Charging the iPad Mini when visiting Botswana

A step by step guide showing you how to recharge your iPad Mini with a Botswana power outlet by using a Lightning Apple connector with a Type D USB adapter, how to charge the iPad Mini using a three pinned Type G power plug and charging the iPad Mini using a Type M USB adapter

Botswana power outlet

Varying different combinations of voltages and standards can all be confusing when planning to travel to another country especially to the first time traveller. These instructions were specifically written to help assist travellers wanting to power the iPad Mini when they're staying abroad.The following step by step instructions shows you exactly how to supply power to your iPad Mini when travelling to Botswana using their standard types G, D or M 230 volt 50Hz power outlets. If visiting Botswana from a different country ensure the iPad Mini can accept a 240v supply. If the iPad Mini came from a country which uses a lower voltage (for example 110v) double check the iPad Mini is dual-voltage (indicated by 100-240 volts) else you may need to use an additional power converter to avoid the device from overheating when charging it. If you are planning to visit a city like Gaborone we recommend reading the Wikipedia.org entry about Botswana [1] for more indepth information. These instructions assume you are running Apple iOS 7 or greater on the iPad Mini.

Charging the iPad Mini in Botswana

Can you use the iPad Mini in Botswana?

Yes, you can connect the iPad Mini to a Botswana power outlet.

What is the best power charger for recharging the iPad Mini in Botswana?

When you are travelling to more than one country and bringing more than just your iPad Mini the best international travel charger for Botswana is a multiple USB adapter which includes compatible plugs like a 4 port USB travel charger. Botswanans use three different standards of power outlets (G, D and M) and bringing this ensures that you are covered for type G. As these types of chargers are supplied with interchangeable pins and handle from 100 volts - 240 volts will mean you can travel to over 100 countries around the world simply by changing the supplied plugs. If your model of iPad Mini supports Fast Charge then you'll benefit from faster recharging times by using one of these travel adapters plus additional compatibility with more power demanding devices.

Unlike other travel chargers this means you can power multiple devices at the same time without needing to bring seperate power adapters. Only bringing a single USB travel charger will also keep the weight down, making it perfect to fold up in hand baggage while travelling. Because of their space saving versatility these types of adapters can be used at home so when you’re not on holiday they can sit under your bedside table charging multiple smartphones, tablets and e-readers without using up an additional power outlet.

For those travelling often we recommend buying this type of flexible travel adapter at an electronics retailer - the multipurpose power charger illustrated below is the 4 Port USB Wall Charger which has been tested successfully for powering multiple USB devices in numerous foreign countries around the world.

Alternative travel adapter for Botswana

The 4 port USB travel charger is the most compact option for travellers from any country wanting to charge devices via USB, however for those also wanting to use their domestic plugs these power converters provide larger but more versatile solutions. All 3 power converters offer surge protection which is useful when visiting counties with unstable power grids to prevent damage to any connected appliances from voltage spikes. These travel converters come supplied with interchangeable type C, I and G plugs covering Europe, North America, Australia, United Kingdom, Japan, China and over 150 destinations:

  • BESTEK Portable International Travel Voltage Converter - The BESTEK travel adaptor has 4 USB charging ports with 3 AC power outlets and is the most popular compact power converter for travellers originating from America going to Botswana using type B plug sockets.
  • ORICO Traveling Outlet Surge Protector Power Strip - Similarly having 4 USB ports but only 2 AC power outlets the travel adapter from Orico is also aimed at travellers from North America using type B plugs and is a much more cost effective alternative to the BESTEK with just 1 less AC outlet for almost half price.
  • BESTEK International USB Travel Power Strip - This power strip has 2 AC outlets but offers 5 USB charging ports. This versatile power strip is compatible with both American plugs and popular plug types A, D,E/F, G, H, I, L and N making it perfect for a wide range of travellers from around the world visiting Botswana. [10] [AD]
What is the best power charger for recharging the iPad Mini in Botswana?

How to use a Type G power charger for recharging your iPad Mini from a Botswana power outlet

Instructions showing how to power your iPad Mini with a Botswana power outlet with the Lightning Apple cable with a three pin Type G USB adapter.

  1. If you want to charge the iPad Mini using a Botswana power outlet you'll need to use a Type G USB power plug adapter [4] and a USB to Apple Lightning cable [5] (usually already included with your iPad Mini by Apple).
  2. Start the process by taking the Type G USB power plug adapter and inserting it into the power outlet. The plug outlet, sometimes called the Type G power outlet [3], looks like three vertical slots containing plastic shutters in a triangle pattern.
  3. Connect one end of the Lightning charging cable into the mains USB charger and the other end into the Lightning connector on the iPad Mini. The iPad Mini lightning connector is found at the base of the iPad Mini.
  4. Switch on the Botswana power outlet.
  5. The battery icon which you'll find in the top right hand corner of the iPad screen will display a charge icon to indicate that the iPad Mini is recharging which takes around 1 - 4 hours to fully recharge. [AD]
How to use a Type G power charger for recharging your iPad Mini from a Botswana power outlet

How to use a Type D power charger for recharging your iPad Mini from a Botswana power outlet

Using a USB Lightning Apple connector and a Type D power adapter to charge your iPad Mini from a Botswana power outlet.

  1. To power the iPad Mini from a Botswana power outlet you will need to use a Type D USB power plug adapter [7] and a USB to Apple Lightning cable [5] - Apple normally supply this USB cable when you purchase the iPad Mini.
  2. Start the process by inserting the Type D USB power plug adapter into the power supply. You can identify this plug outlet by three round holes in a triangle shape.
  3. Plug in one end of the Apple USB power cable into the USB power charger and the other end into the Lightning connector on the iPad Mini. The iPad Mini lightning connector is situated at the bottom of the iPad Mini.
  4. Switch on the Botswana power outlet.
  5. The battery icon that you'll find in the top right corner of the iPad Mini will display a charge icon to indicate that the tablet is recharging and takes roughly one-four hours to fully recharge. [AD]
How to use a Type D power charger for recharging your iPad Mini from a Botswana power outlet

Charging the iPad Mini from a Botswana power outlet by using a 3 pinned Type M USB adapter

Using a Lightning cable and a three pinned Type M power charger to recharge the iPad Mini with a Botswana power outlet.

  1. In order to power the iPad Mini using the Botswana power outlet you'll need a Type M USB power plug adapter [9] and a USB to Apple Lightning cable [5] (Apple typically supply this USB cable when you purchase your iPad Mini).
  2. Insert the Type M USB power plug adapter into the Botswana power outlet. The wall supply, technically known as the Type M power outlet [8], can be identified by 3 circular holes forming a triangular configuration for live, neutral and ground pins.
  3. Connect the USB end of the USB to Apple Lightning cable into the bottom of the USB mains adapter and the other end into the Lightning connector on the iPad Mini. The iPad Mini lightning connector can be found at the bottom of the iPad Mini.
  4. Turn on the Botswana power outlet.
  5. The battery icon that appears in the top right hand corner of your iPad will display a charging icon to indicate that the tablet is powering up which typically takes between 60 to 240 minutes to recharge to 100% capacity. [AD]
Charging the iPad Mini from a Botswana power outlet by using a 3 pinned Type M USB adapter

See also

  1. Wikipedia - Wikipedia.org entry about Botswana
  2. Apple - official iPad user guide
  3. iec.ch - Type G power outlet
  4. Type G USB power plug adapter - Suitable for use in England, Ireland, and Scotland, a grounded three pin Type G adapter turns UK electrical power outlets into USB ports for reliable charging..
  5. USB to Apple Lightning cable - The Apple Lightning cable is a charging and syncing cable for more recent Apple devices and connects compatible iPhones and iPads to a USB port.
  6. iec.ch - Type D power outlet
  7. Type D USB power plug adapter - Designed for usage in South Asian countries such as India and Nepal, the Type D USB power plug adapter offers a practical solution for converting local 3-prong grounded outlets into USB ports, providing reliable charging for a range of USB devices..
  8. iec.ch - Type M power outlet
  9. Type M USB power plug adapter - South African Type M USB chargers have three large circular pins in a triangular shape with the top earthed pin longer and larger in diameter.
  10. 4 Port USB Wall Charger - A 4-port USB wall charger is an electrical device that provides simultaneous charging for up to four USB-compatible devices. It often includes interchangeable international plug adapters for global use..