Botswana Travel Guide

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Shopping

Woodcarvings, handcrafted jewelry, textiles and attractive basketry are recommended. The Okavango Delta villages of Etsha and Shorobe are particularly famous for Ngamiland-style baskets. Modern Bushman art and ostrich-eggshell jewelry can be browsed and purchased at D'Kar, 40km (25 miles) north of Ghanzi. There also occasional exhibitions at the National Museum in Gaborone.

Shopping hours: Mon-Fri 0800-1800, Sat 0830-1300.

Currency

Pula (BWP; symbol P) = 100 thebe. Notes are in denominations of P100, 50, 20 and 10. Coins are in denominations of P5, 2 and 1, and 50, 25, 10 and 5 thebe.

Currency Exchange

Money should be exchanged in banks at market rates. The main commercial banks include Bank of Baroda, Barclays Bank of Botswana, First National Bank, Stanbic Bank Botswana and Standard Chartered Bank with branches in major towns and villages. Owing to limited facilities in small villages, it is advisable to change money at the airport or in major towns, where credit card cash advances may also be available. There are also bureau de changes at major border posts. Safari lodges accept payment in US dollars.

Credit Cards, Debit Cards, and ATMs

American Express, Diners Club, MasterCard and Visa are widely accepted. ATMs are available in most larger cities and towns.

Travelers Checks

To avoid additional exchange rate charges, travelers are advised to take traveler's checks in US Dollars or Pounds Sterling. Traveller's checks are accepted in large cities but with a high surcharge.

Currency Restrictions

There are no restrictions on the import of local or foreign currencies, provided declared on arrival. Export of local currency is limited to P50 and foreign currencies up to the amount declared on arrival.

Banking Hours

Banks open 0800 and 0900, Mon-Sat, closing between 1615 and 1715 on weekdays and 1045 and 1200 on Saturdays.

Exchange Rate