Botswana is a land of opposites
The charm of Botswana lies in the opposite. The rugged desert and lush estuaries make the country an interesting natural destination.
According to countryaah, Botswana is one of the most modern countries in Africa. Gold, diamonds and other mining products have also made it one of the richest in Africa.
Botswana is located inland. It is bordered by South Africa, Namibia, Zambia and Zimbabwe. There is no shoreline on land. Of this country, with a population of 2.1 million, about 80 percent is desert. Botswana is one of the least populated countries in the world.
As a tourist destination, Botswana is evolving all the time. The country attracts especially nature tourists, as the country has extensive nature reserves. The Kalahari Desert surprises the tourist with its liveliness and there are hundreds of animal and plant species in the Okavango Delta. Chobe National Park is especially famous for its elephants. The capital Gaborone is a great place to see a glimpse of the direction of the country’s development.
Warm all year round
Botswana’s climate is semi-arid. The weather is very sunny all year round, but there is more rain than in the desert climate zone.
In Botswana it rains during the summer months from November to March. Rainfall is often very local and short. During the rainy season, the humidity is high, especially in the mornings. During the summer months, mercury can climb up to 40 degrees during the day. During the dry season from May to October, there is almost no rain at all. Daytime temperatures average +25 degrees, but at night mercury in the desert can drop below 10 degrees.
The best time to travel is from May to August. There is little rainfall and the temperatures are reasonable. On safaris, the animals are easy to see as the animals stay close to the drinking spots.
Good to know about Botswana
The country is well suited for those interested in nature tourism. The dominant feature of the country is drought, but there is plenty of life in the midst of drought. The vegetation is adapted to arid regions and the five largest wildlife in Africa, as well as giraffes, crocodiles and flamingos, live in the steppes, estuaries and deserts.
The overall security situation in Botswana is good. Crime is low, but normal caution is still warranted. It is a good idea to avoid driving in the dark, especially by car. Endangered donkeys, cows and other wildlife sleeping on the roads. When driving, it is also good to note that the distances are long and the roads are poorly signposted. It is recommended to carry the map and GPS device with your spare fuel and water. Botswana has left-hand traffic.
The country is at risk for malaria, so medication is recommended. Vaccine safety should be checked before traveling. If you have been in the yellow fever area before entering Botswana, a certificate of yellow fever vaccine is required.
Before traveling to Botswana, it is a good idea to read the Foreign Ministry’s up-to-date travel bulletin.
FLIGHTS, ACCOMMODATION AND MOVEMENT IN BOTSWANA
It is a long way to go
There are no direct flights to Finland from Botswana. The self-employed tourist can fly to the capital Gaborone via the largest airports in Europe. The travel time will average 20 hours. The machine usually needs to be changed twice. Flights cost 900-1200 euros.
Travel agencies specializing in long-distance travel also arrange safaris and tours to Botswana. Some tour operators also offer Finnish-language guide services, but several safaris are made in cooperation with local guides. Check Guide Services with your tour operator.
Botswana accommodation offer
Short for BC by abbreviationfinder, Botswana has plenty of mid-range accommodation on offer. In addition, there is a choice of different luxury accommodation, especially in the vicinity of safari destinations. These full-service tent and cottage villages offer tourists services from restaurants to excursions and guides to hairdressers. Prices vary according to the season.
For those on a lower budget, there are also some accommodation options, but the price is often the same regardless of the season. Staying in a campsite in your own tent is the cheapest option for the budget traveler.
The country has a special eco-certificate issued to eligible campsites. The certificate is internationally recognized and has been issued to fifteen operators.
Getting around Botswana
The best way to travel around Botswana is to rent a car. Renting a car is quite expensive, but it is worth it as the distances are long. Public transport is quite undeveloped and buses only run between larger cities. There is more than 800 kilometers of rail network in the country, but only freight travels on the rails.
In the cities the trip can be folded by taxi and the prices are reasonable. There is also a lot of hitchhiking in the country. The driver is used to paying compensation for the bus journey. Care should be taken when lifting, although the ground is generally quite safe.
Botswana Air operates domestic flights between Gaborone, Francistown, Mau and Kasane. International destinations include Johannesburg and Cape Town in South Africa, Lusaka in Zambia and Harare in Zimbabwe.
