Month: September 2021

Situated in southern Africa, the Republic of Botswana lies between South Africa, Namibia, Zimbabwe and Zambia. The landlocked, politically stable country is run in a democratic manner, and its economy is growing steadily. It boasts some of Africa’s last great wildernesses, including the famous Okavango Swamps and the Kalahari Desert. The republic is the biggest exporter of gemstone diamonds in the world. Botswana also exports large quantities of beef to the European Economic Community

The erstwhile British protectorate of Bechuanaland, Botswana got its new name after gaining independence within the Commonwealth on September 30, 1966. It is named after its largest ethnic group, the Tswana.

Botswana has nine districts, and its capital is Gaborone. Francistown, Gweta, Kasane, Kazangula, Maun, Ghanzi, Nata, Serowe and Shakawe are the other main towns in Botswana.

Botswana follows a flourishing multiparty constitutional democratic system of governance. Its small white minority and other minorities participate freely in the political process. In the 2004 polls, 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 one. Held every five years, the next general election is slated for October 2009.

The country’s geography is dominated by the Kalahari Desert, which covers up to 70% of the land surface of the country. The Okavango Delta, the world’s largest inland delta, lies in the northwestern part of the country.

Since independence, Botswana has had the distinction of recording the fastest growth in per capita income in the world. Economic growth averaged over 9% per year from 1966 to 1999. In spite of successive budget deficits in 2002 and 2003, the government has managed to maintain a strong fiscal policy and only a small level of foreign debt. Botswana’s currency is the Pula, which is fully convertible.

The economic success of the country 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. Debswana, the only diamond mining company operating in Botswana, is 50% owned by the government and generates about 50% of all government revenues.

The AIDS epidemic, however, has become a major cause for worry in Botswana. Approximately one in three Botswanans has HIV, giving Botswana the second-highest HIV infection rate in the world. The government recognizes that HIV/AIDS will affect the economy, and is providing leadership and programs to tackle the menace.

Bora Bora’s weather falls in line with the general parameters of all tropical locations – entirely predictable for most part (except for the infrequent but spectacular cyclones) and with definite seasons. Broadly, it can be classified into the monsoon, or rainy, season and the dry season.

The monsoons last for five months – between November and April, to be precise –and they generate a considerable amount of rainfall. It is estimated that three quarters of Polynesia’s yearly rainfall occurs within these five months. It can get quite hot and humid on the island in this period – temperatures can go up to 30 degrees Celsius and even higher during the period between February and March. Though Bora Bora has its own rustically romantic charm in the monsoon season, a majority of tourists find the torrential rainfall hard to take. The generally pleasant north-northeasterly trade winds blow during the monsoons.

In contrast, the dry season, which also lasts for five months (between May and October) is far more amenable to the tourist trade. Humidity is down to a manageable level from the extreme mugginess of the wet season. Usually, temperatures will fluctuate between 24 degrees and 28 degrees Celsius and the weather generally remains pleasant. This season also features the southeasterly ‘mara amu’ trade winds, which can reduce daytime temperatures without warning. First-time visitors would probably be best off vacationing during the dry spell, which is considered peak tourist season on Bora Bora.

The lacuna between these two main seasons is not considered to be optimum vacation time on the island, but that depends entirely on one’s point of view. For instance, you are likely to get accommodation, island touring, charter fishing and water sports facilities at extremely reasonable rates during this period.

There are, of course, no direct flights to Bora Bora. A full-fledged airport would have detracted from the island’s rustic ethnicity. It does feature a miniscule airport at Motu Mute, however.

The way to fly to Bora Bora is via Tahiti’s Faa’a International Airport at Papeete, and catching a smaller craft from there to Motu Mute. For reference, it takes a normal commercial flight something like seven hours to reach Papeete from Los Angeles. The airlines that have regular flights to Faa’a International Airport include Qantas, Air New Zealand, Air France, Air Tahiti Nui, Hawaiian Airlines, Corsair and Lan Chile. However, the process of flying here can be confusing and complicated. Most tourists prefer to have a professional travel agent make their bookings.

Faa’a International Airport is far from a very busy one – many days do not see more than a couple of international flights coming in. However, international tourists will find most of the basic amenities available – these include a currency exchange counter, Internet café, post office and easy access to a marketplace that offers Tahitian curios.

Air Tahiti offers daily charter flights to the island from Papeete, and from Bora Bora to some of the better-known peripheral islands such as Raiatea, Moorea and Huahine. Further, Air Moorea and Air Archipels also offer private charter flights to Bora Bora and the other islands from the main airport.

If flying to Bora Bora is a little more involved than it would be with other popular tourist destinations, it is well worth it. All along the way, the passenger is treated to a spectacular display of tropical splendor that cannot be matched by other destinations.

You can explore the beauty of Bora Bora’s magnificent waters and surrounding islands on almost any budget. The most popular choice for seeing the legendary lagoon and other points of interest is, of course, the luxury cruise liner, but various private enterprises offer cheaper options.

Places covered by cruises from Bora Bora include the Leeward Islands of Huahine, Raiatea and Tahaa, the French Polynesian Marquesas Islands, and major and minor lagoons throughout the chain. They cover various time periods and can last from three to sixteen days.

Bora Bora is equipped with an immaculate boatyard that also makes private sea excursions possible. It is possible to hire native guides for personal cruises, and such an expedition can be exciting and far more fulfilling than a commercially planned one. However, those who indulge in the private charter option to see the islands are usually experienced sea people for whom the process of sailing is as appealing as the sights they will see.

Many boat charter companies for such private cruises can be found on Bora Bora’s Vaitape and Uaiatea’s Uturora. These can be easily contacted by telephone or email, and bookings can be made personally or via travel agents even before arrival at Bora Bora. For those who are interested in such an adventure, detailed marine charts are available.

Whatever means one uses to cruise Bora Bora’s breathtaking waters, one is advised to consult appropriate weather reports and updates. These areas are subject to the tropical phenomenon of cyclones, though these are far from frequent and are usually well-predicted. It is also necessary to have the right seafaring apparel, since climactic changes are usually abrupt and dramatic on Bora Bora’s waters.

Life in Bora Bora is essentially beach-centric. That makes perfect sense, since it is the beaches that tourists naturally zero in on almost from the moment of arrival at this beautiful tropical island.

It is hard to describe the serene splendor of Bora Bora’s beaches in words. Those who have seen them in some of the various Hollywood films that have been filmed over the ages on location there will know that they are indescribable.

Bora Bora is just 18 miles long, and beaches are the defining catchword here. The island is the pride of the South Pacific and has long since been hailed as the most romantic beach chain that the globe has to offer. The beaches themselves sport none of the boardwalk clutter that one tends to associate with resort islands. The various hotel establishments have cooperated with Tahitian authorities and natives to preserve and maintain the magnificent seclusion and beauty that Bora Bora’s beaches are so famous for.

Matira Beach is the crowning jewel in Bora Bora’s crown, and should not be missed. While there, the visitor has various options. One can work on one’s suntan, engage the help of local pearl divers to find one of the black pearls the island is so renowned for, go aquaplaning, scuba diving, water skiing or parasailing, and go on a boat ride to watch the sharks being fed.

Watching the sun rise and set on Matira Beach is an experience that will set standards of exhilarating, soul-stirring beauty for the rest of one’s life. Don’t expect to be able to go to a local disco or nightclub after the colorful display, though. That’s not what Bora Bora’s beach life is all about. Here you will find unspoiled nature, friendly natives and true ethnic charm – not a picturesque extension of city life.