BOSTWANA – Where to Stay, things to see and do.

 

•  WHERE TO GO & SEE

Northern Botswana : Okavango Delta | Moremi Game Reserve | Linyati, Selinda and Kwando | Maun | Tsodilo Hills | Gcwihaba Caves and Aha Hills | Chobe National Park | Kasane

• Discover spectacular wildlife including Africa’s incredible Big Five.
• Experience our national monuments; San rock paintings at Tsodilo and spelunking caves at Gcwihaba.
• Take a cruise on the chobe River – enjoy inspiring scenery, rich concentrations of wildlife and breathtaking sunsets.

Kgalagadi/Central: The Kgalagadi | Makgadikgadi Pans Game Reserve | Nxai Pan National Park | Central Kalahari Game Reserve | Khutse Game Reserve | Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park | Ghanzi | Khama Rhino Sanctuary | Serowe.

• Experience the ultimate adventure – a self-drive safari through the Kgalagadi; see the unique birds of the desert.
• Witness the magnificent zebra migrations of the Makgadikgadi. Explore the pans on walks with the San.
• Traverse the vast Makgadikgadi on quad bikes. Experience the immense wilderness of the world’s second largest game reserve.
• See the rare black-maned Kalahari lions, and a host of other desert animals.

Eastern Botswana: Northern Tuli Game Reserve | Old Palapye | Tswapong Hills | Selebi-Phikwe | Francistown

• Tour the Northern Tuli Game Reserve on horse back, mountain bike or hiking.
• Explore the rich historical and archaeological sites of ancient civilisations.
• Visit Francistown’s Supa Ngwao Museum, an important repository of northern cultures.
• Experience the exhilarating waterfalls – and historical sites – of Moremi Gorge.
• Enjoy the unique and breathtaking topography of eastern Botswana.

Southern Botswana: Gaborone

• Enjoy the amenities of a modern cosmopolitan city, with luxury hotels and world class conference centres.
• Gain an introduction to Botswana’s fascinating wildlife through accessible reserves in and around the city.
• Experience vibrant music and dance performances, as well as colourful arts and crafts.
• Browse cottage industries specialising in pottery, weaving, glasswear, leatherworks, and meet local artists.
• Visit our village homesteads and glean insights into traditional life.

•  GETTING THERE

By Air

Air Botswana, Botswana’s national and only airline, provides international flights between Gaborone and Johannesburg, Gaborone and Harare, Maun and Johannesburg, Kasane and Johannesburg and Francistown and Johannesburg. Domestic flights run between Gaborone and Francistown, Maun and Kasane, and the airline has recently re-introduced its Maun to Kasane flight (three times per week).

• Air Botswana has thrice daily flights between Gaborone and Johannesburg.
• South African Airways has twice daily flights between Johannesburg and Gaborone, during the week.
• South African Express has five flights daily between Johannesburg and Gaborone, during the week.
• Air Botswana has daily flights from Johannesburg direct to Maun.
• Air Namibia flies Windhoek to Maun every day of the week, except Tuesday and Thursday.
• Kenya Airways flies Nairobi to Gaborone.
• Air charter services are also available.

Light aircraft transfers have a 15kg luggage restrictions in soft, squashable bags PLUS 5kg of hand luggage. The size of the cargo pod of a Cessna 206, which is generally used on inter-camp transfers is 72cm wide and 29 cm high. Travelers coming for safaris are advised not to bring hard suitcases as they will not fit on light aircrafts.

Most major international airlines from Europe, the United States, Asia and Australia fly to Johannesburg, South Africa, where connecting flights can be booked to Sir Seretse Khama International Airport in Gaborone, or to Maun, Francistown or Kasane.
By Road

Botswana is accessible by tarred road from South Africa, Zimbabwe, Zambia and Namibia. Vehicles are driven on the left hand side of the road. A valid international driver’s license, along with vehicle registration documents, are required to drive in Botswana, and drivers should always carry them.Most major roads in Botswana are tarred and driving conditions are generally good. The main roads to established areas are regularly graded. Four-wheel drive is required when travelling in the national parks and reserves, as well as in remote areas. Car and four-wheel drive rental services are widely available in major tourist centres, airports and hotels.

By Bus

There are scheduled bus services across borders between Botswana and South Africa, Zimbabwe, Namibia and Zambia, as well as good internal bus services linking major and minor towns and villages across the country.

By Rail

There are no passenger train services in Botswana. Cargo services run on a daily basis.

For more information consult:
The Botswana Railways website: www.botswanarailways.co.bw

Getting Around In Towns

Taxis are normally a convenient way to get around in towns and are reasonably priced. They are easily identified in designated stations or can be contacted by telephone. Taxis to Gaborone are also available from Sir Seretse Khama International Airport.

Entry Formalities

Citizens of most European and Common-wealth countries do not require a visa for entry into Botswana.  Visitors should check with Botswana embassies or consulates, or their travel agents, before departure.

Communications

Most of Botswana is networked by automatic telephone exchanges, with public telephones in even the most remote places.
The International access code in Botswana is 00. When calling international to Botswana, dial +267.
Cellular phone coverage is provided Mascom, Orange and be Mobile. Mobile Sim cards are available in most supermarkets and service stations. All major towns in Botswana are network covered, as well as portions of the national highway.
Mobile networks in Botswana offer various services to their subscribers, including Internet access, fax, and International Roaming. It is always important to seek advice about network services so as to choose one that will work for you.
Using a cellular phone whilst driving is against the law in Botswana, and liable to a P300 fine. Earphones or hands-free devices are recommended.

For further information on the network providers in Botswana, consult the following services:

MASCOM www.mascom.co.bw
ORANGE www.orange.co.bw
BTC www.btc.bw
Be Mobile www.bemobile.co.bw

Money

Currency

The Botswana currency is the Pula (meaning ‘rain’ in Setswana).
It is divided into 100 thebe (meaning ‘shield’ in Setswana). Travellers’ cheques and foreign currency may be changed at banks, bureaux de change, and authorised hotels.
The US dollar, Euros, British Pound and the South African Rand are the most easily convertible currencies.
Automatic teller machines accept foreign visa cards, but are mostly found in larger towns and cities. Cultural sites and community art and craft outlets usually only accept cash.

Banks

Seven main commercial banks, as well as a number of foreign exchange bureaux, operate in Botswana.

 Banking hours

Monday to Friday 8:30-15:30
Saturday 8:30 to 10:45

 Credit cards

Major credit cards, such as MasterCard and Visa, are accepted throughout the country, in most hotels, restaurants, retail outlets and safari companies. However, shops in remote areas and service stations may only accept cash.

Electrical Supply

Electricity is supplied at 220/240v. Both square and round wall plugs are used.

Read more

LODGES IN BOTSWANA

• MAPULA LODGE (Okovango Delta, Botswana )

Located in Okovango Delta, Mapula has eight well appointed chalets with ensuites facilities and one family chalet, all overlooking the lagoon in front of the lodge. Wrapped around the trunks of African hardwoods, with the roots and branches featuring throught out the camp, Mapula  is the perfect destination from which to expirience both land and water activities – from birding Safaris in a Mokoro to village trips, night drives and bush walks.

•  Contact: Tel:+ 267 686 3369 / www. mapula-lodge.com

• NXAMASERI ISLAND LODGE (Okovango Delta, Botswana )

Exprience the soul of Africa at Nxamaseri Island Lodge, an exclusive lodge in the Nothern Okovango Delta. The Lodge is a birdwatcher’s paradise as a premier fly-fishing destianation. Its close proximity to sacred Tsodilo Hills makes Nxamaseri unique, showcasing all the ancient cultures of the region. We are proud to offer a truly African experience while you relax and unwind in one of the most beautiful setting in the world.

•  Contact: Tel:+ 267 72113764/ www.nxameri.com

• THAMALAKANE RIVER LODGE (Maun, Botswana )

Situated on the banks of Thamalakane River, the Lodge is just 19kms from Maun and enroute to the reknowned Moreni Game Reserve. The rambling properyhas an idyllic setting, with its 18 free-standing luxury stone and thatch en suite chalets nestled in the shade of the riverine trees. The Lodge offers safari and scenic flights, a Mokoro trip on the thamakane, as well as day trips in Okovango Delta and the Moremi.

•  Contact: Tel:+ 27(0) 74 148 3766 / www.thamalakane.com