Botswana

Botswana is bordering on Namibia, Zimbabwe, Zambia and South Africa and its borders are 4 African rivers Chobe, Linyanti, Limpopo and Zambezi. the 2/3 of Botswana is Kalahari - flat, open to winds, dry and sandy desert area.
The country is low populated and one of the highest percentages (17%) of its territory dedicated to National Parks and Nature Reserves in Africa.
Everybody heard the name Okavango Delta - the area of 15000 square km., which floods in a rainy season creating the vast green territories, lakes and islands where plenty of animals can be seen.
Chobe National Park in Botswana is most visited and has the highest population of elephants in Africa per square kilometer.
Botswana is also aiming at high end market with unique exclusive lodges in remote areas where you can only get by small airplane. So safe your money and when ready try to come to Botswana for lifetime experience in African Safari.

Size: 600 000 square km;

Capital: Gabarone with population of about 160000 people

Main cities: Gabarone, Maun, Francistown and Kasane

Languages:  Official languages are English and Setswana

Population: About 1,6 million

Currency:  Pula equals to 100 Tsebe. Notes - 5, 10, 20, 50 and 100 Pula

Main domestic product: Mining of deposits of diamonds, different metals, coal. Cattle, tourism.

Export: Diamonds, Coal, fruits, Meat and meat products.

Climate: Continental with high temperatures in dry season (around 35 degrees) from April to October. Rains are normally in wet season from November to March.

Time zone: 1 hour ahead of Grinwich

Visa: For most of European countries and USA Visa to Botswana is not required.

Credit cards: VISA, MASTER CARD and AMERICAN EXPRESS accepted everywhere and it is safe to pay with credit cards.

Foreign Exchange: In Botswana not possible to use foreign currency in shops. Please exchange your currency to Botswana Pula or pay with your card. The offices of Foreign exchange are presented in all airports and in the banks..

Tips: In Botswana is common to pay tips. In restaurants around 10% of the bill, to porter around 1-2 $ per piece of luggage, to your private guide around 10-15 $ per day and to bus driver of your tourist bus is around 2-3 $ per day per tourist.

Electricity: 220 Volts with 3 pin round South African plug. In all hotels you can find 2 pin plugs and adaptors.

Drinking water: The water in Botswana in all metropolis areas is of a good drinking quality and can be used straignt from the tap. Just check with safari lodges in National parks if water they use from the wells is suitable for drinking.

Car rental: In Botswana driving is done on left side of the road. Speed limit in towns is 60 km per hour and on highways is 120 km per hour. For car rental you will need to present your drivers licence and your credit card. Rental locations are presented in the main areas and in all cities of the country. It safe to rent a car in Botswana.