/r/Botswana
Dumelang and welcome to the official subreddit for Botswana.
Feel free to browse around, ask questions and post pictures.
Part of the Reddit
Africa Network!
Anything having to do with Botswana is welcome here. Looking for a wider audience? Check out our friends over /r/africa.
Enjoy yourselves!
/r/Botswana
Does anybody know of an app for iPhone to learn Setswana? I’d like to learn to speak the language
I'm writing a story and a young woman (originally from Botswana) is referring to two people who stole a laptop.
I have written: "These bajabajane who took our laptop..."
Does this make sense to a native Setswana speaker?
I’m traveling to Botswana (Okavango Delta) and Zambia (Livingstone/Zambezi River) with my family over new years. We’ll be there from right after Christmas through the first week of January. We will be staying in luxury camps the entire time, and our schedule is set up so that most of our game drives/excursions happen in the early morning or late afternoon.
I know we’ll be traveling during wet season in that region, which I’m a little apprehensive about. For those that have been on a safari during that time, how was your overall experience? I know it may vary season to season, but how much rainfall did you have? Were you able to see a good amount of animals/wildlife (other than birds)?
Also is there anything specific I should pack outside of the norm for a safari? i.e. should I pack a pair of waterproof sneakers/hiking shoes in the event of mud? And I’m planning on bringing some long sleeve shirts to protect against mosquitoes morning and night, but will I need something more substantial? How much does the temperature actually drop during that time of year?
Lastly, how bad are the mosquitoes? I think I’m going to bring Picaridin lotion and DEET spray, but does anyone have a preference of one over the other? Is it wild to mix the two? I’m also going to treat my clothes with Permethrin.
If there’s anything I didn’t think of or experiences you have to share, please do! Any and all advice welcome! Thanks!
Hi everyone!
I will be traveling to Gaborone for about a week in January. Can you recommend some things to do in the area? I would also love to hear recommendations about a sim card! Cheers!
Good Evening all! I am traveling from SA this weekend. Will be driving to Maun, then up to Kasane etc.
Which Sim card should I buy for best chance of getting internet en route? I have hit Google for answers, but figure it will be better to ask here. Thanks in advance!
Hi everyone! I am planning on having an extremely quick visit to Gaborone and was hoping I could get a couple recommendations from locals.
I'm driving in from Johannesburg on the night of January 17th after a stop in Pilanesberg National Park along the way. I'm continuing onward to Botswana because, well, I've never been to the country and I've only heard great things about the country and the people.
I should get in early enough to go to the Township Rollers match at the national stadium at 7pm, though hoping to get in earlier to also get something to eat first.
Right now I have a couple hotels booked for that night that are both refundable -- Indaba Lodge by Riverwalk Mall (cheap and shortest drive back to JNB) and Protea Masa Square (a little more expensive but seems nicer), but I know zero about the areas both are booked in. I'd like to find a place that's in an area where, ideally, I can walk to somewhere to eat, preferably somewhere with either some local food and/or some local social spot where I can pull up to a bar or something and say hello to some locals before or after the soccer match. I have to get up early the next morning to get back to Johannesburg Airport by noon or so the next day so I'm not looking for anything crazy here, but yeah.
Any recommendations for either which hotel (or a different hotel entirely) is in the best possible place for a chill evening, and a place to eat or hang out that night, would be really great -- thanks all!
Hi everyone.
As a neighbour of yours (from Namibia), I would just like to commend you guys for voting for change. Often times, our countries seem to be praised to be similar but, reality of the situation is, Botswana is far ahead of us.
As you all know, ZANU-Pf not only tried getting involved in your elections, but also got involved in ours. Only difference is, you guys were smart enough to thwart off their rigging and, as it stands currently, we were not so fortunate. Namibia is slowly turning into a mini South Africa, which it always has been. Crime is up, corruption is up, poverty is up. It would be in the best interest of Botswana's people, if Botswana distanced itself from us.
Again, congratulations is in order, as you guys seem to be doing something right and setting an example for us. One can only hope we listen and learn.
Hey, I am looking to move to Botswana as a general practioner health professional. What are my options?
Hi everyone, I’m an African-American reality and documentary TV producer, and I’m exploring the possibility of relocating to Botswana. I’ve been fascinated by the country’s culture, landscapes, and opportunities, and I’d love to hear from people who live there or know it well. I have a lot of questions, and I’m hoping you can provide some insights!
Opportunities in Botswana
• Are there opportunities for someone in my field? I’d love to collaborate with local creatives, produce content that highlights Botswana’s rich culture, or work on media-related projects. Is there demand for TV producers or creative professionals?
Cost of Living
• What is the cost of living like in Botswana? For example:
• Rent: I’ve heard bachelor pads can be around P2,800. Is that accurate? What about larger family homes?
• Utilities: What do people typically spend on electricity, water, and other bills?
• Groceries: How much should I budget monthly for groceries for a family?
• Overall, is it easy to maintain a decent lifestyle with a modest income?
Relocating with Family
I’m considering bringing my extended family of 10, including two 80-year-olds in good health. • What’s the feasibility of relocating a large family? • Are there housing options that could accommodate us? • What is the healthcare system like, particularly for seniors?
Attitudes Towards African-Americans
• How are African-Americans perceived in Botswana? Is it easy for us to integrate into local communities?
Property Ownership
• How easy or hard is it for a foreigner to purchase property in Botswana?
• What’s the cost of buying a home versus building one from scratch?
• Are there any areas outside of Gaborone (the capital) that you’d recommend for someone looking for a quieter, family-friendly location?
Healthcare and Lifestyle
• What’s the quality of healthcare in Botswana?
• How accessible and affordable is healthcare for elderly individuals?
Environment and Climate
• Are there any challenges related to climate change, such as water shortages or extreme weather, that I should consider?
Community and Culture
• What’s the best way to integrate into Botswana’s community and make friends?
• Are there any cultural norms or practices I should know about to avoid mistakes or misunderstandings?
Anything I Haven’t Asked
If there’s anything I haven’t asked but you think is important for someone considering this move, I’d love to hear about it.
I’m excited to learn from you all and appreciate any advice or insights you can provide!
Thank you in advance!
As a political science/economics major in college Botswana has always really been interesting with it's institutions, and how it's been a stable and prosperous place amidst the volatile environment.
I was wondering though, what are some of the main causes for some of the economic struggles recently? (High unemployment for example) I'm sure some of it has to do with an over reliance on one resource.
I am Kenyan, a female (26) and to I stumbled on a thread about Botswana on Reddit. I must say your country came highly recommended and took me off my horses of believing Kenya is good 😅. Now I have spent a few hours comparing the two and no one is asking about moving here as they are asking yo move there. What's the secret to your successful economy and way of life? I mean if I can try implement a few of your ways before giving up on Kenya it would be nice. Share your ways.
I have been scrolling through this sub and it is interesting to see a country's sub where people aren't outright insulting the government but rather judging the efficacy of their implementations. I know Botswana isn't perfect cause of the HIV epidemic and other things but as someone interested in Pan Africanism, I'd like to know what Batswanas think they did right in comparison to their African counterparts. It is having a first president that set the tone or what is it? I would wish to get as many answers as possible.
I remember when I saw in the news, that the second largest diamond on earth has veen discovered in Botswana. I remember when the persident said "What?" after being surprised at its size, so I made this.
I'm quite new here but I found something we all can go for this December. Family friendly and a celebration of the history of Botswana.
Dumêlang,
I have heard mixed things about Mashatu. I have heard it’s a wonderful place for animals and I have heard that it is degraded, “not that great,” and mostly where South Africans with second homes go.
I’d like to hear from people currently living in Botswana (I’m not) about Mashatu and if it is a place to spend time while visiting Botswana.
Kealeboga
It's always a dream of mine to build apps and I couldn't be happier to have my first application fix a personal gripe of mine!
Costs are ever increasing and electricity is one of them. Worrying about when you will need to refill electricity or how much you've budgeted for the month adds too much mental load that we just don't need. With Metr you simply log each top-up, this details the date of the top-up, the amount purchased, the units received and your meter balance after refilling.
There are a handful of useful stats to access:
Download it here -> https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=app.metr.metr
Hey, as the question states above, I'm curious about how the Botswana's metal scene been in recent times? I've watched a documentary about it a few years back, and I've been curious how has it been doing recently? Gladly appreciate the answers, thanks you.
Hi guys
I have been seeing alot of good stuff about Botswana and it caught my attention. I have been thinking of relocating to that country for a while now. Id like to know some of the things to be careful about and anythingabiut your country. I'm from Kenya planning to relocate next year.
Thanks in advance.
Edit: These are some of the things I'd like to know:
How reliable is the water supply in Botswana?
How safe is it to live in Botswana, especially in cities like Gaborone?
What are the housing options and rental prices in Botswana?
How welcoming are locals to newcomers in Botswana?
What are the typical costs for utilities and the cost of living in Botswana?
I personally like this idea though the money is small it does have a slight difference and most women after three months are able to go back to work .
Hello everyone! I am an American who is interested in the country of Botswana; also, I am doing a project about Botswana for one of my classes so I would like to learn more about it.
Thank you for your time!
I'm visiting Gaborone for one night only on a trip around the world I'm doing in January, and I'm very excited to find that Township Rollers FC has a match at the National Stadium the only night I'm in town, January 17th.
I haven't REALLY nailed down where I'll be staying that night (I have Protea Hotel Masa Square booked but it's refundable) and would love to stay walking distance to the stadium, but options seem to be pretty limited.
So -- what's parking like at the stadium? Where are the lots, how easy in/out is it, how safe is the area, what does parking cost? I'm pretty excited to go, just need to figure out the best way to do it.
Any info you can share would be great; thank you for your help!
Wanting to know what the situation is with the data caps if there are any (Paratus seem to have) however Starlink official website makes no mention of it, and it's cheaper.