Currency of Botswana Africa: A Comprehensive Guide to BWP

The Pula is the official currency of Botswana, and it's divided into 100 thebe. You'll often see prices displayed with both Pula and thebe values, but the Pula is the main unit of exchange.

The Pula has been the official currency since 1976, when Botswana gained independence from the United Kingdom. This change marked a significant shift in the country's economic and financial systems.

You can exchange your currency for Botswana Pula at banks, currency exchange offices, and some hotels. It's a good idea to have some local currency with you when you arrive, especially if you plan to explore the countryside or visit rural areas.

The BWP, or Botswana Pula, is the official currency of Botswana. It's represented by the symbol "P". The Bank of Botswana is responsible for issuing and managing the pula.

The name "pula" actually means "rain" or "blessing" in the local language, which is significant because rain is a precious commodity in Botswana where it's scarce.

The Botswana pula is pegged to a basket of currencies, using special drawing rights (SDR) and the South African rand (ZAR) as reserve assets. This unique system helps maintain the pula's stability.

The pula is subdivided into 100 thebe, which is a sub-unit of the currency. The thebe means "shield" and represents defense.

According to World Bank data, Botswana registered 2.97% annual GDP growth in 2019 and a 2.77% increase in inflation. This growth is largely fueled by mining, tourism, cattle, textiles, and salt.

The official currency of Botswana is the Pula (BWP), which is subdivided into 100 thebe. The thebe represents defense.

You can find the following denominations of Botswana currency:

The Botswana pula (BWP) is a currency used in Botswana, a country located in southern Africa. Botswana is known for its stable economy and strong currency.

The pula has been in use since 1976, when Botswana gained independence from the UK. The first pula notes and coins were introduced by the Bank of Botswana in 1976.

The pula is pegged to a basket of currencies, including the South African rand, which is the currency of Botswana's neighboring country, South Africa. This pegging helps to maintain the stability of the pula.

According to the Bank for International Settlements, Botswana's exchange rate policy is designed to maintain a stable exchange rate, which has helped to promote economic growth in the country. The exchange rate is currently set at a rate of 10.86 pula to one US dollar.

Here's a comparison of the pula to the US dollar:

This means that if the exchange rate is 10.86, it costs $0.09208 to buy one pula, while if the exchange rate is 12, it costs $0.08333 to buy one pula, and if the exchange rate is 9.5, it costs $0.10526 to buy one pula.

The Botswana pula (BWP) is the official currency of Botswana, and understanding how to use it is essential for any visitor. You can obtain BWP at your local bank or exchange office before arriving in Botswana.

To find out how many U.S. dollars it takes to buy one pula, divide one by the USD/BWP exchange rate. For example, if the rate is 10.86 for the USD/BWP, then the BWP/USD rate is 1/10.86, or 0.09208.

Carrying significant sums of cash is not recommended, so visitors can use ATM cash machines to withdraw cash in Botswana should they require it.

Changing money before arrival is a good idea, as visitors can obtain Botswana Pula at their local bank or exchange office prior to the trip.

Understand the best time to visit Botswana, as this can impact safari prices and flight prices.

Visitors can use ATM cash machines to withdraw cash in Botswana should they require it.

Carrying significant sums of cash is not recommended.

You can withdraw cash in Botswana with your debit or credit card, but be aware of any fees associated with foreign transactions.

Credit cards are widely accepted in Botswana, particularly at most lodges, where you can use International Visa and MasterCard to pay for activities like eco safari walks and the best things to do in Botswana.

However, it's worth noting that Express and Diners Club are often not accepted by the banks of Botswana or by the camps.

Most lodges will accept credit and debit cards, making it relatively easy to get by with plastic in Botswana.

US dollars, euros, UK pounds, and South African rand are the most common foreign currencies that can be exchanged, and they're usually easy to change.

You'll want to stick to these currencies to avoid any issues with exchanging money, and it's a good idea to have some local currency, the Botswana pula, for small purchases.

Visitors may also need to use their credit card to pay for a Botswana visa upon arrival or certain vaccinations that may be required prior to entry.