Botswana Travel information
When you travel to Botswana, make sure to visit destinations like the Kalahari desert and Chobe National Park. Whether you are looking for a Botswana safari or a Mokoro ride through the Okavango Delta, Botswana offers a wide range of adventure travel activities. But before you travel to Botswana, be sure to educate yourself on all that you can expect with this Botswana travel guide.
What you won’t encounter in Botswana are large flocks of travelers. The high fees discourage large crowds and keep tourist density low and the sense of being surrounded by nature high. Botswana can afford to be so exclusive because its mineral wealth has made it less dependent upon tourist dollars than its poorer neighbors. (It is one of the world’s largest diamond producers, and it has reserves of gold, copper and nickel.). You can enjoy Botswana’s attractions from a tented campsite along a riverbank or in the comfort of one of the plushest lodges on the continent.
BEST TIME TO GO
The best time to visit is during the dry season. Peak season is from July to October, middle season from April – June & November and low season December – March. It is advised that your book your accommodation well in advance during the high season. November to March are the best birding months and December to May are the best botanical months. August-October is best, but anytime March-November is okay (May-September is the driest – dust storms can blow in during August). Nights are surprisingly cold during the dry season, so take along a warm sweater. Many of the Okavango Delta camps are closed at the height of summer (December-March), when it’s very hot (100+ F/39+ C) and when there are daily thunderstorms – the humidity is unbelievable. If you go then, you’ll find some solace in the lush scenery and the number of baby animals around. Water levels are at their highest in June and August. The Okavango Delta shrinks considerably during the dry season, and by September, some of the wildlife viewing suffers in the outer fringes. It rains the most in the north, around the Okavango Delta (25 in/63.5 cm a year). In the south (Kalahari), it almost never rains (7 in/17.75 cm a year).
Related Travel Information
Shopping in Botswana
If you fly directly into and out of game camps without spending time in the cities, you won't find much in the way of souvenirs. Even in the cities, there isn't the type of selection you'll find in South Africa or Zimbabwe - generally speaking, this is not a place to shop. However, Botswana's baskets are very distinctive in both weave and design, and they make excellent gifts. Other possibilities include weavings, stamps, herero dolls (portly female figures adorned in the bright Victorian hoopskirts brought to Herero by German missionaries), colorful tapestries, wood carvings, pottery and San-made ostrich-eggshell
Zambia : Travellers' Tips
In the near future the information below will be incorporated into the relevant Travel Advice Notice and the Tips will cease to exist as a separate entity.
-Get adequate travel insurance including medical insurance.
-Check the Foreign and Commonwealth Office Travel Advice before travelling.
-Make a point of checking out local laws and customs and respect them.
-Beware of pickpockets and opportunist car thieves.
-Take medical advice on pre-travel vaccinations and anti-malarials.
-Ask before taking photographs.
-Ensure you know the validity of your visa and don't overstay.
-Leave a photocopy of your passport and travel
Madagascar: General Information for travellers
LOCAL TIME
Madagascar is 3 hours ahead of GMT
VISAS & IMMIGRATION
All visitors must have visas, except citizens of some African countries. Proof of return ticket is required. Passports must be valid for at least 6 months from departure date. If you are arriving from the African continent you must have a yellow fever vaccination certificate.
MONEY
Official Currency: Malagasy franc
Travellers cheques can be exchanged at banks and most the large hotels. Credit cards are accepted at the major hotels. It is advisable to take with you foreign currency in US Dollar as generally air travel
Botswana: General Informtion
BORDER POSTS AIRPORTS:
Gaborone
Francistown
Most border posts do not stay open after six in the evening for vehicle transport, and it's therefore advisable to check on operating times, especially the more remote, less used entry points. Generally the times are from six in the morning to six at night daily, but the busier posts may stay open later. Certain airports function as entry points
BANKS
BARCLAYS BANK
Maun and Kasane
Mon - Fri 08h30 - 14h30
Sat 08h15 - 10h45
FIRST NATIONAL BANK
Maun
Mon - Fri 09h00 - 12h45 & 14h15 - 15h30
Sat 08h30 - 11h00
STANDARD CHARTERED BANK
Maun
Mon - Fri 08h15 - 14h00
Wed 08h15
Angola General Travel Information
TRANSPORT & GETTING AROUND
Air: International Flights
Air France
British Airways
Angola's national airline : Taag Airlines
Taxis: Are difficult to find and are expensive. If you arrive at the airport you will need to arrange to have someone meet you or use a transport service provided by one of the hotels.
Train: The railway system is under repair, since the damage caused during the civil war. There is a regular passenger route from Lobito and Benguela to Luaubut unless you are traveling first class this is very basis, no sleeping cars or air-conditioning.
Bus:There are buses throughout the country but the service
