Guide to Botswana

Ful Name: Republic of Botswana

Location: A landlocked country in South Africa bordering Zimbabwe in the northeast, South Africa in the south and Namibia to the WEst

Population: 1,600,000

Capital: Gaborone

Major Cities: Gaborone, Francistown, Ghanzi, Kasane, Maun, Nata, Gweta, Kanye, Tsabong, Mogapi

Area: 600,370 km²

Major Language: English is the official language. Setswana is the national langauge. Minoritie speak Kalanga and Sekgalagadi.

Major Religions: Indigenous beliefs 85%, Christian 15%

Currency: P, Pula, BWP

Internet domain: .bw

Country Dialling Code: +267

Flying Time: You can fly from London to Cape Town and Johannesburg and make a connection with Air Botswana to Gaborone or Maun in Botswana. From London to Gaborone is around 15 hours.

Time Zone: GMT/UTC +2

Voltage: 220-240V 50Hz. 15- and 13-amp plug sockets are in use. Plugs used are British-style with two flat blades and one flat grounding blade, and South African/Indian-style with two circular metal pins above a large circular grounding pin.

Weights and Meaures: Metric

Climate: Most of the country has a subtropical climate, with cooler temperatures in the higher altitudes. Winter days are warm and nights are cool, with heavy frost common in the desert. Temperatures range from maximums of 26.6°C - 32°C (80°F-90°F) from October to February to minimums of 2° to 4.4°C (30° - 40°F) from June to August. In August begin the seasonal winds that blow from the west and carry sand and dust across the country. The summer rainy seasons runs from November to March and rain is rare between the months of May to August. Rainfall averages 18 inches but ranges from 27 inches in the north to less than 9 inches in the Kalahari.

Best time to go: Summertime is from December to March and can be uncomfortably hot and heavy rains may make some roads too muddy to pass. There may be afternoon thunderstorms. During this time animals disperse.

In March and April thousands of zebras and other animals migrate towards the Savuti area of Chobe National Park.

April marks the end of the rainy season and at this time vegetation is lush and animals find food in abundance. At this time you'll be able to see herds of animals frazing on the savannahs and move through the bushveld.

For the best weather i.e. not too hot yet clear blue skies, May could be the ideal choice. It is still low season, so prices are still lower, and you'll have lots of opportunity for game viewing.

The dry winter season is during June and July and animals group around water sources and this is great for viewing. Evenings may be a little chilly,

During August the temperatures are beginning ro rise for the summer and lots of sunshine is almost guaranteed. But natural waterholes are dry and animals move to waterways. This is ideal for a safari though late evenings could still be chilly.

September is springtime and the birds are breeding but this is also high season and the most expensive time to go.

October is the hottest month and if you cannot take searing temperatures, you should not travel here at this time.

November and December are the calving months and January to March are the rainy season months when large numbers of game migrate into the summer grazing areas. During this time the Delta is alive with the sounds of hundreds of different species of birds.

Health: Botwana's HIV infection rate is estimated at 40% and believed to be the highest in the world. It's important to take precaution accordingly including wearing rubber gloves when dressing someone else's wound. Unprotected sex is a no-no.

The north of Botswana, including Chobe National Park and the Okavango Delta is in a malaria zone, so take advice from your doctor.

Generally drinking water is safe.

Visas: All visitors require a valid passport with at least six months before expiry. Visas are NOT required by UK passport holders and nationals of most Commonwealth countries except Ghana, India, Nigeria and Sri Lanka.

Visa requirements for nationals of countries around the world changes frequently, so it is important you check first with your local embassy or consulate. Click here to find one near you:

www.botswana-tourism.gov.bw/embassies/embassies.html

Stay permits, which are extendable up to 30 days, are issued at the border.

14 March 2008