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USEFUL BOTSWANA FACTS
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Climate
Health
Safety and Security
Currency, cash, credit cards
Entry Visas
Language
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CLIMATE
HOTTEST
Summer lasts from October to March and temperatures frequently reach 40 C. Highs in the 50's have been known but are not common. Days are longest during this period, starting at 5am sunrise, and ending at 8pm sunset. The hottest month is normally January, but this is a dry heat - Botswana's evaporation exceeds rainfall so humidity is very low. Bring plenty of sunscreen, light clothing, a hat and sunglasses if you are staying during this period. Rehydration salts can also be useful if you are not used to hot temperatures.
COLDEST
Winter months are May, June, July and some of August. Nigh-time temperatures can fall to -7 C, especially in desert areas such as the Kalahari. Bring warm fleeces and jumpers is you are staying during this period, but also summer clothes as daytime temperatures can still reach mid 20 to 30 C. This is also the best time to view the incredible starry skies of Botswana, with no clouds to obscure your views of the many galaxies and the Milky Way. Bring binoculars to get a better view of the southern skies, and if you're coming with us on safari, ask us about our sky watching specials.
WINDIEST
August is the windiest month of the year, coming directly after winter and blowing in the rains ready for summer. With Botswana mainly consisting of sandy terrain, be prepared to get dusty! If you wish to sample the sailing delights of Botswana, this is the month to come. Ask us about an afternoon’s sailing on Gaborone Dam.
WETTEST
After the winds comes the rains, starting around September and extending through to March, April. During this period humidity can be higher, and mosquitoes are more prevalent. Heaviest rains fall in December and January. Bring light long-sleeved shirts and long trousers for the evenings, take mosquito prophylactics, and bring mosquito repellent. Whilst the mosquitoes in the southern region do not carry malaria, bites can be itchy and are best avoided if possible.
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YOUR HEALTH
MALARIA
Only the northern areas of Botswana have risk of malaria, so if you are just visiting Gaborone or Francistown, you will not need to take precautions. However Malaria is a serious threat in the Northern regions with mosquitoes becoming increasingly resistant to drugs. Your doctor will prescribe you the relevant malaria tablets and you should start taking these a week before you arrive. Also bring light clothing with long sleeves and long trousers for the evenings. Repellent is also useful, but you can purchase that here.
HIV/AIDS
Botswana, along with most other Southern African countries, has a very high rate of HIV infection, with around 37% of the population currently infected.
WATER
Water from taps in urban areas is safe to drink, but in more rural areas you should check before you consume. Bilharzia (sleeping sickness) is a problem in Botswana making it dangerous to swim in untreated waters. Crocodiles and Hippos are also a serious threat.
OTHER CONSIDERATIONS
Rabies is present but it is not necessary for the average traveller to get vaccinated for this before they leave. Ensure your Tetanus is up to date, and bring a good quantity of sunscreen and rehydration salts (or be prepared to bye them here).
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SAFETY AND SECURITY
Botswana is frequently likened to the "Switzerland of Africa" and is known for its stable Government. However possibly due to circumstances in our neighbouring countries of Zimbabwe and South Africa, there has been a slight increase in crime in Botswana. Stick to the rules that apply world over. Don't walk alone at night or in quiet areas. Try not to look like a tourist, keep valuables hidden and do not carry too much money on you at any time. Distribute your valuables on your person rather than keeping them all together in a bag - a bag is very easy to snatch. Don't walk around with a camera or binoculars around your neck, and keep your bags closed. Most
thefts in Botswana are opportunistic, so if there's no opportunity, you're one step ahead.
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CURRENCY, CASH AND CREDIT CARDS
CURRENCY
The currency in Botswana is Pula (named after the valuable rains). There are 100 thebe in one Pula. The Pula is increasingly being brought in line with the South Africa Rand. Check a currency converter website for up to date information.
CASH & TRAVELLERS CHEQUES
There are no currency controls in Botswana, and Forex is available in banks and bureae de changes. There are also many ATM machines giving you 24 access to money with your Visa or Mastercard. Many hotels, lodges and travel agents will take travellers cheques as payment. Many places will also take South African Rand, and some American dollars also.
CREDIT CARDS
SWITCH CARDS are not yet accepted anywhere in Botswana, although you may find places to take it in South Africa.
VISA and MASTERCARD are readily accepted in many stores and hotels throughout the country.
AMERICAN EXPRESS is accepted, but not as widely as Visa and Mastercard.
GEAR V Adventures does not take AMERICAN EXPRESS, but we do take Visa and Mastercard. We can also take travellers cheques and cash. We give a 5% discount for all cash transactions.
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ENTRY VISA
Botswana requires nationals from certain countries to obtain visas before they may enter Botswana. These countries are listed below (information supplied by the Botswana Department of Immigration). Tourist entry visas are normally given for an intial period 30 days, and can be extended to a maximum of 90 days.
GEAR V Adventures regrets that it cannot assist you with your visa applications to Botswana.
COUNTRIES WHO REQUIRE A VISA TO ENTER BOTSWANA
COMMENWEALTH COUNTRIES:
Ghana |
India |
Nigeria |
Sri Lanka |
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OTHER COUNTRIES:
Afghanistan |
Albania |
Algeria |
Andora |
Angola |
Argentina |
Aramenia |
Azerbaijan |
Bahrain |
Bangladesh |
Balarus |
Benin |
Bhutan |
Bolivia |
Bosnia |
Brazil |
Bulgaria |
Burkina Faso |
Burundi |
Herzegovina |
Cambodia |
Cameroon |
Cape Verde |
Central African Rep |
Chad |
Chile |
China |
Colomia |
Comoros |
Congo |
DRC |
Costa Rica |
Cote Do Ivoire |
Croatia |
Cuba |
Czech Republic |
Djibouti |
Dominion Republic |
Ecuador |
Eqypt |
El Salvador |
Equatorial Guinea |
Eritrea |
Estonia |
Ethiopia |
Gabon |
Georgia |
Guatemala |
Guinea |
Guinea Bissau |
Haiti |
Honduras |
Hungary |
Indonesia |
Iran |
Iraq |
Israel |
Ivory Coast |
Jordan |
Kazakhstan |
Korea DPR |
Korea ROK |
Kuwait |
Kyrgyzstan |
Laos PDR |
Latvia |
Lebanon |
Liberia |
Libya |
Lithuania |
Macedonia |
Madagascar |
Mali |
Marshall Islands |
Mauritania |
Mexico |
Micronesia |
Moldova |
Monaco |
Mongolia |
Morocco |
Mozambique |
Myanmar |
Nepal |
Nicaragua |
Niger |
Oman |
Pakistan |
Palau |
Panama |
Paraguay |
Peru |
Phillipines |
Poland |
Qatar |
Romania |
Russia |
Rwanda |
Sao Tome |
Saudi Arabia |
Senegal |
Slovakia |
Slovenia |
Somalia |
Sudan |
Suriname |
Syria |
Taiwan |
Tajikistan |
Thailand |
Togo |
Tunisia |
Turkey |
Turkmenistan |
Ukraine |
UAE |
Uzbe Kistan |
Venezuela |
Vietnam |
Yemen |
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LANGUAGE
The official language of Botswana is English, and the national language is Setswana. If you can learn a few key setswana phrases you will be warmly welcomed by the local people.
GREETINGS
Botswana has a very formal greeting structure. It is important to greet everyone you meet and ask how they are, before you move on to other topics. Even if you do not lear the Setswana greeting phrases, you should do this in English.
Hello (to greet one person) |
Dumela |
Hello (to greet a group) |
Dumelang |
Hello (to greet a man) |
Dumela Rra |
Hello (to greet a woman)
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Dumela Mma
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How are you? |
O Kae? |
How are you all?
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Lo Kae?
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I am well
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Ke Tang
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Good Bye (to one person) |
Sala sentle |
Good bye (to a group) |
Salang sentle |
Go well (to a group)
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Lo tsamayeng sentle
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OTHER USEFUL PHRASES
Please |
Tsweeswee |
Thank you
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Ke a leboga
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Who are you? |
Ke wena mang? |
Where do you live? |
O nna kae? |
I live in England
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Ke nna kwa England
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I would like... |
Ke kopa ... |
I do not want anything |
G ke batle sepe |
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