The State Department web site below is a permanent electronic archive of information released prior to January 20, 2001.  Please see www.state.gov for material released since President George W. Bush took office on that date.  This site is not updated so external links may no longer function.  Contact us with any questions about finding information. NOTE: External links to other Internet sites should not be construed as an endorsement of the views contained therein.

Country Commercial Guides FY 1999:  Botswana

IX. BUSINESS TRAVEL

Business Customs: Although friendly and well disposed toward
Americans, Botswana business and government counterparts tend to
be more reserved and formal than in the U.S. business world.  The
use of first names generally takes longer, and it is a good idea
to wait until your Motswana contact initiates the practice.

Travel Advisory and Visas: No visa is required for U.S. citizens
for stays up to 90 days.  Petty crime and crimes of opportunity,
such as pick pocketing and stealing of personal possessions,
remain the most common forms of crime in Botswana.  It is
dangerous for visitors to travel alone at night on foot in
unfamiliar places.  It would be wise to exercise the same level
of caution one would employ in a major U.S. city.  The loss or
theft of a U.S. passport should be reported immediately to local
police and to the U.S. Embassy

Holidays: For 1998, businesses will be closed in Botswana on
January 1-2 (New Year's Day & Public Holiday), April 10 & 13
(Good Friday & Easter Monday), May 21 (Ascension Day), July 1,
(Sir Seretse Khama Day), July 20-21, (President's Day & Public
Holiday), September 30 (Botswana's Day), and December 25-26
(Christmas & Boxing Day).

Business Infrastructure:

Sir Seretse Khama Airport, located 10 miles from downtown
Gaborone, is served by hotel vans.  Request the hotel van service
when you make your room reservation.  A valid U.S. passport is
required for entry into Botswana.  No visa is required for
temporary business visits.

Transportation: Taxis are generally available.  Gaborone has
several new 24-hour door-to-door chauffeur services.  Major
hotels provide periodic shuttle bus service to the downtown area,
but arranging transfers between business appointments is often
difficult.  Renting a car is recommended if you have a busy
appointment schedule in Gaborone (see "Important Addresses" for
car rental agencies).  The rental agencies will provide a driver
for an additional charge, an option some may wish to consider in
a country where traffic moves on the left.

Language: English is the official language of government and
business in Botswana.  Setswana is the predominant indigenous
language and the first language of most Batswana.

Conversation Gambits: Botswana is a rapidly urbanizing society
with strong rural roots.  Many mid and upper-level business and
government people leave Gaborone on the weekends to retire to
their rural family homesteads.  Batswana like to talk about their
special attachment to their "cattle post" (although it is
considered rude to ask how many head of cattle one owns).  Many
government officials and business people have visited or studied
in the U.S. and enjoy discussing the experience.  Conversation
about family is much less common than among Americans.

Hotels: First class business hotels in Gaborone include the
Gaborone Sun and the Grand Palm Hotel (formerly Sheraton).
Mid-range hotels include the centrally located Cresta President
(Best Western) and the Cresta Lodge (see "Important Telephone
Numbers").

The Business Meeting: Reconfirm your meeting twenty-four hours
beforehand directly with the person you are to meet, if possible. 
Even carefully arranged meetings may sometimes start late. 
Business meetings may be interrupted by telephone conversations. 
Although odd for an American businessperson, these occurrences
are not indications of a lack of respect or interest in your
business offer.

Dress:  Women may wear business attire appropriate to the U.S.,
although jackets will be uncomfortably hot during much of the
year (October-April).  Shirtsleeves and ties are appropriate for
men for some business meetings during the hot summer months. 
However, suits should be worn during the short winter (May-August) or in meetings with senior government officials or
business leaders.

Health: Inoculations are not required for visitors to Botswana. 
Malaria prophylaxis is necessary only for those traveling north
of Francistown, especially in the northern game parks and
reserves.  Tap water in the major towns is safe to drink.  Good
primary health care is available at the Gaborone Private Hospital
("Important Numbers").

International Courier Service: DHL and Federal Express, TNT and
MDS provide services in Gaborone, Francistown and other cities.
Video Format: Promotional videotapes should be in the PAL-I
format.

Important Telephone Numbers

Hotels Gaborone:

Gaborone Sun International
Telephone: [267] 351-111
Fax: [267] 302-555

Grand Palm Hotel
Telephone: [267] 312-999
Fax: [267] 312-989

Best Western President Hotel
Telephone: [267] 353-631
Fax: [267] 351-840

Cresta Lodge Hotel
Telephone: [267] 375-375
Fax: [267] 300-635

Francistown:

Best Western Thapama Hotel and Casino (Francistown)
Telephone: [267] 213-872
Fax: [267] 213-766

Marang Hotel
Telephone: [267] 213-991
Fax: [267] 212-130

Transportation

AVIS Rent-a-Car
Telephone: [267] 313-093
Fax: [267] 312-205

Holiday Car Rentals
Telephone: [267] 353-970
Fax: [267] 314-894

Imperial Car Rental
Telephone: [267] 302-280
Fax: [267] 304-460