botswana

Botswana is one of Africa’s leading safari destinations, I had an exceptional time watching large herds of elephants and buffalo gather in the Okavango Delta and the Chobe National Park. I travelled into Botswana from Zambia, I first flew into Zimbabwe took a shared taxi to the Zamia side of the Victoria falls. Then another taxi to the border of Zambia and Botswana, then took a ferry into Botswana. Leaving Botswana was heart breaking for me it was my first time going on a safari and the experience of witnessing wild animals in their natural habitat was life changing. Safari’s in Botswana can be very pricey I was luck enough to make a friend that let me stay for free. I highly recommend Botswana not only for its great safaris but the people are so kind and welcoming.

Best time to Visit

Botswana’s dry season is between May and October, when the days are sunny days and nights chilly. However, between November to April there are less tourist, so prices are a lot lower, and it also the best time to witness animals giving birth. The only down side is the odd rain.

Transportation

Botswana has good roads between all major cities. People drive on the Left side of the road.

Air: There are no direct flights from London to Botswana, you must fly to Johannesburg (South Africa) Then from there fly to Maun airport in Botswana. Or fly through Livingstone airport in Zambia and drive across the border to Botswana.  

Taxi: There is a taxi service in most major cities, its beat to negotiate a price before starting the journey. There is also shared taxis and minibus service

Car Hire: International car hire companies operate in Gaborone, Francistown, Maun and Kasane.

Rail: There is a train service between Francistown, Gaborone and Lobatse. There is also a rail service between Botswana and Zimbabwe.

Ferry: There is a ferry service between Botswana and Zambia, which takes about 15min. Its also possible to take a canoe from Botswana to Namibia.

Bus: It’s possible to take Intercape bus service between Botswana and South Africa. Mahube Express offers a bus service to Zimbabwe and South Africa.

Things to do and see

1. Okavango Delta Is one of Africa’s most iconic rivers, filled with wildlife and birdlife. This region is best explored by Canoe. There are over 200,000 animal species that live in and around the Okavango Delta, from elephants, lions, buffalos, black and white rhinoceros, crocodiles, wildebeest and so much more. The delta also has over 400 bird species. This is a perfect place to watch nature at its best.
2. Chobe National Park covers 11,700km in the north of Botswana. Most of the park is thorn bush in deep sand. This is a popular safari area, with many lodges and camp sites. Chobe is the classic game location to view herds of elephants and buffalo, rhinos, leopards and lions in their natural habitat.
3. Makgadikgadi Pan is one of the largest salt flats in the world, in the northeast of Botswana. The pans are what’s left of lake Makgadikgadi. The wildlife that surrounds the salt flats are meerkats, aardwolf, aardvark, hyenas and mongooses. When the rains fall pink flamingos, zebras and wildebeest come to feed. Visiting Makgadikgadi is an unforgettable experience.
4. Khama Rhino Sanctuary was established in 1992, as a wildlife project that would also benefit the community through tourism. The sanctuary mission is to protect black and white rhinos as well as over endangered animals. The sanctuary provides camping facilities and is a great way to support ecotourism.

Food and drink

Most of the Safari Lodges in Botswana serve international dishes, there are also a lot of good restaurants in the bigger cities that serve international dishes. In the rural areas the food consists of Pap a type of porridge served with chicken, goat or beef stew. The markets have plenty of locally grown fruits and vegetables. Tap water is safe to drink, but I would advise buying bottled water when going into remote areas.

Visa

Visas are not required by all EU, US, Canadian and Australian nationals; for stays up to 90days.Visas are also not required for transit passengers. A tourism tax of $30 is payable at the airport.

 Culture, Language and Religion

The official languages spoken in Botswana are Setswana and English but there are about 26 other languages spoken in Botswana. English is widely spoken in lodges and towns. Majority of the people in Botswana are Christians with many also practicing indigenous beliefs.

Racism/Sexism/Discrimination

money 

The currency of Botswana is the Botswana Pula (BWP). Major credit cards are accepted widely, and travellers’ cheques and foreign currency are accepted at most large hotels and lodges.

Tipping

Tipping is not compulsory but always enthusiastically received if you are happy with the service and would like to tip. Many restaurants include a 10% service charge.

Social etiquette

Conservative casual wear is generally acceptable everywhere but revealing clothes should be avoided. Do not take pictures of people without asking permission. Photography is not allowed in airports. Places of historic and scenic interest may be photographed, but permission should be sought before photographing military or government buildings.

Adaptor

Botswana uses a mix of the British-type plug, which has three rectangular pins and the South African type plug, which has three round pins.

WIFI

There are no government restrictions on internet access. Most restaurants and big hotels will have free wifi.