Botswana used to be the British Colongy of Bechuanaland. In 1966 when it received its independance, it was one of the ten poorest countries in the world so it was no wonder that England didn't really care about it. Sometime in the early 1970s great diamond fields were discovered allowing Botswana to determine its own fate. Today it is one of the richest countries in Africa, and it is very obvious to a visitor that the people are better off and happier in Botswana than in Zambia or Zimbabwe.

Botswana is the size of Texas, and it only has 1.6 million inhabitants. Three fourths of the country is the Kalahari Desert, and people live mainly in the southeastern part of the country.

The entry point had an unusual ritual that newcomers had to go through. Before enterign Botswana, all vehicles must drive through a pond of treated water to eliminate anything in the tire tread, and all passengers must step out of the car and walk across a small treated patch to eliminate anything on the shoes. I'm not sure if it keeps anything out of Botswana, but it is at least a good try.

We also saw signs to help eliminate AIDS.

It was at the immigration point that we saw a dead elephant dung beatle. The thing is just humongous. I'm glad I didn't see a live one.

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Welcome to Botswana

Cleaning off Any Harmful Bugs

Painted vans

Anti HIV Windshield Sticker

Umbrella Tree

Pretty Yellow Flowers

Elephant Dung Beatle

Along the Highway in Botswana

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