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VISAS
All visitors to Botswana must hold a passport that is valid
for at least 6 months except those with United Nations travel
documents. Visitors must also have outgoing travel documents
and sufficient funds to finance their stay. It is the responsibility
of each individual to confirm with their respective Consulates
concerning visa entry requirements. Please ensure that you have
all the necessary visas prior to departure (unless available
upon entry). Moremi Safaris and Tours, nor any of its agents,
can be held responsible for any errors in this regard.
HEALTH PRECAUTIONS
Compared to the rest of Africa, Botswana is not a risky place
to visit from a health perspective. Despite this, there are
certain precautions visitors should take although there are
no legal requirements for taking these precautions. Botswana
requires no inoculations other than for visitors from Yellow
Fever areas.
Please consult your Doctor prior to your safari for information
and advice on the use of anti-malaria medication. There are
many types of prophylactics available on the market and your
Medical Practitioner will assist in finding one that is right
for you. Remember to complete your prophylactic course - especially
after leaving a malaria area.
CURRENCY
Botswana's unit of currency is the Pula (P), which is divided
into 100 Thebe (t). The word 'Pula' means rain and 'thebe' means
shield. The shield appears on the national coat of arms. Bank
notes come in denominations of P10, 20, 50 and 100, and coins
in denominations of 5t, 10t, 25t, 50t, P1, P2 and P5. As a rough
guide US$ 1.00 = P 5.50
Botswana banks will only accept Pula, US Dollars, Pounds Sterling,
Euro and South African Rand in cash. Traveler’s cheques
are also acceptable. Most camps do accept Master and Visa cards.
DRINKING WATER
We would like to stress the importance of drinking at least
2 to 3 liters of water per day whilst on safari as dehydration
can occur quickly, especially in the summer months. Bottled
water is available at all lodges, but even the water from rivers
and lagoons in the Delta is generally safe to drink.
POWER
Most lodges are situated in remote areas, and operate on generators
for approximately 6 hours per day (usually while guests are
on activities). In the event you need to charge video equipment,
this may be done at reception. It is advisable to always bring
a spare battery. Please refer to information on Xakanaxa Camp
and Pandani’s on this website for specific information
pertaining to power at these lodges.
MOBILE PHONES
Mobile phones do not operate in the remote areas of Botswana;
however, all Botswana camps are linked with VHF radio with a
backup HF radio system.
TIPPING
Tipping is not compulsory, however a guideline to voluntary
tipping at lodges in Botswana is as follows:
Guides: USD5 per guest per day
General staff: USD3 per guest per day, and
this should be handed into the communal tipping box, usually
found in the Reception area.
LOSS OF POSSESSIONS
Moremi Safaris cannot be held responsible for the loss of any
of your possessions whilst on safari. Please make arrangements
directly with lodge managers regarding the safe-keeping of any
possessions. It is a requirement of each guest to ensure they
are covered by comprehensive travel insurance prior to their
safari.
BOTSWANA 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 kilometers 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.
Rainfall in millimeters
| . |
J |
F |
M |
A |
M |
J |
J |
A |
S |
O |
N |
D |
| Range |
101 |
101 |
51 |
26 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
25 |
76 |
| 125 |
125 |
75 |
50 |
25 |
25 |
25 |
25 |
25 |
25 |
50 |
100 |
Temperature (°C) - Average lows and highs
| . |
J |
F |
M |
A |
M |
J |
J |
A |
S |
O |
N |
D |
| MIN |
19 |
19 |
18 |
15 |
10 |
6 |
6 |
9 |
14 |
19 |
20 |
20 |
| MAX |
33 |
32 |
32 |
30 |
28 |
25 |
26 |
27 |
34 |
38 |
40 |
35 |
LUGGAGE
In Botswana there is a 12kg luggage restriction per person for
any charter transfers. Please note that the cargo pods on a
normal light aircraft cannot handle suitcases and hard bags,
so luggage must be packed in soft bags. It is possible to make
arrangements to have any extra luggage and/or equipment transferred
or stored (at extra cost) provided sufficient notice is given
at the time of booking.
WHAT TO
PACK
When traveling on safari in Botswana, it is best to wear clothes
of neutral and natural shades that blend better with the natural
surroundings of the African bush. White and brightly coloured
clothes are not advised. For the duration of your stay on safari,
the dress code is informal and casual. You will not be required
to dress up for evening meals during your stay.
- Good quality sunglasses preferably polarized.
- Tinted fashion glasses are not good in strong light.
- Bush hat for protection from the sun
- Swimming costume
- T-shirts and one long-sleeved cotton shirt for cooler evenings.
- Long trousers/slacks.
- Shorts/skirts.
- Tracksuit, underwear and socks
- Good walking shoes (running / tennis shoes are fine), as well
as strops or sandals.
- Sweater/anorak/parka.
These may be required for early morning and late afternoon game
activities throughout the year. It is always a good idea to
dress in layers on activities to accommodate the early morning
and late afternoon change of temperature. Winter months will
definitely require a warm jacket and perhaps a beanie, gloves
and a scarf.
- A complimentary laundry service is included at all properties
incorporated in our safari packages.
- If you wear contact lenses, we recommend that you bring along
a pair of glasses in case of dust irritation.
- Binoculars (and Newman’s Birds, if you are a keen birder).
- Malaria tablets AND Anti-histamine cream.
- Insect repellent. E.g. Tabard, Bugg-off and Peaceful Sleep.
- Basic medical kit (aspirins, elastoplasts, Imodium, antiseptic
cream, etc)
- Protective sun-tan lotion particularly for pale and sensitive
skins.
- Tissues or ‘wet wipes’
RECOMMENDED READING
Okavango – Wetland Wilderness (Author: Adrian Bailey)
Sasol Birds of Southern Africa (Author: Sinclair, Hockey &
Tarboton)
Common birds of Botswana (Author: Ken Newman)
Field Guide to the Mammals of Southern Africa (Author: Chris
& Tilde Stuart)
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