This notable safari destination has started a phased lifting of travel restrictions and is welcoming international visitors again.
Botswana is among the most popular safari destinations in Africa and is reopening its borders to welcome international visitors again. Its borders were closed when the COVID-19 pandemic first struck. However, the southern African country has started a phased lifting of its international travel restrictions.
Air travel has resumed at several of the country’s major airports, while land borders are expected to reopen with neighboring countries, including Namibia, South Africa and Zimbabwe on December 1.
Welcome Back To Botswana
Botswana hosts the world’s largest elephant population and is one of the most notable safari destinations on the African continent. The country offers everything from a choice of luxurious lodges to remote tented camps in the Okavango Delta, one of the last great wildernesses in the world. Here, visitors will see elephants and big cats in great numbers in the flood plains, as well as many species of birdlife.
Another popular location is the Kalahari Desert. This is considered to be the largest unbroken stretch of sand in the world and encompasses the famous baobab trees of Nxai Pans and the salt pans of Makgadikgadi. The desert also includes the fossil river valleys and remnants of the indigenous San people in the Central Kalahari Game Reserve, where black-maned lions can be seen.
Botswana also offers the best camping in Africa, where visitors can rent their own 4WD vehicle, which doubles up as a camping safari home. Travelers can meander from one campsite to the next, while hearing lions roar and leopards grunt in the night. In the daytime, they can watch the hippos and elephants enjoying their daily life.
Lonely Planet has placed Botswana at number four in its “Ultimate Travel List,” which features the world’s top 500 travel experiences.
Getting to Botswana
International air travel to and from Botswana has resumed at Sir Seretse Khama International Airport, Maun International Airport and Kasane International Airport. Ground borders will reopen on December 1 at border points at Ngoma, Kazungula, Martins Drift, Ramokgwebana, Tlokweng, Ramatlabgama, Pioneer, Mohembo and Mamuno. On the same date, international flights will resume at Phillip G. Matante International Airport in Francistown.
Subject to the coronavirus situation and coordination with other neighboring countries, the remaining points of entry will be open in due course.
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COVID-19 Protocols In Botswana
As part of Botswana’s new security and health measures, travelers will be required to show a negative COVID-19 PCR test, taken within 72 hours of their arrival in the country. On arrival at the airport or border, visitors will also be screened for symptoms. They will further have to self-monitor themselves and stay in contact with the country’s health authorities for 14 days.
Any traveler exhibiting symptoms on arrival in the country will be retested and potentially be subject to quarantine. Returning residents and citizens of Botswana not meeting the health requirement will have to undergo a 14-day mandatory quarantine, as well as testing at their own cost.
If you are able to get away, experience Botswana and its wildlife and beautiful scenery in 2020.
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