An African Safari - Botswana - Gaborone - 9 March 2022

I have been in Gaborone, Botswana for over a week and what I have seen here during these many days are compelling reasons to discard many templates. For one, the city roads are in very good condition, mostly. Secondly, the discipline with which road users navigate the roads, even where there are no traffic lights, is a chastising experience. Thirdly, people are extremely courteous towards one another. Setswana language too is a reason for that. Fourthly, people do not litter in or deface public places. Streets and public places are neat and clean.

Following are a few interesting facts about Botswana:

1. The country does not have oil reserves or refining capacity – its fuel requirements are fully met through imports. Despite an additional levy, Octane 95 costs less than Rs. 58 a litre.

2. Literacy rate is high and education is given a lot of importance. UNESCO estimated literacy rate is 87.7% with female literacy rate at 88.7%. Private education is quite expensive, though.

3. The country being landlocked, depends on South Africa for most of its imports via sea.

4. The country is defined by the Okavango Delta and the Kalahari Desert.

5. Botswana has abundant natural resources like diamonds, silver, copper, iron ore, potash, coal, etc. A feature is that they are exploited in a phased manner and not as if there would be no tomorrow.

6. Human Development Index of the country grew 28% in three decades till 2020. It is now within the first 100 countries in the world.

7. Botswana became independent from British rule in 1966 and is the oldest continuous democracy in Africa.

8. The sparsely populated Botswana is one of the least densely populated countries in the world, with about 70% of land being desert

9. Botswana has one of the highest per capita GDP in Africa – way higher than South Africa – contributed largely by diamond mining. This is also the reason for an adversely skewed distribution of wealth.

10. The country has the highest concentration of African elephants, being home to more than 130,000 of them.

11. One of the seven natural wonders of the world is situated in Botswana – the Okavango Delta. 

12. It has one of the largest salt pans in the world – the Makgadikgadi Pan

13. Botswana’s currency is Pula, which means ‘rain’.

14. The pandemic seems to have impoverished a huge swathe of Batswanas and has directly contributed to rising crime rates committed by local residents.

Even though the primary purpose of my visit to Botswana is to help my daughter and her family to relocate to India I could not have passed up the opportunity to drive around Botswana and tour some of the neighbouring countries. With that in mind I made out an itinerary that was later tempered with crucial inputs from Kiron George, my son-in-law, and a few of his friends. Kiron also helped me to source a suitable vehicle. Even though I had planned to drive in Zambia and Zimbabwe too, I gave up the idea quickly after taking to the vehicle providers. They permit cross border transit only to South Africa and not to Zambia and Zimbabwe. Hertz offered unlimited mileage and limited mileage options whereas the other companies did not. I plumbed for Hertz as I had used their services in Australia and Canada in the past. I was told that I would be given one of the three models that came in the group I had chosen, Toyota Starlet, Yarris or VW Polo – manual. The 11 day hire will cost half a lakh INR, with all contingencies covered. I called up the rental to reconfirm the booking

I have been ‘schooled’ by Kiron and his friends about precautions to be taken while driving in Botswana.

1. Speed limits and other restrictions displayed on the road, particularly near villages, have to be scrupulously followed. The traffic police hide in bushes or behind trees with radars to detect over-speeding. Fines are harsh and sometimes, even unaffordable.

2. Drinking and driving is a total no go

3. Truck traffic between Francistown and Kasane – 500 kms – is heavy due to cross-border freight movement. Extreme caution to be exercised on this route as some portion of the road does not have shoulders.

4. The sun will be harsh in the Delta – use of sunglasses and sunscreen is a must. Botswana has high UV radiation and therefore, must be protected against.

5. The dry desert climate requires constant hydration. Water must be had regularly and in plenty.

6. Another requirement is a hat to protect against the tough heat conditions. Else, one could get splitting headaches.

I am ready, armed with adequate information, contacts and identified activities. Super excited but sorry to leave the kids behind. They are a constant source of joy and ecstasy, a reason to live.