Botswana — Stamps & Postal Service

Postal Service Overview

Botswana Post is the Republic of Botswana’s national postal operator. Botswana’s philatelic history begins with the British Bechuanaland stamps (southern Bechuanaland, a Crown Colony 1885–1895) and the Bechuanaland Protectorate stamps (northern Bechuanaland, 1887–1966), followed by independent Botswana stamps from 1966. Botswana is Africa’s great conservation success story: sparsely populated and diamond-rich, it has protected over 38% of its territory as national parks and game reserves. The Okavango Delta (the world’s largest inland delta and a UNESCO World Heritage Site) dominates Botswana’s wildlife stamp imagery.

Notable Stamp Issues

Bechuanaland Protectorate stamps (1887–1966) are classic British Southern Africa Commonwealth material — Queen Victoria through Elizabeth II reigns. Botswana independence stamps from 1966 depicted meerkats, giraffes, and the national Setswana patterns. Botswana’s wildlife stamps are outstanding: African elephant (Botswana hosts the world’s largest elephant population), African wild dog (one of the world’s most endangered carnivores), and Okavango wildlife feature regularly. The Secretary Bird and Kalahari lion are distinctive Botswanan species on stamps.

Collecting Tips

Stanley Gibbons Commonwealth catalogue covers all Bechuanaland and Botswana stamps. Bechuanaland stamps are classic British Southern Africa material related to Cape of Good Hope, Natal, and early South African stamps. Botswana’s African wild dog stamps are popular with endangered species collectors. Okavango Delta stamps attract wetland wildlife and UNESCO heritage thematic collectors. The meerkat — popularised by television documentaries — appears on distinctive Botswanan stamps. Botswana’s diamond industry (the world’s largest diamond producer by value) appears on some economic stamps.

Part of the Africa Postal Directory.