Africa's Secrets group posting on GLOBOsapiens

Visas to Botswana

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adampl Premium account Joined: Jun 07 Points: 10771 Posts: 30 Posted: 2007-10-18 15:16:00    Hi Globies! As a Polish citizen I need a visa to Botswana. Having done some desk research I've found the prices ranging from $5 to more than $100 and now I don't know what's the actual price. Has anybody been recently to Botswana and knows the fee? Adam --- "A journey is best measured in friends, rather than miles." Tim Cahill Reply    Reply with quote    Contact adampl   rangutan Premium account Joined: Aug 04 Points: 30870 Posts: 960 Posted: 2007-10-19 07:25:00    Hi Adam, I would love to visit Botswana and the Okavango Delta again one-day so checked out the current official website: http://www.botswana-tourism.gov.bw There it says $5 (+postage) for a visa but I also heard from a travelling friend just come back that there is something like a "tourist tax" of $100 to $200 per day in "some" regions. Botswana is not a place to backpack neither rent-a-car alone so see some group safari offers for as little as €2500 (two weeks) from Europe. Recommended is to combine a Botswana trip with South Africa, my camping tip and recommended professional service at a low budget is "Drifters" at: www.globosapiens.net/rangutan/travel-tip-drifters-adventure-tours-1540.html Their Botswana video is at: www.drifters.co.za/video/drift852sml.wmv They will assist with any up-to-date visa questions too, I guess they know the land well and arrange the visas at the border for $5! [NB: I am not an agent for any of my tips, they are all tested and providers of excellent quality!] R'Rudi [ This Message was edited by: rangutan on 2007-10-19 08:33 ] --- Rudi "Rangutan" Graspointner Reply    Reply with quote    Contact rangutan   mistybleu Premium account Joined: Aug 04 Points: 42254 Posts: 189 Posted: 2007-10-19 10:26:00    HI, I was in Botswana last year, and I know it is silly, but I don't recall paying for a visa; I did however travel on an EU passport. I was on an organised overland tour so maybe they sorted everything out for me but it would have been do at the port of entry. But it is so true, it is a wonderful experience, with so much to see. Not sure it helps at all, but good luck. Amanda --- "So many places, so little time" ((*_*)) Reply    Reply with quote    Contact mistybleu   adampl Premium account Joined: Jun 07 Points: 10771 Posts: 30 Posted: 2007-10-19 12:01:00    Hi guys, Thanks for replies. Rudi, I came across the same site you provided, but they say something about a letter of support from the host. What can it be? I heard that some Polish travellers obtained the visa in Cape Town having produced a letter of support from the Polish embassy. I also heard that that the process of getting visa can last as long as two weeks. Is it possible then to 'order' a visa in Cape Town and pick it up in Pretoria or Johannesburg? Thanks Rudi for the link to Drifters and the movie is really great despite poor quality. Unfortunately 2500 euros for two weeks is far too expensive for me. My friends and me plan to go there independently and rent a 4WD there. I read reports of some travellers who covered this way Southern Africa and it's much cheaper than a package. We plan to visit also South Africa, Namibia, Lesotho and probably Victoria Falls. Now we're researching things and it's not sure yet we manage to go there next June. We plan this for six weeks. Amanda, I have the EU passport as well and wish newbies to the EU would be treated the same as the old members as far as visas to Botswana are concerned :) But unfortunately they aren't. I do need a visa and preferably get it in South Africa. The nearest embassy of Botswana is in Brussels, but it's almost impossible to contact them and get some info about the visa process (according to tips from Polish travellers who wanted to obtain a visa there). We still have some time and hope we manage to sort things out. Adam --- "A journey is best measured in friends, rather than miles." Tim Cahill Reply    Reply with quote    Contact adampl   krisek Premium account Joined: Jan 08 Points: 57211 Posts: 120 Posted: 2008-09-10 21:56:00    Hi, I went to Botswana last year. I travelled on Polish passport. I applied in the Botswana's High Commission in London. I asked for a single entry tourist visa, which cost £60 but I got 90 days multiple entry visa. It took 2 working days to issue. They only required an application form with photo and air tickets. No questions asked and friendly. There is very limited backpacking in Botswana, particularly in the Okavango Delta, but there are campsites and it is possible to go on a small budget - in the delta it is just hard to get to them. It is a trade-off - less expensive requires more time... Best regards Krys --- Exaggeration is a truth that has lost its temper... Travel! You will see the world and discover who you are. Reply    Reply with quote    Contact krisek   manchkeen Joined: Jul 09 Points: 4 Posts: 1 Posted: 2009-07-31 14:05:00    Hi there. I have just talked to the Botswana High Commission in London and they confirmed that Polish nationals do not need a visa to enter Botswana for tourism. This has come into effect in April 2009, according to the person I talked to at the High Commission. Good news! J Reply    Reply with quote    Contact manchkeen