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Botswana Warnings or Dangers
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Botswana Warnings or Dangers


The roads are great but sandy, very sandy! - Botswana
The roads are great but sandy, very sandy!
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Botswana travel tips posted by real travelers and Botswana locals.
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An Expensive Habit to Form
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  • Radiomom
  • By Radiomom on May 31, 2004
  • Botswana Page by Radiomom
  • What it's all about - Botswana
    What it's all about
    by Radiomom
    We were the only people we met, until our last day when we met a family from NYC (with a daughter in the Peace Corps in Namibia), who were first timers. All the rest seem to have formed an addiction to safari. It is unlike anything we'd ever done, and far and above exceeded our expectations. Without the intercontinental airfare, I estimate we spent $4000 US on our 6-night safari, which was a special offer on ccafrica's website. I'd do it all again in a flash. Looks like we'll need to start saving up for another trip in the next several years.

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    Apart from the obvious
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  • ecoquester
  • By ecoquester on July 3, 2004
  • Botswana Page by ecoquester

  • "this is my camp"
    by ecoquester
    Having traversed Africa one would expect you are aware.
    We left South Africa nine people, three families in three vehicles equipped with everything.
    My Trailer (I built myself) loaded with water and food to sustain us all for a 6 week trip, 4 hours out from Johannesburg we reached the Botswana Boarder, the trailer drew attention wherever we went and today was the turn of the customs inspector, he insisted that I burn all food produce immediately or leave it with the local people. He was not going to listen to any reasoning, or letter from the Botswana tourist authority listing the items we were allowed to take in.
    My sister in law bless her heart, took out a can of bully beef from the trailer and pointed out to the officer that it was infact "produce of botswana" and the can was stamped "permitted for transport to Botswana".
    The darling fellow threw his hands in the air and told us to move through, this gave us all reason to grin like chesire cat's, just as my wife slipped in the mud and fell flat on her fanny, Guess when things go in your favour you should be greatful right?.

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    Bush Tucker
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  • Acirfa
  • By Acirfa on September 26, 2008
  • Botswana Page by Acirfa
  • Lion Bush Tucker - Botswana
    Lion Bush Tucker
    by Acirfa
    This photo says it all really, so do take care, make sure when camping or staying in lodges that you don't wander out alone after dark. Depending on your accommodation, you will often be walked to your lodge by an armed ranger but if you are camping in the bush then make sure you have a fire lit until you turn in and then make sure you are sleeping in a tight shut tent.
    These animals get hungry so best not tempt them.
    Elephants like peace and quiet so making a row will just incite them, hyena on the other hand will run away if you bang a few pots together but they won't run shy of children or anyone vulnerable.
    So, if taking children on a safari, do make sure you understand all the rules to keep them and yourself safe, then you will have a magical time.

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    malaria
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  • kiberenge
  • By kiberenge on August 3, 2007
  • Botswana Page by kiberenge
  • Malaria is prevalent especially in the north of the country, though not so much in gaborone.
    Get medical advice on what malaria tablets to take and start taking anti malaria tablets atleast a week before entering botswana and keep taking the tablets for a further one week on returning home.

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    Beware the hippos!
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  • SirRichard
  • By SirRichard on April 19, 2003
  • Botswana Page by SirRichard
  • Watching the hippos - Botswana
    Watching the hippos
    by SirRichard
    Hippos have a sweet image, so soft and fat. They don't seem as harmful and dangerous as lions or elephants, but in fact most of the animal attacks in Africa are caused by hippos. This animals have a very strict territorial sense, so if you come close to them by boat, they consider you are attacking them and they "defend" themselves by attacking the boats!!

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    Beware the lone buffalo
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  • pmarshuk
  • Updated By pmarshuk on June 28, 2004
  • Botswana Page by pmarshuk
  • One of the most dangerous animals in Afica is the Cape Buffalo. In a herd they will probably turn and move away from almost anything. But older males who leave the herd and wander around solo are often very bad tempered and vicious. We were on a walking safari , but when one of our guides spotted fresh tracks of a lone buffalo he immmediately took us back to our Land Rover to find somewhere safer for us to walk.

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    Beware malarial mosquitoes
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  • JohanIsWeg
  • Updated By JohanIsWeg on July 9, 2009
  • Botswana Page by JohanIsWeg
  • There is a risk of malaria in Northern Botswana, this includes the Okavango Delta, Moremi and Chobe. The predominant species is Plasmodium falciparum, which is the most dangerous of the four species of human malaria.

    Chloroquine is not effective in Botswana. Consider one of the following antimalarial drugs: atovaquone/proguanil, doxycycline or mefloquine.

    Visit your health care provider 4-6 weeks before travelling to Botswana for any necessary vaccinations and a prescription for an antimalarial drug.

    Use DEET insect repellent on exposed skin and flying insect spray in the room where you sleep.
    Wear long pants and long-sleeved shirts, particularly at dusk and dawn.

    Sleep under a mosquito net.

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    THORNS
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  • DAO
  • By DAO on December 29, 2007
  • Botswana Page by DAO

  • Going out in the bush to get some firewood for a braai? Watch out! Botswana has a special, extra-large, nearly fatal size thorn bushes. These are ask big as knitting needles and they hurt! Just look at my hand. I recommend you only walk where you can see at night and slowly even then. I still have a scar on my hand.

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    PROHIBITED ITEMS !
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  • DAO
  • Updated By DAO on July 30, 2008
  • Botswana Page by DAO
  • In order to prevent the spread of Foot & Mouth Disease in livestock, the following items are banned from being brought into Botswana:

    * Meat and meat products from cloven hoofed animals
    * Livestock feeds, fodder, manure and bedding
    * Hides, skins, reams, etc.
    * Bones, hoofs, etc.
    * Game trophies and skins
    * Fresh milk

    The country also does not want you to bring in other items (not related to foot & mouth) like pornography or 2-way radios. Yes that is a Police van pictured. Don’t take chances, especially with the Police in Botswana. Don’t bring it in.

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    DO NOT STEAL HOTEL TOWELS IN BOTSWANA
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  • DAO
  • By DAO on May 12, 2008
  • Botswana Page by DAO
  • Botswana Warnings or Dangers
    by DAO
    I am not accusing anyone, but I have no doubt more than one VT Member has stolen hotel towels at some time in their travels. Well, don’t do it here! I first noticed this in the capital Gaborone. Hotels in Botswana embroider their towels with the name of the accommodation and the telephone number. You really don’t want to get involved with the police here and you certainly don’t want something on you that says “I HAVE BEEN STOLEN FORM THE ….. HOTEL”. I was threatened with jail and a fine when I drove to the police Station to report I hit a fence with my car. What do you think they would do with a real crime and criminal?

    Don’t do it here. I suggest you try another country if you really need some free towels.

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