General Botswana Info

[GEOFFMC]

Google Tsabong Primary Hospital - basic facilities in a small town. If you anticipate possible medical problems (ie a current condition) it would be advisable to take out medical evac insurance and carry a satphone.

Thanks, Tony we don't anticipate any issue, I just want to be prepared

[Udu]

Good day.

What are the "Border fees" at Ngoma & Mohembo nowadays for travelers, vehicle & trailer/caravan? Traveling from Botswana via either of these border posts and leaving again via the other (multiple entry).

Thank you.

(also posted under the "Useful info for Namibia" thread.

[Glueckspilz]

Hi Kobus. Do you maybe know if we need police clearance for our vehicle and trailer if we come from Namibia to Botswana. I can only see that you need original registration papers.
Thx

Kobus,

Great idea.

Suggestion: As more info is added in other posts, it is your responsibility to edit it into your original post.

Vehicle registration papers:

You will need the following:
1. If you are the owner: The original reg. papers / certified copies. Certified copies are dodgy (had mine refused once)

2. If you are not the owner, copy of registration papers and a original letter from owner, giving you permission to take vehicle into Botswana.

[Alto]

Going from Rakops to Kubu Island and then on to Planet Baobab, Nxai Pan and Khumaga, the fuel situation gets a bit tricky. It seems the last possible re-fuel is at Letlhakane. Is fuel (Diesel) available at Gweta? Or anywhere else on this route? Advice appreciated.

[lekhubu943]

Fuel station at Gweta has been closed for years. Nata or if you take the tar to Khumaga, Motopi.

[Alto]

Fuel station at Gweta has been closed for years. Nata or if you take the tar to Khumaga, Motopi.

Thanks for that; so any idea what that road from Kubu to the A3 just before Nata is like now?

[lekhubu943]

Sorry Alto, no idea. There is a few threads on the forum about Kubu and access.

[elphix]

Thanks for that; so any idea what that road from Kubu to the A3 just before Nata is like now?

Not sure about now after the rains but when I was there last ( a year or so back) the road was fine. Quite an interesting drive which took longer than expected. No need for a 4x4 even. Best advice would be to ask people at Kubu (either other campers or staff) which route they recommend. I seem to recall there being different routes of which one was known to be bad (close to the pan if I recall). Other than that it was pretty normal in terms of overgrown plants with scratches here and there but nothing hectic.

The situation may have changed with the rains though. Found that the T4A tracks weren't entirely accurate though but worked nonetheless.

[elphix]

I hadn't seen it anywhere else in the forum so I figure I'd post here.

For those wondering about data costs in Botswana see attached table. I find it to be much more expensive than in SA.



As far as getting an actual sim card goes you can pretty much walk into any cell phone store and buy one. There is an equivalent to RICA but is much more straightforward - call the activation line, tell them your details, line is activated. I recall there being a story about having to email or send a copy of your passport within 14 days but I could be mistaken. Best would be to go into one of the actual stores (as opposed to a reseller) and just do it all there.

As far as signal is concerned I'm told BeMobile is the way to go for rural areas and Orange and Mascom for the main centres. I've not used BeMobile though so am going on what I've heard. Obviously don't expect much in terms of signal from any provider when you're out in the sticks.

[Luka]

Thanks for that; so any idea what that road from Kubu to the A3 just before Nata is like now?

The weekend I saw a video of the road between Gweta and Nata where the water in the pans pushed over and flooded the road. I suppose the pans are flooded and areas around it as well. Check with locals before you venture into those areas at this moment!

[Jayturn]

Can anyone give me an update on this route from Nam? Is it doable in a 2x4 Ford Eco sport?
thanks

[lekhubu943]

If you are coming from or going to Namibia from SA, you should not need to drive the Maun -Nata road. Most commonly used is the Kalahari highway and that is completely fine.

[FarcaX]

Has anyone recently driven from Nata to Gweta on the A3? Is the road open now?
We are planning to stay over at Planet Baobab on the way to Moremi early July but understand the road may be an issue.
Any advice will be appreciated!

[Kooskop]

Can one pay in ZAR at the border post or must it be Pulas? Is the costs below as per post #1 still the same?

Border Entry Fees
Vehicle Levy: P40-00 per vehicle less than 3.5 Ton. Trailer is P40-00 as well. (Payable every time you enter)
Road Safety: P20-00 per vehicle. Trailer is also P20-00. (This is valid for the calendar year. Jan 1 to Dec 31)
3rd Party Iinsurance: P50-00 per vehicle. If you are planning to go through Botswana to Namibia/Zambia and back through Botswana, ask for a Multi entry Permit. P90-00.

Must one have proof of yellow fever vaccination? I can't recall ever being asked for this but did hear somewhere that this can be an issue if you do not have it?

[lekhubu943]

Michael you can pay in ZAR at the border but the exchange rate will not be in your favor.

At most border posts you can pay with card. Which border post are you entering at? Otherwise order some Pula before hand from your bank. We have now done this 3 times and the rate was good.

Yellow fever vaccination, or proof there off not needed from Botswana coming from SA, unless you have a recent stamp in your passport from a country where yellow fever is prevalent.

[Kooskop]

Thanks Christa! We also did the bank exchange thing before and I think we will rather go that route again. Also just manage to find out about the yellow fever. One less thing to worry about.

[petewill]

What cards are accepted at ATMs?

Is it only Credit Cards or are Debit Cards also accepted?

Is Mastercard widely accepted?

[dickr]

I use my MasterCard extensively

[Big Horse]

hello Kobus,
thanx for your General Info on Botswana, I will be traveling in Botswana in September 2017 is current and applies now ?

[Milkstout]

Can one pay in ZAR at the border post or must it be Pulas? Is the costs below as per post #1 still the same?

Border Entry Fees
Vehicle Levy: P40-00 per vehicle less than 3.5 Ton. Trailer is P40-00 as well. (Payable every time you enter)
Road Safety: P20-00 per vehicle. Trailer is also P20-00. (This is valid for the calendar year. Jan 1 to Dec 31)
3rd Party Iinsurance: P50-00 per vehicle. If you are planning to go through Botswana to Namibia/Zambia and back through Botswana, ask for a Multi entry Permit. P90-00.

Must one have proof of yellow fever vaccination? I can't recall ever being asked for this but did hear somewhere that this can be an issue if you do not have it?

Regarding border crossings, if there are multiple crossings during the same trip into Botswana through Namibia back into Botswana etc. Do you pay the full price for border crossings or will there be a special discount.