Botswana

In a Nutshell

Botswana is one of the world's undiscovered treasures. Besides being a peaceful democracy with a growing economy and a stable currency, this huge, arid and sparsely populated country
boasts many spectacular national parks as well as the pristine Okavango Delta, one of Africa's unspoiled wildernesses.

BOTSWANA WILD PICS SAFARI - 12 days - This tour offers the opportunity to try out and develop your photography skills, while experiencing the wildlife of Africa up close and personal - on foot, by 4x4, from the air, in a mokoro in the Okavango Delta, boat on the Chobe river or from the cover of a bird hide...

Top attractions

• The Okavango Delta - the largest inland delta in the world and home to a huge wildlife population, best viewed from a mokoro (or dugout canoe)

• Moremi Game Reserve - where the delta meets the desert, one of Africa's greatest parks with plentiful game and birdlife - and few people

• Chobe National Park - home to vast animal herds, particularly elephant. Viewing is best along the Chobe River and in the Savuti region.

• Makgadigadi National Park - vast lunar-like salt pan covered with grasses that are especially attractive to antelope and birds. Accessible only by 4 wheel drive vehicles

• The Central Kalahari Game Reserve, part of the Greater Kalahari Desert - huge, harsh and remote, but teeming with game, especially around the pans

• Kalahari Gemsbok National Park, part of the Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park - may be entered from South Africa or Botswana. The park has huge numbers of large antelope, including gemsbok and eland, as well as many lion and cheetah.

Connections

By air: Air Botswana, South African Airways and British Airways link Botswana with the rest of the world via Gaborone and Maun (gateway to the Delta) Air Botswana flies to and from the main tourist centres. The modern Sir Seretse Khama International Airport is eight kilometres out of Gaborone.

By Train: Spoornet runs weekly between Johannesburg and Gaborone.

By Bus: Intercape runs a daily service from Johannesburg via Pretoria and Rustenberg to Gaborone. Buses run between the major towns within Botswana.

By Road: Botswana is linked by tarred road to South Africa, Namibia and Zimbabwe. Vehicles for rental including 4x4s are readily available.

Size 566,750 sq kms

Population approx 1.6 million

Biggest city Gaborone

Official language English

Religion Mainly Christian

Climate Hot, very dry

Best time to visit May-September

Visas Not required by SA, Commonwealth and US visitors

Health Yellow fever certificate if from infected area. Anti-malaria precautions advised

Time GMT+2

Currency Pula

Electrical current 250 volts AC

Driving On the left

Credit cards Generally accepted

Public holidays 1,2 Jan; 29,30 Mar; 1 Apr; 1,9 May; 1,15 July; 30 Sept; 25,26 Dec

Dialling code 09267

Water Tap water is safe to drink in the main centres, hotels and game lodges. Exercise caution in rural areas

Links to Useful Sites

www.botswana-online.com
www.botswana-tourism.gov.bw