 October-April. Government office hours: 0730-1630 all year round.

Commercial Information: The following organisation can also offer advice: Botswana Export Development & Investment Authority (BEDIA), Plot 28, Matsitama Road, The Main Mall, Gaborone (tel: 3918 1931; fax: 3918 1941; website: www.bedia.co.bw).

Climate :

Climate: Mainly temperate climate. Summer, between October and April, is very hot and combined with the rainy season. Dry and cooler weather exists between May and September with an average temperature of 25ºC (77º). Early mornings and evenings may be cold and frosty in winter. Annual rainfall decreases westwards and southwards.