This scarcely populated country is best known for its wildlife. You can enjoy the natural beauty at the national parks or the hill ranges. You can also go for a safari ride or visit the museums and play games at game reserves constructed in some of the
Officially called the Republic of Botswana, this landlocked country is surrounded by South Africa to the south and southeast, Namibia to the west and north, Zimbabwe to the northeast, and Zambia to the north. Botswana is one of the most sparsely populated countries in the world, with about 10% of the population residing in the capital city of the country- Gaborone. The name Botswana means Land of the Tswana. Tswana is the dominant ethnic group living in Botswana. The country has an almost flat topography, Kalihari Desert forming 70 % of its territory. Botswana, which has been one of the poorest countries in the world, is now a middle-income country. Botswana is recognized as one of the fastest-growing economies comprising mining, cattle, and tourism. Its gross national income is one of the highest in Africa.
Area: 581,730 km2
Population: 2,254,068
Capital: Gaborone
Botswana observes a semi-arid climate. For most of the year, the dry season is experienced. Rainfall is unpredictable and regional in Botswana. The summer season starts from November until March. Winter is observed from May to August. The rainy season also befalls in summer, but it is for short duration only. January and February note most of the rainfall of the seasons. Summer days are scorching here. Winter temperatures during the day are quite warm, but the freezing nights here can also take down the temperatures below freezing point, especially in the southwest of Botswana.
The people here greet with a three-way handshake. On the other hand, the greetings are also conveyed by saying dumeland, which is equivalent to hello in English. Setswana language is spoken by most of the people across the country. But, the official language of Botswana is English. The people as a whole are referred to as Botswana, and Motswana refers to a single person. Other languages that are in use in the country include Kalanga, Sarwa, Ndebele, Yeyi, Tswapong, Or Kgalagadi.
Time: There is a single time zone active in the country.
Gaborone- Central Africa Time (CAT) is 2 hours ahead of Coordinated Universal Time. (UTC +02:00)
Electricity: Electricity in Indonesia is supplied at 230V and 50 Hz. Three types of plug systems are in use here: Type D with three round pins in a triangular pattern, Type G with three rectangular pins in a triangular pattern, and Type M resembling the Type D plug, but larger in size. If you are from the US, Canada, or South American countries, you will need a voltage converter, as the standard voltage of your appliances would be fit for the voltage range 100-127 V.
Weight & Measurement: Metric system is adopted in Botswana of weight and measurements.
Telecommunications: 11.5% of the populace in Botswana uses the internet. Even though cellular phones are introduced, telephones are still widespread in the country. Asymmetric Digital Subscriber Line is available in the cities of Gaborone, Mogoditsane, Francistown, Maun, Palapye, Kasane, Phikwe, Lobatse, Jwaneng, Orapa, and others.
The official currency of Botswana is the Botswana Pula, with the currency code issued by ISO 4217 as BWP. Subunit thebe is also in practice here. One hundred thebes is equivalent to 1 pula. The coins are available in denominations 5, 10, 25, and 50 Thebes and 1, 2, and 5 pula, which are also announced to be demonetized while coins of the rest of the denominations available previously being demonetized in 2014. 10, 20, 50, 100, and 200 pula are the available denominations for the banknotes in Botswana. ATMs are located nearby hotels and shopping hubs. Maestro, cirrus, or plus cards are commonly valid here.
Are you a fan of traveling? Do you love exploring the beaches and ioslands? In addition to this, are you an animal lover too? And are little confused about where to travel next? Then Indonesia is the perfect choice for you!
The rich cultural traditions in Botswana are described as Setswana. Botswana has a rich literary heritage written since the rock painting era. Botswana people love vocal music, and it is performed with or without drums as per the occasion. String instruments are also extensively used while playing. Women of Etsha and Gumare of the northern region are skilled in making baskets from Mokola Palm and local dies, which are used for storage or
winnowing the pounded grains. The most popular sport played in Botswana is football. Softball, tennis, cricket, badminton, handball, golf, and rugby are the other popular sports in Botswana. A large group of people follows the card game bridge.
Botswana offers an excellent self-driving experience through the game reserves. You can also drive your vehicle in the national parks. The most prominent national parks viz. Chobe national park, Moremi game reserve, and central Kalahari game reserve cannot be roamed around on your two legs! You can rent a car instead. You can even visit the various parks in Okavango delta in your private vehicle. Makgadikgadi salt pans can also be easily traversed in your own vehicle. Take the route from Johannesburg to visit the rare white rhino in the Khama Rhino Sanctuary.
The roads in Botswana are in good condition; most of them are tarred or paved. Therefore, you will not experience a bumpy ride over here leading to a comfortable journey.
This game reserve is located in the eastern region of Okavango delta. Only 30% of this reserve is preserved. It is home to a variety of species of birds and other wildlife. More than 500 bird species and wildlife species like Cape buffalo, Angolan giraffe, elephants, and many others can be found here. The route conditions changes as per the seasons. Pay attention to the roads during the rainy season. As the water level in delta rises, the surrounding sandy areas become difficult for the driving operation.
Tsodilo Hills, comprising of four chief hills, are declared as World Heritage Site by UNESCO. The four hills are named as Male Hill, Female Hill, Child Hill, and an unnamed knoll. You can even enjoy camping between the two most towering hills. Rock art, rock shelter, depressions, and caves form some of the attraction points of the Hills. These hills contain more than 4500 paintings. A well-graded dirt road connects these hills to Shakawe. Bantu people are associated with white coloured rock art. Many White Paintings are located in Male Hill. White paintings represent both- wild and domestic animals, as well as human figures. Red rock paintings can be found all over the cave, especially in Rhino caves.
Duba plains camp is connected with the Duba expedition camp, which consists of palm-fringed islands, expansive floodplains, delta, and woodlands spread over 77000 acres of area. This site is rich in wildlife and has a variety of games. The tents are constructed over raised platforms overlooking flood plains for the purpose of camping. This raised platform makes it easier for visitors to have a look at the wildlife species. The tent also possesses an expansive lounge area, private veranda with pool, and other facilities to relax.
This beautiful lake is located in the north of the Kalahari Desert. Taughe River, an affluent of the Okavango river system, flows through it, which is the remnant of the lake Makgadikgadi. Many birds and wildlife take refuge here, especially in flood years. It is also called as the shimmering lake.
Three Dikgosi Monument, the most visited tourist destination in Gaborone, possesses a bronze sculpture in the country capital Gaborone. These three statues depict three tribal chiefs called by dikgosi- meaning chiefs. The three chiefs, who played a significant role in the struggle for independence, are Khama III of Botswana, Sebele I of Bakwene, Bathoen I of Bangwaketse. The statues are of 5.4 metre height. Six plinths provided at the feet of these statues introduce these three chiefs.
Chobe National Park is the first and one of the most diverse national parks in Botswana. It is also the third-largest national park after Central Kalahari Game Reserve and Gemsbok National Park in Botswana, having a notable population of lions, for they prey on the elephants here. The park is divided into four areas: Serondela- Chone Riverfront- is located in the northeast of the park, Savuti marsh area at the western stretch, Linyanti Marsh at the northwest corner, hinterland between Linyanti and Savuti. Serondela mostly comprises of floodplains, and dense woodland of teak and mahogany woods Chobe river flows along the northeast border forming a great water spot. Species such as large breeding herds of elephants, giraffes, and Cape buffalo can be found here. Savuti marsh area is an inland lake, whose topography is made of savannah and grasslands. Rhinoceros, zebra, impala, wildebeest, cheetahs and other such wildlife species can be spotted here. Kwando River is located near Linyanti. Antelope and hippopotamus roam around freely in this area. Nogatsa Grass Woodland occupies hinterland, where elands can be seen. Roads are pretty good in the park except in monsoons when the thick sand of the park becomes problematic.