Destination: Botswana
Its beauty lies in its wilderness, wildlife and cultural diversity. From the crystal-clear waters of the Okavango Delta also known as the 'jewel of the Kalahari'
Capital: Gaborone
Geographically the country is flat and up to 70% of Botswana is covered by the Kalahari Desert. It is bordered by South Africa to the south and southeast, Namibia to the west and north, and Zimbabwe to the northeast. It meets Zambia at a single point.
Botswana has diverse areas of wildlife habitat. In addition to the delta and desert areas, there are grasslands and savannas, where Blue Wildebeest, many antelopes, and other mammals and birds are found. Northern Botswana has one of the few remaining large populations of the endangered African Wild Dog. Chobe National Park, found in the Chobe District, has the world's largest concentration of African elephants, and supports about 350 species of birds. The Chobe National Park and Moremi Game Reserve (in the Okavango Delta) are major tourist destinations. A visit will guaranty a good safari experience.
Economy
Since independence, Botswana has had one of the fastest growth rates in per capita income in the world. Botswana has transformed itself from one of the poorest countries in the world to a middle-income country. By one estimate, it has the fourth highest gross national income at purchasing power parity in Africa, giving it a standard of living around that of Mexico and Turkey.
Debswana, the largest diamond mining company operating in Botswana, is 50% owned by the government. Mineral industry provides about 40% of all government revenues. In 2007, significant quantities of uranium were discovered.
Demographics: Botswana's main ethnic groups are (in order) Tswana, Kalanga, Bushmen or AbaThwa also known as basarwa. Other tribes are Bayei, Bambukushu, Basubia, Baherero and Bakgalagadi. Other groups of ethnicities in Botswana include whites and Indians, both groups being roughly equally small in number. Botswana's Indian population is made up of many Indian-Africans of several generations, from Mozambique, Kenya, Tanzania, Mauritius, South Africa, etc. as well as first generation Indian immigrants. The white population is native to Botswana or from other parts of Africa including Zimbabwe and South Africa. The white population speaks either English or Afrikaans and makes up roughly 3% of the population
Climate
Botswana's climate is semi-arid. Though it is hot and dry for much of the year, there is a rainy season, which runs through the summer months. Rainfall tends to be erratic, unpredictable and highly regional. Often a heavy downpour may occur in one area while 10 or 15 kilometres away there is no rain at all. Showers are often followed by strong sunshine so that a good deal of the rainfall does not penetrate the ground but is lost to evaporation and transpiration.
'Pula', one of the most frequently heard words in Botswana, is not only the name of Botswana's currency, but also the Setswana word for rain. So much of what takes place in Botswana relies on this essential, frequently scarce commodity.
Fast Facts
Tipping: Not compulsory.
Normally 5 USD pr. person pr. night for lodge staff. (The Lodge has its own mailbox for this)
10 USD pr person pr night for gameranger.
Tip at check out.
Visa: Not for Norwegian citizens
Vaccines: Botswana is a malaria area. Most of the Lodges are located far from villages and malaria occurs rare. It is a lot of mosquitoes because of all the water, most of the places has mosquito net and mosquito replant, would recommend long sleeves after sunset.
Currency: Pula (BWP). 100 NOK = 88 BWP. But you pay in USD, recommend to change money so you have USD 5, 10 and 20 USD notes for tipping
Credit cards: Major credit cards, including Visa, MasterCard, American Express and Diners Club, are accepted widely. Most hotels and lodges accept foreign currency or travellers' cheques.
Population: 1, 8 mill
Official language: English, Setswana
Time differences: Central Africa Time (UTC+02)
Electricity: All the Lodges use generators, it will be electricity all day and every room has a socket for charging your batteries.