Sunday 11 May -
Mother’s Day (Anguilla, Antigua and Barbuda, Aruba, Australia, Austria, Bahamas, Bangladesh, Barbados, Belgium, Belize, Bermuda, Bhutan, Bonaire, Botswana, Brazil, Brunei, Canada, Cambodia, Cayman Islands, Central African Republic, Chad, Chile, China, Colombia, Congo, Dem. Rep., Congo, Rep., Cote d'Ivoire, Croatia, Cuba, Curaçao, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Dominica, Ecuador, Equatorial Guinea, Estonia, Ethiopia, Faroe Islands, Fiji, Finland, Germany, Gabon, Gambia, Greenland, Ghana, Greece, Grenada, Guyana, Honduras, Hong Kong, Iceland, India, Italy, Jamaica, Japan, Kenya, Latvia, Liberia, Liechtenstein, Macau, Malaysia, Malta, Myanmar, Namibia, Netherlands, New Zealand, Pakistan, Papua New Guinea, Peru, Philippines, Puerto Rico, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Samoa, Singapore, Sint Maarten, Slovakia, South Africa, Sri Lanka, Suriname, Switzerland, Taiwan, Tanzania, Tonga, Trinidad and Tobago, Turkey, Uganda, Ukraine, United States, Uruguay, Vietnam, Venezuela, Zambia, Zimbabwe)
Tswana language and culture dominates mainstream Botswanan society. They have a distinct culture that is different from the other ethnic groups living in Botswana in terms of social organisations, ceremonies, language and religious beliefs. Many of the smaller popular celebrations today were combined to make more modern events..
The Maitisong Festival is undoubtedly the biggest arts festival in Botswana. It is scheduled for March or April at various venues around Gaborone. The event lasts for nine full days and sees the entire population take to the streets in carnival mode. As usual, with a varied and exciting line-up of events, the Festival will celebrate brilliant local and international shows to provide an unforgettable experience for all.
Organized and run by a collection of artists based in Maun, Maun International Arts Festival in October is an event that was designed to celebrate the cultures and traditions of the Botswana people.
Guu Tjilenje Cultural Festival is an event held in Botswana’s northeastern regional town of Nlapkhwane. It is held every year in May. Totally traditional, the event involves ancient games, dances, music and stalls crammed with local food and drink.
For travellers looking to enjoy a legendary event in Botswana, the Toyota Kalahari Botswana 1000 Desert Race has been successively hosted in Botswana for the past thirty-five years. A must-see for fans of off-road motor sport races, this thrilling annual June event involves quads, bikes and cars, with 25 spectator areas set around the country.
The Kuru Dance Festival has been included in the nation’s calendar of events marking the full moon where most of the San communities find it very significant in their culture as they are able to heal the sick through the power they receive from song and dance. This unique event takes place every August on the only Bushman-owned game farm in Botswana.
Festive Season: most Batswana follow the Christian religion, and Christmas is a great time to visit as it’s a major holiday here.