Africa Safaris Destinations |WildLife Gorilla Tours |East West & South African Travel Guide |Holiday Vacations: Botswana towns Francis town Kasane City Tshabong National Museum Safari camps Lodges

Botswana towns Francis town Kasane City Tshabong National Museum Safari camps
Lodges
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adminafrica on 26 September, 2008 11:33:00
 
GOING OUT.
Food and Drink
Restaurants and bars can be found in main towns, often within hotels. Millet
and sorghum porridge constitutes much of the cuisine. Beef and goat are very
popular meats. 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 no real restrictions on alcohol.
National specialties:
• Morama (an underground tuber).
• The Kalahari truffle.
• The Mopane worm (boiled, cooked or deep-fried).
• Beans such as cow peas, ditloo and letlhodi, dried bean leaves, plus nuts
like peanuts and groundnuts.
• Wild spinach, Morongo is very tasty.
National drinks:
• Palm wine (which is extremely strong) and Kgadi (made from distilled sugar or
fungus).
• Traditional beer such as khadi or bojalwa, which tastes a bit like apple
cider.
• Homemade ginger beer is popular.
• Bush tea (or Rooibos) is a reddish caffeine-free tea that is soothing and
delicious, although something of an acquired taste.
Legal drinking age: 18.
Tipping: A discretionary 5 to 10%. In many places, a service charge is
automatically added. It is customary to tip the game guide and lodge staff
while on safari.
Nightlife
Most people get up early in the morning, and nightlife is not very extensive.
However, there are some bars and restaurants in Gaborone. The city also has a
cinema. Maun has a handful of restaurants and a small cinema.
Shopping
Woodcarvings, handcrafted jewellery, woven goods and attractive basketry
(particularly at Etsha, Shakawe and Shorobe) are recommended. Modern Bushman
art can be seen, and perhaps purchased, at D'Kar, 40km (25 miles) north of
Ghanzi. There also occasional exhibitions at the National Museum in Gaborone.
Shopping hours: Mon-Fri 0800-1800, Sat 0830-1300.
Getting Around by Air
Most of the major areas of the country are linked by air. Airports are found in
Francis town, Ghanzi, Jwaneny, Kasane, Maun, Pont Drift and Selebi-Phikwe. Many
visitors use charter companies based in Maun to fly to the various lodges in
Botswana. These include: Delta Air, Mack Air, Moremi Air Services, Northern
Air, Sefofane, Wildlife Helicopters and Kalahari Air Services.
Getting Around by Rail
The main Botswana Railway (BR) line runs daily between Francis
town-Gaborone-Lobatse. In Botswana, children under seven travel free and
children aged 7 to 11 yrs pay half fare. Tickets are usually bought at the
station.
Getting Around by Road
Traffic drives on the left. Botswana has good tarmac roads on major routes;
generally roads range from bitumised to either gravel or sand tracks. Visitors
should be careful as many drivers ignore safety rules. Reserve fuel and at
least 20l of water, plus emergency supplies, should always be carried on longer
journeys, and visitors are advised to make careful enquiries before setting out.
Wildlife and stray livestock may pose a hazard.
Bus: There are bus services between Gaborone and Francis town, and from Francis
town to Nata and Maun. Buses from Francis town to Maun run every day (journey
time - about 6 hours).
Taxi: There is a taxi service in all major towns, and it is generally safe.
Prices should, however, be agreed before embarking on a journey.
Car hire: Services are available in Gaborone, Francis town, Kasane and Maun.
4-wheel drive vehicles are necessary in many areas.
Seat belts are a must to be worn. There is a speed limit of 120kph (75mph)
outside built-up areas, and about 60kph (37mph) in built-up areas.
An International Driving Permit is not legally required, but is recommended for
stays of up to six months, but a European licence valid for six months after
arrival will also usually suffice; thereafter, a Botswana driving licence must
be obtained, which will be issued without a test if a valid UK licence is
produced.
Getting Around Towns and Cities
Public transport within towns consists of share-taxis or minibus services
operating at controlled flat fares. Exclusive use of taxis is sometimes
available at a higher charge although fares should always be agreed before
setting off.
Travel Times- Journey Times
The following chart gives approximate journey times from Gaborone (in hours and
minutes) to other major cities and towns in Botswana.
 
                        Air       Road   Rail
Francis town     0.50     5.00     6.35
Kasane             2.50     13.30   -
Tshabong         2.00     15.00   -
Ghanzi              1.25     11.00   -
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