Organize your stay Botswana
Money Botswana
The unit of currency, introduced on the market in 1976 to replace the South African rand, is the pula, a name which means "rain" in the Setswana language, since rain is so precious in this arid country. The pula is divided into thebe and 1 pula corresponds to 100 thebe. It is one of the most stable currencies on the African continent, and also one of the strongest. In October 2024, the rate was 1 € = 14.53 BWP or 1 BWP = 0.069 €.
There are coins of 1, 5, 10, 25, 50 thebes and 1, 2 and 5 pulas, as well as bills of 10, 20, 50, 100 and 200 pulas. Coins feature the Botswana coat of arms and the design or engraving of an emblematic mammal or bird: rhinoceros, zebra, bull, oryx and hornbill on coins, fish eagle, ostrich, kingfisher. The banknotes bear the image of one of Botswana's three presidents on the front. The reverse of the banknotes depicts scenes typical of life in Botswana: a man working in a factory, a woman cutting diamonds, an oryx at the foot of a baobab tree, a fisherman riding a mokoro through the Okavango swamps.
Budget & Tips Botswana
Botswana is an expensive destination, no doubt about it! First of all, the cost of a plane ticket is at least €800 for a round trip from Europe to Johannesburg, and around €1,300 if you're flying to Maun (expect to pay more if you're coming from Quebec). Secondly, Botswana's tourism policy is low volume, high income, low impact. In other words, the government has preferred to encourage expensive tourism in order to limit the volume of visitors and thus reduce the impact on the environment, while ensuring that the activity remains viable. While it's regrettable that the selection process is based on money, it's clear that this policy is effective and that Botswana offers some of the finest safaris, while preserving its natural areas admirably. Here, there are no 4 x 4s around a lion or a rhinoceros, and visitors are totally immersed in nature. This rare privilege, surely the greatest luxury possible these days, has to be earned. Readers can rest assured, however, that it is possible to enjoy a beautiful safari for a "relatively" reasonable budget, provided that comfort is not excessive (a basic camp with a good mattress and a well-balanced but unsophisticated meal). Finally, this high price tag applies above all to the exceptional reserves of northern Botswana: Okavango Delta, Moremi, Chobe, Makgadikgadi Pans and Central Kalahari. Visiting the less sought-after south of the country is more affordable. This is particularly true of the Tuli Block, a pearl still ignored by travellers.
Passport and visas Botswana
Residents of countries that have signed an agreement with Botswana do not require a visa to enter the country. This applies to citizens of the Commonwealth, the European Community, Scandinavia, South Africa, the USA, Australia and Japan. All you need is a passport valid for at least six months after your return, and a yellow fever vaccination certificate if you come from a country where yellow fever is present. A residence permit valid for three months will be issued free of charge on entering the country. Those wishing to stay beyond this period must apply on the spot to the immigration department, presenting a work contract. The rules are quite strict in this respect, and any traveler exceeding the three-month period, even by a single day, is liable to a fine or a permanent ban on staying in Botswana. The Immigration Department has offices in most major towns.
If you are traveling with a minor child, you will need to provide a certified copy of the child's birth certificate or a birth certificate translated into English, as well as a valid passport. If the child is accompanied by only one parent, the latter must present a travel authorization signed by the absent parent.
Beware of entry conditions for your pets. Before you leave, check with your embassy or consulate to find out how they can accompany you.
Driver's license Botswana
Foreign driving licenses are accepted for a period of six months, but must be accompanied by an official English translation. You might as well get an international license.
Health Botswana
For advice before your trip, don't hesitate to consult your doctor. You can also contact the travel medicine society of the Institut Pasteur medical center at ✆ 01 45 68 80 88 (www.pasteur.fr/fr/sante/centre-medical) or visit the Ministry of Foreign Affairs website under "Conseils aux voyageurs" (www.diplomatie.gouv.fr/voyageurs). In the event of illness or serious problems during your trip, consult a pharmacist and then a doctor as soon as possible.
Mandatory vaccination Botswana
No vaccinations are officially required to enter Botswana, except for yellow fever if you come from an area affected by this virus. It is advisable to be up to date with your tetanus and polio vaccinations, and to receive injections to protect against typhoid fever and hepatitis A and B. As these vaccines cannot be administered all at once, be sure to schedule injections with your GP at least six weeks in advance. In recent years, tuberculosis vaccination has been recommended for children. Treatment against malaria is strongly recommended, depending on the area visited.
Time difference Botswana
Botswana is at GMT + 2. The time difference with France is therefore small. As Botswana does not apply summer or winter time, the time is the same during the French summer, but Botswana is one hour ahead during the French winter.
Spoken languages Botswana
English is the official language, taught in schools, used by the media and in parliamentary assemblies. Setswana is the national language, i.e. the one spoken by the majority of the population. It is also used by political bodies and in the media. There are over twenty other languages spoken by the country's various tribes. French is neither understood nor spoken, and any French-speaking traveler is well aware that his or her language will be of no help when traveling in Botswana, even if a very small number of citizens can be trained at the Alliance française de Gaborone. If you don't have the basics in English, you'll need to contact a French-speaking receptive or tour operator to prepare your itinerary in the best possible conditions. There are a number of ways to learn the basics of Setswana, and self-study can be done using a variety of media: CDs, video cassettes, workbooks or even directly on the Internet.
Communication Botswana
To contact your family or friends abroad, WhatsApp is a practical and inexpensive way to call or send messages. You can also download the Skype application, and top up your credit to call your loved ones on landlines. And don't forget that most hotels and lodges have Wi-Fi, which is a great way to keep in touch with friends and family.
Electricity and measurements Botswana
The current is 220 volts. On the other hand, there is no real standard for sockets. The traveler may encounter either a triangular plug with three large round pins, a square plug with three rectangular pins, or a "French" plug with two thin pins. It is therefore advisable to have two adapters or one universal adapter that accepts all these plugs. These are sold in all tourist centers. In bush camps, electricity is often supplied by a generator or solar panels. Electricity is often only available for part of the day (mornings and evenings, for example). Amperage is low. Some structures have no electricity at all, and rely on kerosene lamps or candles. This is the lot of many Botswanans, especially those who still live in simple bush huts. Finally, when camping in reserves, small flashlights (or headlamps) are the only source of light, apart from the stars and the campfire! Botswana uses the metric system of weights and measures.
Luggage Botswana
As with any trip, it's a good idea to pack a photocopy of your most important documents in a waterproof bag: passport, bank cards, driving license, plane tickets and repatriation assistance certificate, with the emergency number clearly marked. Don't forget to bring binoculars, a camera, sunglasses, sunscreen and a hat. You should also bring moisturizing cream, as the air is very dry, mosquito repellent and itch-relieving lotion, as well as a small health kit and a flashlight. For self-drivers, of course, you'll need to be better equipped and prepared. In terms of clothing, if you're going during the dry season, it's warm during the day, so light shirts and pants will suffice. On the other hand, you'll need thick sweaters and even gloves for the mornings and evenings, because when the sun's gone, it's freezing cold! During the rainy season, it's warmer, so comfortable but waterproof clothing is recommended. In all cases, prefer beige and khaki colors to flashy ones, and avoid military prints. Men and women should dress appropriately. But, ladies, shorts, skirts, tank tops and dresses won't shock anyone. All lodges offer efficient laundry services that can return your clothes to you clean and tidy in less than twelve hours. If you're a self-driver, you can have your clothes laundered for a small fee in some hotels or lodges, even if you're not staying there. You'll also need a pair of light, breathable walking shoes for active pursuits, and a pair of sandals or canvas shoes for relaxing in the evening. Flip-flops may be useful if you plan to go swimming. Don't forget that there will be dust everywhere, so closed-toe shoes are best.
