Safaris in Botswana with Special Interest Holidays
Questions & Answers
The information listed below is over & above that on the Botswana Climate & What
to Take pages.
Q - Accommodation
A - Most people stay in either lodges or camps. These vary enormously
from luxury lodges and camps to a group of small tents around a camp fire. A tented camp
comprises of a limited number of large luxury tents most with flushing toilet and shower
or bath. Most camps have electric fans and one or two even have air-conditioning.
Q - Activities
A - In the Okavango Delta there are twice daily game drives of about
four hours each. Night drives are not permitted in the National Parks only on the
concessions. Water activities, motor boats and mokoro (canoe) depend on the season.
Boating is normally always available but obviously limited when water levels are low. At
some times of year fishing is restricted to maintain fish stocks. Walking is available
all year around but may be limited when there is flooding.
Q - Animals
A - Will I see ‘The Big Five’? Sorry, but probably not. Rhinos were
wiped out by poaching by the early 1990s. They were however reintroduced in 2001 to
Chief’s island in the Moremi Game Reserve. They are gradually increasing and spreading
although the actual numbers are kept secret. You will however see a great diversity of
other animals.
Q - Children
A - A Botswana safari is a fantastic experience for older children.
There are some camps who will not take children under the age of 16. Most camps will only
take children under the age of 12 if they have a private vehicle which is expensive. Game
drives are usually four hours long which children find tedious. However there are family
safaris available. Consult your Africa expert for advice.
Q - Currency
A - The currency of Botswana is the Pula. Most major currencies are
acceptable in the camps.
Convert the Pula (BWP) to
your currency >>
Q - Duty Free
A - You may import: 400 cigarettes or 50 cigars or 250g of tobacco. 2
litres of wine and 1 litre of spirits. 50ml of perfume and 250ml of eau de toilette.
Q - Electricity
A - Generators in each camp provide 220v electricity. Due to their
noise, these generators are normally used during the day, when guests are out of camp. In
the evenings, the generator is switched off, and lighting is provided by traditional
hurricane lanterns and battery powered lamps. If necessary, camera batteries may be
recharged in camp during the day.
Q - Health
A - Health care in Botswana is good in the major towns but medical
facilities and communications are limited in rural areas. For serious medical treatment,
medical evacuation to South Africa may be necessary. Emergency patients will only be
accepted if you have full insurance cover.
Malaria is prevalent in the northern parts of Botswana. Before travelling to this area,
you should consult your doctor about suitable anti-malarial medication, and on arrival
ensure that you take adequate precautions against being bitten by mosquitoes.
Q - Honeymoons
A - A Botswana safari is a fantastic romantic setting. It is intimate,
luxurious and exclusive. Many companies offer special honeymoon packages.
Q - Internet
A - Internet is not generally available. Some concessions do however
have satellite internet access. It is nevertheless unreliable and slow.
Q - Language
A - Setswana is the national language. However, English is the official
business language and it is widely spoken in urban areas with most written communication
being in this language. However, knowing and using a bit of Setswana always helps and the
Batswana people will be pleased that you have made the effort.
Q - Safety
A - On arrival at each camp every guest is given a very comprehensive
brief. This is for your safety and to be adhered to rigidly. This is not a zoo or
‘Animal Planet’ you are in the wild for real. Animals wander freely through the
camps. If you are nervous about this do not go on this type of safari. Incidents are very
rare and when they occur it is usually because clients have not followed instructions. On
the concessions, for walking tours, all the guides qualified for this activity are armed
and very highly skilled. It is extremely uncommon for this expertise to have to be
exercised as they recognise the bush signs to avoid danger.
Q - Shopping
A - Most camps have small interesting souvenir shops. They accept most
major currencies and credit cards.
Q - Telephones
A - There are no telephones in the bush or mobile phone coverage. Camps
have radio communications for their own use. If you need to be contacted in an emergency
a message can be sent from their headquarters to the camp.
Q - Time Zone
A - The time zone is GMT +2. Botswana does not have daylight saving time
changes.
Q - Tipping
A - At safari camps gratuities are not compulsory. If you have a
particularly helpful guide or tracker the accepted tip is about USD 7 / GBP 4 / Euro 5,
per person per day for a guide and approximately half that for a tracker. If you are
there for a few days only tip at the end of your stay. Most camps have a ‘staff box’
where you can leave tips to be split amongst the rest of the camp staff. Again the amount
depends upon how exceptionally you felt you were treated.
Q - Visas
A - Valid passports are required by all foreign nationals to enter
Botswana. Visas are not required by members of the Commonwealth and the following
countries: USA, Sweden, Belgium, Finland, Iceland, Denmark, Norway, Luxembourg, France,
Italy, Netherlands, Austria, Germany, Greece, Liechtenstein, Yugoslavia, Switzerland, San
Marino, Ireland, Uruguay and Japan. Visas are required by nationals of all other
countries, which must be obtained before arrival in the country.
