Capital: Gaborone
Time zone: GMT + 2
Telephone services: Country Code: 267
Outgoing Code: 00
Emergency telephone numbers: Police – 351161
Tourist information: Dept of Tourism, Ministry of Commerce and Industry. Private Bag, 0047, Gaborone, Botswana Tel: 353 024 or 313 314 Fax: 308 675
Passport information: A valid passport is required by all and must be valid for 6 months. Return ticket required. May be subject to change at short notice. Contact the relevant authority before departure.
Visa information: No information available at present.
Health information: Polio, Typhoid: Vaccination recommended.
Malaria: Falciparum variety present.
Other Health Risks: Rabies; Bilharzia; Cholera; Rabies; Ticks; Sleeping sickness present.
Food & drink: Water is untreated and not safe to drink. Avoid dairy products as they are not pasteurised. Fruit and vegetables should be peeled before consumption.
Currency: Pula (P) = 100 thebes Note: Export of local currency is limited to P500.
Credit cards are accepted on a limited basis. Travellers cheques are accepted, but the surcharge may be high.
ATM availability: 27 locations.
Cost of living: Comparable with western Europe.
Languages: English and Setswana.
Weather: Oct to Apr – Hot and Wet season. May to Sept – Cooler and Drier.
Electricity: 220/240 Volts AC, 50 Hz Plugs – 13 amp socket.
Post: 1 – 3 weeks by airmail
Transport: AIR, RAIL AND BUS: Major cities are linked by these networks. ROAD: tarmac roads are limited mostly being sand tracks. Reserves of water and fuel should always be taken. DOCUMENTATION: IDP is recommended for stays up to 6 months, after which a Botswana driving license must be obtained.
Special information: Casual clothing is acceptable. Respect for the traditional way of life must be displayed. Do not take photographs of airports, official residences and military and defence establishments.