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Travel Guides: All Countries / Africa / Botswana
|  | Fact File : Botswana |
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| | | Botswana | | Did you know?
Botswana is separated from South Africa by the 'great grey-green, greasy' Limpopo River – immortalized in 19th-century novel King Solomon's Mines by H. Rider Haggard.
Language
English (official); Setswana
Visas
You'll need a valid passport but UK visitors won't need a visa.
Getting there
Most tourists fly from London Gatwick, Heathrow and City airports via Johannesburg International in South Africa to Botswana. There are daily direct flights between Johannesburg and Gaborone. The cheapest tickets seem to be from Heathrow and London City at about £460; you can also fly direct from Newcastle; costing about £630 return.
Flying time from London
15 hours (with changeovers).
Getting around
You've got lots of choices as Botswana has one of the best transport and communication infrastructures in Southern Africa. There are frequent international flights from South Africa to Sir Seretse Khama International Airport which is 15km outside Gaborone. There are several air charter companies to choose from for internal travel and Air Botswana, the nation's flag carrier carries tourists to hotspots like Maun, Chobe, Francistown and Selebi Phikwe. The rail line between Ramatlabama in the south links it with South Africa and the country has several major roads. You can easily hire a car and there is a good bus service.
Currency
Pula
Costs
Beautiful hand woven bracelet about £3; a moderate meal is abouty £8; a meal at the five-star Gaborone Sun Hotel will cost about £18.
Weather
It's quite chilly from May to September. The days are usually warm and sunny but the nights can get very cold. For most of the year in the eastern and northern parts temperatures range between 25°C (77°F) and 32°C (90°F). Don't visit between October to April is you can't cope with the heat - it gets very hot and humid.
Time difference
GMT/UTC plus two hours.
International dialling code from the UK
00 267
Voltage
220/240 volts AC 50 Hertz. Some adaptors necessary for South African-style three round pin plugs.
Opening 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.
Health - Before you go
Carry comprehensive medical insurance. You'll get a reasonable quality of service from the public hospitals and good service in the private hospitals and clinics. There are chemists/pharmacies, private doctors and other medical practitioners in most of the big towns - obviously the further out in the bush you are, the more you'll need insurance to travel to the towns for treatment.
Health - When you are there
Malaria is endemic to the Okavango and Chobe areas of northern Botswana and especially in proximity to water (rivers and swamps). Buy one of the many effective mosquito repellents and apply them directly to the skin or clothes in the evening. You'll find mosquito nets over the beds in many hotes and lodges. HIV/Aids is widespread in Botswana and it is recommended that visitors do not engage in any high-risk sexual or drug-related activities that may cause exposure to the disease.
Warnings
Malaria is a real threat, so take tablets to avoid getting the disease and get urgent medical attention if you think you've been infected. HIV and Aids are prevalent in sub-Saharan Africa so take a good supply of condoms and don't have unprotected sex.
Emergency
British High Commission; Private Bag 0023; Gaborone, (267) 395 2841 or e-mail www.bhc@botsnet.bw.
Customs
To show gratitude when accepting a gift, receive it with both hands or take hold of it with your right hand and hold your right had with your left.
Tipping
In most places a service charge is added as a matter of course – or leave about 10%.
Tourist office
Contact the Botswana Tourism Board; (+44) 1344298982, or visit www.botswana-tourism.gov for more information
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| | Available rental properties in Botswana |
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