Travel Report for Botswana

Country Profile for
Botswana

TRAVEL REPORTS:

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TRAVEL REPORT

Last Updated: August 9, 2006 10:24 EDT
Still Valid: December 8, 2006 23:06 EST

Botswana

1.	INTRODUCTION
2.	ATTENTION
3.	SAFETY AND SECURITY
4.	LOCAL TRAVEL
5.	NATURAL DISASTERS AND CLIMATE
6.	LOCAL LAWS AND CUSTOMS
7.	ASSISTANCE FOR CANADIANS ABROAD
8.	ENTRY/EXIT REQUIREMENTS
9.	MONEY

10.	GENERAL INFORMATION
11.	TRAVEL MEDICINE PROGRAM
12.	ADDITIONAL HEALTH INFORMATION
13.	RETURNING TO CANADA
14.	INTERNATIONAL ADOPTIONS
15.	TRAVEL TIPS
16.	HEALTH AND TRAVEL INSURANCE
17.	FOR MORE INFORMATION
18.	ANNEX

1. INTRODUCTION

A minor editorial change has been done in section 6 of this Travel Report.

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2. ATTENTION

OFFICIAL REGISTRATION RECOMMENDATION: Foreign Affairs and International Trade Canada offers a registration service for Canadians travelling or residing abroad. Although Foreign Affairs and International Trade Canada does not warn against travel to this country or region(s) of this country, Canadians are encouraged to register with the responsible Canadian government office due to the security situation and/or the absence of Canadian representation in this country. Registration can be done on-line or by calling the responsible Canadian government office abroad to request a registration form.

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3. SAFETY AND SECURITY

Pickpocketing, burglaries, and thefts are common. Ensure your personal belongings and travel documents are secure. Incidents of rape, armed robbery, and carjackings at gunpoint, while rare, are increasing, especially in the major towns of Gaborone, Francistown, and Maun. Exercise caution, remain aware of your surroundings, and avoid walking alone after dark.

Wild animals can pose risks. Observe all local or park regulations and instructions given by tour guides. Potentially dangerous areas may lack fences and warning signs. Do not swim in rivers and lakes as wildlife and waterborne diseases make it dangerous.

If you have an emergency, dial 999.

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4. LOCAL TRAVEL

Traffic drives on the left. Road conditions are generally good in major towns, but overland travel outside major centres can be dangerous. Driving standards, high speed limits, long stretches of two-lane highway, and poor lighting pose hazards, particularly at night. Pedestrians as well as animals on rural roadways contribute to the high number of vehicular fatalities. Wild animals are known to stray onto roads, particularly in the Okavango Delta. A reliable private roadside assistance service called Medical Rescue International is available (tel.: 390-1601).

Desert conditions in remote areas are harsh. Travel to these areas should not be undertaken without a guide and a four-wheel-drive vehicle equipped with provisions, fuel, and water.

Some hotels operate a minibus service between the airport and Gaborone; check if your hotel provides this service and reserve the transfer in advance. Vehicles can be rented at the airport in Gaborone. Taxi fares should be determined before departure. Domestic air and rail services are available.

An International Driving Permit (IDP) is recommended.

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5. NATURAL DISASTERS AND CLIMATE

There are two seasons in Botswana: summer (September to April), with frequent rains and thunderstorms, and winter (May to August), with cold and dry days and nights.

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6. LOCAL LAWS AND CUSTOMS

You are subject to local laws. A serious violation may lead to a jail or death sentence. The sentence will be served in local prisons.

Canadians arrested or detained have the right to contact the responsible Canadian government office (embassy, high commission, etc.) listed in Section 7 below. Arresting officials have a responsibility to assist you in doing so. Canadian consular officials can provide a list of local lawyers upon request.

The Department publishes A Guide for Canadians Imprisoned Abroad, specifically targeted at incarcerated Canadians. Its prime objective is to inform Canadian detainees, their families, and friends about available assistance and advice.

Persons convicted of unlawful dealing and possession of cannabis (known locally as motokwane or dagga) are subject to harsh punishments.

Botswana law strictly regulates the sale, possession, or removal of animal "trophies." Any animal, dead or alive, or trophy from an animal such as a horn, tooth, tusk, bone, claw, hoof, hide, skin, hair, feather, egg, or other durable portion of an animal, whether it has been processed or not, cannot be owned or removed from the country without a government permit or a receipt from a licensed shop. All souvenirs are subject to the National Trophy Law, and travellers must present a receipt from a licensed store upon departure. It is strictly prohibited to remove elephant hair, ivory, and rhinoceros horn products.

Prior permission is required to import firearms and munitions.

Possession of pornographic material is illegal.

Homosexual activity is illegal.

It is prohibited to take photographs of military and government installations. Always ask permission before photographing individuals.

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7. ASSISTANCE FOR CANADIANS ABROAD

You can obtain consular assistance and further information at the following address:

Botswana - GABORONE, Consulate of Canada
Address: Vision Hire Building, Queens Road, Plot 182, Gaborone, Botswana
Postal Address: P.O. Box 882, Gaborone, Botswana
Tel.: (267) 390-4411
Fax: (267) 390-4411
E-mail: canada.consul@info.bw

The Embassy of Canada in Harare, Zimbabwe, has consular responsibility for Botswana. The address is as follows:

Zimbabwe - HARARE, Embassy of Canada
Address: 45 Baines Avenue, Harare, Zimbabwe
Postal Address: P.O. Box 1430, Harare, Zimbabwe
Tel.: 263 (4) 252-181, 252-182, 252-183, 252-184, or 252-185
Fax: 263 (4) 252-186, or 252-187
E-mail: hrare@international.gc.ca
Internet: http://www.harare.gc.ca

For emergency assistance after hours, call the Consulate of Canada in Gaborone and follow the instructions. You may also make a collect call to the Department in Ottawa at 613-996-8885.

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8. ENTRY/EXIT REQUIREMENTS

It is the sole prerogative of each country to determine who is allowed to enter. All countries have special requirements for persons intending to reside for extended periods (usually more than 90 days) or who plan to work, study, or engage in non-tourist activities. To obtain information on specific entry requirements, contact the nearest diplomatic or consular office of the country or countries to be visited. Conditions are subject to change.

Selling, altering, or allowing another person to use your passport is a criminal offence. It could lead to the laying of charges and imprisonment if convicted. It could also lead to the denial of future passport services.

Any adult travelling with children may be required to show evidence of parental/custodial and/or access rights. Foreign and Canadian authorities may also require evidence that the adult has the consent of the parents, legal guardian, and/or the court to travel with the children. Some countries may not permit children to enter or, in some cases, leave the country without proper documentation such as a letter of consent or a court order.

A valid Canadian passport is required for Canadians intending to visit Botswana. The passport should be valid for at least six months beyond the date of your expected departure from the country.

Tourist Visa: Not required (for stays up to 90 days)
Business Visa: Not required (for stays up to 90 days)
Student Visa: Not required (for stays up to 90 days)

Special and diplomatic passport holders should verify visa requirements for this and other countries, as they may differ from those that apply to regular passport holders.

An airport tax is charged upon departure.

Although same-sex marriages are legal in Canada, many countries do not recognize them. Attempting to enter as a same-sex married couple may result in refusal by local officials. For more information, contact the foreign government office accredited to Canada.

Foreign Affairs

Canada

’s Office of Protocol provides contact details for the High Commission for the Republic of Botswana, where you can obtain further information on entry and exit requirements.

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9. MONEY

The currency is the pula (P). There is no import or export restriction on foreign currency, provided it is declared on arrival. A maximum of P1,000 in cash can be carried into or out of the country. Credit cards and traveller's cheques are not widely accepted. Many hotels and lodges accept major foreign currencies and traveller's cheques, but a high surcharge may be applied.

Canadian currency and traveller's cheques are not widely accepted worldwide. Check with your bank for information on ATM services in other countries. You can also check the VISA ATM locator page or the MasterCard ATM locator page for the addresses of ATMs around the world. Your bank can advise if you need a new personal identification number (PIN) for overseas access to your account. Credit cards and debit cards should be used with caution due to the potential for fraud and other criminal activity. ATMs should be used during business hours inside a bank, supermarket, or large commercial building. Leave copies of your card numbers with a family member in case of emergency.

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10. GENERAL INFORMATION

Botswana (capital: Gaborone) is a landlocked country in southern Africa, bordered by Zambia, Zimbabwe, South Africa, and Namibia. It is separated from Angola by the Caprivi Strip (located in northeastern Namibia). Tourist facilities are available. The official language is English, and Setswana is also widely spoken.

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11. TRAVEL MEDICINE PROGRAM

The Public Health Agency of Canada and the World Health Organization (WHO) report on disease outbreaks that occur throughout the world. For the latest travel health advisories and related information, visit the Public Health Agency of Canada’s Travel Medicine Program Web site.

The Public Health Agency of Canada strongly recommends that your travel plans include contacting a travel medicine clinic or physician six to eight weeks before departure. Based on your individual risk assessment, a health care professional can determine your need for immunizations and/or preventive medication and advise you on precautions to avoid disease. Travellers are reminded to ensure that their routine (childhood) immunizations (e.g., tetanus, diphtheria, polio, and measles) are up to date.

Standards of medical care may differ from those in Canada. Treatment may be expensive, and payment in advance may be required. Travellers are advised to arrange for medical insurance prior to departure. Prescription medications should be kept in the original container and packed in carry-on luggage.

The Public Health Agency of Canada also recommends that travellers who become sick or feel unwell on their return to Canada seek a medical assessment with their personal physician. Travellers should inform their physician that they have been travelling or living outside of Canada.

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12. ADDITIONAL HEALTH INFORMATION

Outside major centres, medical facilities and supplies are limited.

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13. RETURNING TO CANADA

Please consult the Current Issue on returning to Canada.

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14. INTERNATIONAL ADOPTIONS

Provincial and territorial authorities in Canada are responsible for authorizing international adoptions. If you are thinking of adopting a child from another country, you must first obtain information about the adoption regulations of the province or territory in which the child will reside. While adoption is a provincial/territorial responsibility, Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC) is responsible for allowing an adopted child entry into Canada. Entry can be refused if the child does not hold the appropriate immigrant visa. A visa may be denied, even if the adoption has already been completed. For more information contact CIC at 1 888 242-2100 (in Canada only), check the CIC Web site or contact your provincial or territorial government.

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15. TRAVEL TIPS

Please consult our Traveller's Checklist.

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16. HEALTH AND TRAVEL INSURANCE

Do not rely on your provincial health plan to cover all expenses if you get sick or are injured while abroad. It may cover nothing or only a portion of the costs. Understand the terms of your supplementary insurance policy. Some credit cards offer their holders health and travel insurance. Do not assume the card alone provides adequate coverage. Carry details of your insurance with you. Also, tell your travel agent, a friend or relative, and/or travelling companion how to contact your insurer. Get a detailed invoice from the doctor or hospital before you return to Canada. Always submit original receipts for any medical services or prescriptions received abroad. Most insurance companies will not accept copies or faxes.

Cancelling a scheduled trip abroad could cost you money. Before cancelling a scheduled trip, you should discuss the matter with your travel agent, your travel insurer, or the airline. The decision to travel is the sole responsibility of the traveller.

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17. FOR MORE INFORMATION

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18. ANNEX

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