Travel Advice for Botswana You Should Know

We were fascinated by the huge scenery, diverse animals, and kind people of this southern African country. We had low hopes when we travelled to Botswana after spending a month in Namibia. Naturally, we had some knowledge because we had seen Planet Earth and had seen the fauna on television. A very different experience is having the chance to see Botswana in person. Here are ten things you should know before visiting Botswana, from the Makgadikgadi Pan to the country's first national park, Chobe National Park.

Are you thinking of Botswana as your next travel destination or planning to have a luxury Botswana safari tour? You should be aware of the following things before you travel. Botswana is a landlocked country in the south of Africa, and is known for its vast deserts and wildlife reserves. While it may be tempting to spend all your time on safari, there are plenty of other things to see and do in this amazing country. Here are a few travel tips to help you make the most of your trip to Botswana.

Is It Safe To Travel To Botswana?

Travel to Botswana is safe? When discussing African nations, we are frequently asked this question. Africa's most secure nations include Botswana. One of the fastest-growing economies on the continent, they have a stable economy. On the Global Peace Index, Botswana has a higher (significantly higher) peace rating. Be sensible and sensible at all times while you travel. However, in general, your trip to Botswana ought to be wonderful.

Getting Around The Country

Rooftop tents are often installed on a 4WD vehicle that is fully equipped. It has all the required camping equipment for a self-sufficient expedition, allowing you to sleep higher up and farther from hazardous creatures. Rentals for these tough vehicles are available from organisations like Bushtrackers Africa and may be picked up at Maun, Kasane, or Johannesburg (South Africa). On average, they cost AUD 140 per day.

As well as providing information on their emergency procedures and recovery help, ask the rental firm when is the optimum time to visit particular places (the dry season is frequently the response). Do they, for instance, have a location there or access to spare parts? It is not recommended to undervalue the experience of driving through Botswana's game reserves and national parks. Travelling with a satellite phone or at least one additional vehicle is generally considered to be the safest option in the event of a breakdown.

As well as providing information on their emergency procedures and recovery help, ask the rental firm when is the optimum time to visit particular places (the dry season is frequently the response). Do they, for instance, have a location there or access to spare parts? It is not recommended to undervalue the experience of driving through Botswana's game reserves and national parks. Travelling with a satellite phone or at least one additional vehicle is generally considered to be the safest option in the event of a breakdown.

Booking Campsite

The biggest tourist seasons in Botswana are July and August, when adventurous foreign visitors and safari-loving South Africans taking a winter bush vacation crowd the campgrounds. There aren't many private operators managing the few campgrounds that are located inside national parks. To make a reservation, give them a call immediately. 

They really encourage early preparation. Email responses frequently take a while to come through. Prior to your trip, print a copy of your confirmation, and then prepare to pay your park fees with local money (pula). In the event that there are no available spaces, expect to be turned away at the park's entrance, and it will almost always be a long drive back to the closest town.

Between November and February is the most affordable season to travel to Botswana, yet wildlife may still be seen during this period. The environment is teeming with brilliantly coloured birds, flowers, and butterflies as well as rich, green, dramatic clouds in all shapes and sizes. Although the national parks and campgrounds have more mud and water during this "green season," which can make certain trails unusable, it can also be the most difficult time to drive independently.

Instead, this time of year is ideal for flying into a luxurious lodge. For lone tourists, many firms don't charge a single supplement. You'll have lots of company even if you're travelling alone. Frequently, visitors gather for dinner around a common table to share their observations with one another and hear from your guide or the local camp management about daily life in Botswana. Added benefit? More daylight hours so you can take it all in.

Botswana Has A Difficult Past

After going to the movies in Lusaka, I only recently learnt about Botswana's past. I was forced to travel to the United Kingdom because I had to, and it was there that I first learnt about Seretse Khama and Bechuanaland. Essentially the country's George Washington, Khama served as Botswana's first president. In 1966, Botswana gained independence from Britain thanks in part to his contentious marriage to a white woman. It's reasonable to say that Botswana struggled a little to secede from Britain without giving too many details away. Whose nation did not, though?

Establish A Time Frame For Your Visit

Make the most of your time by flying into a lodge or camp and then exploring if you have a week or less. The greatest way to make up for the length of time spent travelling and the time spent waiting in airports is to stay three nights in one area. If you have 10 days or more, take a road trip to explore Botswana. If you try to squeeze in all the animal hotspots, especially with the additional hassles of camping every day, the trip will feel hurried. Two weeks is a more appropriate amount of time to experience the stunning diversity of the Delta and the desert, including an overnight tourist break at Victoria Falls.

In the Okavango Delta, July and August are typically the months with the greatest water levels. Time your vacation to ensure a journey on the water by finding out the seasonality of gliding in a mokoro (traditional canoe). Join your vacation with a visit to the annual Nkashi Classic festival for a fun weekend and a deeper look into the history and significance of the mokoro.

It doesn't matter what neutral-colored apparel you wear as long as it's cosy, light, and your shirt isn't overly garish. Because Botswana has cool mornings and nights, it's imperative to dress in layers. Desert regions throughout the winter are susceptible to temperatures below zero. On a walking safari, though, beige and camouflage are the only colours that are actually recommended. If you're not on safari in a private reserve where guides can drive off-road into the bush for a sighting, animals will usually be visible only up close. Bring a reasonable zoom camera lens and an excellent pair of general-purpose binoculars (8x40 or 10x42 in size).

Your Footwear Might Be Contaminated

In Botswana, cows are revered as a symbol of cultural riches and are used as an important export for beef. In an effort to stop the spread of diseases, particularly foot-and-mouth, veterinarians have built fences to separate domestic animals from wild animals, however these fences aren't always successful. If cattle contract this contagious disease, farmers, families, and businesses might suffer financial ruin.

From wilderness regions (mostly in the north) to rural areas, it is forbidden to carry raw animal products or certain fruits and vegetables (mostly in the south). Never pass through the official road gates or fence lines, even if they seem to be deserted. Even though every car is subject to inspection, occasionally a supervisor sitting nearby will wave you through. Refrigerators should be open for inspection, and cooler boxes should be prepared. To prevent the transmission of the illness, you should also sanitise your shoes by stamping them in a station of sanitization. To avoid the disinfectant getting on other equipment, keep all shoes off to the side or in crates.

It Is A Conservative Nation

It's common for people to enquire about the husband or boyfriend of a woman travelling alone. Even now, it's uncommon to see independent travellers, and a band on your wedding finger might fend off unwelcome attention. Same-sex partnerships are much more uncommon. The taboo around homosexuality persists despite its decriminalisation, and public shows of affection run the risk of drawing unwanted attention.

If the service was good, it's usual to tip the resort personnel and safari guides. Travel agents recommend giving around AUD 30 each visitor per day straight to the guide and AUD 20 for the rest of the staff, which often goes into a staff pot. Many inns and motels around the nation accept Australian dollars as payment.

Plan A Safari To Travel To Botswana

Are you thinking of Botswana as your next travel destination? Be careful to read the following before you leave. Botswana is a landlocked country in the south of Africa, and is known for its vast deserts and wildlife reserves.  While it may be tempting to spend all your time on safari, there are plenty of other things to see and do in this amazing country. Here are a few travel tips to help you make the most of your trip to Botswana.

The Southern African nation of Botswana is a landlocked one. The country has a population of just over 2 million people and is considered one of the most affluent countries in Africa. When travelling to Botswana, there are a few things you should keep in mind. First, remember that Botswana is a developing country, so be prepared for some conditions that may be different than what you're used to at home. Second, remember that English is not the official language of Botswana - Setswana is. However, most locals will understand English if you need to communicate with them. Finally, remember that while Botswana is generally safe, there are some areas where it's best to exercise caution. If you're looking for luxury tours of this beautiful country, Destinations Africa can help!