Botswana
BOTSWANA FACT SHEET
Botswana is a land of tremendous contrasts. In this country you can encounter extremes from the miles of arid sand which is the Kalahari Desert, to the verdant Eden of the Okavango Delta, where water takes precedence over land. Botswana has a very progressive land management program and the government has acknowledged the need for wildlife conservation, devoting a large percentage of the total land to national parks and game reserves. The country is particularly rich in game, especially the area of the Okavango Delta with its unique ecosystem. With few roads in the delta, travel to the camps, and from camp to camp, is in small aircraft and by boat. To many, Botswana represents a true exposure to the ‘real Africa’.
Centered on the Tropic of Capricorn, Botswana is a landlocked semi-arid country. It is bounded on the west by Namibia, the east by Zimbabwe , the south by South Africa and the north by portions of Angola, Namibia and Zambia. Two-thirds of the country is Kalahari desert, an immense area of thornbush and dry grasslands. Botswana is roughly the same size as Texas, but with a population of just over one million, it is one of the most sparsely populated countries on the continent.
HISTORY
From the 18 th century, the original Bushmen inhabitants of the region were gradually pushed into the central Kalahari by the progressive expansions of Tswana, Ndebele and finally the Afrikaner. The British made Botswana a protectorate in 1885 (calling it Bechuanaland) in order to keep it from German expansion in Namibia and to keep open the north-south trade route. The pro-tectorate was barely developed during the British administration and remained very poor right up to independence in 1966. A year after independence, diamonds were discovered and the country has developed rapidly since
then.
ECONOMY
Immediately after independence, Botswana was ranked in the bottom 20 poorest countries in the world, with cattle ranching the dominant industry. One year later, the world’s second largest diamond pipe was discovered at Orapa; diamond mining now accounts for 70% of export earnings. Botswana is the top producer of diamonds in the world and, because of that, has one of the fastest growing economies in the world. Beef exports to the EEC rank second in importance, though there is a growing concern at the damaging extent of over-grazing. The country also mines manganese, copper and nickel, and tourism is of increasing value.
CLIMATE
Summer (September – April): Average temperature is 85F during the day with an average nighttime temperature of 60-70F.
Winter (May-August): Average temp is 65F during the day and nighttime temps ranging between 35-50F.
The rainy season is usually November through February but differs from year to year. In some years, there is very little rain and then only in January or February. During the very dry season, just before the summer rains, some game areas can be very dusty, hot and dry.
PLACES OF INTEREST
THE OKAVANGO DELTA
Situated in the north-west region of Botswana, the Okavango Delta is the largest inland delta in the world. The Delta consists of a maze of seemingly endless floodplains, channels and islands, which are fed by the Okavango River tumbling out of the Angolian Highlands, over a thousand miles to the north, and eventually sinks into the sands of the northern Kalahari.
It’s an unusual and highly relaxing environment, where you can glide silently along in a dugout canoe (mokoro) through a maze of reeds, watch wildlife at eye level, maybe catch a glimpse of the rare Sitatunga Antelope and soak up the sun. Beneath you, the crystal clear water reveals a myriad of fish and aquatic animals and plants. One of the greatest attractions of the Okavango is the spectacular birdlife, which is best between the months of October and March when a host of migrant species enters the area.
MOREMI NATIONAL PARK
The Moremi Wildlife Reserve occupies a large portion of the Okavango Delta, it includes regions of permanent swamp, floodplains, islands and two large areas of dry land: Chief’s Island, the largest island Of the Okavango Delta, and the Mopane Tongue, which juts out into the Delta. The diverse range of habitats found in this area, where dry scrub rooted on Kalahari sands gives way to reedbeds and lagoons, results in a wide variety of animals and birdlife being found.
THE PANHANDLE
This is the area of the Okavango where the river that feeds it is still confined to its banks and to papyrus choked floodplains. As the Okavango Delta enters Botswana it spreads out slightly and is contained in this broad river and floodplain system for some 65 miles before spreading out into the Okavango Delta. This area is attractive to birdwatchers (the legendary African Skimmer is sure to be seen there),and to fisherman, as one has access to the well-known fighting Tiger Fish.
CHOBE NATIONAL PARK
Bounded on the north by the mighty Chobe River and on the south by the Okavango, this is the largest park in Botswana. Chobe is justifiably famous for its large concentrations of elephant. In the winter months when the outlying pans are devoid of rainwater the 20,000 elephant resident in the region have to move down to the banks of the Chobe River. A slow drive along the river bank brings one into constant contact with elephants. There are many other species of animals and approximately 430 bird species to be found in the area.
KALAHARI DESERT
The Kalahari occupies two-thirds of Botswana as well as large portions of South Africa, Namibia, Angola and Zambia. Although some parts of the desert receive as much as ten inches of rain a year, there are many years without any rain and the area overall is hot and arid. Much of the Kalahari is closed to outsiders and the central desert areas may be the last refuge of the few remaining Bushmen.
TOURIST INFORMATION
DOCUMENTARY REQUIREMENTS
No visa is necessary for United States citizens. However, a valid passport is required.
VACCINATION CERTIFICATES
No shots are required at this point in time, however, please check for the latest information at the time of booking. As in any bush country, anti-malaria precautions NEED BE TAKEN.
WHAT TO PACK
Mainly casual and lightweight clothing. We recommend a jacket or sweater year-round as it can become chilly on the early morning game drives. Hiking boots are not necessary – just a comfortable pair of walking shoes or sneakers. There is daily laundry service in most camps. Keep your luggage light if flying on small aircraft around the Okavango Delta, as there is a luggage restriction of 44lbs.
If visiting just Chobe from Victoria Falls, there is no luggage restriction.
CURRENCY
Botswana currency is known as the Pula (which is also the Setswana word for “rain”). The South African Rand, US dollars and credit cards will be accepted at most lodges and camps.
SHOPPING HOURS
In the cities and towns, shops are open between 8.30am and 5pm Mondays to Fridays and 8.30am to 1pm on Saturdays. Most camps and lodges have curio shops with local crafts.
GOOD BUYS
The Botswana baskets are some of the most beautiful and well-made of any in Africa with each of the patterns telling a story. They increase in price each year and many consider them to be “an investment”.
LANGUAGE
Setswana and English are the main languages, with several local dialects.
VOLTAGE
Camps which have generators will produce 220/240 voltage. Not all camps have electrical power. Most camps offer facilities to generate battery-operated Camcorders/Video cameras but if wishing to use camcorders, try bringing along a 12-Volt adapter which can charge batteries from the Landrovers.
WATER
Drinking water is safe in camps and cities, unless told otherwise by the camp managers. In that case, drinking water is provided in a flask at your bedside. Besides the natural filtration of water coming up through the sand, the drinking water is additionally treated in the camps.
