CLIMATE

Botswana
Although it lies on the Tropic of Capricorn, the country boasts a varied and temperate climate, rather than a tropical one.
During winter, which begins at the end of May and ends in August, days are generally clear-skied and sunny, while nights can be cool or even rather chilly. During summer, days are cloudless and temperatures can reach 40°C/104°F. In the Kalahari evening and night temperatures can drop below freezing point, especially in July and August, which are the driest winter months.
The country, mostly semi-arid, has a significant rainy season during the summer months, that is from the first days of November till the end of March. On average, rainfalls vary from a maximum of about 650 mm in the Chobe District, in the extreme north-eastern Botswana, to 250 mm in the Kalahari Desert.
The rains tend to fall in brief, but heavy, thunderstorms. January and February are generally considered to be the rainiest months. The in-between periods – April/early May and September/October – tend to be dry and agreeable temperatures are registered. However, September and October are marked by high temperatures and humidity in most of the country.

As a guide, the average temperatures you may experience are the following:
Summer (from November to March): rainy season; brief, but heavy, thunderstorms; average temperatures: 16-35°C/61-95°F.
Spring (September/October): tends to be dry; the days are cooler than in summer; the nights are warmer than in winter; humidity and higher temperatures: 16-32°C/61-90°F.
Winter (from the end of May to August): dry season; sunny days; mild temperatures: 5-27°C/41-81°F.
Autumn (April/May): tends to be dry; the days are cooler than in summer; the nights are warmer than in winter; average temperatures: 15-35°C/59-95°F.

As there are no rainfalls between April and October, this is the best period to spend your holidays in Botswana: game viewing near the few damp waterholes left in the country is excellent, also thanks to the lack of thick vegetation.

Namibia
The country’s climate is typical of semi-desert terrain, with hot days and cool nights; the months between December and March are characterised by extreme heat.
There are two rainy seasons: the so-called "little rains" from October to December, and the main rainy period from January to April.
The average annual rainfall varies geographically: from 250 mm on southern and western plateaus to 700 mm in the Caprivi Region, the far north-eastern extremity of Namibia. The coast cooled by the Benguela current is dry and arid, receiving only 50mm annual rainfall. Here, heavy folds of fog often smother the coastline from early evening till late morning, when they dissipate in the heat.
The Central Plateau and the Kalahari have an arid climate with wide diurnal temperature ranges between night and day, more than 30°C/50°F on summer days and less than 10°C/20°F in winter.
Namibia’s coastline is marked by frequent sea fog from late afternoon till morning throughout the year (summer excluded).
Namibia’s capital of Windhoek lies at an altitude of 1,650 m above sea level and experiences a semi-desert climate with very hot summers and mild winters.
Average temperatures in winter (June to August) range from 7°C/44°F to 23°C/73°F, while temperatures range from 16°C/61°F to 30°C/88°F averagely during the summer months (December to March).
Rainfall occurs mostly in the period between November and April, with an average rainfall of 360 mm.
The most arid climate is found in the Namib Desert, where summer daytime temperatures climb to over 40°C/104°F and can drop to below freezing at night.
The best time for visiting Namibia is the dry season (May to October): warm, sunshiny days are contrasted by very cold nights, during which temperatures can fall below freezing point.

DOCUMENTS AND VISAS

Passport: please make sure it is valid for at least 6 months past departure and that there are at least 2 blank pages.
Tourists can obtain a 30-day-valid visa (which can be extended to 90 days if required upon arrival) for free at frontiers or international airports if they can produce their return ticket to the immigration officers if asked to.
Entrance fee (beyond the control of the Company; it might undergo changes) for Zimbabwe: USD 30.00 (about EUR 30.00) per person to be paid on the spot if you decide to observe the Victoria Falls from this country. If you decide to start your visit to the world-famous falls from Zambia, the entrance fee to be paid in loco amounts to USD 25.00 (about EUR 25.00) a person.

CURRENCY

Botswana’s currency is the Pula (BWP), which corresponds to about _ 0.1003 (exchange rate subject to fluctuation).
€ 1 = BWP 9.9673

Namibia’s currency is the Namibian Dollar (NADit is linked to the South African Rand (R) on a 1:1 basis and it corresponds to about _ 0.0842 (exchange rate subject to fluctuation).
€ 1 = NAD 11.8703

Prices are also shown in dollars, which therefore can be used for payments in some cases, for example in some of the best hotels, in nearly all luxurious lodges and in all the tourist structures appealing to the wealthy market.
You can change most foreign currencies in the bureaux in the main towns, but you had better use small denomination USD notes as people often have no change to give to you.
Credit cards are useful for purchases and in case of possible inconvenience. We advise to use ATM cards rather than credit cards for cash withdrawals (please ask your bank to check whether your ATM card is valid for withdrawals in Namibia/Botswana).

TIPS

Tipping is not obligatory, but anyway we advice you to tip drivers, guides, rangers and hotel staff. In some places a service charge is added in lieu of tipping; otherwise, if you feel that the measure of the service you received deserves a show of your personal appreciation, tip about 10%.
Some restaurants include a service charge on bills; otherwise, it is customary to give a tip of about 10% of the bill.
Luggage: the suggested rate for the porter is _1 per bag.

LANGUAGE

Numerous tribal dialects are spoken, however English is the official language.
Botswana’s most commonly spoken language is Setswana, a Bantu language which about 80% of the total population can speak: it is the language of the dominant ethnic group, the Batswana. Then we find Sekalanga, another language of Bantu origin, which is spoken by the Bakalanga living around the city of Francistown.
German, Afrikaans and Oshiwambo are "recognised regional languages" in Namibia. Coloured people speaking languages of Bantu and Khoisan origin represent 84% of the population.
Half of all Namibians speak Oshiwambo as their first language, whereas the most widely understood language is Afrikaans.
The youngest generations are slowly replacing Afrikaans with English; however, both languages are commonly spoken as second languages, especially in the field of institutions and public affairs. German is used mainly in southern Namibia.

TIME ZONE

Botswana is two hours ahead of Greenwich Mean Time.
Namibia summer time: GMT + 2 hours from the 1st Sunday in September to the 1st Sunday in April; winter time: GMT + 1 hour from the 1st Sunday in April to the 1st Sunday in September.

COMMUNICATION

To call your country dial your country code + your city code + your telephone number.
Mobile phones suitable for international roaming have coverage in the major towns and nearby.
Telephone boots are located close to hotels; pre-paid phone cards are available at hotels, small shops and all telecom phone centres.
Some hotels also provide Internet access.

INOCULATIONS AND MEDICAL PRECAUTIONS

There are no mandatory vaccinations for travellers from Europe. However, we suggest you consult your doctor whether you had better take preventive anti-malarial medication, especially if travelling to the northern regions during the summer months.
Malaria is caused by blood parasites of Plasmodium spp and is transmitted to humans via the bite of an infected female Anopheles mosquito (active at night). High-risk areas are the river meadows in the north, north-west and northeast. High-risk areas are the river meadows in the north, north-west and northeast, while central areas are of medium risk and the south is regarded as almost risk-free.
To avoid sunburn, use sunblock creams with high sun protection factor and protect all the parts of your body which are not usually exposed to the sun, like your feet. Do not forget to apply your sunblock during excursions and while sunbathing at the swimming pool.

SAFETY

Botswana and Namibia are safe and secure holiday destinations, with little crime and no unrest. However, as in any other country, travellers should follow basic safety rules.

SUGGESTED CLOTHES

We suggest you pack casual and comfortable clothes (in particular light weight tan and neutral coloured clothing, especially cotton fabrics) and shoes which are suitable for long walks. If you are going to hike amid vegetation, you should wear long cotton trousers. Do not forget to pack a bathing suit and a sweater or a jacket for night or morning drives.

DIETARY REQUIREMENTS

Special dietary requirements can be accommodated provided they are advised in advance.
All meals are served with a wide variety of food, in order to suit all tastes.

ELECTRICITY

Voltage is 220-240 V, frequency 50 Hz. Adapters can be bought on the spot, but we advise you should bring it with you for avoiding any inconvenience during your trip.

BAGGAGE

Temporary or permanent loss of baggage is the responsibility of you or the carrier.

ASSISTANCE

ILOVEAFRICA staff will assist you to the best of their ability throughout your trip.

CUISINE

Hotels and restaurants offer refined, international meat-based cuisine. Vegetarians can find a wide variety of vegetables.
Fruits and vegetables needn’t be sanitized through any disinfectants for food.

MEDICAL SERVICE

The medical services are generally very good, at least in the larger towns: there are several private clinics which maintain international standards and many types of medicines are available at the pharmacies. Patients in need of special care are directed to South African clinics.
In Namibia, competent assistance by ambulance or ambulance plane is offered by International SOS (24-hour emergency service):

P.O. Box 31220, Windhoek
Tel +264 - (0)61 - 23 05 05
Fax +264 - (0)61 – 24 81 13

In Botswana, please contact the MRI Medical Call Centre (operational 24 hours a day) both for emergency and non-emergency medical service:
Fixed Landline: +267 3901601 and 911
Mascom Cellular Network: +267 71322361