Agendas
Botswana
The vast untamed wilderness stretches over an endless horizon blanketed by a variety of plant life.
.. About Botswana .. Okavango Delta .. When to Go
.. Health .. Money Matters
.. Botswana Photo Gallery .. Botswana Borders
The combination of the beautiful scenery and prolific big game makes it one of Africa’s top safari destinations.
The diverse wildlife, huge herds of game roaming between the Kalahari’s plains and the majestic waterways of the Chobe, Linyanti and Okavango rivers are unique to this beautiful country.
Our Botswana trips are leisurely trips, without serious 4x4ing, but a 4x4 vehicle is necessary to negotiate the off-the-beaten-track roads.
Unlike many countries, Botswana’s wildlife is not restricted to its national parks. Around these is a patchwork of huge private reserves, sometimes known as concession areas. Together these cover about 40% of Botswana – including most of northern Botswana – forming a huge, fenceless wilderness around which the game roams freely.
When you think of Botswana, the Okavango Delta may leap to your mind first. It certainly hosts the greatest concentration of different environments. However, the patchwork of ecosystems that make the Delta so fascinating are found all over northern Botswana – so don’t restrict your trip to just the Okavango, there are a number of different habitats within this captivating country.
The Okavango River is southern Africa's third largest watercourse (after the Zambezi and the Orange), rising in the Angolan uplands to flow south, west and then south again across Namibia's Caprivi 'strip' into Botswana. At the end of its journey it spreads out over the Kalahari sandveld in an immense, fan-shaped inland delta, and the wetlands so created are among the great natural wonders of Africa. Here there are wide, mysterious waterways, tranquil lagoons and palm-graced islands, narrow labyrinthine channels choked by reed and papyrus and by dense mantles of water lilies that bloom gloriously in their season.
Winter is southern Africa is the dry season with chilly clear nights and warm days. The best visiting months are from April through to October - in terms of both weather and game viewing. It is during this period that the wildlife of the great spaces gather around what water there is - the natural waterholes and the borehole-fed dams - and are at their most visible.
The rainy season begins in late October or November and ends in March. The Northern areas receive up to 700mm while the Kalahari Desert area averages as low as 225mm.
The best time to visit Botswana is undoubtedly from April to mid November when the days are sunny and cool to warm but hot in October. Winters are clear-skied and bone-dry, the air seductively warm during the daylight hours but, because there is no cloud cover, cold at night and in the early mornings. Evening temperature drop sharply.
Visas
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.
It is vital for visitors to carry a valid passport and sufficient funds to facilitate their stay.
Note: For countries with whom Botswana has no diplomatic representation, visa information and processing is available through British Embassies and High Commissions.
Compared to the rest of Africa, Botswana is not a risky place to visit from a health perspective. However, MALARIA IS A RISK THROUGHOUT THE YEAR IN THE WHOLE COUNTRY and it is advisable to take precautions. Consult you local doctor with regard to the choice of tablets to take. Do not forget that the Malaria tablets are still to be taken for 4 weeks after your return from the country.
From personal experience I will not recommend the once a week tablet, Lariam® (mefloquine) as it can effect you mentally.
Vaccinations
If you are travelling to Botswana from areas infected with Yellow Fever, you must have a valid Yellow Fever vaccination certificate. Otherwise, no other immunisations are required. However, it would be wise to have an updated TPD (tetanus, polio, diphtheria) vaccine, and a Hepatitis A vaccine.
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What you are allowed to take into the country - tax-free
Consumer Goods
The following consumer goods may be imported for private use without an import permit, provided they do not exceed the maximum allowable quantities. Key: PP-per person. PF-per family
Product Type Max Quantity
Meat
Red meat, goat, lamb .......................... 25 kg PP
Poultry meat ......................................... 5 kg PP
Tinned poultry meat ............................. 20 kg PP
Dairy
Eggs .................................................... 36 eggs PP
Fresh milk ............................................. 2 Litres PP
Others
Maize/ maize products ........................... 25 kg PP
Wheat ................................................ 25 kg PP
Pulses (beans, peas, lentils) ................... 25 kg PP
Sorghum/ sorghum products .................. 25 kg PP
Cabbage, Onions, Potatoes, Oranges,
Tomatoes, Chimola, Rape, Spinach ........... 1 bag PP
Bread loaves .......................................... 6 per week
Wine .................................................... 2 litres PP
Spirits ................................................... 1 litre PP
Cigarettes ............................................. 200
Cigarette or Pipe Tobacco ........................ 250 gm
Perfume ................................................. 50 ml
Toilet Water ............................................ 250 ml
Other new or used goods of a total value not exceeding R1250.00
Should you be travelling with Cederberg 4x4 to Botswana, any other questions you might have will be answered at the pre-trip briefing that is held around 2 weeks prior to the trip.
Botswana's unit of currency is the Pula (P), which is divided into 100 Thebe (t). The word 'Pula" means rain and "thebe' means shield. The shield appears on the national coat of arms. Bank notes come in denominations of P 10, 20, 50 and 100, and coins in denominations of 5t, 10t, 25t, 50t, P1, P2 and P5.
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.
Many lodges, where we will be camping, accept credit cards but it is best to take sufficient cash for all expenditure.
Should you be travelling with Cederberg4x4 to Botswana, any other questions you might have will be answered at the pre-trip briefing that is held around 2 weeks prior to the trip.
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What to Wear
- In summer, lightweight, lightcoloured cottons are preferable.
- Garments of neutral colours that blend with the bush and forest are advisable for safaris and game viewing.
- Avoid synthetic materials and black clothing, as they increase perspiration and discomfort
- Bring a lightweight jacket and/or jersey for unexpected temperature changes or rain.
- In winter, wear trousers, longsleeved shirts / blouses and jerseys.
- From May – August, night temperatures can fall below zero degrees celsius, so warm jerseys and jackets are vital, especially on morning and evening game drives.
- Closed, comfortable walking shoesor gym shoes are a must in all seasons.
- Special attention should be given to protection from the sun. Bring a sunhat, good quality sunscreen, sun lotion and polarised sunglasses.
- Wide brimmed hats are preferable to baseball caps.
Drivers’ Licenses
Drivers are required to carry their licenses at all times. Licenses from neighbouring countries are accepted in Botswana. If not written in English, a certified written translation is required. International drivers’ licenses are accepted in Botswana.
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Trips to Botswana in 2013 with Cederberg 4x4:
- 23 June to 5 July
- 21 December to 2 January 2014
Should you wish to join us on an outing, please contact MARINA by E-mail/Fax to obtain the agenda for the outing, the booking form and bank details.
Your booking will only be noted upon receipt of your proof of payment and fully completed and signed booking form.
E-Mail // Fax: 021 913 2333
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