We are listing some places below that we have found so far. We will update this page as we find more valuable information and we will let anyone who is interested in possibly coming to visit Africa know information as we find it.
Note that the phone numbers in the various countries and even within a single country are not in a consistent format. Best to check out the websites and emails address before calling.
The tourism organization offices in Botswana can be viewed at www.botswanatorism.co.bw and reached at board@botswanatourism.co.bw or called at (011)(267)395 9220.
The Botswana Government has a USA office call Botswana Tourism Organization C/o Partner Concepts LLC. Its’ website is www.botswanatourism.us and can be reached at info@botswanatourism.us or you can call TOLL FREE at888-675-7660 (US Number).
Travel Agencies:
Lucky Mokgowe Travel Agency
www.luckyadventuresafaris.com/
Botswana Adventure Safaris
(011)(267)370-0166
AIR:
There are no international flights into Botswana. You will have to fly to South Africa, Namibiaor a few other places and get a flight to Gaborone from there.
These are some local airlines that fly between countries in southern Africa.
- Air Botswana– www.airbotswana.bw or e-booking@airbotswana.co.bw or call at (011)(267)310-5476
- South African Express – www.flysax.com
- South African Airways – www.saa.com
- Air Namibia– www.airnamibia.com.na
HOTEL:
- Botswana– Kubu Lodge – www.kubulodge.net or kubu@botsnet.bw or call at (011) (267) 625 – 1092
- Botswana– Cresta Mowana-Safari Lodge – www.crestahotels.com or resmowana@cresta.co.bw or call at (011)(267)625 0300
- Botswana– Tuli Safari Lodge www.tulilodge.com or info@tulilodge (011)(267)264 5303.
- Botswana– Deception Valley Lodge www.dvl.co.za or res@dvl.co.za or call at 27 (0) 87940 0553
- Zambia– Elephant Valley Lodge – www.evlodge.com or sherry2africananthology.co.za or call at =27 (11)781 7129
- Zambia– Stanley Safari Lodge – www.StanleySafaris.com or info@stanleysafaris.com or call at (263) 91 262 042
CAR RENTAL:
- Avis – Botswana botswanares@avis.co.za or call at (011)(267)397 5469.
ACTIVIES:
SARAFI’S:
- HIGHLY RECOMMENDED – Lucky Mokgowe Travel Agency, www.luckyadventuresafaris.com/ 267-714-93865, 267-733-61295, luckymokgowe@yahoo.comBotswana– Maun – The Booking Company www.thebookingcompany.net or call at (011)(267)686 0022.
- Botswana– Chobe National Parkwww.muchenje.com or info@muchenje.com or call at267 6200013-16.
- Botswana– Kalahari- www.dvl.co.za or res@dvl.co.za or call at 27 (0)87940 0553.
- Botswana– www.Wilderness-safaris.com or call at (011)(267)686 0086.
- Botswana – multiple sites – www.selindareserve.com or reservations@selindareserve.com or call at (011) (267) 6250 505.
- Botswana multiple camp sites – www.africanbushcamps.com or info@africanbuscamps.com or call at263 9230 582.
- Botswana– multiple cities – www.underonebotswanasky.com or marketing@underonebotwanasky.us or call at (011) (267) 6250 336. NOTE: This is the most widely advertised company in Botswana.
GAME RESERVES (just the names of the main ones)
- Botswana– Moremi Games Reserve
- Botswana– Central Kalahari Game Reserve
- Botswana– Kgalagadi Transfrontiers
- Botswana– Northern Tuli Game Reserve
OTHER ACTIVITIES:
- Botswana– Tsodilo Hills – Stone Age Rock Painting.
- Botswana–Nxai PanNational Park- Great Baines Baobabs, (some more than 3500 years old!)
- Botswana-MakgadikgadiPansNational Park- Salt pans visible from space.
Botswana Tourism Book – www.discoverbotswanathebook.com. The pictures in the magazine are great. You may be able to see some great pictures on this web site. (Not recommending you purchase as I have not seen the book).
Seasons here are the reverse of the USA.
Spring is September to December (pretty nice but dang hot)
Summer is December to February (haven’t experienced it yet, but scarred to death of the heat!)
Fall is March to June (Can’t wait!)
Winter is June to August (Not sure what to think yet…)
Visas: are not needed for American Citizens.
Departure Tax: P100.00 ($15.50USA)
Language: Official language is English and Setswana. More than half the population will be able to speak English to you, especially in the larger villages and cities and almost all the young people can and everyone on a Safari can.
Vaccinations: You must have the Yellow Fever Vaccination 30 days before arriving in Botswana. They will require proof of the vacation at customs (your doctor must provide you with an official yellow US Vaccination Card that you should keep in your passport. If traveling in the spring or up north you should also talk to your doctor about Malaria prevention medications before departure.
Drivers License: US Drivers Licenses are accepted and International Drivers Licenses if written in English.
Money: There are several banks where ATM cards are generally accepted with the PLUS system. Credit cards are accepted at major hotels and restaurants, but not in medium or smaller places. You should carry Pula’s in order to facilitate travel needs in smaller or medium size towns or villages as no one takes US Dollars anywhere. Seems like all Safaris’ will take credit cards.
Time: Time is GMT plus 2. This is 7/8 hours ahead of Chicago time depending on Chicago’s Day Lights Savings Time. There is no day lights’ saving time here. It gets light around 5:00 AM and dark around6:30 PM.
There is not much night life here except in major cities including Gaborone, Maun Francistown, and Kasami, and then travel after dark is a serious issue.
The water is safe to drink. John and I started drinking from the tap on day one and both have been fine.
Always carry toilet paper!! There is no public restroom with TP! Most private restrooms are also without TP!
Gaborone Time