Language
Overview
English serves as the official language. National languages are Setswana and other Bantu languages.
Public Holidays
01/01/2022 New Year
04/15/2022 Good Friday
04/18/2022 easter monday
05/01/2022 Labor Day
05/26/2022 Ascension of Christ
07/01/2022 Seretse Khama Day
07/18/2022 Presidents’ Day
09/30/2022 Botswana Independence Day
12/25/2022 Christmas
Source: Top-mba-universities.com
Duty free shopping
Overview
The following items can be brought into Botswana duty-free: – 200 cigarettes and 20 cigars and 250 g of tobacco (persons aged 18 and over); – 2 liters of wine and 1 liter of alcoholic beverages (over 18s); – 250 ml eau de toilette and 50 ml perfume; – other goods worth up to 3000 UA (about €174).
Prohibited Imports
All kinds of plastic bags, all kinds of drugs and pornographic products. Weapons and ammunition must be declared upon entry; an import permit from the Director of Commerce and Consumer Affairs (Private Bag 00252, Gaborone) is also required. This is limited to 4 weeks. Weapons may only be imported for hunting purposes. More information is available from Countryaah.com.
Contact addresses
Honorary Consulate of the Republic of Botswana
Linke Wienzeile 4
Wien
Austria
+43 (0)1 587 96 16.
Mon, Wed, Fri 9 a.m. – 1 p.m.
Embassy of the Republic of Botswana
Honorary consulates in Hamburg, Cologne and Munich.
Lennestrasse 5
Berlin
Germany
+49 (0)30 887 19 50 12.
http://embassyofbotswana.de
http://embassyofbotswana.de
Mon-Fri 09.00-17.00.
Embassy of the Republic of Botswana
(With visa for Germany and Austria.)
Avenue de Tervuren 169
Brussels
Belgium
+32 (0)2 735 20 70, 735 61 10.
Mon-Fri 09.00-13.00 and 14.15-17.00.
Embassy of the Republic of Botswana
(Also responsible for Austria.)
Rue de Lausanne 80
Geneva
Switzerland
+41 (0)22 906 10 60
http://www.botswanamission.ch
http://www.botswanamission.ch
Mon-Fri 09.00-13.00 and 14.00-17.00.
Business
Business etiquette
Light tropical clothing. Business Hours: Apr – Oct: Mon-Fri 8am-5pm. Nov – Mar: Mon-Fri 7.30am-4.30pm. Authorities: Mon-Fri 07.30-16.30 all year round.
Business contacts
Botswana National Chamber of Commerce and Industry PO Box 20344, Gaborone, Botswana Tel. +267 (0)39 5 92 92. Botswana Conference and Exhibition Center Plot 50660, Off Machel Drive, Gaborone, Botswana
Communication
Phone
International direct dialing. The national telephone company is called Botswana Telecommunications Corporation (BTC). Some public payphones are available in cities and larger settlements, but not in remote areas.
Mobile phone
GSM 900. Mobile phone companies include Mascom (Internet: www.mascom.bw) and Orange (Botswana) Pty Limited. The reception/transmission range is limited to the populated areas.
Internet
According to Abbreviationfinder.org, the main providers are the Botswana Telecommunications Corporation (BTC), IBIS and Mega (Internet: www.mega.bw). There are internet cafes in all cities. Internet access is also available in all larger hotels and lodges.
Post office
Airmail to Europe takes 1-3 weeks. There are post offices in all cities, but mail is not delivered, but must be collected (opening hours: Mon-Fri 08.15-12.45 and 14.00-16.00, Sat 08.00-11.00).
Radio
Since the use of shortwave frequencies changes several times over the course of a year, it is advisable to contact Deutsche Welle customer service directly for the current frequencies (Tel: (+49) (0228) 429 32 08. Internet: www.dw-world.de) to request.
