Transformed since independence into one of the world's fastest growing economies, and home to the continent's oldest continuous democracy, Botswana is truly an African success story. For those who love the great outdoors, it offers unforgettable adventure in the heart of Southern Africa, where delta and desert come together.

The Okavango Delta is perhaps synonymous with the destination, its life-giving floodwaters journeying from the Angolan highlands down countless waterways and lagoons. The abundance and variety of wildlife to be found in this oasis is astonishing. Chobe National Park has the world's largest herds of Elephant, and Moremi Game Reserve is renowned for having some of the densest populations of wildlife on earth. The delta is all the more breathtaking for being on the edge of the barren Kalahari Desert.

The Kalahari has one of the largest unbroken stretches of sand on the planet. These great dunes give way to the remarkable salt plains of the Makgadikgadi and Nxai pans, and the 3,000-year-old baobab trees on Kubu Island. On the southern edge of the Kalahari lie the characteristic red dunes and sparse scrub of the Kgalagadi Transfrontier National Park. 'Place of thirst' in the local tongue, the rains are said to fall here just once a century. However, the park is home to iconic predators and huge herds of Springbok, Gemsbok, Wildebeest and Eland. The enormous Central Kalahari National Park is ruled by black-maned lions, and is still witness to the hunter-gatherer lifestyle of the indigenous San people.

All the wildlife and wilderness leaves little foothold for people in this sparsely populated country. Gaborone, the capital, houses around ten percent of the total population and is growing quickly, with blossoming attractions of its own. Botswana promises the ultimate safari adventure, and visitors can be sure of the trip of a lifetime.

Things to do in Botswana

Visitors can choose to experience Botswana's incredible wildlife and scenery in many ways, from self-drive four-wheel-drive journeys to chartered five-star safari packages.

Maun is the country's main tourist hub and gateway to the Okavango Delta. A popular way to explore is a guided journey in a mokoro (dugout canoe). Visitors can stay in tented camps in Moremi Game Reserve, enjoying some of the world's densest concentrations of wildlife, or take a four-by-four trip through Chobe National Park, encountering predators at Savuti, and large herds of Elephant at the Linyanti marshes. The delta is also world-renowned for its freshwater fishing safaris, October being the best time to visit. Just south of Moremi and Chobe lies the Makgadikgadi Pans National Park, where visitors can overnight at Boteti River before exploring the astonishing scenery of the salt flats.

Botswana's northeast corner houses the border town of Kasane, the meeting point with Zambia, Namibia and Zimbabwe. Travellers can head across the border to see Victoria Falls, one of the seven natural wonders of the world. A scenic flight over the falls is an unforgettable experience. Northwest is home to the Tsodilo Hills, a spectacular example of ancient rock art and a UNESCO World Heritage site.

For those seeking some peace and quiet, the vast expanse of the Kalahari Desert awaits. The Central Kalahari Game Reserve is one of the largest reserves in Africa, roughly the size of Denmark. Here, visitors can encounter iconic black-maned lions, camp in Deception Valley to see the rare brown hyena, and go for guided walks with the indigenous San hunter-gatherers. Right in the south, the Kgalagadi Transfrontier National Park is home to huge red sand dunes and large migratory herds. Visitors will encounter few other tourists down here in the raw heart of Africa.

Botswana travel info

Electricity

230 volts, 50Hz. Round three-pin plugs are used.

Language

English is the official language but Setswana is the most widely spoken language.

Money

The unit of currency is the Botswana Pula (BWP), which is divided into 100 Thebe. Major credit cards are widely accepted, and foreign currency is accepted at most large hotels and lodges. There are banks and bureaux de change in all the main towns, as well as ATM machines. Most ATMs only accept Visa.

Tipping

Tipping is expected in tourist hotels and restaurants. Many automatically add a service charge, but where not, a 10 to 15 percent tip is appreciated. Taxi drivers, porters and golf caddies should also be tipped a relative amount. Tour guides, trackers and game rangers rely largely on tips for their income and should be paid accordingly.

Health

Malaria is a particular risk in Botswana between November and June in the northern parts of the country. Visitors who are camping or walking in the bush should be cautious of tick bites. There are no compulsory vaccinations, but a yellow fever vaccination certificate is required from travellers over the age of one coming from infected countries.

Botswana has a good public health system, but facilities are limited outside urban areas. Health insurance for visitors is vital. Tap water in towns is generally safe to drink, and all foodstuffs are safe to consume.

Safety

The majority of visits to Botswana are trouble-free, but visitors should be aware of the increasing incidence of crime, including violent crime, in the main towns. Wildlife and livestock make driving hazardous, so driving at night should be avoided.

Local customs

Visitors should not overlook greetings, which count for a lot in Botswana. A good way to make a positive impression on locals is to greet them with a friendly, 'Dumela', followed by a 'rra' (for men) and 'mma' (for women). Visitors may also want to use a two-hand handshake (with their left hand on their elbow while they shake), as locals prefer it to a Western-style handshake. Homosexuality is no longer illegal, but attitudes haven't shifted very much.

Doing business

Business is fairly relaxed in Botswana and dress is generally smart casual. Handshakes begin and end meetings, which are usually held in private. Women are often viewed with a certain amount of sexism, but will be politely treated. Office hours are usually 8am to 5pm Monday to Friday, or 7.30am to 4.30pm Monday to Friday between October and April.

Duty free

Travellers to Botswana over the age of 18 can enter the country with 200 cigarettes; 20 cigars or 250g of tobacco; 2 litres of wine and 1 litre of alcoholic beverages; 50ml of perfume and 250ml of eau de toilette without incurring customs duty.

Communications

The international access code for Botswana is +267. The outgoing code is 00 followed by the relevant country code (e.g. 0027 for South Africa). WiFi is available at large hotels and shopping malls, though the speeds are unlikely to match those that travellers from North America and Europe are accustomed to.

Passport & Visa

All visitors require return or onward tickets and sufficient funds to cover their stay in Botswana. Visas are generally not required for stays of under 90 days. It is highly recommended to have six months' validity remaining on travellers' passport, as border agents occasionally apply different guidelines to those stated.

Entry requirements

US nationals require a passport valid for at least six months from date of arrival, but do not require a visa for stays of up to 90 days.

UK nationals require a passport valid for at least six months from date of arrival, but do not require a visa for stays of up to 90 days.

Canadian nationals require a passport valid for at least six months from date of arrival, but do not require a visa for stays of up to 90 days.

Australian nationals require a passport valid for at least six months from date of arrival, but do not require a visa for stays of up to 90 days.

South African nationals require a passport valid for at least six months from date of arrival, but do not require a visa for stays of up to 90 days.

Irish nationals require a passport valid for at least six months from date of arrival, but do not require a visa for stays of up to 90 days.

New Zealanders require a passport valid for at least six months from date of arrival, but do not require a visa for a stay of up to 90 days.

Useful contacts

Department of Tourism, Gaborone: +267 395 3024 or www.botswana-tourism.gov.bw

Emergencies: 999 (Police), 997 (Ambulance), 998 (Fire).

Embassies / consulates in other countries

Botswana Embassy, Washington DC, United States: +1 202 244 4990 (also responsible for Canada).

Botswana High Commission, London, United Kingdom (also responsible for Ireland): +44 20 7499 0031.

Botswana High Commission, Canberra, Australia (also responsible for New Zealand): +61 2 6290 7500.

Botswana High Commission, Pretoria, South Africa: +27 12 430 9640.

Embassies / consulates in Botswana

United States Embassy, Gaborone: +267 395 3982.

British High Commission, Gaborone: +267 395 2841.

Consulate of Canada, Gaborone: +267 390 4411.

Australian High Commission, Pretoria, South Africa (also responsible for Botswana): +27 12 423 6000.

South African High Commission, Gaborone: +267 390 4800/1/2.

Irish Honorary Consul, Gaborone: +267 390 5807.

New Zealand High Commission, Pretoria, South Africa (also responsible for Botswana): +27 12 435 9000

Climate in Botswana

Botswana's weather is generally quite enjoyable. The rainy season occurs in summer between October and April; dry and cool weather, with cold and often frosty nights, occurs between May and September, when the average daytime temperature is a pleasant 77ºF (25ºC). The months between April and October are ideal for tourists in terms of weather and game viewing. This is the time when the wildlife is most prolific and easily spotted around the natural watering holes and dams.