Organize your stay Botswana
Covid-19 : current situation Botswana
Due to the Covid-19 pandemic, entry and travel restrictions may apply Botswana. Remember to visit the site of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs before you leave for the latest information
Money Botswana
The unit of currency, introduced in 1976 to replace the South African rand, is the pula, which in Setswana means "rain" since rain is so precious in this arid country. The pula is divided into thebe and 1 pula equals 100 thebe. It is one of the most stable currencies on the African continent and also one of the strongest. In 2022, the rate was 1 € = 12.84 BWP or 1 BWP = 0.07 €.
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. The coins feature the Botswana coat of arms as well as a design or engraving of an emblematic mammal or bird: rhinoceros, zebra, bull, oryx and hornbill on the coins, fish eagle, ostrich, kingfisher. The bills bear the image of one of the three presidents of Botswana on the front. On the back of the banknotes are depicted scenes typical of life in Botswana: man working in a factory, woman cutting diamonds, oryx at the foot of baobabs, fisherman traveling in a mokoro in 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 Europe-Johannesburg return ticket and about 1 300 € if you want to go to Maun (expect more from Quebec). Secondly, Botswana's tourism policy is low volume, high income, low impact. This means that 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. It is unfortunate that the selection is made by money, but it is clear that this policy is effective and that Botswana offers some of the most beautiful safaris, while preserving its natural areas admirably. Here, there are no four-wheel drive vehicles around a lion or a rhino and the lucky visitors are totally immersed in nature. This rare privilege, certainly the greatest luxury possible these days, must be earned. Let the reader be reassured, it is possible to make a very beautiful safari for a "relatively" reasonable budget if it is satisfied with a comfort without excess (basic camp with good mattress and balanced meal but without sophistication). Finally, this high cost concerns above all the exceptional reserves of northern Botswana: Okavango Delta, Moremi, Chobe, Makgadikgadi Pans and Central Kalahari. Visiting the southern part of the country, which is less sought after, is more affordable. This is especially true for a pearl still ignored by travelers, the Tuli Block.
Passport and visas Botswana
No visa fee is required to enter Botswana for residents of countries that have signed an agreement with the country. This includes citizens of the Commonwealth, the European Community, Scandinavia, South Africa, the United States, Australia and Japan. All that is required is a passport valid for at least six months after return and a yellow fever vaccination certificate if you come from a country where yellow fever is present. A three-month residence permit will be issued free of charge upon entry into the country. Those who wish to stay beyond this period must apply for it on the spot at the immigration service, by presenting a work contract. The rules are quite strict in this regard and any traveler exceeding the three-month period, even by a single day, is liable to a fine or a permanent ban from Botswana. The immigration department has offices in most major cities.
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 parent must present a travel authorization signed by the absent parent.
Be aware of the entry requirements for your pets. Check with the embassy or consulate before your departure to find out how they can accompany you.
Driver's license Botswana
Foreign driver's licenses are accepted for a period of six months, but they must be accompanied by a duly formalized English translation. You might as well get an international license.
Health Botswana
To receive advice before your trip, do not hesitate to consult your doctor. You can also contact the travel medicine society of the Pasteur Institute medical center at ✆ 01 45 68 80 88 (www.pasteur.fr/fr/sante/centre-medical) or visit the Ministry of Foreign Affairs website under the heading "Advice to travelers" (www.diplomatie.gouv.fr/voyageurs). In case of illness or serious problem during your trip, quickly consult a pharmacist and then a doctor.
Mandatory vaccination Botswana
No vaccinations are officially required to enter Botswana, except for yellow fever if you are coming from a yellow fever affected area. It is advisable to be up to date with tetanus and polio vaccinations and to receive injections against typhoid fever and hepatitis A and B. Since these vaccines cannot be given all at once, be sure to schedule injections at least six weeks in advance with your doctor. For some years now, vaccination against tuberculosis 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 any summer or winter time changeover, 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 in the media and in parliamentary assemblies. The national language, i.e. the one spoken by the majority of the population, is Setswana. It is also used in politics and in the media. There are more than 20 other languages spoken by the different tribes in the country. French is not understood or spoken at all and any French-speaking traveler is aware that his or her language will not be of any help when traveling in Botswana, even if a very small number of citizens can be trained at the Alliance française de Gaborone. The traveler who does not have the basics in English will have to call upon a receptive or a French-speaking tour operator in order to prepare his itinerary in the best conditions. There are different ways to learn the basics of the Setswana language and self-study can be done through different media: CDs, video tapes, workbooks or even directly on the Internet.
Communication Botswana
To contact your family or friends internationally, WhatsApp is a convenient and inexpensive way to call or send messages. It is also possible to download the Skype application, and to top up credit to call your relatives on landlines. You should also know that most of the hotels and lodges have Wi-Fi, which is very convenient to stay in touch with your friends.
Electricity and measurements Botswana
The current is 220 volts. On the other hand, there is no real standard for the plugs. The traveler can be in the presence of either a triangular socket with three large round plugs, a square socket with three rectangular plugs or a "French" socket with two thin plugs. It is therefore necessary to have two adapters or a universal adapter that accepts all these plugs. These are sold in all tourist centers. In the bush camps, electricity is often provided by a generator or solar panels. It is common that electricity is only available for part of the day (in the morning and evening for example). The amperage is low. Some structures do not have electricity and rely on kerosene lamps or candles. This is the lot of many Botswanans, especially those who still live in simple huts in the bush. Finally, when camping in the reserves, small torches (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 is advisable to carry a photocopy of your main papers in a waterproof bag: passport, bank cards, license, plane tickets, repatriation assistance certificate, with the emergency number highlighted. Don't forget to bring binoculars, a camera, sunglasses, sunscreen and a hat. It is also advisable to bring moisturizer, as the air is very dry, mosquito repellent and soothing lotion for itching, as well as a small health kit and a flashlight. For self-drivers, it will of course be necessary to be more equipped and prepared. As far as clothing is concerned, if you go during the dry season, the weather is good during the day, so light shirts and pants will be enough. On the other hand, bring thick sweaters and even gloves for the morning and the evening because when the sun is no longer there, it is freezing cold! During the rainy season, it is warmer, very comfortable but waterproof clothes are recommended. In any case, prefer beige and khaki colors to flashy colors and avoid military prints. Men and women must dress appropriately. But, ladies, shorts, skirts, tank tops and dresses will not shock anyone. All lodges have very efficient laundry services that can get your clothes clean in less than twelve hours. For self-drivers, it is possible to have your clothes laundered for a lower price in some hotels or lodges even if you do not sleep there. You should also bring a pair of light walking shoes that allow your feet to breathe for activities and a pair of sandals or canvas shoes for relaxing in the evening. Flip-flops may be useful if you plan to swim. Remember, there will be dust everywhere, so closed-toe shoes are best.
