With 1.8 million inhabitants in an area bigger than France, one can easily feel the vastness of the wilderness in Botswana. The same applies to the national parks, where access is very strictly regulated in order to keep the visitor, animal and plant life ratio at a sustainable level. The Government of Botswana, which fortunately always favored an exclusive eco-tourism, monitors very strictly the quality and sustainability of the camps. You will experience safaris in areas almost untouched by humans.
Botswana is safe and has a stable political system. Theft, molest or begging are not common. One should not be afraid to mingle with the locals. The country has an effective zero-tolerance policy against corruption and collusion. Botswana's economy is basically based on the three pillars of tourism, diamonds and raw material production, and "Botswana Beef".
The lodges in Botswana operate in a sustainable manner with great environmental responsibility. However the protection of animal and plant life can only be guaranteed if this model of operation is well established and economically sustainable in the long-term. The more successful the model, the smaller the chance that these wonderful ecosystems are destroyed or operated using a less sustainable economic model. Visiting the Okavango Delta, for instance, is a way to help preserve this unique floodplains and provide many people with jobs and confidence. The exclusivity and intimacy of the lodges guarantee an unforgettable experience, but this comes with a high price tag. You can expect to pay 500 to 1000 CHF per person per night. With this being said, we do, however, know from many enthusiastic and well-traveled guests that the Botswana safari experience is unique and unbeatable.
The only way to fly to Botswana is via Johannesburg. A direct flight from Zurich to Johannesburg takes about 10 hours. This is usually a night flight which arrives in Johannesburg early in the morning, from which a transit to a connecting flight is made. The time difference is maximum one hour, depending on our daylight saving time.
From April to October, the blue skies of Botswana is clear without a single cloud. Expect sunny days and cooling nights. October is the hottest month of the year and it is dry. The rain comes some time in November, but it is dependent on local storm conditions. The rainy days are unlike what we experience here in Europe. Animal sightings are always good. In fact, the light rain facilitates the search for animal tracks and increases the chances of finding predators.
Swiss and EU citizens require a passport with at least 6 months validity from the return date and must contain at least two blank pages. A visa is not required for South Africa, Botswana or Namibia. The exact rules and regulations will be clarified prior to travel.
Air Botswana has a monopoly and has daily flights from Johannesburg to Gaborone and Maun. There are also flights to Maun from Namibia, Kasane or Victoria Falls. Basically, expect to always transit via Johannesburg and fly for considerable distances. Small aircrafts from the main airports will bring you to and from the delta to the lodges in Maun and Kasane. The smallest aircraft is a two-seater while the largest transporters carry a maximum of 12 guests. These aircrafts will land on airstrips in the bush, after which you will be taken to the lodges in open vehicles.
For flights to the delta, there is a strict weight limit of 20kg per person for all luggage. This was recently introduced by the pilots for safety reasons. Do not bring hard suitcases, bring only soft sports bags. The weight limit also includes the hand luggage, camera equipment, laptop, etc. Make use of the laundry service available in the lodges and reduce the amount of clothes brought. Casual wear is recommended for all lodges.
Malaria prophylaxis is recommended for travels to Maun, the delta and all places further north. Malaria is transmitted primarily in large urban centers, the risk of infection in the lodges is minimal. Mosquitoes are present only during the rainy season from November to May. Nevertheless for your best interests, we advise you to not take the risk. Make sure that you are adequately insured, particularly for your return to Switzerland and/or a medical evacuation to a South African hospital. This is a MUST. All important medication must be brought from Switzerland. Do not rely on getting the desired medication in Botswana. All these must be kept in your hand luggage!
The currency is called Pula, which means rain. This is an indication of how important rain is in Botswana. Major credit cards are accepted, but please make sure that your PIN code works as this makes transactions via the automated teller machine (ATM) faster and more secure. The VISA card seems to work best in South Africa. Ideally your travel partner should bring a second card. The EC card also functions at the ATMs. In most lodges you can pay by credit card. Tips to guides and camp staff can be given in cash in Euros, Dollars, Rand or Pula, or by credit card. It is difficult to exchange other currencies into local currency with the locals.
Do not worry too much about safari clothes. You do not need to dress up. Wear whatever you want. Casual wear is recommended for all lodges, even in the most expensive ones. For the game drives, all colors are allowed. However, only brown, green or beige tones are allowed for walking safaris. Please leave all "military style" clothings at home as this is illegal in Botswana. For the period from May to August, bring warm clothes including hats and gloves. As for footwear, we recommend comfortable, open sandals and a pair of sturdy shoes. Hiking boots are not necessary unless you have planned extensive walks.
The official language in Botswana is English. The local colloquial language is called Setswana and is spoken by everyone. There are also several dialects. Often the locals speak several languages. The younger ones are often very good in English. Fix lines in Africa almost never worked. Mobile phones work almost everywhere but not in the lodges in the Okavango Delta, the Kalahari and in areas that are far away from urban centers. SMS and calls back home can be extremely expensive. In the lodges, there is no internet or phone. Enjoy the peace!
Food is of good quality and is mainly imported from South Africa. Diarrhea is not a problem. We recommend you to drink only bottled drinking water. In the lodges only bottled mineral water and filtered ice are available.
The voltage is 220 - 230 volts. In all good lodges, adapters for all countries are present. Computers, cameras and iPods can then be recharged. The power supply is available for the whole day in most of the lodges.
Clothes can be washed in all lodges. Please note that in most of the lodges, clothes are washed by hand and the sun dries your clothes. Due to cultural differences, you will have to wash your underwear yourself. Do not bring too many clothes, instead make use of the laundry service wherever possible.
Just like in South Africa, all traffic in Botswana drives on the left hand side with drivers on the right hand side of the vehicle. The traffic is so sparse in Botswana and Namibia that you could drive 1 hour on the wrong side without realizing it. Be careful when turning, go clockwise instead. The intercity roads are excellent, side roads are gravel and very soon 4x4. The police is fair and does not demand gifts. We will be happy to provide tips for driving and advise you on the specific traffic rules in each country.
During the European summer, the time difference is plus one hour.
During the European winter, there is no time difference.
Find our contact details here: SwissAfrican Travel Service, Dammstrasse 27, 8702 Zollikon, Switzerland. Tel. ++41 (0)44 451 40 51, fax 53.