FAST FACTS: -

Capital: - Gaborone
Area: - 600 370 sq/km
Independence: - September 30 1966 (from United Kingdom)
Population: - 1 576 470 (July 2000)
Ethnic groups: -  Batswana - 95 per cent, 
                            Kalanga, Basarwa, and Kgalagadi - 4 per cent, 
                            Europeans - 1 per cent.
Religions: - Indeginous beliefs - 50 per cent. 
                    Christian - 50 per cent.
Languages: - English (official), Setswana.
Natural resources: - Diamonds, copper, nickel, salt, soda ash, potash, coal, iron ore and silver.
Currency: - PULA - 1 Pula (P)  = 100 Thebe

SELECT FROM OUR LIST BELOW.

1)  Fast facts.
2)  Botswana.
3)  Geography.
4)  Essentials.
5)  Transport.
6)  Highlights.
                        a) The Okavango Delta.
                        b) Chobe National Park.
                        c)  Kalahari Reserve.
                        d)  Makgadikgadi Pans & Nxai Pans.
                        e)  Gaborone.
                        f)   Maun.

Botswana 

Botswana Boasts a rich history from thriving Stone Age settlements, turbulent Colonial occupation to claims that it is Africa’s most peaceful democracy.

The San people, indigenous to Botswana, have occupied the area for at least 30 000 years. They continue to live in the Kalahari in regions of Western Botswana.

Its mineral wealth has given the Botswanan economy a strength and Consistency, but it has never been an ostentatious country.

It humbly offers awesome natural highlights such as some of the world’s most Pristine wildlife, vast and beautiful empty spaces, the slow rural pace of Traditional villagers and the welcome friendliness of its people.

Geography

Botswana is landlocked by South Africa, Namibia and Zimbabwe.

Its flora is characterised by scrub savannah and semi-arid pockets while the Okavango and Linyati wetlands in the north-west is marked by swamp Vegetation. It experiences a pronounced summer rainy season: November to March. Game viewing is not advised at this time as herds are dispersed.

Bundle up for sub-zero temperatures in June and July. During these months (and August), tourist go home, while the more traditional herds concentrate on Permanent water supplies.

This means it is the best time of the year to go on game drives.

Essentials

The pula (meaning rain) remains Africa’s strongest currency. This has kept Botswana stable in the face of rising unemployment and a rocketing birth rate.

Major town banks trade Monday to Friday from 8.30am to 3.30pm and on Saturday until 12pm.

Travelling banks operate in smaller towns and will gladly exchange travellers’ Cheques but not cach.

Credit cards are accepted in major towns where you may also find an ATM. Difficulties maybe encountered when obtaining cash in smaller villages.

Although English is the offical language.

Setswana is the most widely-spoken tongue.

Transport

Transport is a bit of a sticky business in Botswana.

The rail services are slow although a good option is the Johannesburg to Francis Town service.

The train from Francis Town to Bulawayo (Zimbabwe) runs three times daily. Bus services are sparse. Do not count heavily on departure times as buses Usually leave only once full. There is a regular bus from Windhoek and Bulawayo. If you want to hire a car, a 4x4 is the best way to go. The terrain Demands it! There are lots of hire companies in Gaborone.

If your motor mechanic skills are not up to scratch in the event of some breakdown and you do not have off-road driving experience the best option Would be an overlander from South Africa, Namibia or Zimbabwe.

Highlights

The Okavango Delta

This delta is formed by the Okavango River emptying into the desert instead of The sea, creating a 16 000sq km wetland.

Exploration is made possible by papyrus-flanked rivers and channels used to Navigate through water-lily lagoons around islands and forests. The best way To see the delta is to glide along in a mokoro (narrow two-person dugout).

The delta floods every dry season as the flood flows down from its source in The north.

As part of their low impact tourism drive, recent government legislation has Granted one company control of mokoros. The new laws have resulted in a Drastic cut in visitors and a doubling of prices.

Overlanders and tour companies are the best options as they book mokoros Ahead of time, avoiding having to wait, for days in some cases.

An expensive, but beautiful, option in the north east of the delta is the Moremi Game Reserve.

Pricey as it is only accessible by 4x4 or light aircraft. There are four Fully-Equipped public camp sites in this, the only formally protected salt pan in the Region.

Chobe National Park

When the Unyati River is in flood. Chobe is the prime spot for spectacular Game viewing. Imagine crocodile lined sandbanks, grassland teeming with Wildebeest, zebra and herds of elephants. These are the scenes romantic. Africa Is built on. This 11 600sq-km wetland park is only an hours drive from Victoria Falls. Enter at Kasane in the north-east.

Kalahari Reserve

This reserve is Africa’s largest protected area, spanning 52 000sq-km.

This sandy wilderness is nearly featureless with pepperings of thornbush  and Game. Deception Pan is a prime site for viewing game especially after the rains. Be prepared for  freezing winter nights!

A community of approximately 800 San people is concentrated around villages Just outside the reserve.

Their original nomadic lifestyle was actively discouraged to promote mining Wildlife management and tourism. This forced relocation from their traditional Land opposes the original motivation in 1961 of establishing a hunting and Gathering ground for the San people.

Makgadikgadi Pans & Nxai Pans

These salt pans, formed by ancient lake beds, are featureless expanses dotted With ancient baobabs .

Spanning 12 000sq-km they are the largest pans in the world. The Boteti River Supports an impressive flamingo and hippo population as well as zebra and Antelope.

Beneath the pans’ desolate beauty lies very real danger, especially in the rainy Season where flash floods are common and roads are impassible.

Boking onto a tour would be the best option.

Gaborone

The capital city holds little for the traveller and, although there are a few good Hostels here, it is a sprawling conurbation of random low cost, housing, shopping and industrial centres. It does offer some interesting night-time Entertainment.

Maun

North-west of Gaborone at the edge of the Delta.

Maun has become a town driven by tourism, with a good selection of hostels And tours. You’ll also find banks, restaurants and travel agencies. It is ideally Located to explore the Delta, Chobe, Central Kalahari and the salt pans.

Twelve kilometres out of town you’ll find the Okavango swamps and crocodile Farm. Entrance is free but there are no guided tours.

The bus service from Johannesburg to Maun takes 15 hours.