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Frequently Asked Questions about Botswana Botswana

What is the best time to travel?

In a destination like Botswana, the best time to go should be linked to the possibility of seeing wildlife. During May until October, the game is more concentrated, around the flooded areas in the Okavango and in Chobe National Park. This is the dry season and then from October onwards it starts to get very hot.


Can I pre-book transfers and extra nights?

Yes, you have the option to pre-book airport transfers and secondly the option to pre-book pre and post tour nights.These extra services should be added to your booking.


What about my passport?

You need a passport that is valid at least 6 months at the date of departure. You are responsible for having a valid passport and visa when you travel.

Do I need a visa?

UK citizens do not need a visa for Botswana. However, these things can change so please click here and check out the current situation. You can also check on that website if a visa is required for any other nationalities. Make sure you find out if you need a visa at least a month before departure so you do not run out of time.
If you need a visa, please contact your nearest Botswana embassy unless you use a visa service. Shoestring does not organize your visa. You are responsible for having a valid passport and visa when you travel. You can also obtain the visa through a specialised visa agency like www.travcour.com.


Do I need vaccinations or malaria tablets?

Please click here for questions regarding vaccinations or malaria tablets for this country and contact after your local practitioner or a specialized health centre and make an appointment to get your shots and pills. Please make sure that you allow at least six weeks for a full program. People who already have had a few shots might do with two weeks. You are responsible for having the right protection when going on tour.

What is the recommended currency for Botswana?

The unit of currency is the Botswana Pula (BWP), which is divided into 100 Thebe. The word 'Pula' means rain and 'Thebe' means shield. The shield appears on the national coat of arms. Major credit cards are accepted widely, and travellers cheques and foreign currency are accepted at most large hotels and lodges. There are banks and exchange bureaux in all the main towns, as well as ATM machines. Surcharges are often high on travellers cheques, and it is best to carry cheques in US Dollars or Pounds Sterling.

What kind of clothing and other stuff is practical to take?

A big part of this tour will take you through desert where the climate is harsh. Nights here can be very cold and days can be extremely hot during winter months. Bring thin clothes and a high-necked long-sleeved T-shirt or a thin cotton roll-neck jersey for the nights to protect you against mosquitoes. Also, bring a jersey or a sweater and a raincoat. An umbrella is of good use against the rain as well as the fierce sun. A pair of worn-in walking shoes with a good tread and strong soles is important. Acacia thorns can easily perforate soft soles. Sandals or slippers are comfortable footwear on days we are not walking. Other important items are: sunglasses, suntan lotion, toiletries, basic medical travelling kit, sun hat or scarf, photo or film equipment and an adequate amount of film, spare batteries, torch, maybe a pocket knife (not in your hand luggage), alarm clock (winding up or battery-powered), stationery, books, passport, sufficient cheques and cash, copies of passport and trave

What kind of luggage should I take?

Luggage should be packed in an overnight bag or a backpack. Hard suitcases cannot be taken into the safari truck. Additionally, a small rucksack or shoulder bag is handy for carrying everyday hand luggage. To keep valuable papers safe, you are best off purchasing a slim cotton money belt to wear under your clothes. Be sure to have a change of clothes in your hand luggage and to be able to survive 48 hours without the rest of your luggage in case it is carried to Africa indirectly. Keep essentials like the pill, malaria pills, essential medicine, cheques, camera and your toothbrush in your hand luggage. Make sure your luggage is not too heavy. You will not need the maximum weight allowed on the airplane at all: 20 kg. During your trip, you will certainly buy a number of souvenirs, which means you will soon have too much to carry. We advise you to bring a maximum of 13 kg of luggage.

What is the situation with electricity in Botswana?

Please click here to check what voltage and plugs are in use in Botswana. You could consider taking a universal electric plug.


Which travel guides and maps?

If you want to take a travel guide or map, we suggest you click on Lonely Planet


What is the accommodation like?

You will stay in two-man tents on comfortable campsites

How is accommodation arranged if I book alone?

If you book alone you will share your room with a fellow traveller (same sex) unless you have booked a single room. If we go camping, you could decide to take a small tent if you want to sleep alone. If this involves extra camping fees (never very much), your tour leader will tell you and collect the extra fees.


Do I need a sleeping mat or sleeping bag?

We recommend you bring a sleeping bag with or without a sheet bag. For the 'South Africa and Namibia, Botswana and Beyond!' tour you will not need a sleeping bag. However, we do recommend that you bring a towel as these are not provided by the lodges and hotels.

What can I expect from camping facilities?

The camping facilities are quite basic but are generally comfortable.

Do I need to take a mosquito net?

This is not necessary


Do they cater for vegetarians in Botswana?

In Botswana there is not a lot fruit, because the land is dry and sandy, so hardly anything grows and everything is imported from South Africa. Vegetarians in Botswana should try the nutritious ‘samp’, a thoroughly cooked mix of pulses and cereals. In the big cities you can eat good international food. There are cheap pizza restaurants and snack bars, but also very expensive exclusive restaurants

What kind of transportation is used?

We will be using our own overland trucks .You can explore the Okavango delta by mokoros( local canoes.)

Can you travel with children?

Yes, children can travel with their families on a Shoestring tour. We recommend the easiest tours which are listed as ‘Category A’ where the distances covered are short and there is a slow traveling speed. But please check with our friendly sales team if you are unsure.
We would define a child as being under the age of 18. They would only be allowed to travel provided they do so with an adult family member or close relative.

Children under the age of 8 we recommend not to travel as they simply would not be old enough to enjoy the experience nor cope with the nature of travel that we provide.

The tour prices are the same for both adults and children however there will be a reduction on the child airfare which will vary depending on the flight selected (Please use the ‘search flights’ facility on the website to check the up-to-date prices).


Is Botswana dangerous?

The majority of visits to Botswana are trouble-free, but visitors should be aware of the increasing incidence of crime.There is a lot of street robbery at night. Do not walk the streets after sunset. In the daytime, some care should be taken: do not show large amounts of money, be sure to hide your camera when it is not being used and do not wear conspicuous jewellery . Remember that in the eyes of most Africans we are immeasurably wealthy. That is why you should always keep an eye on your bag and money belt. Wildlife and livestock make driving hazardous, so driving at night should be avoided.

If you are interested what the Foreign Office has to say, please click here.


What local customs do I need to keep in mind?

Taking photos or videos near government or military buildings is prohibited, and permission should always be sought before taking photos of local people
In Africa, it is normal to bargain for a better price. Negotiating usually happens in a happy, lively manner. The one selling might start at a price that is three to five times as high as the real price.
In the big cities, beggars will definitely approach you. They will ask you for money, soap or pens. Sometimes they want sweets. Some beggars immediately mention the sum required of you. By giving them money, you will by no means solve their problems.


Are there opportunities to snorkel or dive?

No

Are there opportunities to swim?

No

What other activities and sports could I do?

It is possible to make an optional flight over the Okavango delta in a small airplane. The pilot will go looking for large herds of animals and you will have a beautiful view over the whole delta area.
You can explore the Okavango delta area in mokoros, local canoes, which used to be made from trunks like that of the Baobab tree

How are the communications in Botswana?

The international access code for Botswana is +267. The outgoing code is 00 followed by the relevant country code (e.g. 0027 for South Africa). Gaborone's area code is 31, 35, 36 or 39; there is no NDD prefix for calling within Botswana. Mobile phones operate on a GSM 900 network and are limited to urban areas; most North American cell phones will not work. Internet cafes are available in Gaborone and Maun.


What is the time difference?

Please check the world clock in order to find out the exact time difference with your home country.