•  Never drive at night. Besides the ever-present Potholes, Botswana can have many animals lying on the roads, normally Cows & Donkeys, which are difficult to pick-up in a car’s headlights. Kasane & Nata/Nxai pan area, often has Elephants which are the same colour as the tarmac.
•  Sim Cards are widely available and it is advisable to get a BTC sim card (Botswana Telecoms) as this has a wider reach in the outlining areas, however a satellite phone is always a plus.
• Download maps.me. Great for phones when there is no network!
• It is always advisable to phone your destination to inform them of your estimated arrival time.
• Always solicit information on road conditions when entering National Parks and reserves, but IF YOU GET STUCK OR HAVE A BREAK DOWN IN THE BUSH DO NOT LEAVE THE VEHICLE, WAIT FOR HELP.
• It is possible to pre-book / pay park fees, please go onto the government website for latest information, https://www.gov.bw/tourism/group-tours-national-parks-game-reserves-or-campsites this site will also advise you of all the Parks rules and regulations. Park fees can be paid in advance at the Wildlife office in Maun with a credit/debit card, or online however, you can also pay at the gate, but this must be in Pula Cash.
•  Always pack the basics even on a game drive and ensure you take a min 5 liters water, some snacks, and a warm top, even for a short game drive. If traveling to the Salt Pans or CKGR, it is advisable to travel with 2 vehicles, but always check road conditions on the Pans, as a small amount of rain can make traversing the Makgadikgadi impossible.
• Tyre pressures: in general Tyres should be around 1.8 BAR on dirt and gravel and 2.4 BAR on Tar roads only lower Tyre pressures if stuck in sand or driving in very sandy conditions (lower pressure to around 1.2 BAR) this is providing you have a compressor to pump them up again once through the thick stuff! Dropping Tyre pressures will also depend on location as some sandy roads are full of dry sticks etc (especially where people have been stuck frequently and where they may have used sticks and logs to help free themselves) these may puncture your deflated Tyres easier so be observant of this and rather not deflate them should this be the case as harder Tyres resist being damaged as easy!
• Stick to the tracks, unless there is an obvious, un-avoidable obstacle, stay on the main tracks or road. Should the obstacle be an Elephant, just be patient it will soon move off, never rev your engine, or toot your horn. Should you need to tackle a river crossing, it is imperative that you stay on the track, normally drive straight through the middle, never go on the side where the ground will be softer and you will be more likely to get stuck. At a river crossing, drive slow and steady in low range 4×4, speeding into river crossings etc will damage the vehicle and cause excessive wake. Should the river crossing be very deep, rather reverse and find another route.
• Most fuel stations accept Visa/ Mastercard, but the machines may not be working due to poor network, so always carry sufficient cash to cover a full tank of fuel. Please remember there is no fuel if you head through the bush between Maun and Kasane.
• Because Foot & Mouth has been prevalent in Southern Africa over the years, we have many Veterinary fences on the main routes, here you may need to vacate your vehicle to dip the shoes you are wearing and others in your luggage, your vehicle will then proceed through a low trench of disinfectant to cleanse your wheels. As a precaution no meat is allowed to be transported across veterinary fences in Botswana on most routes, so it is advisable not to carry but rather buy locally or carry tinned meat to avoid your meat being confiscated.
• December – March, bush roads can be flooded so not recommended for Self-Driving. April and May, experienced 4×4 drivers, June – October recommended for all, but sand can be challenging.

EMERGENCY NUMBERS

RECOVERY VEHICLES: BREAKDOWN

DEPARTMENT OF WILDLIFE & NATIONAL PARK OFFICES/GATES

MEDICAL EMERGENCIES