Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Dress modestly. Short sleeves are fine, and baggy shorts and loose T-shirts are accept-
able where foreigners are common, but in villages and rural areas try to cover up as much
as possible.
Getting There & Away
Botswana is not the easiest or cheapest place in the world to get to. Surprisingly few inter-
national airlines fly to and from Botswana; the long-distance airlines prefer to fly into Jo-
hannesburg (Jo'burg) or Cape Town in South Africa, where connecting flights depart to
Maun or Gaborone. Many people prefer to enter the country overland from South Africa
or, more recently, Namibia as part of a longer safari.
Flights, tours and rail tickets can be booked online at
www.lonelyplanet.com/
Entering Botswana
Entering Botswana is usually straightforward provided you are carrying a valid passport.
Visas are available on arrival for most nationalities and are issued in no time. If you're
crossing into the country overland and in your own (or rented) vehicle, expect to endure
(sometimes quite cursory) searches for fresh meat, fresh fruit and dairy products, most of
which will be confiscated if found. For vehicles rented in South Africa, Namibia or other
regional countries, you will need to show a letter from the owner that you have permission
to drive the car into Botswana, in addition to all other regi stration documents.
At all border posts you must pay P120 (a combination of road levy and third-party in-
surance) if you're driving your own vehicle. Hassles from officialdom are rare.
For a moderately useful list of the government's entry requirements, see
www.botswanatourism.co.bw/entryFormalities.php
.
The Tracks4Africa
Botswana
map
has opening hours for all border posts, some of which we have covered in detail.
PASSPORT
All visitors entering Botswana must hold a passport that is valid for at least six months.
Also, allow a few empty pages for stamp-happy immigration officials, especially if you
plan on crossing over to Zimbabwe and/or Zambia to Victoria Falls.
