Botsuana

Experience your safari dreams in Botswana

Experience the wild beauty of Africa
afrika-karte-botswana

Botswana Travel

Introduction

Botswana transports you to the original Africa, where wild animals still roam freely and age-old traditions remain alive. With over 40 percent of the country set aside as protected wildlife areas, Botswana offers some of the most authentic safari experiences in the world. Here you can expect breathtaking game viewing in pristine natural surroundings, supported by a dedicated government that places conservation of this wild heritage firmly at the center of its priorities.

The Okavango Delta, Africa's largest inland delta and a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is at the heart of every safari in Botswana. It offers an impressive variety of wildlife and unforgettable experiences all year round. In contrast, the majestic Kalahari Desert stretches across much of the country and holds at its heart the Central Kalahari, home to the San people, whose culture is considered the oldest in the world.

As specialists for trips to Botswana, we make your safari dreams come true. Whether you want to explore the impressive Okavango Delta or immerse yourself in the rich culture of the San people, Botswana offers unparalleled adventures for every nature and culture enthusiast. Let yourself be enchanted by the wild beauty of Botswana and experience a journey that you will remember forever.

Capital: Gaborone

  • Population: 2 million
  • Total area: 582,000 square kilometers
  • International country code:00267

Geographical location

Botswana is located in the southern part of Africa. It borders Zambia to the north, Zimbabwe to the northeast, South Africa to the south and southeast and Namibia to the west.

In the north is the beautiful Okavango Delta with the Moremi Game Reserve and the famous Chobe National Park. In the extreme southwest is the Kgalagadi Transfrontier National Park and in the middle of the country is the Central Kalahari Game Reserve. A large part of the country is taken up by the Kalahari semi-desert. If you have any further questions about our Botswana tours, please do not hesitate to contact us.

On the road in Botswana

The best and easiest way to visit the national parks in northern Botswana is on a fly-in safari. Fly-in safaris are possible from Maun and Kasane. Small aircraft take you to remote areas in the Okavango Delta, Chobe National Park and adjacent private concession areas.

Climate & best time to travel

Botswana is a year-round destination. During the rainy season in summer from November to March, some roads turn into muddy tracks that are difficult to drive on. Temperatures in summer reach up to 40 °C.
The ideal travel time for game viewing on Botswana round trips is the winter months from May to October. The increasingly sparse vegetation provides ideal conditions for fantastic safari experiences. However, the Kalahari in particular is subject to strong temperature fluctuations.
While it gets up to 30°C during the day, the thermometer drops to below 10°C at night.

Language

The official languages in Rwanda are French, Kinyarwanda and English. The business language, however, is Swahili. As a traveler, you can get by very well with English.

Religion

English is used as the official and commercial language in Botswana. The majority of the population also speaks the national language Setswana. Various tribal languages are spoken in the country.

Time difference

CET +1 hour applies in Botswana. During Central European Summer Time there is no time difference to Botswana. However, you have to set your watch forward one hour during winter time. There is no changeover from summer to winter time in Botswana itself.

Power supply

The mains voltage is 230 V. There are different types of sockets, most of which are three-pin English plugs (type G). The three-pin South African round plug (type M) and the European two-pin plug are also frequently found. Adapters are available cheaply in almost all electrical stores in Botswana, but you can also buy them in advance in Germany. Power cuts and fluctuations are quite common and not all accommodations have electricity around the clock. However, it is usually possible to charge batteries or other devices by prior arrangement.

Shopping tips

Selling souvenirs made from game skins, reptile skins and hides is prohibited in Botswana. It is better to see the animals in their natural environment and take the experience home with you as a souvenir. Copperware, wood and soapstone carvings as well as ceramics and basketry make great souvenirs. More information on import regulations can be obtained from the Embassy of the Republic of Botswana.

Religion

Over 70 percent of the population in Botswana belong to Christianity. The rest of the population predominantly believes in natural religions, and there is also a small minority who follow the Muslim and Hindu faiths.

Tip

Tipping is not compulsory in Botswana, but it is very common in tourism. In restaurants, 10 percent is customary for good service, and if you feel that the service was exceptionally good, you can of course give a little more. It is customary to give an appropriate tip at the end of the trip to the guide who has looked after you well.

Malaria

Botswana is generally a malaria area and malaria prophylaxis is therefore advisable. However, it should also be noted that some medications can have serious side effects and can therefore severely impair a vacation. It is best to discuss your travel plans with your family doctor or an experienced tropical medicine specialist well in advance. In general, good prevention is better than good treatment and the best prevention is to avoid bites by wearing long pants, socks, closed shoes and long-sleeved tops in the morning and evening hours and applying mosquito spray.

Vaccination recommendations

In general, it can be said that Botswana, with a few exceptions, does not pose any different health risks than trips to other long-haul destinations. Vaccinations such as tetanus, hepatitis A & B and polio are advisable

Please also note the medical advice from the Federal Foreign Office.
https://www.auswaertiges-amt.de/de/aussenpolitik/laender/botsuana-node/botsuanasicherheit/219522

Entry requirements

Visa requirements in Africa are constantly changing. Please contact us in good time, especially if you are a non-European national. Please ensure that you are in possession of a valid visa. Gate to Africa cannot be held responsible if you are denied entry into a country and are unable to start or complete your booked tour as planned. All costs incurred in this case are the sole responsibility of the traveler.

To enter Botswana, you need a passport that is valid for at least six months after departure. There must also be at least three free pages for stamps/visas. Germans do not currently require a visa for Botswana, but receive a free tourist visa on entry.

Children require their own passport or a machine-readable children's passport with a photograph. Children can no longer be entered in their parents' passports. When entering Botswana, you must also be able to prove that you are able to leave the country again (ideally a return flight ticket). 

Entry and transit regulations for minors:

The entry requirements for minors to South Africa, Namibia and Botswana have changed since 2016.
The following provisions apply to all 3 countries:

 If both biological parents are traveling with a child, they must present a certified, international and unabridged birth certificate (in English) of the child, showing the personal details of the parents and the child.
 If a minor is traveling with only one parent, proof must be provided that the parent who is not present agrees to the trip. In this case, in addition to the notarized, international and unabridged birth certificate, a declaration of consent (in the form of an affidavit in English), a notarized copy of the passport and contact details of the parent who is not present are also required. The affidavit must be signed by the parent in front of a notary, who will notarize the signed document. This declaration must not be older than 6 months at the time of entry into South Africa.
 If one parent has sole custody, the court order for sole custody or the death certificate will be requested (in English). In this case, a notarized, international and unabridged birth certificate is also required.

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