Africa: Zimbabwe, Botswana & Namibia Video $17.95 buy now

Zimbabwe, Botswana and Namibia: Background and Travel Essentials

Zimbabwe

Zimbabwe, situated in South-East Africa, was once a friendly and relatively safe place to visit. Unfortunately, at the time of writing (2002) the regime of dictator - president Robert Mugabe has taken a strangle hold on the nation and it is no longer advisable to visit Zimbabwe. The president's aggressive policy of evicting white farm owners from their land is escalating into a major famine as 'settlers' (i.e. supporters of Mugabe) have taken over and demolished farms and the country is facing a severe famine threatening the lives of millions. Coupled with the police state of abuse of all Zimbabweans and the total censorship of the press, Zimbabwe is close to total destruction, in the land that was once the 'breadbasked of Africa'. Journalists are banned, and tourists are virtually non existant now; you can be arrested for recording real life events. Our advice - don't go there right now.

The Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe.

Botswana

Formerly Bechuanaland, Botswana achieved independence in 1966 and then discovered three of the richest diamond formations in the world. It’s a hugely wealth and successful country by African standards, and has a black ruled multi racial government unrivalled elsewhere in black Africa. It’s a great and safe country for travelling in, but attracts only high-cost low-volume tourism to preserve the countries natural beauty. It’s a country you need big bucks to live and travel in, but some areas around the tourist nature spot the Okavango Delta are less expensive. It’s a fantastic country to visit if you want to discover wetland wildlife and the wilderness of the Wild Kalahari desert.

Namibia

Situated between the Kalahari desert and the South Atlantic on South Africa’s west coast, Namibia is rich in natural beauty, resources and boost a diverse range of cultures and habitats. There are great opportunities in store for bushwalking, exploring European influenced African cities, and strolling along isolated ragged coastlines. Its population is a tiny 1.7 million, that’s less than one person per square mile, many of which are concentrated in the capital of Windhoek, so there’s plenty of room to spread out.

Climate

Namibia
Although very dry, much of Namibia made up of desert coastal plains, dunes and bush. It is sunny all year round, with the rainy season falling from December to March, although there is much natural beauty to be seen then.

Zimbabwe
Situated on a high mountainous plateau, it’s average temperature is 60F on the plateau and a scorching 80F in the Zambezi valley in summer, ranging from 50F – 65F during winter.

Botswana
Land locked and mainly desert land and scrub, the rainy season runs November to March, the dry season (May to August) is the best time to discover the county’s wildlife.

People

Naimbia
Naimbia is made up of 11 ethnic groups, a mixture of African, and some European and Afrikaners.

Zimbabwe
With a population of over 11 million, the people are based of two native ethnic groups, the Shona and the smaller Ndebele in the west.

Botswana
With a population of one and a half million, over half of these are of Tswana heritage. European, Asian and other tribes live in the cities and regionally.

Languages

Namibia
English and Afrikaans are the official languages, though tribal languages are widely spoken.

Zimbabwe
English is the official language, but Shona or Sindebele are most of the people’s first language.

Botswana
English is the official language, although Seswana is the native language of nearly everyone.

Cash

Namibia
Namibian Dollar ($N)

4.7 N$ = 1$ US.

Zimbabwe
Zimbabwe Dollar ($Z)

$10 $Z = $1 US.

Botswana
The currency is the pula. Credit cards are accepted at tourist places, banks only exist in the major towns.

P3.63 = $US 1.

For up to date currency information, check the Currency Converter.

Be prepared to spend, spend, spend. Prices compare to Europe for food, but accommodation and safari can reach sky high prices.