BOTSWANA COUNTRY INFORMATION

Botswana is a landlocked country in the Southern African region, with a total area of 581730 sq. km of which land area covers 566730 sq. km, comparable in size to the U.S. state of Texas, France or Kenya. Read More

A 2012 estimate puts Botswana’s population at 2.10 million. Botswana nationals are called Batswana (plural) or Motswana (singular). Read More

The San and Khoe Bushmen (Basarwa) were the first known inhabitants of the area now called Botswana. Read More

Since its independence, Botswana has benefited from one of the fastest economic growth rates in the world and has thus changed itself from a deeply impoverished country to a middle-income country. Read More

The thriving multiparty constitutional democracy in Botswana holds general elections every five years. Read More

Botswana has a number of festivals, events and sporting tournaments. The Batswana have an inherent interest for sports. In 1965, the Botswana National Sports Council (BNSC) was instituted with the objective to preside over all sporting matters in the country. Read More

The wet environment of the Okavango Delta encourages the growth of thousands of tree and plant species, many of which have remarkable characteristics and useful attributes – from its natural beauty and environmental balance to medicinal and cultural purposes. Read More

The climate is semi-arid, characterized by high temperatures and dryness for most of the year; while its subtropical nature is imparted by the land’s relatively high elevation. Read More

While there are plenty of wildlife throughout the year, visitors looking to see the most number and diversity of animals should come in the dry winter, from May to October. Read More

By air travel International flights within Africa are served by South African Airways, Air Namibia, Kenya Airways and a few others land in the capital, Gaborone and the safari hub - Maun. Read More

Okavango Delta - World's largest inland delta and jewel of the Kalahari. The Okavango Delta is home to over 200,000 animals that roam the area giving color to whole Delta and the Moremi Reserve. Read More

Game Driving: Experience early morning drives over a wild landscape punctuated by trees and filled with wondrous species, all in the safety of a vehicle. Read More

Botswana focusses on smaller accommodations when it comes to places to stay in its national parks and reserves offering Top Tier I luxury lodges/camps to rustic bush accommodations with the oddity of larger accommodations in Chobe National Park due to its close proximity and visitor arrivals from Victoria Falls in Zambia and Zimbabwe. Read More

After long days of sight-seeing in the city, visitors can turn to a more relaxing but equally thrilling activity – shopping. Botswana can be a buzzing, fun place to shop, with the usual necessities as well as exotic goods that mirror the uniqueness of life in the country. Read More

Visitors to Botswana can partake of both local and foreign cuisines, whatever suits the moment’s taste. Read More

Travelers to Botswana with a valid passport from North America, European, most Commonwealth countries (with the exception Ghana, India, Sri Lanka, Nigeria and Mauritius) do not require a visa and will be eligible for a one-month entry permit upon arrival. Read More

International visitors numbered 1,455,151 in 2007 and 1,499,794 in 2008, most of who came from Africa. Read More

American Embassy Embassy Drive, Government Enclave P.O. Box 90 Gaborone, Botswana Phone: (+267) 3953982 (Monday-Thursday, 7:30AM - 5:00PM) (+267) 3953982 (Friday, 7:30AM - 13:30PM) (+267) 3957111 (After Hours) Read More

There are two major airports in Botswana. The first, Sir Seretse Khama International is about 15 km northwest from the capital, Gaborone. Read More

Telephone and Fax Botswana has an international country code of +267. Within the country, there is an extensive network of public telephones, reaching even relatively isolated places. Read More

The Morupule coal-powered station is responsible for producing most domestic electricity but most of the power Botswana consumes is bought from South Africa and Zambia. Read More

Any amount of foreign currency may be carried into and out of Botswana but an individual or family carrying an amount of money of at least ten thousand Pula in value must declare their possession to customs. There is no need to declare traveler’s checks. Read More

Botswana’s flag has been used since its independence on September 30, 1966. Light blue symbolizes rain water held precious in Botswana. Read More

For general medical care, there are competent medical staff and facilities in Gaborone and other major settlements. Read More

Botswana’s currency is called Pula and is the Tswana word for “rain”. Rain is considered a blessing in Botswana which is mostly an arid desert. Read More

Special needs facilities like wheel chair accessible accommodations are mostly found in major city like Gaborone. Read More

Botswana is 2 hours ahead of Greenwich Mean Time. Read More

The following is a list of actual dates or specific times of national public holidays marked in Botswana. Read More

The units of measurement used in Botswana are metric - road distances are measured in kilometers, petrol in liters and solid food in grams. Read More

Freedom of speech is granted by Botswana law and preserved in the constitution. Opposition parties, however, assert that government hinders their free reporting on radio. Read More