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Full country name: Republic of Botswana
Area: 600,370 sq km (231,800 sq mi)
Population: 1.6 million
Capital city: Gaborone (pop 138,000)
People: Batswana 95%, Kalanga, Basarwa, Kgalagadi
Languages: English, Setswana
Religions: indigenous beliefs 50%, Christian 50%
Government: parliamentary republic
President: Festus Mogae

GDP: US$5.25 billion
GDP per head: US$3600
Annual growth: 3%
Inflation: 9%
Major industries: diamonds, copper, nickel, coal, salt, soda, ash, potash, livestock processing, sorghum, maize, millet, pulses, groundnuts (peanuts), beans, cowpeas, sunflower seed, livestock
Major trading partners: EU, Southern African Customs Union (SACU), Zimbabwe

Events

Botswanans enjoy public holidays on New Year's Day and the day after, at Easter, on Ascension Day (in April or May) and they also get a two-day sleep-in around President's Day in July. Independence Day is celebrated on 30 September and the day following, and there are three public holidays over Christmas: Christmas Day, Boxing Day and the day after Boxing Day, on 25, 26 and 27 December, respectively.

Traveling Guidelines

Visas: No visa is required for visits of up to 90 days for citizens of most Commonwealth countries, most European countries, Israel, South Africa & the USA.
Health risks: malaria
Time: GMT/UTC plus two hours
Electricity: 220V, 50Hz
Weights & measures: metric

Ideal Time to visit

Winter (May through August) is a good time to visit Botswana, as the days are generally pleasant and the wildlife never wanders far from water sources. Bear in mind, however, that this is also the time of European, North American and South African school holidays, so things can get a bit crowded. In general, June, early July and mid to late September are the least crowded times to visit. Summer isn't the best time to hit the back roads, enjoy wildlife viewing or explore the Okavango, as prolonged rains may render sandy roads uncrossable, and animals disperse when water is abundant.