All delegates entering Botswana must check their country’s visa requirements here https://evisa.gov.bw/
- Delegates are invited to note the following in respect of travel to Botswana:
- The international airport in Gaborone is the Sir Seretse Khama International Airport.
- Visas are not obtainable at the point of entry and delegates must apply for visas before departing their home country.
- Setswana
- English
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 (November to March). Rainfall tends to be erratic, unpredictable and highly regional.
Currency
• Botswana uses the Botswana Pula (BWP) as its official currency.
• Exchange facilities are available at various bureau exchanges and banks.
Credit cards
Major credit cards, such as MasterCard and Visa, are accepted in most hotels, restaurants, retail outlets, and safari companies. However, shops in remote areas and service stations may only accept cash.
Border Posts
Contact information you need for border posts and Airports in Botswana.
Botswana /South Africa
| Pont Drift (Tuli) Tel: +267 264 5260 Opening hours: 07h30 – 16h30 |
Martin’s Drift Tel: +267 491 5907 /5913 Opening hours: 06h00 – 22h00 |
| Zanzibar Tel: +267 264 6217/263 0012 Opening hours: 07h00 – 18h30 |
Platjan Tel: +267 264 6333 Opening hours: 08h00 – 16h00 |
| Sikwane Tel: +267 570 0000 Opening hours: 07h30 – 16h30 |
Tlokweng Tel: +267 317 800 Opening hours: 06h00 – 00h00 |
| Ramotswa (Bridge) Tel: +267 539 0344 Opening hours: 07h00 – 18h00 |
Pioneer Gate Tel: +267 533 3992/0387 Opening hours: 06h00 – 00h00 |
| Ramatlabama Tel: +267 540 7170/548 6296 Opening hours: 06h00 – 22h00 |
Phitshane Molopo Tel: +267 548 7204 Opening hours: 07h30 – 18h00 |
| Hereford/ Bray Tel: +267 653 0068/9 Opening hours: 07h00 – 16h30 |
Makopong Tel: +267 653 0063 Opening hours: 07h30 – 16h30 |
| McCarthy Rust/Tshabong Tel: +267 653 0056 Opening hours: 08h00 – 18h00 |
Middlepits Tel: +267 653 0060 Opening hours: 08h00 – 16h00 |
| Bokspits Opening hours: 08h00 – 16h00 |
Two Rivers Opening hours: 07h30 – 16h00 |
| Parr’s Halt Opening hours: 08h00 – 16h00 |
Botswana /Namibia
| Mamuno Tel: +267 659 2013 Opening hours: 07h00 – 00h00 |
Ngoma Tel: +267 620 0050 Opening hours: 07h00 – 18h00 |
| Mohembo Tel: +267 687 5505 Opening hours: 06h00 – 18h00 |
Botswana / Zimbabwe
| Ramokgwebana Tel: +267 248 9266 Opening hours: 06h00 – 22h00 |
Maitengwe Tel: +267 248 3275 Opening hours: 07h00 – 16h30 |
| Pandamatenga Tel: +267 623 2029 Opening hours: 08h00 – 17h00 |
Matsiloje Tel: +267 248 3275 Opening hours: 07h00 – 16h30 |
| Kazungula Road Tel: +267 625 0320/1303 Opening hours: 06h00 – 20h00 |
Botswana/Zambia
Kazungula Ferry
Tel: +267 625 0420
Opening hours: 06h00 – 18h30
Airports
| Sir Seretse Khama Airport Gaborone Tel: +267 395 3022/364 3190 Opening hours: 06h00 – 22h00 |
Francistown Airport Francistown Tel: +267 241 2065 Opening hours: 06h00 – 22h00 |
| Kasane Airport Tel: +267 625 0175 Opening hours: 06h00 – 18h00 |
Maun Airport Tel: +267 686 0278 Opening hours: 07h30 – 16h30 |
| Jwaneng Airport Tel: +267 588 0309 Opening hours: 07h00 – 16h30 |
Selebi Phikwe Airport Tel: +267 260 1238 Opening hours: 07h30 – 16h30 |
| Sowa Airfield Tel: +267 621 3219 Opening hours: 07h30 – 16h30 |
By Air
Air Botswana, Botswana’s national and only airline, provides domestic and international flights. Most major international airlines fly to Johannesburg, South Africa, where connecting flights can be booked to Sir Seretse Khama International Airport in Gaborone, or to Maun, Francistown, or Kasane.
For flight details contact:
Air Botswana Central Reservations
Web: www.airbotswana.bw
South African Express
Web: www.flysax.com
South African Airways
Web: www.flysaa.com
By Road
Botswana is accessible by tarred road from South Africa, Zimbabwe, Zambia, and Namibia. Vehicles are driven on the left-hand side of the road.
By Bus
There are scheduled bus services across borders between Botswana and South Africa, Zimbabwe, Namibia, and Zambia, as well as good internal bus services linking major and minor towns and villages across the country. There is also a direct bus service from OR Tambo International Airport to and Gaborone city centre, departing and returning daily.
By Rail
There are no passenger train services in Botswana. Cargo services run on a daily basis. For more information consult The Botswana Railways website at www.botswanarailways.co.bw.
Getting Around in Towns
Taxis are normally a convenient way to get around in towns and are reasonably priced. They are easily identified in designated stations or can be contacted by telephone. Taxis to Gaborone are also available from Sir Seretse Khama International Airport. Always establish and agree the fare and ensure the driver has change before departing.
The international dialing code for Botswana is +267.
For further information on the network providers in Botswana, consult the following services:
- MASCOM www.mascom.bw
- ORANGE www.orange.co.bw
- BTC www.btc.bw
- The standard power voltage is 220 – 240 volts.
- Primary sockets generally require the 3 square-pin or round-pin varieties, similar to the ones used in South Africa and the United Kingdom respectively.
