Expatriate Forums in Botswana

We're looking for Travel guides.

VIAmigo — Wed Sep 19, 2007 2:57 pm

Author: VIAmigo

Posted: Wed Sep 19, 2007 2:57 pm

Hi. We've created a community of personal guides to everything
everywhere - it's called VIAmigo - and you can be a tour guide if you
are in Botswana. Tours can be of everything from safaris to art
galleries, and from fishing to shopping. Global travelers are into
local experiences, so if you can post a Botswana tour),
please join us at VIAmigo. com. We just want to make the world
a smaller, nicer place to travel.

HOTELS DIRECTORY IN BOTSWANA / BOTSWANA HOTEL GUIDE

Botswana Info — Mon Feb 26, 2007 7:01 am

Author: Botswana Info

Posted: Mon Feb 26, 2007 7:01 am

HOTELS DIRECTORY IN BOTSWANA

Cresta Lodge Gaborone
Private Bag 00126,
Gaborone
Botswana
Tel: +267 397 5375
Fax: +267 390 0635
Email: reservations@lodge.cresta.co.bw

Cresta Bosele Hotel
P.O. Box 177,
Selibe-Phikwe,
Botswana
Bus Tel: +267 261 0675
Bus Fax: +267 261 1083

Cresta Botsalo Hotel
P.O. Box 35,
Palapye,
Botswana
Tel: +267 495 0245
Fax: +267 494 0587
E-mail: gmbotsalo.co.bw

Cresta Hospitality
Private Bag 00272,
Gaborone,
Botswana
Tel: +267 391 2222
Mobile: +267 71 302 042
Fax: +267 397 4321
E-mail: crestabs@info.bw

Cresta President Hotel
P.O. Box 200,
Gaborone,
Botswana
Tel: +267 395 3651
Fax: +267 395 1840
E-mail: bwpresident@info.bw

Cresta Riley's Hotel
P.O. Box 1,
Maun,
Botswana
Tel: +267 686 0320
Fax: +267 686 0580
E-mail: rileys@info.bw

Cresta Thapama Hotel
Blue Jack Street,
Private Bag 31,
Francistown,
Botswana
Tel: +267 241 3872
Fax: +267 241 3766
E-mail: thapama@global.bw

Gaborone Hotel
Private Bag 00127,
Gaborone,
Botswana
Tel: +267 392 2777
Fax: +267 392 2727
E-mail: gabhot@info.bw

Gaborone Sun Hotel
Private Bag 0016,
Gaborone,
Botswana
Tel: +267 395 1111
Fax: +267 390 2555
E-mail: gads-res@sunint.co.za
Email: mcawood@sunint.co.za

The Grand Palm Hotel Casino Resort
Private Bag BR 105,
Gaborone,
Botswana
Tel: +267 391 2999
Fax: +267 391 2989
Email: rusette@grandpalm.bw

Innisfree Apartments
Plot 5004,
Boteti Road,
Village,
Botswana
Tel: +267 395 3603
Fax: +267 395 3603

Kalahari Arms Hotel
P.O. Box 29,
Ghanzi,
Botswana
Tel: +267 659 6298
Fax: +267 659 6311

Mahalapye Hotel
P.O. Box 576,
Mahalapye,
Botswana
Tel: +267 471 0200
Fax: +267 471 0200

Oasis Motel
P.O. Box 30331,
Gaborone,
Botswana
Tel: +267 392 8396
Fax: +267 392 8568
E-mail: oasis@botsnet.bw

Sedia Hotel
P.O. Box 58,
Maun,
Botswana
Tel: +267 686 2574
Fax: +267 686 2574
E-mail: sedia@info.bw

Serowe Hotel
P.O. Box 150,
Serowe,
Botswana
Tel: +267 463 0234
Fax: +267 463 0203

FOREIGN DIPLOMATIC MISSIONS IN BOTSWANA

Botswana Info — Mon Feb 26, 2007 4:50 am

Author: Botswana Info

Posted: Mon Feb 26, 2007 4:50 am

FOREIGN DIPLOMATIC MISSIONS IN BOTSWANA

ANGOLA
Embassy of the Republic of Angola
5131 Kopanyo House,
Nelson Mandela Road,
Gaborone
Tel: (267) 390 0204 / 390 5453
Fax: (267) 397 5089

AUSTRIA
Austrian Consulate
Plot 50667, Block B3,
Fairground Holdings Park,
Gaborone
Tel: (267) 395 1514 / 395 2638
Fax: (267) 395 3876
Email: dkhama@info.bw

CANADA
Canadian Consulate
Vision Hire Building,
Queens Road,
Gaborone
Tel: (267) 390 4411
Fax: (267) 390 4411

CHINA
Embassy of the People's Republic of China
3096 North Ring Road,
Gaborone
Tel: (267) 395 2209
Fax: (267) 390 0156
Email: chnemb@info.bw, chinaemb_bw@mfa.gov.cn

CUBA
Embassy of the Republic of Cuba
Plot No. 5198,
The Village,
Gaborone
Tel: (267) 391 1484 / 391 1485
Fax: (267) 395 1750
Email: cubanembassy@botsnet.bw

FRANCE
Embassy of France
761 Robinson Road,
Gaborone
Tel: (267) 397 3863
Fax: (267) 397 1733

GERMANY
Embassy of Germany
Professional House,
Broadhurst,
Segodithsane Way,
Gaborone
Tel: (267) 395 3143 / 395 3806
Fax: (267) 395 3038
Email: germanembassy@info.bw

INDIA
High Comission of India
Plot No 5375, President's Drive,
Gaborone
Tel: (267) 397 2676
Fax: (267) 397 4636
Email: hicomind@info.bw, india2botswana@yahoo.com, hicomind@cis.co.za
Website: www.highcommissionofindia.com

ITALY
Consulate of Italy
Plot 3090, North Ring Road,
Gaborone
Tel: (267) 390 0110
Fax: (267) 397 3441
Email: guido@rdc.bw

KENYA
High Comission of Kenya
President's Drive,
Gaborone
Tel: (267) 395 1408 / 395 1430
Fax: (267) 395 1409
Email: kenya@info.bw

NAMIBIA
High Comission of Namibia
2nd Floor, Debswana House,
Gaborone
Tel: (267) 390 2181
Fax: (267) 390 2248
Email: nhc.gabs@info.bw

NETHERLANDS
Royal Consulate of the Netherlands
2698 Phiri Crescent, Ext 9,
Gaborone
Tel: (267) 390 2194
Fax: (267) 393 3805
Email: nederland@info.bw

NIGERIA
High Comission of Nigeria
Plot 1086/92,
Queens Road, The Mall,
Gaborone
Tel: (267) 391 3561 / 391 3838

RUSSIA
Embassy of the Russian Federation
Tawana Close,
Plot 4711,
Gaborone
Tel: (267) 395 3389 / 395 3739
Fax: (267) 395 2930
Email: embrus@info.bw
Website: www.botswana.mid.ru/emb_e.html

SOUTH AFRICA
High Comission of South Africa
Plot 5131, Kopanyo House, 3rd Floor,
Nelson Mandela Drive,
Gaborone
Tel: (267) 390 4800 / 390 4802
Fax: (267) 390 5501 / 390 5502
Email: sahcgabs@botsnet.bw

SWEDEN
Royal Embassy of Sweden
Development House, 4th Floor,
The Mall,
Gaborone
Tel: (267) 395 3912
Fax: (267) 395 3942
Email: swembgab@info.bw

UK
British High Commission
Plot 1079-1084, Main Mall,
Off Queens Road,
Gaborone
Tel: (267) 395 2841 / 395 2842 / 395 2843
Fax: (267) 3956105
Email: bhc@botsnet.bw
Website: www.britishhighcommission.gov.uk/botswana

USA
American Embassy
Embassy Enclave,
Off Khama Crescent,
Gaborone
Tel: (267) 395 3982
Fax: (267) 395 6947
Email: ircgaborone@state.gov, pausemb3@botsnet.bw
Website: www.gaborone.usembassy.gov/, www.usembassy.state.gov/botswana/

ZIMBABWE
High Commission of the Republic of Zimbabwe
Plot 8850,
Government Enclave,
P.O. Box 1232,
Gaborone
Tel: (267) 391 4495
Fax: (267) 390 5863

BOTSWANA TOURISM GUIDE / TOURISM IN BOTSWANA

Botswana Info — Mon Feb 26, 2007 3:47 am

Author: Botswana Info

Posted: Mon Feb 26, 2007 3:47 am

BOTSWANA TOURISM GUIDE

GENERAL

Botswana is one of the finest tourist destinations on the African continent. The Okavango, which originates in the uplands of Angola to the north-west, flows into and then spreads over the sandy spaces of the Kalahari to form an immense and wondrous inland delta of lagoon and labyrinthine channel, palm-fringed island and fertile floodplain. A number of safari lodges and camps have been established in and around this watery wilderness. This wilderness and the nearby game-rich Moremi Game Reserve and Chobe National Park reserves, offer the visitors the best of several worlds, appealing variously to the game-viewer and bird-watcher, the hunter and the sporting fisherman, the explorer of hidden places and the lover of Africa in its loveliest and least spoilt state.

From the calcrete floors and ancient baobabs of the Makgadikgadi Pans to the savannah grasslands of Chobe National Park and the mophane woodland of the Tuli Block, there is a wide variety of wildlife in Botswana.

However it is in the Okavango Delta and Moremi Game Reserve that visitors will find unforgettable beauty. In the lush indigenous forests of the delta and its islands, and along the floodplains spawned by this great marriage of water and sand, more than 400 species of birds flourish.

On the mainland and among the islands in the delta, lions, elephants, hyenas, wild dog, buffalo, hippo and crocodiles congregate with a teeming variety of antelope and other smaller animals - warthog, mongoose, spotted genets, monkeys, bushbabies and tree squirrels.

Interspersed throughout Botswana are rich collections of historical and cultural heritage. Unique San rock art, geological wonders, and traditional art are additional attractions located in various parts of the country.

Experience of a tourist is further enhanced by the friendly, hospitable and warm-hearted people of Botswana.

Botswana offers a truly unique African experience untouched by the more destructive pressures of encroaching civilisation, presenting a wonderful wilderness for the enjoyment of all who seek to reach just that little bit further into Africa for a holiday of a lifetime.

GABORONE

Often described as Africa's fastest growing city, Botswana's capital Gaborone is a vibrant and colourful city, which lies in the flat valley between Kgale and Oodi hills, on the Notwane River in the south eastern corner of Botswana, 15km from the South African border post at Tlokweng.

The city is named after Kgosi (Chief) Gaborone who led the Batlokwa tribe into the area in the 1880s. They settled in Tlokweng, the first urban area you reach when driving into the city from the South African border post 10km to the east. In the early 1890s a colonial fort was built in an area now known as The Village near Tlokweng, and its ruins can still be seen near the Village Cinema.

There are numerous busy shopping malls offering full range of imported and locally produced goods, excellent restaurants, top international quality hotels, sports clubs and various night clubs. New buildings and suburbs sprout like mushrooms wherever there's a block of land to fit them, resulting in a mix of low-cost housing, blocks of flats, shopping centres and industrial complexes.

Visitors to Gaborone now have an excellent choice of 'craft' shops to choose from. Botswana Craft, which specializes in crafts from Botswana, has several outlets in the city. The Camphill charity shop stocks good handmade wooden furniture and various other craft items such as local pottery and weavings. At Oodi weavers, 5km north of Phakalane, visitors can tour the weaving factory and shop, while in Broadhurst the Craft Workshop houses a range of very upmarket craft outlets which is becoming exceptionally popular with Gaborone's cappuccino drinking set.

For day trippers from Gaborone, just 5 or 6km north of Mochudi on the Francistown road lies 'Matsieng Footprints', one of Botswana's few 'Creation' archeological sites.

The Main Mall (The Mall)

The Main Mall is the starting point for your journey around Gaborone. This area was planned in 1963, in a preparation for the Independence and was to be the town centre, located between the Railway Station and the Army Garrison. Today it is the heart of Gaborone with shops, banks, business offices, as well as walkway with people selling crafts and other goods. At the eastern end of The Mall is the Civic Centre that also houses a public reference library. Opposite the Civic Centre is the Pula Arch, a landmark that commemorates the Independence of Botswana.

The National Assembly

The National Assembly is at the top of the Main Mall where it is surrounded by the other tall government buildings. At the centre of this government enclave is a paved square with a War Memorial in memory of the 300 Batswana who died fighting with the Allies against Fascism in the Second World War, 1939 to 1945. There is also a statue of Sir Seretse Khama, Botswana's first President.

Kgale Hill

Kgale Hill dominates Gaborone on the western edge of the city. It offers a pleasant climb with breathtaking views of the Dam and city. Visitors can choose one of three well-defined routes up the hill: the steep Rusty's Route up the rocky face; the longer Transfeldt Trail up the back; and the undulating walk across the saddle to Cross Kopje. Each takes less than an hour. There is a resident troop of baboons living on Kgale and a pair of black eagles consistently nests in the craggy cliff-face just below the peak. There have also been reports of early morning sightings of leopard.

St. Claire Lion Park

While lions are the major attraction, the St Claire Lion Park has a great deal more to offer. Set in open woodland 14km from Gaborone on the Lobatse road, a variety of outdoor activities are offered for the family, making it a favourite haunt of the "Gaborone 4x4 Club" and a relaxing spot for weekend picnics and getaways. An entrance fee is charged, and facilities include a restaurant, bar, extensive children's playground, horse trails, motorbike rides, a vulture restaurant (where Otse's Cape vultures are fed), three dams, game viewing, picnic sites and the camping grounds. The park is open every day, but the bar and restaurant are closed on Mondays.

Other attractions include National Museum and Art Gallery, Gaborone Game Reserve, Mokolodi Game Reserve, Gaborone Dam and Thamaga Pottery.

PARKS AND RESERVES

Over 17% of Botswana's land area has been set-aside as national parks and game reserves. From the lush green of the Okavango Delta in the north to the red desert dunes in the south, great areas of wilderness have been carefully preserved to offer visitors an opportunity to experience nature at its very best; to feel a sense of solitude; to see an incredible variety of wildlife species and to enjoy the prolific birdlife.

Within the national parks and game reserves, areas have been set aside in which visitors may camp. Many of these areas have only the most basic of facilities or are completely undeveloped, whilst other areas have formal ablution blocks. Although the national road networks between main centres are tarred and in first class condition, many of the access tracks that lead to the parks and reserves, and many of the tracks within the protected areas, are rough and sandy, requiring the use of a 4x4 vehicle.

Access to the parks and reserves has been limited in order to ensure that visitors have an enjoyable experience and can feel the wilderness atmosphere. Because of this, advance bookings for campsites are essential.

Okavango Delta

This extensive inland river delta is one of the most pleasurable sites on the continent for safari. Travel is typically by small boats or even dugout canoe, providing a level of tranquility that is difficult to attain in a landrover. Okavango is home to elephant, zebra, giraffe, and other large game species, but the park's true strength is in its abundance of birds, plant life, and sheer poetic beauty. Hippos and crocodiles are quite common in Okavango, as one might expect. The fishing is also excellent, particularly in the northwestern section.

Moremi Wildlife Reserve

Located in the northeastern portion of the Okavango Delta, Moremi combines the attractions of the delta with more solid terrain. The result is an outstanding reserve that includes a wide variety of ecosystems and a commensurate diversity of wildlife.

Chobe National Park

Chobe is Botswana's best big game park. Located conveniently to Victoria Falls, it covers an area of over 4000 sq. miles (10,000 sq. km) and is positively packed with creatures. Chobe is especially well-known for its immense elephant population (over 70,000), and it is not uncommon to encounter herds in excess of a hundred. The park's north and northwest border is marked by the Chobe River, and the river's popularity as a water source has made game viewing by boat a particular attraction.

Makgadikgadi and Nxai Pans

The Kalahari, one of the longest unbroken stretches of sand in the world, reaches across the center of Botswana, north into Zaire, and south to the Orange River in South Africa. On its northern edge are the enormous complexes of the Makgadikgadi Pans and the relatively small but no less interesting Nxai Pans, characterized by ancient baobabs and large camelthorn trees. Game migrates between the two throughout the year: In the dry season (Apr-Nov), Makgadikgadi is best; during the rains (Nov-Mar), the animals -- which include springbok, gemsbok (oryx), red hartebeest, blackbacked jackal, and, occasionally, cheetah and lion -- move northward to Nxai.

The Makgadikgadi Pans are a vast (12,000-sq.-km/4,680-sq.-mile) game-filled expanse of flat, seasonally inundated land. When the pans fill with water after the rains, they host countless migratory birds, most notably huge flocks of flamingos. This is the place to go to experience space at its purest: The horizons seem endless. At night, above the pie-crust surface of the pans, the stars shine with a vibrancy unequalled anywhere else in the world.

GETTING AROUND IN BOTSWANA / BOTSWANA TRANSPORTATION GUIDE

Botswana Info — Mon Feb 26, 2007 3:19 am

Author: Botswana Info

Posted: Mon Feb 26, 2007 3:19 am

GETTING AROUND IN BOTSWANA

BY AIR

The national carrier, Air Botswana, operates scheduled domestic flights from Gaborone to several destinations, including Francistown, Maun, Kasane, while numerous other carriers operate services to the capital and private operators maintain links to a variety of tourist destinations. The air charter industry is well developed in Botswana, offering flights to the national airport network as well as private destinations. Maun Airport, which serves a huge tourist market, is one of the busiest in southern Africa.

BY ROAD

All Botswana's population centres are connected by highways and very good tarmac roads. Other areas are being developed and road-tarring projects are moving ahead at a record pace. Off main routes, the roads range from good, high-speed gravel to deep, rutted sand.

As in most other southern African countries, driving is on the left side of the road. The national speed limit on tarred roads is 120km/h, while through towns and villages the speed limit is 60km/h, even in the absence of a sign. Seat belt use is compulsory, as is proof of no-fault insurance.

There is a number of passenger transport companies in Botswana which offer services throughout the country. Some of them are Motlogelwa, JNG, Mahube and Seabelo Express. They offer daily routes from Gaborone to: Selebi-Phikwe, Palapye, Mahalapye, Serowe, Francistown, Ghanzi, Tshabong, Hukuntsi, Orapa, Lobatse, Maun, Kasane, Ramotswa, and other routes.

Car Rental

Hiring a vehicle, especially 4W-D, will allow you the freedom to explore some of Botswana's most beautiful wilderness areas. To hire a vehicle in Botswana, you must be in possession of a valid International Drivers license, or a home drivers license as long as the details are in English (one may use their home drivers license for a period of 6 months).

BY TRAIN

Botswana Railways operates one of Africa's few air-conditioned passenger rail services, with a variety of passenger accommodation from luxury private sleeper compartments on the overnight train to the modern well-serviced economy class on the day train. All coach classes are air conditioned and served with dining facilities, running water and toilets. Season tickets are available for regular travellers.

All services are operated on a reliable time schedule to ensure that travellers in all classes are on time.

* Daily services between Francistown - Gaborone and Gaborone - Lobatse.
* Gaborone - Francistown for P15.00 (around USD 3) one-way.
* Monday through Thursday, Saturday and Sunday departing both Gaborone and Francistown at 10:00 am.
* Friday departures at 08:00 and 14:30.
* Night services between Lobatse and Francistown.

URBAN TRANSPORTATION

Taxis

All vehicles licensed to carry passengers can be easily identified by their number plates, which have blue backgrounds. Taxis carry up to 5 passengers at a time. If however you would prefer not to share a taxi with other passengers, at an additional fee, this can be arranged with the taxi driver. Should you require a taxi to pick you up from a specific location a number of privately owned taxi companies are available.

Mini-buses

The mini-buses (Combis) are operating in towns. Each mini-bus will travel a particular route, often a circular journey and most of them at some point pass through the mall or the station. Depending on the direction you wish to take, you will need to pick up a mini-bus travelling along that route. Mini-buses can be waved down along the road and you ask the driver to stop when you want to get off. There are some mini-buses that service between Gaborone and South Africa. They usually depart from the main bus station.

BOTSWANA TRAVEL INFORMATION / BOTSWANA TRAVEL GUIDE

Botswana Info — Mon Feb 26, 2007 2:40 am

Author: Botswana Info

Posted: Mon Feb 26, 2007 2:40 am

BOTSWANA TRAVEL INFORMATION

Full Name

Republic of Botswana

Capital City

Gaborone

Area

600,370 sq km
231,803 sq miles

Population

1,600,000

Time Zone

GMT/UTC +2 ()

Languages

English (official)

Setswana (other)

Religion

indigenous beliefs (37%), Christian (60%), other

Currency

Pula (P)

Electricity

220-240V 50HzHz

Electric Plug Details

British-style plug with two flat blades and one flat grounding blade

South African/Indian-style plug with two circular metal pins above a large circular grounding pin

Country Dialing Code

267