Travel to Botswana Currency Ferry Airports Maun Gaborone City Air Botswana

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TRAVEL TO BOTSWANA

Getting There by Air

The national airline is Air Botswana (BP) and this only operates within Africa. British Airways flies from London to Cape Town and Johannesburg (South Africa), Harare (Zimbabwe) and Windhoek (Namibia), from where connections can be made with Air Botswana to Gaborone or Maun in Botswana.

Approximate Flight Times

From London to Gaborone is approximately 15 hours (including stopovers).

Main Airports

Sir Seretse Khama International (GBE) is 15km (9 miles) northwest of Gaborone. There are no regular bus services to and from the airport but several hotels run minibuses (combis). Taxis are available to the city centre (journey time � 15 minutes). Facilities: Left luggage, banks, bar, snack bar, restaurant, post office, duty-free shops and car hire.

Maun International Airport (MUB) receives direct flights from Johannesburg, Harare, Cape Town and Windhoek. This gateway to the Okavango Delta is served by Air Botswana, Air Namibia and several charters. The city centre is less than 1km (0.6 mile) walk to and from the airport. Taxis and shuttles are available. Facilities: Car hire and lounge with Internet and Wi-Fi.

Other major airports that handle international flights are at Kasane, Selebi-Phikwe and Francis town.

Getting There by Water

A car ferry operates across the Zambezi River to Zambia.

Getting There by Rail

There is a thrice-weekly service with Botswana Railway (BR) between Botswana and Zimbabwe (Francis town�Bulawayo; journey time � 6 hours). The train has standard class coaches with reclining seats.

A daily train with sleepers and restaurant car runs from Francis town�Gaborone�Lobatse. At Lobatse, buses cross the South African border. Botswana has assisted in the construction of the Limpopo line from Zimbabwe to Mozambique, an act which will speed up the availability of alternative routes into Botswana.

Getting There by Road

There are reasonable roads running roughly along the same routes as the railway, linking Botswana with South Africa and Zimbabwe. There is also road access from Namibia.

Bus: Services are available from Namibia and Zimbabwe. Frequent services also operate between Gaborone and Johannesburg. Complicated formalities may be necessary for crossing the border to or from South Africa, where the South African Customs Union agreement is in operation.

BOTSWANA CURRENCY

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.

Currency Exchange

Money is exchanged in banks at current market rates. There are four main commercial banks in the country and these include Barclays Bank of Botswana, First National Bank, Stanbic Bank Botswana and Standard Chartered Bank. These banks have branches in major towns and villages. 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. There are also exchange bureaux at major border posts.

Credit/Debit Cards and ATMs

American Express, Diners Club, MasterCard and Visa are widely accepted. ATMs are available in larger cities and towns.

Traveller's Cheques

To avoid additional exchange rate charges, travellers are advised to take traveller's cheques in US Dollars or Pounds Sterling. Traveller's cheques are accepted in large cities but with a high surcharge.

Currency Restrictions

Restrictions apply.

Banking Hours

Mon-Fri 0800-1700; Sat 0815-1045. Most banks work these core hours with occasional regional differences.

Exchange Rate Indicators

Date�� Apr 08

�1.00= P13.19

$1.00= P6.65

�1.00= P10.41