Botswana Safaris  |  Accommodation

Botswana

Botswana - one of the last true bastions of the wild Africa, where tens of thousands of Elephants, large herds of Buffalo, and the Big Cats migrate freely across the vast expanses of the northern region. The country's more than 140,000 elephants alone make up the largest free-roaming herds on the continent of Africa. Botswana has no history of war and is a country of stability, progress and ethnic harmony. Visitors will find a gracious and warm welcome.

Bottlepan Safaris offers the discerning hunter a unique safari adventure into carefully selected concession areas to experience this untouched Africa and to search for those truly memorable trophies and the Big Game Safari experience of a lifetime.

Hunting Season

Runs from 1st Tuesday in April to the 3rd Tuesday of September each year.
No hunt may take place without valid firearms permits, trophy licenses and hunting cards accompanying the hunting party.

Camps & Accommodation

The traditional tented safari - twin bedded units with en-suite facilities, well appointed and private. Click here for photos of the accommodation.

Climate

Temperate climate with averages varying from 60 - 90oF during safari season. Days generally cloudless & sunny at this time.

Medical Information

Botswana is a malaria area and precautions must be taken throughout the year. We recommend you consult your physician prior to departure for health regulations & immunisation requirements. Although camps and safari vehicles have comprehensive medical kits, bring along any special medication you may need.

Currency

The local currency is Pula but US Dollars and Euros are widely accepted.  Personal cheques and credit cards are not accepted by the Outfitter but are welcomed by some charter companies, shops and hotels.  The government levies 10% Value Added Tax on all non-export items, i.e. charters, ground transport, accommodation, etc.

Customs, Passports & Visas

Customs clearance is operative at your port of entry into South Africa and Botswana.  You must have a valid passport . Citizens of certain countries are required to obtain visas for entry into Botswana. As the list of such countries changes from time to time it is important to check current visa requirements with your travel consultant.

Other important documentation

No hunt may take place without valid firearms permits, trophy licenses and hunting cards accompanying the hunting party.

Language

English is the official language, Setswana the national language.

Travelling

Clients fly into Johannesburg International (South Africa) from where they get a connecting flight to Vic Falls (Zimbabwe). From Vic Falls a private air charter can be arranged  to Kasane.  Upon your arrival in Kasane you will be welcomed by our staff and transported to Bottlepan camp by either ground transport (hunting vehicle) or a private air charter can be arranged. 

A private air charter can also be arranged from Johannesburg via Francistown (where you will clear customs) to Bottlepan camp.

Electricity

12 Volt battery powered or solar powered lights are provided in all tents.
A gas operated hair dryer/hot brush is recommended.

Arms & Ammunition

An import/export permit is required for South Africa as well as Botswana.  Firearms entering Botswana/South Africa without a valid permit, will be confiscated.
Two rifles and one shotgun are allowed into Botswana with a maximum of 100 rounds of ammunition each. 
No handguns, semi automatic or military style firearms are permitted. 
No permits are required for bows. 
Soft bags are preferred especially if clients are making use of private air charters. 

IMPORTANT NOTICE:     The Civil Aviation Authority of South Africa (SACAA) have agreed that Air Botswana may carry rifles on condition that the Airline will put an additional padlock on the gun case and which will be unlocked at Air Botswana destinations i.e Johannesburg, Maun, Kasane, Francistown and Gaborone.

IMPORTANT NOTICE:    SAA have issued a directive on the transportation of sporting weapons and ammunition - as follows:

All sporting weapons must be packed and transported in an IATA approved lockable firearm case.
All firearms must be declared at the time of check in and must be handled via the designated firearm handling process.
It is advisable to place in the remarks section of the booking that the passenger is carrying sporting weapons and ammunition.
No more than two rifles per case per passenger - keeping in mind the firearms must be of a different caliber.
Ammunition must be packed in a lockable box with a key or box with TSA approved combination lock and placed in the checked luggage.
A maximum of 5kgs (11 lbs) of ammunition is allowed per firearm carrying passenger.

Please keep the above in mind when travelling on SAA or its code share partners within the SADAC states (Southern Africa).

Application for import/export permits of firearms into Botswana must be applied for on the applicable form and returned to the Outfitter well in advance.  If you hunt in South Africa prior to your departure to Botswana you will need SA permits for your firearms as well.  If you only fly via Johannesburg or spend a night before your connecting flight to Botswana you will only need an intransit permit.

Hunters' Support - Air2000 is a company who offers a service where they apply for the necessary firearm permits for South Africa.  Click here to visit their website www.hunterssupport.com  

An import tax on ammunition is charged by customs upon arrival in Botswana, which is payable in cash and in Pula only.

Services

Charges include:

• The services of an experienced professional hunter who is licenced by the Botswana government.
• The use of a safari camp and camp staff i.e. cooks, skinners, gun bearers, trackers, etc.
• A fully outfitted camp with accommodation, freezers, refrigerators and medical boxes.
• A fully equipped hunting safari vehicle with HF radio communications.
• All beverages (wine, beer, soft drinks, juices and bottled water).
• Meeting of clients in Kasane.

Charges not included:

• Acquisition of firearm permits - $200 per firearm.
• Licence and trophy fees (as listed).
• All Air Charter costs and charges. Quotations are available on request.
• Airfare from your home to Kasane, Botswana. Check with your travel agent.
• Export fees and documentation, dipping, packing and shipping of trophies to your taxidermist or home.

Packing, dipping and shipping of trophies

An import and export CITES permit for Appendix I and an export permit for Appendix II animals are required for each shipment.  Field preperation of trophies are done in camp and transported to the nearest shipping agent designated by the Outfitter.  Full shipping instructions should be completed on the applicable form and provided to the Outfitter prior to your safari.

Clothing & Equipment

Bush clothes should be loose, comfortable and sturdy. Khakis, twills and denims are excellent. Delicate fabrics are not recommended. Laundry is done daily and flat irons with live coals are used for ironing.

Packing list  -  It is meant as a guideline only.  Always take your own preference into account.

Shirts, shorts, long trousers, a tracksuit or sweater and warm weather resistant jacket
Natural fibre socks
Comfortable walking boots
Hat, sunglasses
Binoculars, camera equipment
Gas operated hair dryer/hot brush
Anti-malaria medication, personal medication
Sunscreen, skin moisturizer, personal toiletries


ALL prices, quotes and hunting areas are subject to change and availability.