Botswana
Explore Beautiful Botswana
It is a vast and diverse country, with a wide range of landscapes, from the Kalahari Desert to the Okavango Delta.
Botswana is a popular tourist destination, known for its wildlife safaris, luxury lodges, and stunning scenery. The country is home to a wide variety of animals, including elephants, lions, leopards, rhinos, and buffalo. It is also a birdwatcher’s paradise, with over 500 species of birds recorded.
In addition to its natural beauty, Botswana is also a rich cultural destination. The country is home to several different ethnic groups, each with its own unique traditions and customs. Visitors can learn about Botswana’s culture by visiting villages, attending traditional ceremonies, and tasting local cuisine.
Interesting Facts About Botswana
Geography
Botswana is landlocked, between South Africa to the South and Southeast, West and North are Namibia and Zimbabwe to the Northeast border. The country is predominantly flat, measuring at 581,730 km2, covered mostly by the Kalahari Desert Botswana is also largely covered by grassland and the savannah, much of the population of Botswana is concentrated in the eastern part of the country.
The Chobe River on the border with the Caprivi Strip of Namibia together with a small adjacent swampy area is part of the Zambezi basin, the southern and southwestern regions, which are the driest of all, are drained by the Molopo river along the South African border and through the Kalahari Gemsbok National Park.
History
Archaeologists have found remains, dating back to around 2 million years. The first inhabitants dated in Botswana, were the San /Khosi people, known as hunter gatherers, who traded over long distances. Many women, children and even cattle where driven into the desert and hid in caves for sanctuary, during raids of the Bakololo. Christian religion became the religion of Botswana, due to the British missionaries, each village had its own missionary.
In June 1964, Botswana gained independence from Britain, making way for a self-governed democratic party.
Languages
Most guided safaris are usually conducted in English, German, Italian and French translators are
available on request.
Other spoken languages: Setswana.
Climate
Botswana has a short rain season. But due to the terrain, the high altitude of the country gives it a subtropical climate. Sunshine totals are high all year round although winter is the sunniest period. The whole country is windy and dusty during the dry season.
The dry season lasts from April to October in the south and to November in the north where, however, rainfall totals are higher. The south of the country is most exposed to cold winds during the winter period (early May to late August) when average temperatures are around 14 °C.
The country has hot summers with average temperatures around 26 °C.
Electricity
The current used in Botswana is 220/240 volts at 50H. Both square and round 3-pin wall plugs are used.
Telephones and dialling codes
The International access code in Botswana is 00. When calling international to Botswana, dial +267.
All major towns in Botswana are network covered, as well as portions of the national highway.
Time difference
Officially Botswana is 2 hours ahead of GMT.
Customs allowances
- 200 Cigarettes, 20 cigars or 250gm tobacco per person over the age of 18
- Spirits and alcohol not exceeding l litre per person over the age of 18
- Wine not exceeding 2 litres per person over the age of 18
- Perfume not exceeding 50ml and eau de toilette not exceeding 250ml per person
- New or used goods up to the value of ZAR500 (approx. US$ 55) from within the SACU zone (Botswana, Lesotho, Namibia, South Africa & Swaziland) and to the value of ZAR3000 (approx. US$330) from outside the zone
Prohibited Items
You are not allowed to bring into Botswana prohibited goods such as narcotics, illegal drugs in any form, automatic weapons, military weapons, unnumbered weapons, poison and toxic substances.
Driving
Botswana is generally not recommended as a self-drive destination, except as a 4×4 adventure. If, however, you will be driving in Botswana, you can do so using an international driving permit together with your home driving license, with English translation. Driving is on the left side of the road. The national speed limit on tarred roads is 120km/h and 60 km/h in towns and villages. Watch out for wild animals on the roads.