Botswana Warnings Or Dangers

  Orapa is a very big dot on the map ...
by CatherineReichardt
 
  • Orapa is a very big dot on the map ...
      Orapa is a very big dot on the map ...
    by CatherineReichardt
  •   Warnings Or Dangers
    by nora_south_africa
  • STUCK !
      STUCK !
    by DAO
  • NO SIGNS OR ROAD MARKINGS
      NO SIGNS OR ROAD MARKINGS
    by DAO
  • AFTERT YOU HIT THE GATE YOU SEE THIS
      AFTERT YOU HIT THE GATE YOU SEE THIS
    by DAO
 
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Reviews from VirtualTourist Members

Apart from the obvious

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 in fact "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...

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Anti-malaria precautions

by magor65

Malaria is a big problem in Africa. As northern Botswana lies in the high risk zone we decided to take anti-malaria tablets. We choose malarone recommended to us by our doctor. We had to start taking a tablet every 24 hours one day before entering the malaria zone and continue until one week after leaving it. Luckily, we didn't feel any side effects.Actually, I didn't see a single mosquito, but we were there in a dry season. In spite of that, just to be on the safe side, I would take it again if I were to travel to any malaria zone.

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DO NOT STEAL HOTEL TOWELS IN BOTSWANA

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 FROM 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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DRIVING IN SAND

by DAO

Botswana has a lot of ‘roads’ that are actually just sand. You can drive a 2 wheel drive car through almost all of Botswana, but avoid sand roads. You have to maintain at least a 40km per hour speed to push through and you are just asking for trouble. I got stuck twice (pictured) and had to be towed out twice. It could be very dangerous in remote areas. If you really want to get off road – hire a 4 wheel drive vehicle.

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Don't stop your journey at Ngoma border

by georeiser

Make sure to go all the way to Kasane and DON'T stop your journey at the border. Ngoma border is close to a game reserve and it's nothing there. No people lives in this area. It's not allowed to walk in the game reserve due to the wild animals. And the road is closed at night.My taxi driver from Namibia had forgotten his passport and couldn't drive in Botswana. So I had to go off at the border. Thought it wouldn't be so difficult to take a taxi or bus from the Botswana border. But there were nobody here except for some dutch speaking people with 3-4 safari cars. I think they were in family because one guy had his mother in the other car. I kindly asked to pay for a ride to Kasane, but they refused (August 1, 2009). Thanks for a truck-driver who was stuck at the customs on the Botswana side. The south-African driver didn't have enough money to cross Botswana with his truck, so I paid the...

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Don't become dinner!

by JohanIsWeg

If you are camping in a game reserve such as Moremi or Chobe, do NOT sleep in the open curled up only in a sleeping bag. If lion or hyenas are around, you may find yourself being dragged off into the bushes - never to see dawn again!Camp fires do NOT frighten lion or hyena away. Make sure that you sleep inside a tent with no portion of your body protruding. You will lose a toe or foot; or perhaps even more.On many nights we awoke with hyenas sniffing against the tent. It was on such occasions that I was deeply thankful I was INSIDE the tent!

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Safari fuel for Moremi

by JohanIsWeg

There are no fuel supplies available in Moremi. The nearest fuel and garage facilities are in Maun, about 100km from Moremi. If you are travelling 4WD it is always a good idea to carry spare fuel (but never inside the vehicle).

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Beware malarial mosquitoes

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.

Police Fines For the Self Drive People

by JackRyanBW

I would like to Bring to the attention of the Self Driving people that the Police fines being handed out in Botswana has gone up Insanely!. I would recommend that you take extreme care to avoid buggering up your holidays due to unnecessary fines. A sample of the fine is attached.1) Exceeding Speed Limits P3000-P5000 or 18-2Yrs in Prison2) Drunken Driving P5000-P10 000 2 to 5 Yrs in Prison3) Dangerous / Reckless Driving P 2000-P10 0004) Failure TO Obey police Instructions P 1000- P50005) Improper Vehicle Condition P 1000- P 10 000Oh yes and if you a foreigner be expected to be treated specially ! ( if you know what I mean).

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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Safety Tips in Botswana

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Reviews and photos of Botswana attractions posted by real travelers and locals. The best tips for Botswana sightseeing.

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Warnings Or Dangers: Cities in Botswana
  1. Gaborone Warnings Or Dangers
  2. Kasane Warnings Or Dangers
  3. Chobe National Park Warnings Or Dangers
  4. Maun Warnings Or Dangers
  5. Orapa Warnings Or Dangers
  6. Nata Warnings Or Dangers

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South-East District Warnings Or Dangers  Ghanzi District Warnings Or Dangers 

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Questions and Answers

annsnook profile photo

Q:  Hi, want to do this trip last week in March/1st week April, should we get good weather or is it a bit too early for the Okavanga... 

CatherineReichardt profile photo

A: Hi Chanes are that you'll see far fewer animals if it has flooded, as when the water is scarce, the animals congregate around the little water that's around. Once the... 

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