Botswana
English is the official language of Botswana and widely spoken, although Setswana (also called 'Tswana') is spoken by almost
everybody. Mother tongues include Birwa, Herero and Kagalagadi (languages of the Bantu family), Nama, Ganadi and Shua
(languages of the Khoisan family), as well as Afrikaans of the European family. Botswana is landlocked and almost in the
centre of the southern African subcontinent, on an elevated plateau of approximately 1000 metres.
The pula (BWP) is Botswana's currency. Foreign currency can be exchanged at banks, although most camps here will take
VISA and Mastercard credit cards, as well as US Dollars, Pounds, Euros and SA Rands. At most camps/lodges, there are no
extras to pay.
The seasons in Botswana are indistinct. Rains generally start in October or November and persist through to March or April.
Within that period there may be long dry spells. In April, temperatures begin to fall and May is generally regarded as the first
month of the dry, cool winter, characterized by clear sunny days and cold nights.
Spring begins in August and temperatures rise rapidly during the hot, dry period of September, October and November until
the rains again break.
Dry Season: April – October. This is the best time to see game as animals congregate around permanent water sources and
the foliage is sparse. Only permanent rivers flow in this season and central areas of the parks dry out. There is always some
water in the Okavango Delta, but by October the channels are narrow and the floodplains are mossy green but dry. With the
oncoming threat of rain, the air becomes hot and October temperatures head into the high 30's°C (86°F).
Wet Season: November – March. Rain falls between November and March. These are summer months, so it is hot and
humid. Some roads become impassable due to the sticky mud, so difficult to reach lodges and camps may close for a few
months. The rainy season attracts a huge influx of birds, such as Flamingo that feed in the algae rich pans and raise their
chicks. Many grazing animals also give birth at this time, as the landscape is lush and there is an abundance of food.
Although rain may first fall in September, the greatest amounts fall in the months of December, January and February. It is
important to note that, at any time of year, it does not normally rain on more than 2 consecutive days.
Electricity is supplied at 220/240v. Both square and round wall plugs are used.
Air Botswana, the national and only airline, provides international flights between Gaborone and Johannesburg, Gaborone
and Harare, Maun and Johannesburg, Kasane and Johannesburg and Francistown and Johannesburg. Domestic flights run
between Gaborone and Francistown, Maun and Kasane.
www.atctravel.co.za
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