Decide your dates
Make sure that your passports and driving licence have at least six valid months from the dates of your holiday
Book your flights:
Your regional airport to Paris (Air France is recommended)
Paris to Johannesburg (Air France is recommended)
Johannesburg to Gaborone (Air Botswana is recommended)
Plus the return flights
Note the check-in times
Decide how to travel to your regional airport
Book your car-parking space at your regional airport (if necessary)
Book your stay in the President Hotel, Gaborone
It’s usually cheaper to book via Expedia: www.expedia.co.ukÂ
Arrange for the hotel’s minibus to meet your flight (unless you prefer to arrange a hire car)
If you are following the extended itinerary, book your stay at the Serowe Hotel
Phone the hotel to make your reservation: 267 463 0234.
Book your hire car to meet your flight or be delivered to the President Hotel
Look up the best deal on www.rentalcars.comÂ
There are several international hire car companies to choose from. We haven’t yet found a suitable local company.
Arrange travel insurance
Arrange some travel money
Some Euros for refreshments on the way (get from your local Post Office)
Some Rand for refreshments at Johannesburg Airport (get from your local Post Office)
Rand is usually acceptable for tips for the Gaborone minibus driver and President Hotel staff
Wait until you can get Pula (the Botswana currency) from the cash machine in the Main Mall, opposite the President Hotel.Â
Look up the current exchange rate for GB£ to Pula: type £GB to Pula exchange rate into your search engine
Arrange with your credit card and debit card suppliers to be able to use your cards enroute and in Botswana: Use the debit card for cash; the credit card for purchases.
Check that the credit limits on your cards are sufficient for the holiday
Carry a separate note of your debit and credit card contact numbers in case they go astray
Arrange with your mobile phone company to be able to use your mobile phone whilst enroute and in Botswana, without big roaming charges.
If you are taking a computer, find out what to do to connect to the wi-fi services in airports and hotels.
Check your cabin luggage and baggage allowances for your flights, including the maximum dimensions of cases.
Check the airlines’ rules about items that may or may not be carried in your cabin luggage and main baggage
Cancel your home milk and newspaper deliveries
What to take:
In your cabin luggage:
a zipped plastic bag of your essential medications (check the permitted size of bag)
reading matter
earplugs or noise-cancelling earphones
music for the journey
inflatable neck support
camera (or carry separately)
laptop or ipad computer?
your travel insurance documents
this booklet
In your pocket:
airline information and tickets
passports
driving licence
if travelling with children: see chapter 7 re required information
credit/debit cards
hotel confirmation
hire car confirmation
mobile phoneÂ
In your main luggage:
holiday clothes for a warmer climate (no need to pack loads; the hotels have quick laundry services at reasonable charges)
sun hat, sun cream, sun glasses
nightwear
comfortable shoes