TRAVEL
TIPS
| Driving |
TBA |
| Currency |
(BWP)
Pula |
| Electrical |
230 Volts |
| Telephones |
Country
Code 267, City Code, Gaborona 3+6D, Francistown 24+5D, Serowe
46+5D |
Time:
GMT + 2.
Electricity:
220-240 volts AC, 50Hz. Fifteen- and 13-amp plug sockets are in
use.
Telephone:
IDD is available to over 80 countries. Country code: 267. Outgoing
international code: 00. There are very few public phone boxes.
Climate:
Mainly temperate climate. Summer is between October and April
and is very hot combined with the rainy season. Dry and cooler
weather exists between May and September with an average temperature
of 25ºC (77º). Early mornings and evenings may be cold
and frosty in winter. Annual rainfall decreases westwards and
southwards.
Food
& Drink: Restaurants and bars can be found in main
towns, often within hotels. Most lodges and safari camps also
have restaurants and licensed bars, although food is generally
basic outside major hotels and restaurants. The standard of food
in lodges and camps is generally very good.
There is local beer and in general no restrictions on alcohol.
Shopping:
Woodcarvings, handcrafted jewellery, woven goods and attractive
basketry are recommended. Shopping hours: Mon-Fri 0800-1800, Sat
0830-1300.
Currency:
Pula (P) = 100 thebe. Notes are in denominations of P100, 50,
20 and 10. Coins are in denominations of P5, 2 and 1, and 50,
25, 10 and 5 thebe. Various gold and silver coins were issued
to mark the country’s tenth anniversary of independence,
and are still legal tender.
Currency
exchange: Money should be exchanged in banks at market
rates. Owing to limited facilities in small villages, it is advisable
to change money at the airport or in major towns, where credit
card cash advances may also be available.
Credit
& debit cards: MasterCard, American Express, Diners
Club and Visa are accepted on a limited basis. However, the majority
of tourist facilities accept credit cards. Check with your credit
or debit card company for details of merchant acceptability and
other services which may be available.
Tipping:
A discretionary 10 per cent in urban centres. It is customary
to tip the game guide and lodge staff while on safari.
