By Air

Air Botswana, Botswana’s national and only airline, provides international flights between Gaborone and Johannesburg, Gaborone and Harare, Maun and Johannesburg, Kasane and Johannesburg and Francistown and Johannesburg. Domestic flights run between Gaborone and Francistown, Maun and Kasane, and the airline has recently re-introduced its Maun to Kasane flight (three times per week).

• Air Botswana has thrice daily flights between Gaborone and Johannesburg.
• South African Airways has twice daily flights between Johannesburg and Gaborone, during the week.
• South African Express has five flights daily between Johannesburg and Gaborone, during the week.
• Air Botswana has daily flights from Johannesburg direct to Maun.
• Air Namibia flies Windhoek to Maun every day of the week, except Tuesday and Thursday.
• Kenya Airways flies Nairobi to Gaborone.
• Air charter services are also available.

Light aircraft transfers have a 15kg luggage restrictions in soft, squashable bags PLUS 5kg of hand luggage. The size of the cargo pod of a Cessna 206, which is generally used on inter-camp transfers is 72cm wide and 29 cm high. Travelers coming for safaris are advised not to bring hard suitcases as they will not fit on light aircrafts.

Most major international airlines from Europe, the United States, Asia and Australia fly to Johannesburg, South Africa, where connecting flights can be booked to Sir Seretse Khama International Airport in Gaborone, or to Maun, Francistown or Kasane.

For flight details contact:

Air Botswana Central Reservations
Tel: +267 395-1921
Web: www.airbotswana.bw

South African Express
Tel: +267 397-2397
Web: www.flysax.com

South African Airways
Tel: +267 390-2210/12
Web: www.flysaa.com

Air Namibia
Tel (South Africa): +27 11-978-5055
Tel (Namibia): +26 461-299-6444
Web: www.airnamibia.com.na

By Road

Botswana is accessible by tarred road from South Africa, Zimbabwe, Zambia and Namibia. Vehicles are driven on the left hand side of the road. A valid international driver’s license, along with vehicle registration documents, are required to drive in Botswana, and drivers should always carry them.

Most major roads in Botswana are tarred and driving conditions are generally good. The main roads to established areas are regularly graded. Four-wheel drive is required when travelling in the national parks and reserves, as well as in remote areas. Car and four-wheel drive rental services are widely available in major tourist centres, airports and hotels.

By Bus

There are scheduled bus services across borders between Botswana and South Africa, Zimbabwe, Namibia and Zambia, as well as good internal bus services linking major and minor towns and villages across the country.

By Rail

There are no passenger train services in Botswana. Cargo services run on a daily basis.

For more information consult The Botswana Railways website at www.botswanarailways.co.bw.

Getting Around In Towns

Taxis are normally a convenient way to get around in towns and are reasonably priced. They are easily identified in designated stations or can be contacted by telephone. Taxis to Gaborone are also available from Sir Seretse Khama International Airport.

Visas

Citizens of most European and Common-wealth countries do not require a visa for entry into Botswana.

Visitors should check with Botswana embassies or consulates, or their travel agents, before departure.

It is vital for visitors to carry a valid passport and sufficient funds to facilitate their stay.

Note: For countries with whom Botswana has no diplomatic representation, visa information and processing is available through British Embassies and High Commissions.

Luggage Restrictions

It is advisable to adhere to the luggage restrictions for both scheduled international, domestic and charter flights: 20kgs (44lbs) on domestic flights, 12kgs (26lbs) on light aircraft (including Okavango Delta charter flights), and 20kgs (44lbs) on international flights.

Vaccinations

If you are travelling to Botswana from areas infected with Yellow Fever, you must have a valid Yellow Fever vaccination certificate. Otherwise, no other immunisations are required. However, it would be wise to have an updated TPD (tetanus, polio, diphtheria) vaccine, and a Hepatitis A vaccine.

Customs

All goods acquired outside Botswana must be declared when you enter the country.

Pets

The importation of animals is closely regulated for public health reasons and also for the well being of the animals. Domestic pets and livestock may be imported subject to animal health restrictions.

For more information contact:

Director of Animal Health & Production

P/Bag 0032, Gaborone

Tel: 267 395-0500

Note: A valid certificate of identity, rabies vaccination and movement permit issued in Lesotho, Malawi, South Africa, Swaziland, Namibia or Zimbabwe will be accepted at the time of importation into Botswana.

Boats

No boat, mokoro or aquatic apparatus may be imported into Botswana, unless the owner is in possession of an import permit issued by the Department of Water Affairs.

For more information contact:

Department of Water Affairs

P/Bag 0029, Gaborone

Tel: 267 360-7100

Drivers’ Licenses

Drivers are required to carry their licenses at all times. Licenses from neighbouring countries are accepted in Botswana. If not written in English, a certified written translation is required. International drivers’ licenses are accepted in Botswana.

Importation of Motor Vehicles

Non-residents visiting Botswana and coming from a country outside the Southern African Common Customs Area for a limited period are normally required to produce a carnet or bill of entry (any duty liability thereon being secured by bond or cash deposit) in respect of their motor vehicles. For further information, please contact Department of Customs.

Note: The Southern African Common Customs Area comprises Botswana, Lesotho, South Africa, Swaziland and Namibia.

Customs Offices

Countries Requiring Visas

All Citizens of Commonwealth countries do not require visa except those from Bangladesh, Cameroon, Ghana, India, Nigeria, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka. Foreign nationals whose countries have signed a Visa Abolition Agreement with Botswana are also not required to apply for a visa. Below is a list of all the countries that require visas.

Afghanistan	Cote d’Ivoire	Kuwait	Philippines
Albania	Croatia	Kyrgyzstan (Kirghizia)	Poland
Algeria	Czech Republic	Laos PDR	Qatar
Andorra	Djibouti	Latvia	Romania
Angola	Dominican Republic	Lebanon	Russia
Armenia	Ecuador	Liberia	Rwanda
Azerbaijan	Egypt	Libya	Sao Tome and Principe
Bahrain	El Salvador	Lithuania	Saudi Arabia
Bangladesh	Equatorial Guinea	Macedonia	Senegal
Belarus	Eritrea	Mali	Slovakia
Benin	Estonia	Madagascar	Slovenia
Bhutan	Ethiopia	Marshall Islands	Somalia
Bolivia	Gabon	Mauritania	Sudan
Bosnia and Herzegovina	Georgia	Micronesia	Suriname
Bulgaria	Guatemala	Moldova	Syria
Burkina Faso	Guinea	Monaco	Taiwan
Burundi	Guinea Bissau	Mongolia	Tajikistan
Cambodia	Haiti	Morocco	Thailand
Cameroon	Honduras	Mozambique	Togo
Cape Verde	Hungary	Myanmar (Burma)	Tunisia
Central African Republic	Indonesia	Nepal	Turkey
Chad	Iran	Nicaragua	Turkmenistan
China	Iraq	Niger	Ukraine
Columbia	Ivory Coast	Oman	United Arab Emirates
Comoros	Jordan	Pakistan	Uzbekistan
Congo	Kazakhstan	Palau	Vietnam
Demogratic Republic of Congo	Korea DPR	Panama	Yemen

Viewing of Wildlife