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Country Commercial Guides FY 2000: Botswana Report prepared by U.S. Embassy Gaborone, released July 1999 Note*

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 1999, businesses will be closed in Botswana on January 1-2 (New Year's Day & Public Holiday), April 2-5 (Good Friday & Easter Monday), May 13 (Ascension Day), July 1, (Sir Seretse Khama Day), July 19 & 20, (President's Day & Public Holiday), September 30 (Botswana 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 of less than 90 days.

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

Hospitals

Gaborone Private Hospital
Telephone: [267] 301-999
Fax: [267] 301-998

U.S. business travelers are encouraged to obtain a copy of the "Key Officers of Foreign Service Posts: Guide for Business Representtives" avaialable for sale by the Superintendent of Documents, U.S. Government Printing Office, Washington, DC 20402; Tel. (202) 512-1800; Fax (202) 512-2250. Business travelers to Botswana seeking appointments with U.S. Embasy Gaborone officials should contact the Commercial Section in advance. The Commercial Section can be reached by telephone at 267-353982 ext. 5323, fax at 267-356947, or e-mail at uscomml@mega.bw