Although the official language of Botswana is English, most of the population also speak Tswana. Guided safaris are always conducted in English.
Useful Tswana phrases:
Hello (to man/woman) - Dumêla mma/rra
Hello (to group) - Dumêlang
How are you? - O tsogile jang? (formal) Le kae ? (informal)
I am fine and how are you? - Ke tsogile sentle, mma/rra, wena o tsogile jang? (formal) Re teng, mma/rra, wena o kae? (informal)
Goodbye (to person leaving) - Tsamayo sentle
Goodbye (to person staying) - Sala sentle
Please - Tsweetswee
Thank you - Kea itumela
Yes - Ee
No - Nnyaa
How are you? (am) - A o tsogile?
How are you? (pm) - O tlhotse jang?
Do you speak English? - A o bua Sekgoa / Seenglish?
Which way is . . .? - Tsela . . . e kae?
Communication:
Telecommunications in Botswana are excellent. Telephones have direct dialling to most countries in the world. Coin and card operated booths are available in the towns. Cards are sold at many shops and hotels. Services also include telex, telefax, cellular phones and internet. Postal and courier services are efficient and reliable.
Culture:
The main ethnic groups are the Batswana (descendants of iron age immigrants from Central West Africa), the Basarwa (San, indigenous hunter gatherers, pre iron age), and the Herero (pastoralists). Eighty percent of the population of Botswana are rural inhabitants.
Hello (to man/woman) - Dumêla mma/rra
Yes - Ee
