SIZE :

581 730 km, nearly 17% of which is protected wildlife area.

Climate

Summer : November to March. High temperatures, average 30 ⁰ C to 35⁰C (86 F to 95F) with lows around 18⁰(65F) and rain showers.
Winter : June to August.Daytime temperatures around 23⁰C(75F) with night-time lows averaging 5⁰C (41F).

Population

1.3 million(1991 census), projected to reach 1.7 million by the year 2001 and 2.6 million by the year 2021. An estimated 180 000 people live in Gaborone with more than 65 000 in Francistown.

People

Botswana is made up of a number of tribes, among them are Bakgatla, Bamalete, Bakalanga, Bangwaketse, Barolong, Bakwena, Batlokwa, Batawana, Basarwa and Bakgalagadi is Setswana.

Government

Botswana is multiparty democracy.Under the Botswana constitution, legislative power is vested in Parliament, which comprises the president as the ex-officio member and a unicameral National Assembly. Within the assembly is the speaker, the attorney general (non-voting), 40 elected members and four members specially elected by the assembly. Elections are held every five years. A 15 member House of Chiefs advises on tribal matters.

Botswana has been governed since independence by the Botswana Democratic Party; its first President was Sir Seretse Khama. Since retirement of second President Sir Ketumule Masire in March 1998, Festus Mogae is president of the republic.

Exports

Diamond, vehicles, copper / nickel, beef, textiles.

Currency

Pula and Thebe (One Pula = 100 Thebe)

Bank

Sir Seretse Khama International Airport,
Gabarone Barclays Bank hours :
Mon -Sunday, seven days a week 06h00 - 20h15.
Regular Banking Hours :
Mon- Fri 09h00 - 15h30;
Sat 08h30 - 11h00.

Currency Control

Import : There are no restrictions on foreign currency notes brought into the country as long as they are declared.
Export : Travellers can carry upto P10 000, or the equivalent in foreign currency, out of the country without declaring it.

Visas and Passports

All visitors must have a valid passport for at least six months, and the means to leave the country , ie an outgoing ticket and sufficient funds. Some nationals of commonwealth countries require visas to enter Botswana. Citizens of European community countries, Scandinavia, USA and South Africa do not require visas. Visitors will be given one month visas at the border. Extensions may be granted at the immigration office in Botswana, but visitors will not be allowed to stay more than 90 days without a residence permit application waiver.

Duty - Free Allowance

The following goods, declared on arrival, are duty free: Two litres of wine; one litre spirits and other alcoholic beverages; 400 cigarettes; 50 cigars; 250 gm cigarette and pipe tobacco; 50 ml toilet water. All goods acquired outside Botswana must be declared when you enter the country. Goods brought into the country,acquired within Common Customs area - comprising Botswana, South Africa, Lesotho and Swaziland are free from custom duties, but may be subject to sales tax and additional duties.

Departure Tax

International P25; Local P10.

Setswana Greetings

Hello - Dumela, rra / mma. (it is polite to add sir, 'rra', or madam, 'mma', after the greeting)
How are you ? - O tsogile jang ? (formal)
Le kae (informal)
Iam fine and how are you ?- ke tsogile sentle, mma / rra, wena o tsogile jang(formal)
Re teng, mma/rra, wena o kae?(informal)