Expand your social circle in Botswana

Batswana are very sociable people, maybe too much as the drinking culture is an issue here, but there are plenty of ways to socialise. Pretty much most malls have restaurants and bars. Sorry to mention other website groups, but Internations is an online expat community and the Gaborone team arrange get-togethers every month. Facebook has a number of local pages/groups and affiliations can be made this way. Plus I connected with a couple of people via this website.

I won't go too much into the down side, but just be aware and realistic about who you hook up with. In as much as there are some fantastic and genuine people here in Botswana, there are a lot of false personalities. Those who promise to help you and don't, promise to meet you and leave you high and dry, promise to introduce you to others and never deliver. Basically, they love you when you're buying the drinks, but lose interest when you stop.

But as I say, I won't dwell on that side.

In terms of culture, if you do meet a member of the opposite sex and fall in love, be mindful of "Lebola" which is the equivalent of a bride price or dowry. Falling in love could cost you a few cows or the price equivalent.