INFORMATION NOTE
Venue
The Gap analyses assessment meeting of the SADC States will be held Gaborone, Botswana, on 1 – 2 September 2010 at:
Gaborone International Convention Centre (GICC)
Organizers
Botswana Civil Aviation Authority and ICAO AFI Comprehensive Implementation Programme (ACIP)
Opening Session
The meeting will take place everyday from 09.00 a.m.
Language
The meeting will be carried in English only.
Hotel Information
A list of recommended hotels is attached herewith. Participants may make bookings directly at the hotels.
Transportation
Transport will be provided from the Gaborone International Airport to the hotel (at arrival and departure) by hotel shuttles, while transport from hotels to the meeting venue will be out sourced.
Visas
While all travellers arriving in Botswana should have a valid passport, Botswana entry visas are not required for nationals from some countries. Participants are therefore advised to ascertain whether or not they are exempt from the Botswana visa requirements at the respective Botswana Embassies/High Commissions.
Those who are not exempt should apply for visas well in advance from Botswana High Commissions or Embassies, which will issue them upon the presentation of documentation showing that the applicants are designated representatives to a particular UN meeting to be held in Gaborone. For countries with no Botswana High Commission or Embassy, if requested, participants can obtain visa upon arrival at Botswana International Airport. Participants who will need visa upon arrival should contact the organisers well in advance so that necessary arrangements can be made.
Health
Participants must ensure they take out travel insurance (including health) from their home country for the duration of their stay in Botswana.
Presentation of yellow fever certificate at the point of entry is highly required for the following African countries – Angola, Benin, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Comoros, Central African Republic, Chad, Congo, DRC, Ivory Coast, Ethiopia, Gabon, Gambia, Ghana, Guinea Bissau, Guinea Equatorial, Kenya, Liberia, Mali, Mauritania, Mozambique, Niger, Nigeria, Somalia, Congo, Rwanda, São Tomé e Principe, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Tanzania, Togo, Uganda. If the certificate cannot be made available, vaccination will take place on point of entry against payment of ……. $. (to be confirmed)
Weather and local time information
The average temperature during September is minimum of 5 degrees Celsius and maximum of 31 degrees Celsius.
Botswana local time is GMT+2. It is fixed across the country.
Local Currency and Foreign Exchanges Rates
The official currency is Pula (BWP). The current exchange parity has currently set at the rate of:
GBP1 = BWP 10.44
US$1 = BWP 6.60
€1 = BWP 8.80
British Pound Sterling, American dollars and EURO are accepted in many places. Exchange is easily available in the banks and exchange agencies. Very few hotels and businesses currently accept credit cards hence participants should not heavily rely on them.
Language
The official language of the Country is English.
Hours of business
The official working hours in Botswana are 8.00a.m to 5.00p.m Mondays to Fridays and 8.00a.m to 1.00 p.m on Saturday, Sundays, most offices are closed except shopping malls.
Electrical Supply
The electrical out is 220/240 V, 50 Hz. The standard 3-pin South African plugs are the most common outlets in most hotels. (The round ones)
Telephones
World wide direct connections are available, using the international code or telephone operator if necessary.
From abroad dial 255 followed by required number. There are 3 mobile phone operators: Mascom, Orange and Be Mobile
LIST OF HOTELS
Country Code: +267
Name of Hotel/Lodge / Contact Details / Rates / BreakfastMet Court Inn / Tel : +267 363 7907
Fax : +267 391 0402
/ P544.00 – Std Room
P662.00 Exc Room / P87.00
Cresta President Hotel / Tel : +267 395 3631
Fax : +267 395 1840
/ P1025.00 Std. Room
P1420 – Exe.Room
P2890 Presidential Room / P126.00
Gaborone Sun / Tel: + 267 395 1111
Fax:+ 267 3184 479
/ P1 340.00 Std. Room
P1 695.00 suit / Inclusive
Grand Palm Hotel / Tel : 267 363 7777
Fax: 267 391 2989
/ P1415.00 Std. Room
P1885.00 Exe Room / P137.00
N.B: We advice that delegates be booked in at Met Court Inn and Grand Palm hotel as these are in the venue as the GICC (the meeting venue)
Gap analyses assessment meeting of the SADC States
Gaborone, Botswana, 1 – 2 September 2010