BOTSWANA - SAFARI COUNTRY

Botswana is safari country par excellence. Let us tailormake a safari to suit your needs. There is no need to accommodate others when you spend your hard-earned money on something quite as unique. We supply the vehicle, set up camp and make sure that you will thoroughly enjoy the trip. Accommodation in Botswana is not cheap, but you will be surprised to see how affordable a private safari with 4 people can be. Don't hesitate to contact us.

Botswana's remote parks and reserves offer a diverse and abundant variety of wildlife that relatively few people are fortunate enough to experience. Botswana, a peaceful, landlocked country in Southern Africa, shares its borders with South Africa in the south and east, Namibia in the north and west, Zimbabwe in the north east, and Zambia in the north. Botswana has become increasingly prosperous since its independence in 1966 and is served by a network of good roads.

The renowned Okavango Delta is the largest inland river delta in the world. Its myriad small islands are home to an amazing variety of birds, plants and animals. It's waters teem with hippos and crocodiles. Travel is mainly by Mokoro (dugout canoe), a quiet and tranquil experience. In the Chobe National Park, internationally recognised for its immense elephant population, it is possible to see herds in excess of hundreds of the mighty beasts. Chobe's 10 000 sq kilometres is packed with wildlife such as lion, cheetah, buffalo and many others. In addition the bird life is spectacular.

At the Makgadigadi pans, southeast of Chobe, you will see large herds of blue wildebeest and several antelope species. The flamingos are a sight to behold. Much of the rest of Botswana is taken up by the Kalahari Desert, a vast expanse of sand, savanna and grassland and one of the richest wildlife regions in Africa.

Once in Botswana you are close to the Victoria Falls.. Whether you want to visit the Victoria Falls from Zambia or Zimbabwe, you are less than 200 km away whilst in Chobe.

Explore this ecological wonderland under the guidance of Temba Safaris, choose your own knowledgeable and well-trained safari guide or game ranger. We tailor-make safaris that includes all the highlights, i.e. the world-renowned Okavango Delta and the Central Kalahari National Park.

BOTSWANA BRIEF

GEOGRAPHY
Botswana is roughly the size of France or Texas. Its surface is 581,730 sq km. It is entirely landlocked, bordered by its neighbours South Africa, Namibia, Zambia and Zimbabwe. Botswana is 84% covered by the Kalahari (Kgalagadi) Desert. Most of the population is settled in the east and southeast of the country.

POPULATION
The total population estimated for 2006 is 1,85 million growing at a rate of 2,4% per annum. The population is heavily weighted towards younger age groups. About 43% of the population is younger than 15 years of age. Over 50% of the population is settled in urban areas.

URBAN CENTRES
Gaborone, in the extreme southeast, is the capital city. Its population is almost 250,000. It has good communications by road and air to South Africa. Other main towns are Francistown (105,000), Lobatse (60,000), Selebi-Phikwe (50,000), Ghanzi, Mahalapye, Maun and Kasane.

CLIMATE
Summer: December to March. High temperatures average 30C to 35C with lows around 18C and rain particularly between December and March. Winter: June to August. Daytime temperatures around 23C, with night-time lows averaging around 5C.

AIR BOTSWANA
Air Botswana provides international flights from Gaborone to Johannesburg and Harare and internal flights to Francistown, Maun and Kasane.

VISAS
Visas from the European Union, most commonwealth countries and USA do not require visas. Visitors from other countries should check with Botswana embassies or consulates. Visas are initially granted for 30 days and can be extended for a total of three months. (Visitors from Ghana, India, Nigeria, Pakistan and Sri Lanka do require visas)

DUTY-FREE ALLOWANCE
The following goods declared on arrival are duty-free: Two litres of wine, one litre of spirits, 400 cigarettes, 50 cigars, 250gm of cigarette and pipe tobacco, 50ml perfume, 250ml toilet water. All goods acquired outside Botswana must be declared when you enter the country.

DEPARTURE TAX
International P100, Local P50.

PEOPLE
Batswana are the most numerous people in the country, forming about 78,2% of the population and speaking Setwana language. (Batswana also refers to citizens of Botswana.) They have settled in nearly all parts of the country. The oldest ethnic group is the Basarwa (or San). Over 80% of the population lives in the eastern region.

LANGUAGES
The official language is English, which is used in government and business affairs. Setswana is the national language, and is widely spoken. Other ethnic groups speak their own languages.

BUSINESS HOURS
Private sector:
Monday to Friday - 08h00 to 17h00
Government Offices:
Monday to Friday – 07h30 to 16h30

TIME
GMT plus 2 hours.

CURRENCY
The Pula is divided into 100 thebe. Notes are P100, P50, P20 and P10. Coins are P5, P2, P1 and thebe 50t, 10t and 5t.

BANKS
Six main commercial banks operate in Botswana as well as a number of foreign exchange bureaux. Banking hours: Monday to Friday – 08h30 to 15h30. Saturdays - 08h30 to 11h00. Barclays Bank at Sir Seretse Khama International Airport is open Monday to Saturday – 06h00 to 20h00 and Sundays 07h00 to 20h00.

PUBLIC HOLIDAYS
1 January : New Years Day
2 January : Public Holiday
March\April (variable) : Good Friday and Easter Monday
1 May : Labour Day
May (variable) : Ascension Day
1 August : Sir Seretse Khama Day
21 August : President’s Day (and following day)
30 September : Independence Day (and following day)
1 December : Public Holiday
25 December : Christmas Day
26 December : Boxing Day

INTERNATIONAL TELEPHONE DIALING
International code +267

THE FOLLOWING COUNTRIES HAVE DIPLOMATIC REPRESENTATION IN BOTSWANA
Angola, Brazil, Great Britain, Cuba, China, France, Germany India, Kenya, Libya, Mozambique, Namibia, Nigeria, Russia, Republic of South Africa, Sweden, United States of America, Zambia, Zimbabwe.

Government
Type: Republic, parliamentary democracy.
Independence: September 30, 1966.
Constitution: March 1965.
Branches: Executive--president (chief of state and head of government), cabinet. Legislative--popularly elected National Assembly; advisory House of Chiefs. Judicial--High Court, Court of Appeal, local and customary courts, industrial labor court.
Administrative subdivisions: Five town councils and nine district councils.
Major political parties: Botswana Democratic Party (BDP)--48 seats, Botswana National Front (BNF)--12 seats, Botswana Congress Party (BCP)--1 seat, Botswana Alliance Movement (BAM)--0 seats.
Suffrage: Universal at 18.

Economy
Nominal GDP (2008): $14.025 billion.
Real GDP growth rate: 3.5%.
Per capita nominal GDP (2008): $7,343.
Natural resources: Diamonds, copper, nickel, coal, soda ash, salt, gold, potash.
Agriculture (1.6% of real GDP, 2007/2008): Products--livestock, sorghum, white maize, millet, cowpeas, beans.
Industry: Types--mining (36% of real GDP, 2007/2008): diamonds, copper, nickel, coal; tourism, textiles, construction, tourism, beef processing, chemical products production, food and beverage production.
Trade (2008): Exports--$5.127 billion f.o.b.: diamonds, nickel, copper, meat products, textiles, hides, skins, and soda ash. Partners--EU, South Africa. Imports--$3.931 billion f.o.b.: machinery, transport equipment, manufactured goods, food, chemicals, fuels. Major suppliers--South Africa, EU, and U.S.

PEOPLE AND HISTORY
The Batswana, a term also used to denote all citizens of Botswana, refers to the country's major ethnic group (the "Tswana" in South Africa), which came into the area from South Africa during the Zulu wars of the early 1800s. Prior to European contact, the Batswana lived as herders and farmers under tribal rule.

In the 19th century, hostilities broke out between the Batswana and Boer settlers from the Transvaal. After appeals by the Batswana for assistance, the British Government in 1885 put "Bechuanaland" under its protection. The northern territory remained under direct administration and is today's Botswana, while the southern territory became part of the Cape Colony and is now part of the northwest province of South Africa; the majority of Setswana-speaking people today live in South Africa.

Despite South African pressure, inhabitants of the Bechuanaland Protectorate, Basutoland (now Lesotho), and Swaziland in 1909 asked for and received British assurances that they would not be included in the proposed Union of South Africa. An expansion of British central authority and the evolution of tribal government resulted in the 1920 establishment of two advisory councils representing Africans and Europeans. Proclamations in 1934 regularized tribal rule and powers. A European-African advisory council was formed in 1951, and the 1961 constitution established a consultative legislative council.

In June 1964, Britain accepted proposals for democratic self-government in Botswana. The seat of government was moved from Mafikeng, in South Africa, to newly-established Gaborone in 1965. The 1965 constitution led to the first general elections and to independence in September 1966. Seretse Khama, a leader in the independence movement and the legitimate claimant to traditional rule of the Bamangwato, was elected as the first president, re-elected twice, and died in office in 1980. The presidency passed to the sitting vice president, Ketumile Masire, who was elected in his own right in 1984 and re-elected in 1989 and 1994. Masire retired from office in 1998. The presidency passed to the sitting vice president, Festus Mogae, who was elected in his own right in 1999. Mogae won a second term in elections held October 30, 2004 and stepped down in accordance with national term limits on March 31, 2008. On April 1, 2008 former Vice President Ian Khama assumed the presidency. The next general election is expected in October 2009.

GOVERNMENT AND POLITICAL CONDITIONS
Botswana has a flourishing multiparty constitutional democracy. Each of the elections since independence has been freely and fairly contested and has been held on schedule. The country's minority groups participate freely in the political process. There are three main parties and a number of smaller parties. In national elections in 2004, the Botswana Democratic Party (BDP) won 44 of 57 contested National Assembly seats, the Botswana National Front (BNF) won 12, and the Botswana Congress Party (BCP) won 1 seat. Individuals elected by the National Assembly hold an additional 4 seats; the ruling BDP currently holds all 4. The opposition out-polled the ruling BDP in most urban areas. The openness of the country's political system has been a significant factor in Botswana's stability and economic growth. General elections are held every 5 years. The next general election is expected to be held in October 2009.

The president has executive power and is chosen by the National Assembly following countrywide legislative elections. The cabinet is selected by the president from the National Assembly; it consists of a vice president and a flexible number of ministers and assistant ministers, currently 16 and 8, respectively. The National Assembly has 57 elected and 4 specially elected members; it is expanded following each census (every 10 years; the most recent was conducted in 2001).

The advisory House of Chiefs represents the eight principal subgroups of the Batswana tribes, five members specially elected by the president, and 22 members elected from designated regions. The elected members hold office for a period of only 5 years whereas the eight principal chiefs are members for life. A draft of any National Assembly bill of tribal concern must be referred to the House of Chiefs for advisory opinion. Chiefs and other leaders preside over customary traditional courts, though all persons have the right to request that their case be considered under the formal British-based legal system.

The roots of Botswana's democracy lie in Setswana traditions, exemplified by the Kgotla, or village council, in which the powers of traditional leaders are limited by custom and law. Botswana's High Court has general civil and criminal jurisdiction. Judges are appointed by the president and may be removed only for cause and after a hearing. The constitution has a code of fundamental human rights enforced by the courts, and Botswana has a good human rights record.

Local government is administered by nine district councils and five town councils. District commissioners have executive authority and are appointed by the central government and assisted by elected and nominated district councilors and district development committees. There has been ongoing debate about the political, social, and economic marginalization of the San (indigenous tribal population). The government's policies for the Basarwa (San) and other remote area dwellers continue to spark controversy.

Principal Government Officials of Botswana
President--Lt. Gen. (ret.) Seretse Khama Ian Khama
Vice President--Lt. Gen. (ret.) Mompati S. Merafhe

Cabinet Ministers of Botswana
Finance and Development Planning--Baledzi Gaolathe
Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation--Phandu T.C. Skelemani
Environment, Wildlife and Tourism--Onkokame Kitso Mokaila
Communications, Science and Technology--Pelonomi Venson-Moitoi
Office of the President for Justice, Defense and Security--Dikgakgamatso R. Seretse
Office of the President for Public Administration--Margaret Nasha
Trade and Industry--Daniel Neo Moroka
Minerals, Energy and Water Resources--Ponatshego Kedikilwe
Lands and Housing--Nonofo E. Molefi
Local Government--Ambrose Masalila
Education and Skills Development--Jacob Nkate
Health--Lesego E. Motsumi
Works and Transport--Johnnie K. Swartz
Labour and Home Affairs--Peter L. Siele
Sports, Youth, and Culture--Gladys K. Kokorwe
Agriculture--Christian De Graaff

Ambassador to the United States--L. Caesar Lekoa
Ambassador to the United Nations--Charles Ntwaagae

Botswana maintains an embassy at 1531-1533 New Hampshire Avenue NW, Washington DC 20036 (tel. 202-244-4990; fax 202-244-4164). Its mission to the United Nations is at 103 E. 37th Street, New York NY 10017 (tel. 212-889-2277; fax 212-725-5061).

ECONOMY
Botswana has enjoyed one of the fastest growth rates in per capita income in the world since independence. Economic growth averaged 9% per year from 1967-2006. The government has maintained a sound fiscal policy, despite three consecutive budget deficits in 2002-2004, and a negligible level of foreign debt. Foreign exchange reserves were estimated to be $9.2 billion in March 2009, equivalent to 28 months' cover of 2008 imports of goods and services. Botswana's impressive economic record has been built on the foundation of wisely using revenue generated from diamond mining to fuel economic development through prudent fiscal policies and a cautious foreign policy. However, due to the global economic downturn and decline in demand for diamonds, the Government of Botswana is predicting a 50% decrease in state revenues in 2009. Government expenditures are predicted to remain close to 2008 levels with the government using credit and foreign capital reserves to cover the difference. Real GDP remained flat in 2005/2006, but the growth rate recovered to 6.2% in 2006/2007. The government recognizes that HIV/AIDS will continue to affect the economy and is providing leadership and programs to combat the epidemic, including free anti-retroviral treatment and a nationwide Prevention of Mother-to-Child Transmission program.

Botswana Mining
Debswana (formed by the government and South Africa's DeBeers in equal partnership) is the largest mining operation in Botswana. Several other mining operations exist in the country, including the Bamangwato Concessions, Ltd. (BCL, also with substantial government equity participation) and Tati Nickel.

Since the early 1980s, the country has been the world's largest producer of gem-quality diamonds. Four large diamond mines have opened since independence. DeBeers prospectors discovered diamonds in northern Botswana in the late 1960s. The first mine began production at Orapa in 1972, followed by the smaller mines of Lethlakane and Damtshaa. What has become the single-richest diamond mine in the world opened in Jwaneng in 1982. The Orapa 2000 Expansion of the existing Orapa mine was opened in 2000. In December 2004, Debswana negotiated 25-year lease renewals for all four of its mines with the Government of Botswana. For the 12-month period ending June 30, 2007, diamonds accounted for 67% of total exports (down from a high of 84% in 2003/2004) and 28% of GDP. Diamond mining, however, is capital intensive and only accounts for approximately 5% of employment. In 2007, Debswana produced 33.8 million carats, down slightly from 34.3 million carats in 2006, but 2007 revenue was 18 billion pula (approximately U.S. $3 billion), a 3.5% increase from 2006. Diamond mining will continue to be the mainstay of Botswana’s economy, with known current reserves sufficient for at least the next 20 years. As part of Botswana's drive to diversify and increase local value added within the mining sector, De Beers opened the Diamond Trading Center in 2008 to shift sorting, cutting, polishing, aggregating, and marketing to Gaborone from London. However, the current economic slowdown will greatly impact Botswana’s diamond mining industry. The DeBeers group announced that the 2009 scheduled move of its diamond aggregation from London to Botswana will be postponed. Additionally, Debswana, a joint project between DeBeers and Botswana, will lay off over 1,000 workers in 2009 when it shuts down two of its mines for 12 months. Exploration for other kimberlite pipes continues.

BCL, which operates a copper-nickel mine at Selebi-Phikwe, has had a troubled financial history but remains an important employer, although the life of the mine is expected to end in the next 5 to 10 years. Other copper-nickel mines include Tati Nickel near Francistown. Botash, the sole producer of soda ash in the region and supported by substantial government investment, produced 265,000 tons of soda ash in 2005.

Coal-bed methane gas has been discovered in the northeastern part of the country, estimated by the developers at a commercially viable quantity of 12 trillion cubic feet. Development of the gas fields has been slow, however.

Botswana Tourism
Tourism is an increasingly important industry in Botswana, accounting for approximately 10% of GDP in 2006. One of the world's unique ecosystems, the Okavango Delta, is located in Botswana. The country offers excellent game viewing and birding both in the Delta and in the Chobe Game Reserve--home to one of the largest herds of free-ranging elephants in the world. Botswana's Central Kalahari Game Reserve also offers good game viewing and some of the most remote and unspoiled wilderness in southern Africa.

Botswana Agriculture
More than one-half of the population lives in rural areas and is largely dependent on subsistence crop and livestock farming. Agriculture meets only a small portion of food needs and contributes a very small amount to GDP--primarily through beef exports--but it remains a social and cultural touchstone. Cattle raising in particular dominated Botswana's social and economic life before independence. The national herd is estimated between 2 and 3 million head, but the cattle industry is experiencing a protracted decline.

Private Sector Development and Foreign Investment in Botswana
Botswana seeks to further diversify its economy away from minerals, which account for over 40% of GDP. Foreign investment and management are welcomed in Botswana. Botswana abolished foreign exchange controls in 1999, has a low corporate tax rate (15%), and no prohibitions on foreign ownership of companies. The country's inflation rate had remained stable and comparatively low over the 10 years preceding 2005. However, rising fuel and utility prices along with the government's 12.5% devaluation of the Pula in May 2005 resulted in a spike in inflation to 11.4% as of December 2005, which fell well outside the Bank of Botswana's target rate of between 4%-7%. Inflation as of November 2007 was 7.7%. The Government of Botswana was considering additional policies to enhance competitiveness, including a new Foreign Direct Investment Strategy and National Export Development Strategy. Botswana's parliament adopted both a Privatization Master Plan and a new Competition Policy that were aimed at fostering economic diversification.

With its proven record of good economic governance, Botswana was ranked as Africa's least corrupt country by Transparency International in 2008 (36th worldwide, ahead of many European and Asian countries). Botswana is consistently ranked by international organizations as among the freest economies in sub-Saharan Africa. In the 2008 Economic Freedom of the World report, Botswana was ranked 60th overall and third-highest in Africa, while the Heritage Foundation's 2008 Index of Economic Freedom ranked Botswana second in sub-Saharan Africa. In November 2005, Standard & Poor's once again assigned Botswana an "A" grade credit rating. This ranks Botswana as by far the best credit risk in Africa and puts it on par or above many countries in central Europe, East Asia, and Latin America. In February 2009, the outlook for Botswana was revised from “stable” to “negative”--a reflection of the pressure on the diamond industry and the predicted decline in revenues.

U.S. investment in Botswana remains at relatively low levels. Major U.S. corporations, such as H.J. Heinz and AON Corporation, are present through direct investments, while others, such as Kentucky Fried Chicken and Remax, are present via franchise. The sovereign credit ratings by Moody's and Standard & Poor's clearly indicate that, despite continued challenges such as small market size, landlocked location, and cumbersome bureaucratic processes, Botswana remains one of the best investment opportunities in the developing world. Botswana has a 90-member American Business Council that accepts membership from American-affiliated companies.

Because of history and geography, Botswana has long had deep ties to the economy of South Africa. The Southern Africa Customs Union (SACU), comprised of Botswana, Namibia, Lesotho, Swaziland, and South Africa, dates from 1910, and is the world's oldest customs union. Under this arrangement, South Africa has collected levies from customs, sales, and excise duties for all five members, sharing out proceeds based on each country's portion of imports. The exact formula for sharing revenues and the decision-making authority over duties--held exclusively by the Government of South Africa--became increasingly controversial, and the members renegotiated the arrangement in 2001. A new structure was formally ratified and a SACU Secretariat was established in Windhoek, Namibia. Following South Africa's accession to the World Trade Organization (WTO, of which Botswana also is a member), many of the SACU duties are declining, making American products more competitive in Botswana. Botswana signed an Economic Partnership Agreement with the European Union in December 2007, and, as a member of SACU, it signed a preferential trade agreement in 2004 with Mercosur. In July 2008, SACU signed its first Trade, Investment and Development Cooperation Agreement (TIDCA) with the United States. SACU also has plans to negotiate free trade agreements with China, India, Kenya, and Nigeria.

Botswana's currency--the Pula--is fully convertible and is valued against a basket of currencies heavily weighted toward the South African Rand. Profits and direct investment can be repatriated without restriction from Botswana. The Botswana Government eliminated all exchange controls in 1999. The Central Bank devalued the Pula by 12.5% in May 2005 in a bid to maintain export competitiveness against the real appreciation of the Pula and restructured the exchange rate mechanism to a crawling peg system to ensure against future large-scale devaluations.

Botswana is a member of the 14-nation Southern African Development Community (SADC), and Gaborone hosts the SADC Secretariat's headquarters. SADC has a broad mandate to encourage growth, development, and economic integration in Southern Africa. SADC's Trade Protocol, which was launched on September 1, 2000, called for the elimination of all tariff and non-tariff barriers to trade by 2008 among the 11 signatory countries. The SADC free trade agreement based on the agreed tariff phasedown was launched at the August 2008 summit in South Africa. Zimbabwe's membership has limited SADC's opportunities for cooperation with the United States.

Transportation and Communications
A sparsely populated, semi-arid country about the size of Texas, Botswana has nonetheless managed to incorporate much of its interior into the national economy. An "inner circle" highway connecting all major towns and district capitals is completely paved, and the all-weather Trans-Kalahari Highway connects the country (and, through it, South Africa's commercially dominant Gauteng Province) to Walvis Bay in Namibia. A fiber-optic telecommunications network has been completed in Botswana connecting all major population centers.

In addition to the government-owned newspaper and national radio network, there is an active, independent press (one daily and seven weekly newspapers). Two privately owned radio stations began operations in 1999, and a third began operations in 2008. In 2000, the government-owned Botswana Television (BTV) was launched, which was Botswana's first national television station. GBC is a commercially owned television station that broadcast programs to the Gaborone area only. Foreign publications are sold without restriction in Botswana, and there are 22 commercial Internet service providers. Three cellular phone providers cover most of the country.

DEFENSE
The president is commander in chief of the Botswana Defense Force (BDF). A defense council is appointed by the president. The BDF was formed in 1977 and has approximately 13,000 members.

The BDF is a capable and well-disciplined military force. Following positive political changes in South Africa and the region, the BDF's missions have increasingly focused on border control and anti-poaching activities. The BDF is considered an apolitical and professional institution.

FOREIGN RELATIONS
Botswana puts a premium on economic and political integration in Southern Africa. It seeks to make SADC a working vehicle for economic development, and promotes efforts to make the region self-policing in terms of preventative diplomacy, conflict resolution, and good governance. Botswana joins the African consensus on most major international matters and is a member of international organizations such as the United Nations and the African Union (AU). Botswana has taken a leadership role within SADC advocating for a resolution of the crisis in Zimbabwe that fully reflects the will of the Zimbabwean people.

U.S.-BOTSWANA RELATIONS
The United States considers Botswana an advocate of and a model for stability in Africa and has been a major partner in Botswana's development since its independence. The U.S. Peace Corps returned to Botswana in August 2002 with a focus on HIV/AIDS-related programs after concluding 30 years of more broadly targeted assistance in 1997. Similarly, the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) phased out a longstanding bilateral partnership with Botswana in 1996, after successful programs emphasizing education, training, entrepreneurship, environmental management, and reproductive health. Botswana, however, continues to benefit along with its neighbors in the region from USAID's Initiative for Southern Africa, now based in Pretoria, and USAID's Southern Africa Global Competitiveness Hub, headquartered in Gaborone. The United States International Board of Broadcasters (IBB) operates a major Voice of America (VOA) relay station in Botswana serving most of the African continent.

In 1995, the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) started the BOTUSA Project in collaboration with the Botswana Ministry of Health in order to generate information to improve tuberculosis (TB) control efforts in Botswana and elsewhere in the face of the TB and HIV/AIDS co-epidemics. Under the 1999 U.S. Government's Leadership and Investment in Fighting an Epidemic (LIFE) Initiative, CDC through the BOTUSA Project has undertaken many projects and has assisted many organizations in the fight against the HIV/AIDS epidemic in Botswana. Botswana is one of the 15 focus countries for PEPFAR, the President's Emergency Plan for Aids Relief, and received more than $230 million since the program began in January 2004 through September 2007. PEPFAR assistance to Botswana, which totaled $76.2 million in FY 2007, is contributing to HIV/AIDS prevention, treatment, and care interventions.

The International Law Enforcement Academy (ILEA), situated just outside of Gaborone, is another example of bilateral cooperation. The academy, jointly financed, managed, and staffed by the Governments of Botswana and the United States, provides training to police and government officials from across the Sub-Saharan region. The academy's permanent campus, in Otse outside of Gaborone, opened March 2003. Over 3,000 law enforcement professionals from Sub-Saharan Africa have received training from ILEA since it began offering classes in 2001.

The US Embassy is on Embassy Drive off Khama Crescent--P.O. Box 90, Gaborone (tel. 267-353-982; fax 267-356-947). ODC is located at the embassy. CDC is located on Lejara Road, Phase 2 in Gaborone. ILEA is located in Otse, about 30 minutes outside of Gaborone. The IBB station is located in Selebi-Phikwe, about 400 kilometers northeast of Gaborone.
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