Travellers might well wonder why we haven't heard more about Botswana. The answer is for all the right reasons: it's a peaceful, stable country that has never been colonised or plundered by anyone's empire and has escaped the political and economic problems that have afflicted its neighbours and much of Africa. But as a travel destination it should be big news. Some argue that it is the premier destination for safaris, offering everything from big game to wildlife in some of the most remote and unspoilt areas of the continent.
Most visitors to this small republic will come for the wildlife. Situated between South Africa, Namibia, Zimbabwe and Zambia, it has a stable, democratic heritage that its neighbours have struggled to attain. As the world's largest exporter of gemstone diamonds, as well as a large exporter of beef to Europe, Botswana has the benefit of a solid economic base.
For its natural environment, this is good news. Botswana has not been forced to quickly exploit its tourist potential, and prefers to dissuade large numbers of visitors. This means safaris here are liable to be expensive affairs. But on the plus side you won't be sharing a wilderness experience with Jeeploads of other visitors.
A favourite place to visit is the Okavango Delta, where floodwaters have covered a plain and attract huge numbers of animals and birds. This verdant patch makes only small inroads into the vast Kalahari desert, where the San bushmen still can be found. Across huge swaths of the country, there's barely a road or fence and huge, migrating herds of elephants and buffalo roam freely. Lions and other predators are comparatively plentiful too.
Best sites
Republic of Botswana - government site with a comprehensive tourism section
Botswana Tourism – UK branch site with plenty of information, images and tour operators
The Foreign Office travel advice
If you only do three things ...
See Africa's biggest elephant herds at the Chobe river; take a mokoro through the Moremi Game Reserve in the Okavango Delta; and hunt for artefacts in the arid wilderness of the Makgadikgadi pans.
News and current affairs
Botswana's online publications from the world news guide
Language
Setswana, although the official language is English.
Climate
Summer, from November to March, is also the rainy season - very hot, with showers. Highs average 30-35C and lows around 18C. Dry in winter, from June to August, and warm by day (23C) but comparatively cold by night (5C).
Health
No compulsory jabs but tetanus recommended. Malaria prophylactics should be taken in the north, especially after the rains. Water is generally safe to drink but may upset travellers' stomachs.
Food
Not much grows where most people visit, so if you come on safari, any camp will probably serve a variety of international cuisine. As far as something traditional goes, a multipurpose cereal dish called bogobe is adapted with sauces for various meals.
Currency
£1 buys approx. 12 pula. (One pula = 100 Thebe)
Events
April: The Maitisong Festival, Botswana's biggest annual festival of performing arts, in the capital, Gaborone. Theatre, music, song and dance in a carnival atmosphere.
July: National music eisteddfod: groups from around the country come to the town of Selebi-Phikwe, to perform traditional dances and music between Gaborone and Francistown.
· More details at What's on when
What to buy
Handicrafts, especially woven baskets, African knick-knacks.
Embassies and visas
UK: Botswanan High Commission, 6 Stratford Place,
London W1C 1 BA, 020 7499 0031
Botswana: British High Commission, P Bag 0023,
Gabarone, 395 2841
Visa requirements: UK, EU and US citizens do not require visas, but passports must be valid for at least six months.
Timezone
GMT +2.
Getting there
Air Botswana operates international flights from Johannesburg to Gabarone and Maun, as well as services from Harare and Victoria Falls. Few major roads, bar one transnational highway; much internal travel to safari camps will be by light plane from Maun.
Related literature
The No. 1 Ladies Detective Agency, Alexander McCall Smith The first in a series of detective novels starring the engaging Precious Ramotswe, who sets up shop in a small storefront in Botswana's capital, Gaborone.
Bradt guide to Botswana, Chris McIntyre Comprehensive introduction.
Okavango: Jewel of the Kalahari, Karen Ross A classic that accompanied a 1980s BBC TV series, explaining all about the formation, flora and fauna of the Delta.
