 | Botswana Warnings or Dangers 
 
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 | Botswana Warnings or Dangers | Tips 1 - 10 of 52 |  | ||
Popular Warnings or Dangers | Other Warnings or Dangers Tips | All Tips (52)
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 | Beware the hippos!   |  | |
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 |  on April 19, 2003 |
Hippos have a sweet image, so soft and fat. They don't seem as harmful and dangerous as lions or elephants, but in fact most of the animal attacks in Africa are caused by hippos. This animals have a very strict territorial sense, so if you come close to them by boat, they consider you are attacking them and they "defend" themselves by attacking the boats!! |
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| An Expensive Habit to Form | | |
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 |  on May 31, 2004 |
We were the only people we met, until our last day when we met a family from NYC (with a daughter in the Peace Corps in Namibia), who were first timers. All the rest seem to have formed an addiction to safari. It is unlike anything we'd ever done, and far and above exceeded our expectations. Without the intercontinental airfare, I estimate we spent $4000 US on our 6-night safari, which was a special offer on ccafrica's website. I'd do it all again in a flash. Looks like we'll need to start saving up for another trip in the next several years. |
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| Apart from the obvious  | | |
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 |  on July 3, 2004 |
Having traversed Africa one would expect you are aware. We left South Africa nine people, three families in three vehicles equipped with everything. My Trailer (I built myself) loaded with water and food to sustain us all for a 6 week trip, 4 hours out from Johannesburg we reached the Botswana Boarder, the trailer drew attention wherever we went and today was the turn of the customs inspector, he insisted that I burn all food produce immediately or leave it with the local people. He was not going to listen to any reasoning, or letter from the Botswana tourist authority listing the items we were allowed to take in. My sister in law bless her heart, took out a can of bully beef from the trailer and pointed out to the officer that it was infact "produce of botswana" and the can was stamped "permitted for transport to Botswana". The darling fellow threw his hands in the air and told us to move through, this gave us all reason to grin like chesire cat's, just as my wife slipped in the mud and fell flat on her fanny, Guess when things go in your favour you should be greatful right?. |
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| Beware the lone buffalo | | |
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 |  on June 28, 2004 |
One of the most dangerous animals in Afica is the Cape Buffalo. In a herd they will probably turn and move away from almost anything. But older males who leave the herd and wander around solo are often very bad tempered and vicious. We were on a walking safari , but when one of our guides spotted fresh tracks of a lone buffalo he immmediately took us back to our Land Rover to find somewhere safer for us to walk. |
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| malaria | | |
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 |  on August 3, 2007 |
Malaria is prevalent especially in the north of the country, though not so much in gaborone. Get medical advice on what malaria tablets to take and start taking anti malaria tablets atleast a week before entering botswana and keep taking the tablets for a further one week on returning home. |
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| THORNS | | |
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 |  on December 29, 2007 |
Going out in the bush to get some firewood for a braai? Watch out! Botswana has a special, extra-large, nearly fatal size thorn bushes. These are ask big as knitting needles and they hurt! Just look at my hand. I recommend you only walk where you can see at night and slowly even then. I still have a scar on my hand. |
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| Botswana is expensive. For... | | |
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 |  on August 26, 2002 |
Botswana is expensive. For example, we had to stop at the airport to change vehicles on our way to Bots. My friend went in to get some ice cream for the kids and it was about $2 for a Drumstick (normally about $1 U.S.; I'm sure it would have been much less in Zim) Be sure and pack warm things for the morning game drives if you go in their winter months of June, July and August. We had on several layers including a fleece sweatshirt. And our last day, we made sure to wear the gloves and winter hats we brought. General warning -- do not pack anything important, especially meds, in your check-in luggage. Our luggage was lost between Johannesberg and Zim for a day. I had a camera and two binoculars stolen out of the 'locked' bag (they just broke that off). Luckily I had our malaria meds with us. Beware of the occasional charging elephant too. I think they do it just to be funny. Most of the charges seemed like just teenagers showing off. |
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| Bush Tucker | | |
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 |  on September 26, 2008 |
This photo says it all really, so do take care, make sure when camping or staying in lodges that you don't wander out alone after dark. Depending on your accommodation, you will often be walked to your lodge by an armed ranger but if you are camping in the bush then make sure you have a fire lit until you turn in and then make sure you are sleeping in a tight shut tent. These animals get hungry so best not tempt them. Elephants like peace and quiet so making a row will just incite them, hyena on the other hand will run away if you bang a few pots together but they won't run shy of children or anyone vulnerable. So, if taking children on a safari, do make sure you understand all the rules to keep them and yourself safe, then you will have a magical time. |
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| DO NOT STEAL HOTEL TOWELS IN BOTSWANA | | |
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| on May 12, 2008 |
I am not accusing anyone, but I have no doubt more than one VT Member has stolen hotel towels at some time in their travels. Well, don’t do it here! I first noticed this in the capital Gaborone. Hotels in Botswana embroider their towels with the name of the accommodation and the telephone number. You really don’t want to get involved with the police here and you certainly don’t want something on you that says “I HAVE BEEN STOLEN FORM THE ….. HOTEL”. I was threatened with jail and a fine when I drove to the police Station to report I hit a fence with my car. What do you think they would do with a real crime and criminal? Don’t do it here. I suggest you try another country if you really need some free towels. |
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| DRIVING IN SAND | | |
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| on May 18, 2008 |
Botswana has a lot of ‘roads’ that are actually just sand. You can drive a 2 wheel drive car through almost all of Botswana, but avoid sand roads. You have to maintain at least a 40km per hour speed to push through and you are just asking for trouble. I got stuck twice (pictured) and had to be towed out twice. It could be very dangerous in remote areas. If you really want to get off road – hire a 4 wheel drive vehicle. |
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More Botswana Tips
| Overview | General Tips Tips: 69 - Photos: 63 |
| Restaurants Tips: 30 - Photos: 33 | Hotels and Accommodations Tips: 86 - Photos: 116 |
| Things To Do Tips: 147 - Photos: 207 | Nightlife Tips: 20 - Photos: 16 |
| Off the Beaten Path Tips: 33 - Photos: 49 | Tourist Traps Tips: 6 - Photos: 3 |
| Warnings or Dangers Tips: 52 - Photos: 43 | Transportation Tips: 71 - Photos: 87 |
| Local Customs Tips: 25 - Photos: 25 | Packing Lists Tips: 16 - Photos: 7 |
| Shopping Tips: 7 - Photos: 2 | Sports Travel Tips: 2 - Photos: 2 |
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