CONTACT ADDRESSES

Department of Tourism

Ministry of Commerce and Industry, Private Bag 0047, Gaborone, Botswana

Tel: 353 024. Fax: 308 675. Telex: 2674 (a/b BD).

Botswana High Commission

6 Stratford Place, London W1N 9AE

Tel: (0171) 499 0031. Fax: (0171) 495 8595. Telex: 262897 (a/b BOHICO). Opening hours: 0900-1700 Monday to Friday.

Botswana Embassy and Mission to the European Communities

169 avenue de Tervueren, 1-1150 Brussels, Belgium

Tel: (2) 735 2070 or 735 6110. Fax: (2) 735 6318. Telex: 22849 (a/b BOTEUR).

British High Commission

Private Bag 0023, Gaborone, Botswana

Tel: 352 841/2/3. Fax: 356 105.

Embassy of the Republic of Botswana

Suite 7M, 3400 International Drive, NW, Washington, DC 20008

Tel: (202) 244 4990/1. Fax: (202) 244 4164.

Embassy of the United States of America

PO Box 90, Gaborone, Botswana

Tel: 353 982. Fax: 356 947.

AREA: 582,000 sq km (224,711 sq miles).

POPULATION: 1,450,000 (1995 estimate).

POPULATION DENSITY: 2.5 per sq km.

CAPITAL: Gaborone. Population: 190,000 (1995 estimate).

GEOGRAPHY: Botswana is bordered to the south and east by South Africa, to the northeast by Zimbabwe, to the north and west by Namibia and touches Zambia just west of the Victoria Falls. The tableland of the Kalahari Desert covers most of Botswana. National parks cover 17% of the country. To the northwest is the Okavango Basin, where the Moremi Wildlife Reserve and the Chobe National Park support abundant wildlife. To the far southwest is the Kalahari Gemsbok National Park. The majority of the population lives in the southeast around Gaborone, Serowe and Kanye along the South African border. The vast arid sandveld of the Kalahari occupies much of north, central and western Botswana. The seasonal rains bring a considerable difference to the vegetation, especially in the Makgadikgadi Pans and the Okavango Basin in the north. The latter, after the winter floods, provides one of the wildest and most beautiful nature reserves in Africa.

LANGUAGE: English is the official language. Setswana is the national language.

Religion: 30% Christian. The majority of the population hold animistic beliefs. There are Islamic mosques in Gaborone and Lobatse. The Bahá'̀ Faith is also represented.

TIME: GMT + 2.

ELECTRICITY: 220-240 volts AC, 50Hz. 15- and 13-amp plug sockets are in use.

COMMUNICATIONS: Telephone: IDD is available to over 80 countries. Country code: 267. Outgoing international code: 00. There are very few public phone boxes. Fax: Use of this service is increasing. Telex/telegram: There are facilities in Gaborone and other major centres (usually in major hotels and main post offices). Post: Airmail service to Europe takes from one to three weeks. There are post offices in all the main towns, although there are no deliveries and post must be collected from boxes. Press: The daily newspaper is The Dikgang Tsa Gompieno (Botswana Daily News), published in Setswana and English. Other English-language newspapers include Mmegi (The Reporter), The Midweek Sun, The Gazette and The Guardian.

BBC World Service and Voice of America frequencies: From time to time these change. See the contents for more information.

PASSPORTS: Valid passport required by all. All passports must be valid for over 6 months.

VISAS: Required by all except nationals of the following countries:

(a) nationals referred to in the chart above;

(b) 1. nationals of EU countries (except nationals of Spain and Portugal who do require visas);

(c) nationals of Commonwealth countries (except nationals of Ghana, India, Mauritius, Nigeria, Pakistan and Sri Lanka, who do require visas);

(d) nationals of Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway, Samoa, San Marino, South Africa, Switzerland, Uruguay and Yugoslavia.

Types of visa: General Entry visa; multiple or single.

Validity: Maximum of 90 days from the date of arrival. No visitor is allowed to work nor seek employment.

Application to: Consulate (or Consular Section at Embassy or High Commission). For addresses, see top of entry.

Application requirements: (a) 2 completed application forms. (b) 2 passport-size photos. (c) £5 fee. (d) Passport valid for 3 months beyond length of stay.

Currency: Pula (P) = 100 thebe. Notes are in denominations of P100, 50, 20, 10 and 5. Coins are in denominations of P2 and P1, and 50, 25, 10, 5 and 1 thebe. Various gold and silver coins were issued to mark the country's 10th anniversary of independence, and are still legal tender.

Credit cards: Access/Mastercard, American Express, Diners Club and Visa are all accepted on a limited basis. Check with your credit card company for details of merchant acceptability and other services which may be available. Most hotels accept foreign currency or travellers cheques, but the surcharge may be high. It is better to change money in the bank at market rates. It is also useful to change money at the airport or in major towns and villages as bank facilities may be limited in the remote villages.

Currency restrictions: There are no importation restrictions. Export of local currency is limited to BWP50.

The following goods may be taken into Botswana without incurring any duty:

Special Certificate

[1]: Malaria risk exists from November to May/June in the northern part of the country (Boteti, Chobe, Ngamiland, Okavango and Tutume districts/subdistricts), predominantly in the malignant falciparum form. A weekly dose of 300mg chloroquine plus a daily dose of 200mg proguanil is the recommended prophylaxis.

[2]: Tap water is considered safe to drink, although drinking water outside main cities and towns may be contaminated and sterilisation is advisable. Milk is pasteurised and dairy products are safe for consumption. Local meat, poultry, seafood, fruit and vegetables are generally considered safe to eat.

Rabies is present. For those at high risk, vaccination before arrival should be considered. If you are bitten abroad seek medical advice without delay. For more information consult the Health section.

Bilharzia (schistosomiasis) is present. Avoid swimming and paddling in fresh water. Swimming pools which are well-chlorinated and maintained are safe.

Trypanosomiasis (sleeping sickness) is transmitted by tsetse flies in the Moremi Wildlife Reserve, Ngamiland and western parts of the Chobe National Park. Protective clothing and insect repellant are recommended.

Tick-bite fever can be a problem when walking in the bush. It is advisable to wear loose-fitting clothes and to search the body for ticks. The disease may be treated with tetracycline, though pregnant women and children under eight years of age should not take this medicine.

Health care: The dust and heat may cause a problem for asthmatics and people with allergies to dust. Those with sensitive skin should take precautions. Botswana's altitude, 1000m (3300ft) above sea level, reduces the filtering effect of the atmosphere. Hats and sunscreen are advised.

There are hospitals in Gaborone, Francistown, Kanye, Molepolole, Mochudi, Maun, Serowe, Mahalapye, Lobatse, Selebi-Phikwe, Ramotswa, Jwaneng and Orapa, but only poorly-equipped clinics in the remote villages. There are chemists in all main towns and pharmaceutical supplies are readily available.

AIR: The national airline is Air Botswana (BP) which only operates within Africa. British Airways flies direct to Gaborone twice-weekly from London (Mondays and Fridays, departing at 2000).

Approximate flight time: From London to Gaborone is 15 hours (including stopovers).

International airport: Sir Seretse Khama International (GBE), 15km (9 miles) northwest of Gaborone. There are no regular bus services to and from the airport but the President Hotel, Oasis Motel and Gaborone Sun Hotel run minibuses (combis). Taxis are sometimes available to the city centre for approximately P20 (travel time - 45 minutes). Airport facilities include left luggage (0530-1800), bank (Barclays Bank available for all flights), bar (0800-1830), snack bar (0800-1830), restaurant (0800-1830), post office (0800-1700), shops and car rental (Avis and Hertz).

A major new airport at Kasane (north Botswana) came into operation during 1991. A connecting flight, via an overnight stay in Gaborone, is available from British Airways twice a week.

See below for information on private charters to neighbouring countries.

RAIL: There are good connections between South Africa and Botswana (Johannesburg-Mafikeng-Ramatlhabama-Gaborone) and Botswana and Zimbabwe (Gabarone-Plumtree-Bulawayo-Harare). From Gaborone to Bulawayo takes 20 hours; passengers are advised to take their own food and drink as the buffet supply has a very limited range (mainly alcoholic).

There are four classes, and sleeping compartments are available. First-class cars have comfortable reclining seats. Complicated formalities may be necessary for crossing the border from Zimbabwe and to or from South Africa, where the South African Customs Union agreement is in operation.

Botswana has assisted in the construction of the Limpopo line from Zimbabwe to Mozambique, an act which will speed up the availability of alternative routes into Botswana. Other plans include extending the network into Namibia.

AIR: Major areas of the country are linked by air. There are airports in Francistown, Maun, Selebi-Phikwe, Ghanzi, Pont Drift and Kasane. There are two charter companies in Gaborone: Kalahari Air Services (PO Box 10102, Gaborone. Tel: 351 804, offering charters to Namibia, South Africa, Lesotho, Swaziland, Zimbabwe and Zambia; and Okavango Air Services (PO Box 1966, Gaborone. Tel: 313 308).

RAIL: There are rail links between Ramatlhabama, Lobatse, Gaborone, Palapye and Francistown. Work on upgrading and extending the rail network continues. In Botswana, children under seven travel free and children 7-11 pay half fare.

ROAD: Botswana has tarmac roads on the following routes: running from south to north from Lobatse to Francistown up to Ramokgwebana and from Lobatse to Kanye; running from Francistown to Kazungula via Nata; and running from Kanye to Jwaneng. There are over 2500km (1500 miles) of bitumised roads in the country. Others are either gravel or sand tracks. There are plans to construct a road network with more major highways. Reserve fuel and at least 20 litres of water should always be carried on journeys into more remote areas, and visitors are advised to make careful enquiries before setting out. Bus: There are bus services between Gaborone and Francistown, and from Francistown to Nata and Maun. Buses from Francistown to Maun run every day, leaving every hour from 0730 to 1600. The journey takes about 6 hours. Timetables can be obtained from bus operators. Travel within major towns is by taxi. Car hire: Hire cars are available in Gaborone, Francistown or Maun. Four-wheel-drive vehicles are necessary in many areas. Traffic drives on the left and seat belts must be worn. It is advisable to keep the petrol tank at least half full as distances between towns can be long. There is a speed limit of 120kmph (75mph) outside built-up areas, and about 60kmph (37mph) in built-up areas. Speed limits are strongly enforced with high fines. Documentation: International Driving Permit is not legally required, but recommended for stays of up to six months; thereafter, a Botswana driving licence must be obtained, which will be issued without a test if a valid British licence is produced.

URBAN: There is no public transport within towns except shared taxi or minibus services operating at controlled flat fares. Exclusive use of taxis is sometimes available at a higher charge although fares should always be agreed on before setting off.

HOTELS: Although there is no grading system, all hotels generally maintain a reasonable standard, particularly those in main centres in the east of the country. The largest number of hotels and motels are in or near Gaborone (the President and the Sun Hotel being of international standard) and Francistown, some with air-conditioning, swimming pools and facilities for films, bands and discotheques. Most other hotels have fairly basic amenities, although there is a programme for improving facilities. Other towns with hotels and motels are Ghanzi, Kanye, Lobatse, Mahalapye, Maun, Molepolole, Palapye, Selebi-Phikwe, Serowe and Tuli Block.

SAFARI LODGES & CAMPS: Varying standards and facilities are to be found in all the main centres and game reserves. These include Francistown, Kasane, Maun, the Okavango Delta, the western Chobe National Park, the Moremi Wildlife Reserve and Tuli Block. Facilities vary greatly; some are merely campsites with ablution blocks, and can be very reasonably priced, while others consist of luxury groups of chalets or cottages complete with swimming pools, cinemas, conference rooms and shops. Some, such as the Tsaro and Xugana Lodges in the Okavango Delta, are hired out as one unit to groups of six. Others, such as Lloyd's Camp in western Chobe and Nxamaseri Camp in the Okavango Delta, provide accommodation in luxury safari tents. Many of these camps are able to hire out equipment and boats, and offer experienced guides.

CAMPING: There are campsites at Moremi Game Reserve, Chobe National Park, Nxai Pan National Park and Makgadikgadi National Park. Permission should be sought before camping on private land. Grass fires should not be started, and all litter should be buried or removed. The presence of lions in some of the more remote areas makes it advisable to exercise extreme care.

The capital is situated in the southeast of the country. There is an excellent National Museum open from 0900-1800 Monday to Friday and 0900-1700 weekends, with natural history and ethnological exhibitions. As well as permanent displays, there are also temporary exhibitions and various symposia and conferences. The visitor will find Sites of Historic and Natural Interest In and Around Gaborone a useful pamphlet. Gaborone has several good bookshops and libraries, including the University of Botswana Library which has a 'Botswana Room' devoted solely to publications on the country. There are good craft shops and markets in the town, where pottery, basketwork, leatherwork and handwoven objects may be bought.

Botswana is a vast dry land with over 80% of the country being semi-desert (sand with thorn and scrub bush), so there are many remote areas to visit, with abundant wildlife.

Undoubtedly the most striking region is the Okavango Delta area in the north of the country in the Kgalagadi (or Kalahari) Desert and easily accessible from Maun between June and September. Home to about 36 species of mammals, 200 species of birds, 80 species of fish and a wealth of flora, the Delta was created by shifts of the earth's surface forcing a river system away from its natural path (to the Indian Ocean), to form the greatest inland delta system in the world. The region is extremely beautiful, covering an area of about 15,000 sq km (6000 sq miles) and composed of vast grass flats, low tree-covered ridges and a widespread network of narrow waterways opening into lagoons. The thick papyrus reeds which thrive in these waters make much of the northern section impenetrable except by dug-out canoe (mokoro). The waters, however, are often a clear blue, and crocodiles, hippos and hundreds of fabulous birds can be seen, as well as elephants, zebras and giraffes. There are three lodges in the swamps; Island Safaris, Crocodile Camp and Okavango River Lodge. At Island Safaris there is a swimming pool, and films are shown. Chief's Island may be reached by air or by mokoro and there is a tented camp at Xaxaba. The whole area is a designated national park.

Leaving Maun by boat or canoe, with an experienced guide, it is possible to wind one's way through the intricate network of waterways to emerge 640km (400 miles) northwest at Shakawe near the Angolan border. These trips can also be made at night, when many of the animals are awake.

One of the most beautiful and perhaps the most spectacular game reserve in southern Africa is the Moremi Wildlife Reserve, covering 1812 sq km (700 sq miles) in the northeast corner of the Okavango Delta. Small boats travel along the delta, visiting lagoons like Xakanaxa, Gcobega and Gcodikwe with their abundance of birdlife. The roads are, however, particularly bad in this region. There is a risk from both tsetse fly and malaria. South of here, the Gcwihaba Caverns, about 240km (150 miles) from Tsau, contain beautiful stalactites. The name means 'Hyena's Hole' in the Quing language of the Bushmen.

The Tsodilo Hills are situated north of the Okavango Delta close to the border with the Caprivi Strip (Namibia), and are the site of over 1700 rock paintings, painted between approximately AD1000 and 1800, and mostly portraying animal life. They are thought to be the work of ancestors of the Basarwa and Bantu groups still living in the region (who have labelled the hills Male, Female and Child). There are strong similarities between these paintings and those found on sites in Zimbabwe, Tanzania, South Africa and Lesotho. The hills are reached by air or road but there are no camping facilities or water supplies so visitors should allow for water, food and petrol needs.

The Chobe National Park with an area of approximately 11,700 sq km (4517 sq miles) is the home of a splendid variety of wildlife, including the white rhinoceros and the elephants who move in their thousands along the well-worn paths of the Chobe River every afternoon to drink. There are also herds of buffalo to be seen at the river's edge, as well as hippo, lechwe, kudu, impala, roan and puku. With the exception of certain sections, which are closed in the rainy season during November to April, the park is open throughout the year. The best time to visit it is between May and September when it is possible to see several thousand animals in a day. An exclusive lodge has recently been completed within the National Park, 12km (8 miles) from Kasane, which is situated 69km (42 miles) west of the Victoria Falls on a good tarmac road. Although the most developed of Botswana's parks and reserves, many of the roads in the area are passable only by 4-wheel-drive vehicles.

The Nxai Pan National Park, situated only 32km (20 miles) north of the main Francistown to Maun road, is completely flat and covered with grass cropped short by the large quantity of wildlife that visits during the rainy season. The area is famous for the Makgadikgade Pans, once a huge prehistoric lake, and now a flat salt sheet which floods in the rainy season and becomes populated by thousands of brilliant pink flamingoes. Herds of zebra and wildebeest also come to drink here. When the Makgadikgade loses its water the animals move on to the Boteti River where they remain until the following rainy season, which heralds their movement northwards again to the Nxai Pan. There are basic camping facilities in the area, but essentials such as water, food and petrol should be brought.

FOOD & DRINK: Restaurants and bars can be found in main towns, often within hotels. Most lodges and safari camps also have restaurants and licensed bars, though food is generally basic outside major hotels and restaurants. Drink: There is local beer and in general no restrictions on alcohol.

SHOPPING: Woodcarvings, handcrafted jewellery, woven goods and attractive basketry are recommended. Shopping hours: 0830-1300 and 1400-1700 Monday to Friday, 0830-1300 Saturday.

SPORT: Safari companies run photographic and sightseeing tours to the magnificent national parks and wildlife reserves in Botswana. For details contact the Tourism Division. Outside protected areas there is limited scope for hunting. Fishing trips, water-skiing, motorboat and canoe hire are available to varying degrees. Near to Gaborone is a dam with a yacht club offering sailing, water-skiing and fishing; use of facilities is available to visitors at the invitation of a club member.

SPECIAL EVENTS: Highlights on Botswana's calendar are Botswana Defence Force Day (end of April) and President's Day (in July), which are celebrated with traditional dancing, musical events (including performances by the Defence Force Band) and karate shows. Botswana Day (end of September) is marked by colourful parades.

ECONOMY: As a key foreign exchange earner, livestock farming is the most important part of Botswana's agricultural sector. In addition, there is substantial subsistence agriculture, cultivating maize, sorghum and millet, although these have been severely affected by drought in recent years. The country's other main export industry is mining, extracting diamond, nickel, copper and coal (the principal source of energy), while soda ash has recently gone into production on an industrial scale. Other minerals which have yet to be exploited include iron, manganese, chromium ore, silver, plutonium and uranium. The manufacturing sector is small, and suffered a sharp decline in the early 1990s. Botswana is closely connected to South Africa economically and is also linked, along with Lesotho and Swaziland, to the Southern African Customs Union (SACU), although Botswana has broken its former dependence on the Rand currency. It is also a member of the Southern African Development Conference. The bulk of the country's imports come from within SACU, with other African countries and the EU providing most of the rest. Europe is the key export market. The government's economic priorities are to develop a service sector, with tourism and financial services the best prospects.

Business: Lightweight or tropical suits, or safari suits, should be worn. Office hours: 0800-1700 April-October; 0730-1630 October-April. Government office hours: 0730-1630 all year round.

Commercial information: The Department of Trade and Investment Promotion (TIPA) assists potential investors and publishes a useful brochure: Botswana - a strategic investment opportunity. It is available from TIPA (address below). The following organisations can also offer advice: Botswana National Chamber of Commerce and Industry, PO Box 20344, Gaborone. Tel: 350 800; or

Department of Trade and Investment Promotion (TIPA), Ministry of Commerce and Industry, Private Bag 004, Gaborone. Tel: 353 881. Fax: 371 539 Telex: 2674; or