Specialised Committee Meetings 01 - 06 September 2008 Gaborone, Botswana

INFORMATION ABOUT BOTSWANA

The Republic of Botswana is a landlocked country, bounded on the north and west by Namibia, on the northeast by Zambia and Zimbabwe, and on the southeast and south by South Africa. The total area of Botswana is 581,730 sq km (224,607 sq ml)

LANGUAGE

The meetings will be conducted in English.

CLIMATE

It is spring in Botswana around August/September. It is fairly warm. The temperatures range between 30 and 35 Degrees Celsius. In a good year we experience early rains around this time.

TIME

The time local time in Botswana is GMT + 2 hours

VISAS

A valid passport and entry visa is required for delegates coming from Angola, Madagascar and Democratic Republic of Congo. Citizens from Mozambique who require a visa are only holders of Local Passports and Temporary Travel Documents. Those who hold a National Passport do not require a visa. For the rest of the CRASA Member Countries only a valid passport is required. However, delegates are requested to confirm this information from Embassies/Botswana Consulate offices in their respective countries before departure.

Delegates from countries requiring a visa to enter Botswana are requested to forward, by email, scanned copies of the first three pages of their passports to the following addresses: Mr Jericho Keletso; email jerichok@bta.org.bw and Mrs Judith Simukanga at crasa@it.bw.

CURRENCY

The official currency is the Botswana Pula (BWP). One (1) US Dollar is Equivalent to 6.4 Botswana Pula as at 4th August 2008. This is subject to change without Notice.

Other exchange rates are:

GBP 1 = P12.55
EUR 1 = P9.96
ZAR 1 = P0.85

BANKS

If you need to change foreign currency, receive bank drafts, or do any other relatively complex financial transactions, then the banks here are perfectly capable and efficient. Their opening times vary, but expect them to start around 08.00 and finish by 14.30 during the week. Some may close a few hours earlier than this on Wednesday. On Saturday, only the bigger banks open, typically 08.00-11.00.

Cashpoint (ATM) machines can be found in most large towns, including Maun and Kasane - and they work with foreign credit cards.

COMMUNICATION

The country Code: + 267
Fixed: +267 subscriber number
Mobile: +267 7xxxxxxx
Internet code: bw

ELECTRICITY

The mains voltage is 220-240 V/ 50 Hz

INSURANCE

Delegates are reminded that they are responsible for their personal insurance of all aspects relating to the participation at these meetings, including travel to and from the venues.

TOURISM, CULTURE AND ART

Botswana has abundant wildlife with lions, giraffes, leopards, antelopes, elephants, crocodiles, hippopotamuses and ostriches being found in many areas. The country is also inhabited by 550 species of birds. In fact, 18.5% of the country's land comprises of parks and reserves.