TO Idldjr.

Posted by Moon6 (538 days ago)

Hello,

I failed to send you a PM (couldn't find your handle, neither in range I or L). Hence the questions are being put here. I noticed you had spent years in Africa (including Botswana where my family and I will be moving to at beginning of January 2007) and wish you can help us with giving some directions.

Would you mind to share with us any information on living in Gaborone. I so far have very little knowledge of the region and couldn't find any link of the Expat Community there using Google (it seems there's nothing similar to this AsiaXpat). Any insight would be appreciated.

Thnx.

Posted by ldldjr (537 days ago)

I spent three short visits in Botswana. The most recently in 2003 or so. My understanding is that Botswana is a stable democracy - at least once upon a time open dissent was encouraged in the parliament, things like that. It seems to me that unlike joburg, nairobi, and too many other capital cities, Gabarone is a relatively safe place. The first time I was there, 1990 or so it struck me as "almost mid-west USA with something different".

Gabs has grown significantly from when I was first there. I always liked the country and the city, but never landed a long-term posting there - only came close.

Posted by Moon6 (537 days ago)

Idldjr,

Thank you very much for your response. As I understood, there's not any Int' hospital in Gabs; the city however is only approx. 4hrs drive/45' flight to Jo'burg where probably some Int hospitals would be found. Do you have any info of the country's health care system? Which advices would you give us regarding this? How about the people? I heard they are nice and friendly...

Thanks again.

Posted by ldldjr (537 days ago)

I found the people (that I met) to be very friendly. I don't know what the current health care situation is. Some years ago the closest good medical care was Joburg. I would just make sure you had good med evac insurance - if needed.

Posted by Moon6 (536 days ago)

Thanks. That's my main concern as I need quite often to see a doc for some minor med. exams. My husband on his visit to Gabs at beg of this month could find only an English dentist and the doc was full booked for the whole week, that worries us a bit. We're currently living in Zhuhai (China) which takes us only 1 hr to reach Hong Kong/Macau where all med. fac. are available. Do you have any idea of how safe is it to drive from Gabs to Jo'burg at night (Animals on the highways, possible robberies? Oh, sorry, many questions. If you recall any memory of the region, please share. Thanks. Have a nice day.

Posted by Moon6 (536 days ago)

Thanks. That's my main concern as I need quite often to see a doc for some minor med. exams. My husband on his visit to Gabs at beg of this month could find only an English dentist and the doc was full booked for the whole week, that worries us a bit. We're currently living in Zhuhai (China) which takes us only 1 hr to reach Hong Kong/Macau where all med. fac. are available. Do you have any idea of how safe is it to drive from Gabs to Jo'burg at night (Animals on the highways, possible robberies? Oh, sorry, many questions. If you recall any memory of the region, please share. Thanks. Have a nice day.

Posted by ldldjr (535 days ago)

I find it surprising that your husband didn't find any expat doctors. Did he check with your embassy for referrals? As It is a short flight in a prop plane from Joburg. Maybe 3 hours by car. I would think the biggest risk of hijacking would be when you got into SA and close to Joburg. T'is a dangerous place from what I was told on my last trip to SA. Don't know what the animals on the road situation is. Going the other way (into the Kalahari) would tend to have higher numbers I would think - these days higher numbers of cows vs wildlife maybe. Sorry, I can't give you anything more specific.

Posted by Moon6 (533 days ago)

Thank you, your info is greatly appreciated. Will have to check with our Consulate, nearest one is in Jo'burg though. A little correction: my husband said the doc was booked for the whole month (not week), when he got a terrible toothpain, a local staff searched and found only this english dentist. We heard too that Jo'burg as nights is dangerous, that people don't stop at many junctions when red lights turn on etc. I checked the Gabs-Jo'burg road option as it's rediculous expensive for this route's airtravel option these days and they're always full booked, just in case if we need to drive. As for the animals on road, is there some kind of fence/barrier do you recall made to stop them to come to sleep on the warm road at night? How far is the Kalahari desert from Gabs?
Thanks.

Posted by ldldjr (533 days ago)

The first visit required a long day to get to Hukuntsi (in the Kalahari). The last trip it was probably a 2 hour drive - nice roads now instead of sand tracks (main roads that is - still lots of tracks I am sure). There are game fences to the west, I don't know what the road is like between Gabs and Joburg.

Posted by Moon6 (527 days ago)

Thank you. I'm sure I will have more questions and do hope you visit this site often. Will update you about our move and news of Botswana. Cheers.

Posted by Moon6 (246 days ago)

Hi from Gaborone.
Just want to say hello and let you know we are Ok here for the last 8 months. Here are some of my doubts which are now clear: No Int Hospital, qualified specialist are always full booked. But we can have a house doctor and the doctor will use his influence to send us to a specialist when necessary. Security is quite a headache: We moved from a sepearted house into a compound with 24 hr security from fear-Not big crimes known so far, but break-ins are often heard (last night, 2 expat houses from our company got intruders, alarm chased them out), Roads are nice but too dark in the evening. Batswana are extremely friendly and easy going. Haven't gone for a safari yet. I'm advised not to drive alone after 19hr. Hope you're doing fine. Rgs.

Posted by ldldjr (245 days ago)

Greetings, and thanks for the update. When I was in Botswana I always felt that it was very safe (unless you broke down in the bush, lions or being stranded for extended periods being the issue, not thugs) - but that is before the AIDS epidemic which has no doubt brought along related social problems. Gabs is still SIGNIFICANTLY safer than the larger cities on the continent, and no doubt safer than most large cities in the US (where I come from). Enjoy!