In 2002, Botswana was a small country located in southern Africa. It had a population of around 1.6 million people and an economy that was largely dependent on mining, tourism, and agriculture. Despite this, there were still economic challenges such as high levels of poverty, particularly among rural communities. According to computerannals, Botswana was a relatively stable democracy with strong government institutions which enabled it to address pressing issues such as crime and corruption. Furthermore, Botswana also enjoyed close diplomatic ties with other countries in the region which enabled it to remain an important player in international affairs. In terms of development, the government began to focus on improving infrastructure and providing basic services such as healthcare and education which provided a glimmer of hope for a better future for Batswanans. Additionally, efforts have been made by both local and international organizations to strengthen democratic institutions within the country in order to promote stability within Botswana. The government also adopted several economic reforms aimed at encouraging foreign investment and promoting sustainable economic growth.

Yearbook 2002

Botswana. During the year, the Government of Botswana ended up in an international political conflict because of its decision to force the last group of bush people (basarwa) from the country’s largest nature reserve in the Kalahari desert.

More than a few thousand basarwa were displaced during the 1980s and 1990s from their traditional locations in the Central Kalahari Game Reserve, but a few hundred people remained there. At the beginning of the year, the government declared that it could no longer afford health care or supplies of water and other supplies to the small bazaar group.

The government was accused from several quarters of wanting to drive away the bush people and thereby wipe out their traditional lifestyle, with the intention of accessing diamond and uranium deposits in the nature reserve. In Europe, votes were raised to reduce aid to Botswana. However, the Botswana government believed that it offered generous compensation and that it was best for the basarwa to relocate, as the group would then have access to water and services that are not in the nature reserve..The government’s decision to withdraw the water supply and the hunting permit of the bazaar were taken to court.

According to Countryaah website, national day of Botswana is every September 30. Botswana had the highest proportion of HIV-infected residents in the world, 38%, and was the only country in Africa to decide to offer medicines to all those affected. But despite discounts from pharmaceutical companies and outside financial assistance, it was very difficult to create an effective program to fight HIV and AIDS.

An outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease during the year in northeastern Botswana created great concern. Through the vaccination and emergency slaughter of large numbers of cattle, attempts were made to stop epizootin. Livestock management is the country’s most important food industry and accounts for three-quarters of Botswana’s agricultural production.

Botswana Country Overview

Visas
Finnish citizen does not need a visa to travel to Botswana for less than 90 days. In addition to the passport, minor children must present an original birth certificate in English (extract from the population information system obtained from the local register office). A minor who travels without one or both guardians must present the consent of the absent guardian when entering and leaving Botswana. If the minor has only one legal guardian, a court decision on sole custody or the death certificate of the other guardian must be presented. The passport must be valid for 6 months after leaving the country. We will not be held responsible if access is denied due to missing travel documents.

• According to ABBREVIATIONFINDER.ORG, BWA stands for Botswana.

Insurance
Everyone participating in the trip must have a valid travel insurance that covers medical expenses in the event of illness or other similar need. Please check the validity of your own insurance and the terms and conditions of the insurance cancellation cover.

Please pay attention to the special nature of your trip and check the coverage of the insurance in that respect as well. In many locations, the insurance must also be valid when moving at an altitude of more than 3,000 meters, in which case it also covers mountain sickness.

Many hiking or diving trips require more extensive insurance, which covers, for example, diving or moving on a glacier. Please check the contents of your insurance with your insurance company.

Vaccinations
Check that your basic vaccinations are valid (tetanus, polio and diphtheria). Hepatitis A and B vaccinations are recommended for the trip. We also recommend anti-malarial medication Chobe alueelle.Tarkistathan always vaccination requirements, local health clinic or travel vaccination advice

If you arrive in Botswana from the yellow fever area, an international vaccination card must be presented for yellow fever vaccination. According to the World Health Organization, a single dose of yellow fever vaccine provides lifelong protection against yellow fever. However, to avoid possible ambiguity, we recommend that a medical certificate in English be sought for a yellow fever vaccination certificate that is more than 10 years old, stating that vaccination provides lifelong protection.

When traveling to Botswana from a destination outside the yellow fever area, no vaccination certificate is required. However, there may be unexpected changes in flight routes that may also affect vaccination requirements. Due to such situations, we recommend that you always carry a valid vaccination certificate with you.

We will not be held responsible if access is denied due to a missing vaccination certificate.

Currency: Botswana Shortage (BWP). Puli is not available in Finland. The South African Rand goes directly to the payment alongside the local currency. Dates are available in Finland by booking in advance. Check availability and course at www.forex.fi.

Tips
It is usual to give 10% tips for good service, unless the service fee is included in the invoice price. It is a good idea to give 10USD / day to the guides. It is good for the employees of the accommodation to leave about 10USD / day in the staff’s common drop box. It is a good idea to give 2-3USD / ride or stump for drivers and bag carriers.

Climate
Botswana’s climate is very sunny all year round, meaning there is very little rainfall. The areas belong to the dry zone. Botswana’s climate is semi-arid and can be divided into two main seasons: the hot summer lasts from October to March, and the rains run in the summer half of the year, usually between November and March.

Time difference
The areas in which we move are in the same time zone as Finland. Daylight saving time is not used, so in summer the time difference is -1 hour.

Electrical current
The electrical current is 220 V. An adapter is required for devices used in Finnish sockets.

Mobile phones
Check the availability of your mobile phone with your operator. The area code for Botswana is +267.