Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
SIGHTS & ACTIVITIES
Wildlife densities are at their highest in the north, especially the Okavango Delta, Moremi
Game Reserve and Chobe National Park. As a result, you shouldn't need to spend too
long in the car before tracking down elephants or lions.
Although they're rarely aimed at a young audience, older kids will get a kick out of
quad biking in the Makgadikgadi Pans, horse-riding safaris,
mokoro
trips in the reedy wa-
ters of the delta, or even scenic flights high above the delta. Fishing in the Okavango Pan-
handle might also appeal. There's an even greater range of activities just across the border
at Victoria Falls.
Customs Regulations
Most items from elsewhere in the Southern African Customs Union (SACU) - Namibia,
South Africa, Lesotho and Swaziland - may be imported duty free. You may be asked to
declare new laptops and cameras, but this is rarely enforced.
Visitors may bring into Botswana the following amounts of duty-free items: up to 400
cigarettes, 50 cigars or 250g of tobacco; 2L of wine or 1L of beer or spirits; and 50mL of
perfume or 250mL of eau de cologne.
The most rigorous searches at customs posts are for fresh meat products - don't buy
succulent steaks in South Africa for your camping barbecue and expect them to be al-
lowed in.
There is no restriction on currency; however, you might need to declare any pula or for-
eign currency you have on you when entering or leaving the country, but this depends on
the border crossing and who is on duty.
Discount Cards
There is no uniformly accepted discount-card scheme in Botswana, but a residence permit
entitles you to claim favourable residents' rates at hotels. Hostel cards are of little use, but
student cards score a discount (usually around 15%) on some buses. Seniors over 60, with
proof of age, also receive a discount on some buses and airfares.
Embassies & High Commissions
Most diplomatic missions are in Gaborone. Many more countries have embassies or con-
sulates in South Africa.
