General Botswana Info

[Stan Weakley]

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.

You quoted Kooskop. This query is covered by obtaining the multiple entry permit/visa he refers to. It will save costs, ask at the border point of entry for the 2 countries.

[mikealan]

Hi,
This may be of some help For bookings :

https://happycamperssa.com/2017/08/1...s-in-botswana/

Enjoy

[ZiniGirl]

Please could someone advise me:
I am travelling from Zeerust to Tautona Lodge in June holidays and want to avoid Skilpadshek. Is it better to go through Ramotswa or Ramatlabama in terms of waiting times and roads on either side etc?

[mikealan]

Please could someone advise me:
I am travelling from Zeerust to Tautona Lodge in June holidays and want to avoid Skilpadshek. Is it better to go through Ramotswa or Ramatlabama in terms of waiting times and roads on either side etc?

Go through Ramotswa for sure....will be a breeze

[Alto]

Hi everyone....easy question (or maybe not): Which is the best locally brewed beer in Botswana?

[KobusDJ]

Hi everyone....easy question (or maybe not): Which is the best locally brewed beer in Botswana?

St. Louis Lager https://www.ratebeer.com/beer/st-louis-lager/54298/

[Alto]

St. Louis Lager https://www.ratebeer.com/beer/st-louis-lager/54298/

Goodness! Is that all they've got? Sound not worth buying......will have tot take some windhoek along. Thanks.

[KobusDJ]

Goodness! Is that all they've got? Sound not worth buying......will have tot take some windhoek along. Thanks.

St. Louis Lager is tbe local brand by Kgalagadi Breweries. (You asked about the local brand)

Kgalagadi Breweries brew tbe complete range offerd by AB InBev, as in SA.

In the stores jou wil also find all the Windhoek and Tafel variants + Amstel and Heineken.

[Muchenje.Campsite]

Goodness! Is that all they've got? Sound not worth buying......will have tot take some windhoek along. Thanks.

Just remember we have a high sin tax on all alcohol, so you will find it much more expensive than RSA or Namibia and even Zim with their crazy US $ prices! Maybe it is a good idea for every member of your party to bring in their duty free allocation of alcohol which will save you a bit of money on your holiday.

Wines - 2 litres
Spirituous and other alcoholic beverages - 1 litre
(From the Botswana Government portal http://www.gov.bw/en/Visitors/Topics...y-Requirements)

Happy travels here.
Bronwen

[Katanga]

Folks

I am 2 weeks away from my trip. I am struggling to exchange money in the UK to get BWP. I managed to get a very limited amount but not enough to fuel up and buy supplies.

What is the best way to change GBP or ZAR in Botswana? I will be stopping for a night in Francistown and a couple nights near Kasane. Where does one change foreign currency in these places and what is the procedure (forms to fill, documents required etc?)

OR is it easier to change ZAR into BWP in Jo'burg where I start my trip from.

thanks

[petewill]

No need to worry. Rands widely accepted in Botswana. Credit cards accepted for fuel and supplies in most towns that I have visited (just ask first before filling up). ATMs are plentiful. I am not sure about some of the smaller out of the way places. Francistown and Kasane definitely accept credit cards for fuel and in the shops. I have used both Mastercard and Visa there.

[Katanga]

No need to worry. Rands widely accepted in Botswana. Credit cards accepted for fuel and supplies in most towns that I have visited (just ask first before filling up). ATMs are plentiful. I am not sure about some of the smaller out of the way places. Francistown and Kasane definitely accept credit cards for fuel and in the shops. I have used both Mastercard and Visa there.

I am going to have plenty of ZAR with me - already converted so would prefer to use that. Do you get screwed on the conversion to BWP when paying for fuel and in stores and there is it better to exchange the ZAR into BWP in a bank?

[Alto]

St. Louis Lager is tbe local brand by Kgalagadi Breweries. (You asked about the local brand)

Kgalagadi Breweries brew tbe complete range offerd by AB InBev, as in SA.

In the stores jou wil also find all the Windhoek and Tafel variants + Amstel and Heineken.

OK, thanks for that; just that I always wish to try the local brand, wherever I go. I will certainly try the St Louis anyway, just to satisfy my curiosity. Anybody remember the 'Kuka' in Angola? Wonder if it still exists? Really liked that, but haven't been there in many, many years.

[Stan Weakley]

Yip, Cuca actually. Have a couple of left-over cans from 2017 visit. Perfectly acceptable beer.
The spaza shops in Southern Angola and the far north of Namibia were nicknamed Cuca shops by the SA troops as many will know.

[Oreo]

I am going to have plenty of ZAR with me - already converted so would prefer to use that. Do you get screwed on the conversion to BWP when paying for fuel and in stores and there is it better to exchange the ZAR into BWP in a bank?

Carry cash for at least 2 fuel ups. I’ve just returned from Makgadigadi & Nxai with network problems from Serowe to Khumaga, as a result no card machines worked. DO NOT bank on businesses excepting ZAR, there are a lot that don’t accept with the fuel station at Gweta being a case in point - only Pula, not even USD.
Funnily at 2 places there was a distinct anti ZAR attitude.

[lekhubu943]

Rands are not widely accepted at shops and fuel stations in Botswana! If it does the exchange rate is not favourable.

Katanga I think you said you are entering through Stockpoort. Not sure if they have a card machine or accept Rands. You also mentioned friends in JHB. What I would do if I were you, is to order P500 or P1000 for you from their bank. It is easy and takes about 3 days. Draw the rest of Pula need from ATM's in Botswana. Don't travel with lots of Rands.

[Katanga]

Thanks guys - I hae managed t lay my hands on BWP5000 in London and hopefully my friend can get me some more in Jo'burg. Else I will just draw a couple of times at the ATM in Francistown and Kasane.

Thanks everyone.

[HermanvdW]

Katanga I think you said you are entering through Stockpoort. Not sure if they have a card machine or accept Rands.

Stockpoort does have a card machine, but signal not good so they sometimes struggle. They also do accept Rands, but not at a favourable exchange rate.

[Botes]

Kobus, is this info on the first page still valid subsequent to all the privatisation changes? Am trying to get in to CKGR, DWNP sites for April next year.

National Parks and Bookings
(DWNP = Department of Wildlife and National Parks)
All bookings for the Parks and Reserves must be done at the Parks and Reserves Reservation Office.
Gaborone: Tel +267 318 0774, Fax +267 318 0775 or Fax +267 391 2354
Maun: Tel +267 686 1265, Fax +267 686 1264
EMail : [email protected]

Hi all - i'm very new to this forums, so excuse (help) if it's the wrong place.

However, we want to do a safari in Botswana and plan to travel from Maun to Motswere Gate for our first night and then take the "cut line" to Khutze Reserve through Gope.

Can anyone give us advise on these road conditions?

79 Series Land Cruiser Camper AHA - called Peanut.

[lekhubu943]

...However, we want to do a safari in Botswana and plan to travel from Maun to Motswere Gate for our first night and then take the "cut line" to Khutze Reserve through Gope.

That is an extremely strange route. What is your goal or end destination?

Those tracks are not well traveled at all and I would guess over grown. There is mine, albeit not in operation, close to Gope. Not sure if the track from the cutline to Gope is accessible or open.

Oh it is Matswere gate