Tips and Advice

(self-drive Jo'burg - Kasane directions here)

(This information has been compiled from various sources and is intended only to indicate circumstances. The Executive Committee can accept no responsibility for omissions or inaccuracies of fact, nor for any changes as they may occur in the interim since posting this information)

Government of Botswana Official Site for information on Parks, Visa's etc.

A good site for an overview of Botswana with details on the Chobe region

Other useful Web Sites for stuff on travel to Botswana

Suggested general reading on Botswana (coffee table format - lot's of pics)

"This is Botswana". Daryl & Sharna Balfour . Peter Joyce. (1999 - 2nd Ed.)New Holland (Publishers) Ltd. Lond.
ISBN 1 85974 269 6
The book covers on a chapter by chapter basis each of the 'wild places' in Botswana (with photo's), as well as a short general resume of Botswana. A good place to start planning pre-/post-conference tours. We got it for $22 US.

Immigration VISAs

Guests from certain countries will require VISAs for travel in Botwsana, S Africa, Namibia, Zambia and Zimbabwe. Ensure you have all required visas in advance.

Visitors to Botswana with passports of the following countries do not currently require a visa: all Commonwealth countries (except Ghana, India, Mauritius, Nigeria, Sri Lanka), EC countries, Namibia, Pakistan, Samoa, San Marino, South Africa, Uruguay, USA and the former Yugoslavian States.

Note: Multiple entry VISA's for Zimbabwe are only available at your country of origin. Single and double entry visas only are issued at border crossings.

Currency:

The Currency of Botswana is "pula" (meaning rain). The pula is comprised of 100 "thebe" (meaning raindrop). This gives you some idea of the value of water in Botswana!

NOTE: Currently you may bring in (and take out) pretty much any reasonable amount in cash - in foreign currency. You may take across the border only 500 Pula.
Tip: Don't buy lots of Pula before getting to Botswana but try and get the 500 Pula if you can get it at less than 15% charge.
Tip: The exchange rate on cash or travellers cheques tends to be very bad (20% rip-off in some cases). Use a credit card to pay in Pula and let the credit card company give you a better exchange rate than the cash rate. Take travellers cheques for emergencies and cash requirements.

The major lodges accept cash payment in Pula, $US, £UK, DM, $NAM, ZAR; as well as Visa Card and Mastercard; and of course travellers cheques. There appears to be NO indication that American Express would be generally accepted and Zim $ are not very welcome.

Electricity:

220 Volt; 50Hz

Tip: Many travel agencies and stores will try to tell you that the all outlet sockets in Botswana, S. Africa and Zimbabwe are UK standard. This is not generally true. The only UK type outlets (3 square pin) we found in Kasane were in the Mowana Safari Lodge where they are being phased in. Also the River Rooms at the Chobe Safari Lodge were standard UK. Most outlets were standard 3 round pin S. African which is not UK standard square pin. Zimbabwe often has the same sort of odd outlet but in a smaller format. There are 'adjustable' travel plugs which allow the two pins to be moved around - these are the most likely to work.

Mobile phones:

The two service providers in Botswana are digital and while at least one offers global roaming it isn't with VODA. U.K. users with Orange should get a connection. S.A. MTN also works. Kasane is in any case a remote location. Zimbabwe has some global roaming coverage but only on 2 GSM frequencies. European and AustralianVodaphone users will be OK at Vic Falls. US GSM phones might work but only if they similar to the new Motorala tri-band (3 GSM frequencies) phones. S. Africa is 100% digital and has full global roaming for VODA. The situation is changing rapidly in this part of the world.

Malaria:

The meeting is at the end of the dry season and so the risk of malaria is minimal - but there will be some mosquitos. There are a number of simple things you can do other than or in addition to drugs; see here. More on Malaria Prophylaxis

The local inhabitants do not routinely use anti-malarial medication (rather spray at dusk) BUT it is recommended that you obtain suitable medication and start the prophylatic treatment before travel to northern Botswana.

Tip: "Larium" is effective but can have disturbing side effects (the dreams can be very, very odd!) and seems to have been withdrawn in the U.K. Larium is contraindicated for anyone with kidney, heart and blood pressure problems, or a history thereof. Talk to your doctor. "Doxycycline" is often the prescribed alternative in Africa. Note this antibiotic can markedly increase the sensitivity of the skin to the sun. The sun will shine at Chobe in August, take precautions with sun block. S. Africa is a chloroquine-resistant area so other prophylactics need to be used in combinations.
More on Malaria Prophylaxis

Infectious diseases

Tap water is safe to drink (so one imagines the ice is OK) but all other water must be boiled before drinking (actually don't drink it at all!).

There are no inoculations required by Botswana (the exception is if you are travelling from a yellow fever area). You should consider precautions for and Hep A, as well as typhus and tetanus (cholera or yellow fever shots are not required). Botswana is within the Bilharzia zone so swim only in properly managed swimmig pools. Please contact your doctor for advice before travelling to Botswana.

Link to the World Health Organisation

Weather and temperature

During August there is normally no rain and afternoon temperatures can exceed 30°C (>85°C). Evening temperatures can fall below 15°C (<58°C). It is suggested that you bring a warm sweater or jacket for the evenings. You will need a sweater/jacket for any night drives.

Current weather in Kasane (Chobe)

Driving in Botswana

It seems that visitors may drive for up to six months on their home driving licence. However, if your licence is not in English you must also have a certified English translation.

The major road network in Botswana is excellent with sealed tar roads between the major towns. The gravel/sand roads are also good but can become difficult in the wet season. August is the end of the dry season and no major difficulties should be expected, but don't be tempted out in a single 4WD. Gas/petrol filling stations are frequently more than 'half a fuel tank apart' - take every opportunity to keep your tank at least half full. If you are driving to Kasane from the south you must fill at Francistown and Nata, or Gaborone, Kang and Maun, and in between. If driving from Vic' Falls it is only 80 - 90 km to Kasane where you can fill.

Credit Cards are (VISA and MC) are accepted for paying for fuel in Botswana but not South Africa.

Elephant crossing the Nata - Kasane main road Photo: Steve Morris (rights reserved)

Most of the National Park areas are unfenced and thus game can often be seen crossing roads. Be especially aware of elephant and warthog near dusk and during the evening. Just before you hit them they turn into cement!

Aside from the game the roadsides in Botswana are populated by donkey and goat - they are not always predictable in their movements - slow down.

Road laws in Botswana are strictly enforced. This includes on the spot fines for speeding (they use laser speed detectors!) and open vessels of alcohol in your car (which is prohibited). Seat belts are compulsory.

Botswana is criss-crossed by disease control fences and where these cross roads there are both animal control and police checks. If you are asked to step in some foul smelling syrup as part of a disease control program - just do it! Ensure that your vehicle is licenced and that you have the paperwork from the border control to show it is taxed for Botswana for the period of your stay in Botswana. Keep all the little bits of paper they give you - they sometimes want them back when you leave! The little bits of paper include road tax (currently approx. $5US for 10 days in Botswana and $30 US for 30 days in Zimbabwe).

Fire is a major hazzard in Botswana during late August and September at the end of the dry season - exercise caution.

Public Transport in Botswana

Do not consider using the bus or the train in Botswana if you are intent on arriving at any expected time!

Car rental

There is an AVIS rental in Kasane at the Mowana Safari Lodge but they don't really keep any cars there. Advance booking through your national AVIS central bookings or the Internet is required. AVIS say they will move cars to the Mowana station at no extra charge. They do not like you taking their cars across borders. This restriction does not apply to self-drive and camp vehicles but normally these must be returned to the originating station. It's very variable and needs to be checked each time. Go to the AVIS homepage. If you are driving a hire car across borders you should obtain a commercial vehicle certificate from the company.

Facilities in Kasane:

Bank
Post Office
Bureau d'exchange
Supermarket
Petrol
Hospital
(Lodge Guests pay a levy for MRI - Medical Rescue International - which gives them access to the clinic and medi-vac if required but not international evac.)
Police station