Vistors from certain countries may require a visa. For more information click on the VISA link. Persons requiring additional information are advised to write to the Commissioner of Customs and Excise, Private Bag 0041, Gaborone, Botswana.

The duty-free allowances are: 400 cigarettes, 50 cigars, 250 g cigarette or pipe tobacco, two litres of wine, one litre of spirits or other alcoholic beverages, 50 ml perfume, 250 ml Eau de Toilette, and gifts, souvenirs and other goods with a value of R500.00 or less.  Customs charges are payable before leaving the customs hall.

No immunization is required for visitors entering the country other than for those who have left an area infected by yellow fever.  In such cases, visitors will need a valid international yellow-fever vaccination certificate.  Visitors planning to visit areas, which may be affected by malaria, should check the necessary precautions in advance.  For northern Botswana, a malaria prophylaxis is most advisable. Extra care should also be taken when drinking water in rural areas and eating local tropical food. It is advisable to drink only bottled water in rural areas. Should medical assistance be required, well equipped clinics are available. AIDS/HIV are very prevalent in Africa, avoid having unprotected sex. Ticks can be found in the bush all over Botswana. The best precautionary measures are to keep your body well covered when walking in the bush and to use an insect repellent.

Traffic laws are strictly enforced and seat belts must be worn. The speed-limit is 120 km/h on freeways and 60 km/h in residential areas.When passing by a village or town next to the main road 80 km/h.

A modern and efficient telephone service is available in almost all parts of the country. Direct national and international dialling is possible in most areas. There are no area codes in Botswana.

Bigger towns and villages have internet cafes. Internet access is usually also provided by most  accommodation establishments for a certain fee.

Banking hours are Monday – Friday (08h00 – 14h30), Wednesday (08h00 - 12h00) and Saturday (08h00 – 10h45). Automatic teller machines (ATM's) are open 24 hours and are located throughout the country at major towns and cities.

The currency of the country is the Pula (P).  The international symbol for the currency is BWB. All major credit cards are accepted widely throughout the country, except for the purchase of petrol.  Traveller's cheques should be purchased in US Dollars or Euros and can be exchanged at any commercial bank or foreign exchange outlet. Rand (ZAR) are only accepted at borders.

Setswana is the national language with minor differences in dialects. However, English is the official business language and it is widely spoken in urban areas.

Air Charter companies operate from Gaborone, Maun and Kasane.

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. The rainy season is in the summer, with October and April being transitional months. January and February are generally regarded as the peak months. Summer days are hot, especially in the weeks that precede the coming of the cooling rains, and shade temperatures rise to the 38°C mark and higher, reaching a blistering 44°C on rare occasions. Winters are clear-skied and bone-dry, the air seductively warm during the daylight hours but, because there is no cloud cover, cold at night and in the early mornings.

The cities and larger towns have shopping malls with department stores. 08:00 to 17:00 in the bigger cities. Smaller villages normally closed between 13:00 to 14:00, Mondays to Fridays.  08:00 to 12:00 on Saturdays.  Selected grocery shops open on Sundays in bigger cities.

Most businesses and shops are open between 08h30 and 17h00 on weekdays and between 09h00 and 13h00 on Saturdays. Many shops close for lunch between 13h00 and 15h00.

SOUTH AFRICA: Tshabong - 8 AM to 4 PM  /  Makopong - 8 AM to 4 PM  /  Ramatlabama - 7 AM to 8 PM  /  Pioneer Gate - 7 AM to 7 PM  /  Tlokweng - 7 AM to 10 PM  /  Parr's Halt - 8 AM to 4 PM  /  Martin's Drift 8 AM to 6 PM  /  Pontdrift - 8 AM to 4 PM  /  NAMIBIA: Ngoma - 6 AM to 6 PM  /  Mohembo - 6 AM to 6 PM  /  Mamuno - 8 AM to 4 PM  /  ZAMBIA: Kazungula Ferry - 6 AM to 6 PM  /  ZIMBABWE: Pandamatenga - 8 AM to 4 PM  /  Ramokgwebane - 6 AM to 6 PM

01 January - New Year's Day  /  2 January - Public Holiday  /  1st weekend April - Good Friday & Easter Monday  /  Beginning May - Labour Day  /  16 May (variable) - Ascension Day  /  1 July - Sir Seretse Khama Day  /  3rd Monday & Tuesday in July - President's Day  /  30 September - Independence Day  /  25 December - Christmas Day  /  26 December - Boxing Day  /  27 December - Public Holiday

As in most countries of the world, travelers are advised to take the necessary safety precautions.  It is not advisable to walk alone in deserted streets, especially after dark, and only taxis booked through a reputable taxi company should be used.  Visitors should try to avoid attracting unnecessary attention by not carrying bulky camera bags or wearing expensive jewellery.  All valuables should be locked in the hotel's safety deposit box.  Ideally, traveler's cheques or credit cards should be used, to avoid carrying around large amounts of cash.  By exercising reasonable care, visitors can ensure an enjoyable stay in the country.