From the Kalahari Desert to the Okavango Delta, Botswana is a prime destination for overland travelers. It is a costly country to visit; however, the remarkable campsites in Botswana provide a truly spectacular African adventure.
You've planned your itinerary now for Kgalagadi and have booked your campsites. But what about the essential information needed to enter Botswana? Here is a list of important considerations when traveling to Kgalagadi Botswana.
Ensure you have the appropriate medical and vehicle insurance before departure. (Keep your insurance contact numbers with you at all times.)
When driving through tall grass, like that often found in the Kgalagadi, be very cautious of vehicle fire hazards. Always carry a fire extinguisher and a seed net to prevent seedlings from getting lodged in your engine bay or beneath your exhaust system, which can cause vehicle fires.
Visa and MasterCard are generally accepted in Botswana; however, it is crucial to carry the necessary amount of Pula when crossing the border, as border facilities can often be offline.
Make sure your passport is valid for six months beyond your planned departure from Botswana.
Verify that your passport is stamped with the correct dates at both immigration offices before leaving Botswana.
Bring your original vehicle registration certificate (a certified copy is acceptable).
If you're not the registered owner of the vehicle (e.g., it's financed by a bank or rented), you must have a letter from the financial institution, company, or friend authorizing you to take the vehicle across the border. This letter should specify the dates for which you are permitted to take the vehicle out of the country and must be signed by the owner and a commissioner of oaths.
Ensure that your car registration papers match the vehicle number plates registration.
A yellow fever certificate is required for travelers coming from infected areas.
Ensure your vehicle license disc is still valid and covered well in advance by the 21-day grace period.
Ensure you have a valid ZA sticker displayed 150mm away from your number plate.
When traveling with children under 18 to Botswana, you must present valid passports for them, along with an unabridged birth certificate stating both parents' names and consent to travel.
South African nationals do not need a visa to travel to Botswana; however, they are limited to a 90-day stay within the country.
When returning to South Africa, any fuel portable containers will incur an import duty, so ensure you empty those containers into your vehicle before crossing the border.
Occasionally, there are outbreaks of foot and mouth disease in the region, and during such times, regulations regarding the importation of meat, meat products, fruit, and vegetables change frequently based on disease outbreaks. Consult in advance.
The best way to communicate in Botswana is via cell phone. Mobile networks are well-developed; however, in remote areas like the Central Kalahari, Kgalagadi, Chobe, and Moremi, coverage is minimal or non-existent. Therefore, consider taking a satellite phone or, if traveling in a group, ensure you have two-way radios. Consider that 29 MHz radios are a good way to stay in contact with a group; however, shortwave radios can overcome obstacles better than VHF. They are popular among 4x4 travelers, but you need a visitor's license to use them. To apply, contact the Botswana Communications Regulatory Authority at www.bocra.org.bw.
Shoes are essential on summer evenings for protection against the possibility of scorpion stings.
Majority of Camp sites within the park are unfenced and wild.
You must be self-sufficient with water and electricity in majority of this park when camping. Ensure you bring sufficient supplies.
Fuel reserves are essential for traveling within this park. Although certain fuel facilities are in the park, they are sometimes hindered by breakdowns.
Lions and other wild animals often visit the campsites, so exercise caution and refrain from feeding them.
The most important thing is to relax, enjoy and soak up the nature of the Kalahari!
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