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Home>Botswana>Country Facts |  |
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| Botswana: Facts | ||||||||||||||||||||||
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Climate Winter The country lies within the tropics, so winters (May to September) are pleasantly temperate and similar to Mediterranean springs. The days are warm and sunny and the nights clear and cool. Very low sub-zero temperatures can occur overnight, especially in the Kalahari desert areas. Minimal rain is received over winter months which are the best for wildlife viewing, as animals tend to stay close to waterholes and pans. Temperatures range around 27 C or 80 F. Summer Summer spans the months of October to April and is marked by electrical storms bringing rain (pula) usually in the afternoons, preceded by humid build ups in the mornings. Thunderstorms are a true spectacle to watch, but often occur in isolation so that a few kilometres away the ground is left bone dry. Viewing wildlife can be more difficult as the bush is thick and the animals scattered. Temperatures in the day can exceed 40 C or 100 F and humidity can be high as well especially in the Okavango. Best months to visit the dry winter months, to benefit from the best wildlife viewing and excellent weather. June is a good month to travel as it is out of South African school holidays (middle of April and May and mid July to mid September). Early July and late September tend to be less crowded too. TOP Customs and Immigration Customs Persons over 18 years may bring in 2 litres of wine and 1 litre of beer or spirits (South African alcohol is subject to duty) and 400 cigarettes. Camera, film and firearms must be declared, but no duty is charged. A limit of P500 in cash or P1000 foreign notes may be re-exported upon leaving Botswana; any surplus money should be in travellers cheques. Immigration Officials may want to see an onward air ticket and to check that you have sufficient funds for your stay (credit card or travellers cheques). TOP Money Currency: the local currency is the Pula, P1 = 100 thebe. Click here for current exchange rates. Credit Cards Visa, MasterCard, American Express and Diner's Club are accepted by most accommodation establishments and others catering for tourists. Barclays and Standard Chartered Banks provide credit card cash advances in Gaborone, Francistown, Lobatse and Maun. Banks There are several established banks in all major towns in Botswana, including Barclays and Standard Chartered Bank. All types of travellers cheques in US$ or UK pounds are exchangeable at any bank as well as cash in any major international currencies. Bank hours are 9.00 am – 2.30 pm Monday to Saturday, except Wednesdays when banks close at 12 noon and Saturdays at 10.45 am. Changing Money Money may also be changed at airports, cities and towns from a number of bureaux de changes. TOP |
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