Last update: 26 Oct 2026
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Botswana Summary
These place ratings give you a quick overview of how well a destination matches different types of trips.
‘Best for’ scores:
The specific interest scores show where this place really shines – whether it's ideal for hiking, food & drink experiences, museums or other activities. These highlights help you understand what makes the destination special at a glance.
‘Your personal’ scores:
This reflects how well a place matches your personal preferences. You can adjust the importances of travel topics or other personal requirements categories in your account settings.
‘Suited for’ badges:
These give you a quick overview of how well a destination suits specific types of travellers, to help you find the places that match your lifestyle, preferences or travel situation.
Suited for
Botswana – Quick facts
| Power Grid: |
230 V, 50 Hz Plug: Type C , Type M
Type C:
  Read about power adapters |
|---|---|
| Currency: |
Botswana Pula (BWP) £1 ≈ BWP 18.38 |
| Cashless info: |
Rating 4/5
Cashless payments are becoming more common in Botswana, particularly in larger cities like Gaborone. However, cash is still widely accepted.
Save with a travel credit card |
| eSIM providers: |
Best value: Saily Flexibility: Airalo Read our in-depth comparison |
| Tipping: | Tipping is appreciated but not mandatory in Botswana. It is customary to leave 10% in restaurants. Taxi drivers and hotel staff also appreciate small tips. |
|---|---|
| Public drinking: | Public drinking is not widely accepted in Botswana, though alcohol can be consumed in licensed venues or private areas. |
| Public smoking: | Smoking is prohibited in most indoor public spaces, including restaurants and bars. |
| Botswana Day (September) |
Expect national celebrations with parades and public events. |
|---|---|
| New Year’s Day (January) |
Expect public celebrations and some business closures. |
| Emergency contact: | Emergency Number: 999 |
|---|---|
| Taxi apps: | Bolt, Uber |
| Other: | Botswana is known for its breathtaking landscapes, including the Okavango Delta and Chobe National Park, offering incredible wildlife viewing opportunities. |
Best times to travel
The best times to travel section shows how the months compare for a visit, so you can find the time of year that fits what you want to do.
Background colours of the months:
The colour shows the typical temperature: yellow (hot), green (mild) and blue (cold). How strong the colour is shows the travel season: full colour means high season, soft colour means shoulder season and soft-striped means off season.
Weather symbols:
Each month has one symbol showing what the weather is typically like, such as hot and sunny, freezing or a rainy or snowy season. Use them to quickly spot months that match the weather you want, or to avoid the ones that don't.
Crowdedness:
The people icon shows how busy the place usually is. The more people, the more crowded it gets.
Additional notes:
The grey info boxes point out special things worth knowing, like recurring weather issues or seasonal events.
for Botswana, Botswana
Climate and season vary by region: Okavango Delta and Chobe best for wildlife June to October, Makgadikgadi zebra migration roughly December to March, Kalahari most green January to April
Okavango flood peaks June to August, fed by rain that fell in Angola months earlier
Green season November to April: lower prices and good birding, but some camps close and sandy roads become hard to pass
Don't miss
- 🛶 Glide through the Okavango Delta on a traditional mokoro canoe
- 🦁 Spot wildlife on a safari in Chobe National Park
- 🌅 Watch elephants gather at waterholes during sunset
- 🪶 Visit the ancient Tsodilo Hills rock art site
- ✈️ Take a scenic flight over the Okavango wetlands
- 🦩 Explore the salt pans and flamingos of Makgadikgadi
You've been here?
Log in to manage your own bucket list! Why travel to Botswana?
What makes Botswana truly special is its commitment to conservation through low-impact, high-value tourism that protects its remarkable natural environments while providing unforgettable wildlife encounters. The country boasts some of Africa's highest concentrations of elephants, big cats and diverse antelope species, particularly in the Okavango Delta – a UNESCO World Heritage site where the Okavango River creates a unique inland delta that attracts an astonishing variety of animals and birds. Beyond wildlife, Botswana offers cultural experiences with local communities, stunning landscapes for photography and a sense of remote adventure that's increasingly rare in our connected world. However, travelers should be aware that Botswana isn't a budget destination – its conservation-focused tourism model means higher prices than neighboring countries. Additionally, the extreme climate can be challenging, with scorching summer temperatures often exceeding 40°C and highly variable rainfall that can affect travel plans, particularly during the wet season from November to April.
🏙️Cities & Regions
-
1
Chobe National Park
Spanning over 20,000 square kilometers, Chobe National Park offers abundant wildlife, including one of Africa's largest elephant herds. The Okavango Delta’s waterways provide prime birdwatching and canoe safaris amid open grasslands and dense riverine forests. -
2
Okavango Delta
Home to the world's largest inland delta, this Botswana sanctuary offers dramatic waterways and abundant wildlife. Visitors can explore lush channels by boat or on foot, witnessing elephants and hippos in their natural habitat without the crowds found elsewhere. -
3
Kalahari Desert
Expansive dunes stretch across southern Africa's Kalahari Desert, offering stark landscapes and unique wildlife such as meerkats and jackals. Seasonal rains create temporary wetlands, while indigenous San communities preserve ancient rock art and traditional hunting practices. -
4
Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park
This transfrontier park in Botswana's Kgalagadi region offers vast desert landscapes, dramatic rock formations and wildlife corridors connecting to South Africa and Namibia for unique safari experiences across borders.
🏯Places worth seeing
🎡Places for activities
🏞️Natural landmarks
🛍️Shopping
🎈Events
-
Maun Festival
-
Maitisong Festival
-
Toyota Kalahari Botswana 1000 Desert Race
-
President's Day Celebrations
-
Botswana Independence Day
-
Gaborone International Music and Culture Week
-
Maun International Arts Festival
-
Domboshaba Cultural Festival
-
Kuru Dance Festival
-
Khawa Dune Challenge
Knowledge before you go
- Book safari lodges early. Peak season fills fast.
- Drive only 4x4 rentals with high clearance for Okavango Delta and Chobe gravel roads during green season.
- Follow strict game drive rules; never exit vehicle except at designated camps and picnic sites.
- Visit Moremi or Savuti in shoulder months May-October for migrating zebra herds and fewer crowds.
How to travel to Botswana
Most international visitors arrive in Botswana through Sir Seretse Khama International Airport in Gaborone, which connects to several African hubs including Johannesburg, Cape Town and Addis Ababa. Alternative entry points include Maun Airport (gateway to the Okavango Delta) and Kasane Airport (for Chobe National Park), both with connections to regional destinations. Overland entry is possible from neighboring countries, with major border crossings from South Africa, Namibia, Zimbabwe and Zambia. Many travelers combine Botswana with visits to Victoria Falls (Zimbabwe/Zambia) or South Africa as part of a regional itinerary.
Access summary
- Gaborone: Fly to Sir Seretse Khama (GBE) via Johannesburg or regional hubs.
- Okavango/Chobe: Fly to Maun (MUB) or Kasane (BBK), then charter to lodges.
- Air Botswana flag carrier based Gaborone; not part of major global alliances.
Check your route from anywhere
Where to stay in Botswana
Accommodation in Botswana ranges from luxury safari lodges to mid-range hotels and budget options. The safari areas feature exclusive lodges and tented camps offering immersive wildlife experiences, though these come with premium prices (BWP 300 – 500 (£16.34 – 27.23) per night). Major cities like Gaborone and Maun have more affordable options, with mid-range hotels averaging BWP 50 – 150 (£2.72 – 8.17) per night. Budget travelers can find guesthouses and hostels starting around BWP 20 – 30 (£1.09 – 1.63) per night. Advance booking is essential during peak season (July-October), especially for popular safari destinations.
Hotel recommendations
*by rating and popularity. Commissions have no influence on the rankings.
How to get around Botswana
Getting around Botswana requires planning due to vast distances and limited public transportation. In major cities like Gaborone and Francistown, taxis and minibuses are available for local travel. For exploring national parks and remote areas, 4x4 vehicles are essential, especially during the rainy season when roads can become impassable. Many visitors opt for organized safari tours that include transportation. Domestic flights connect major destinations like Maun, Kasane and Gaborone, saving considerable time compared to road travel. For the Okavango Delta, boat and mokoro (traditional canoe) transportation is common, offering a unique perspective of this watery wilderness.
Budget snapshot
Costs compared to home
We calculate the average costs when travelling to destinations and compare those with the living costs at your home. With this you can get an estimate of how expensive or cheap the destination is for you.
To customise this, you can set up which location and price level are used for the calculations in your account settings.
Daily expenses in Botswana are around 55% lower than the average across United States. That means you'll spend a lot less on meals and getting around.
Exchange rate trend
The exchange rate price factor shows how expensive or cheap a currency currently is compared to its historical average. It's a quick way to see if a country is currently more or less affordable due to exchange rate changes.
Your exchange rate (GBP to BWP) is 13% better than in recent years. That means travelling now is cheaper compared to the past.
Travel costs
To help you plan your trip, we provide estimated daily costs per person (when travelling as a pair) for different travel styles. These numbers give you an idea of what you might spend each day at this destination, including accommodation, food, transport and activities.
Additionally, we also provide average hotel costs for different travel styles to give you an estimate for the accommodation only.
Please note that these are only estimates. The real costs depend on booking times, season and other factors.
To help you plan your trip, we provide estimated daily costs per person (when travelling as a pair) for different travel styles. These numbers give you an idea of what you might spend each day at this destination, including accommodation, food, transport and activities.
Additionally, we also provide average hotel costs for different travel styles to give you an estimate for the accommodation only.
Please note that these are only estimates. The real costs depend on booking times, season and other factors.
Daily cost summary
Travel style categories explained:
Backpacker:
Staying in hostels or budget hotels, cooking your own meals or eating cheap and choosing low-cost activities.
Mid-range:
Staying in mid-range hotels, eating at a mix of restaurants and casual spots and enjoying a variety of activities.
Luxury:
Staying in luxury hotels, dining out at high-end restaurants and enjoying premium experiences without worrying about the price.
Travel style categories explained:
Backpacker:
Staying in hostels or budget hotels, cooking your own meals or eating cheap and choosing low-cost activities.
Mid-range:
Staying in mid-range hotels, eating at a mix of restaurants and casual spots and enjoying a variety of activities.
Luxury:
Staying in luxury hotels, dining out at high-end restaurants and enjoying premium experiences without worrying about the price.
| Backpacker | Mid-range | Luxury | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 💵 Total costs per day, including accommodation | |||
| 🏨 Accommodation per night, per person | |||
| 🍝 Food per day | |||
| 🚕 Transportation per day |
Food & Drink
| 🍽️ Restaurant Dinner, per person | |
|---|---|
| 🍛 Lunch Set, per person | |
| 🍟 Fast food combo | |
| 🍝 Preparing your own food, per day | |
| ☕ Cappuccino | |
| 🍺 Beer in a restaurant, 0.5 l |
Transportation
| 🚌 Public transport ticket | |
|---|---|
| 🚕 Taxi Ride, 10 km / 6 mi | |
| ⛽ Petrol, 1 l |
Other
| 🎞️ Cinema ticket | |
|---|---|
| 👩⚕️ Doctor's consult | |
| 🤧 Cold medication | |
| 💇 Basic haircut |
Safety information overview
General safety
Botswana is one of Africa's safest countries with low crime rates. Exercise normal precautions in urban areas and be aware of wildlife dangers in national parks. Follow guide instructions during safaris and never approach wild animals on foot without professional supervision.
Health & Medical
Medical facilities are good in major cities but limited in rural areas. Comprehensive travel insurance with evacuation coverage is recommended. Malaria is present in northern regions including the Okavango Delta, particularly during the rainy season, so preventative medication is advised.
Accessibility
Accessibility is challenging in Botswana, particularly in wildlife areas. Safari lodges and activities often involve uneven terrain, basic facilities and limited accommodations for mobility issues. Major hotels in cities offer better accessibility, but advance planning is essential for travelers with special needs.
Tap water
Tap water is generally safe in major cities but quality varies in rural areas. Most tourists rely on bottled water, which is widely available. When on safari, lodges typically provide purified drinking water, but carrying a portable filter for remote areas is recommended.
Packing recommendations for Botswana
Log in to add this place to a travel list and get a summary of all recommended items for your whole trip.
📷
Camera
👟
Comfortable walking shoes
🌞
Sun cream
🚰
Reusable water bottle
👕
Light, breathable clothing
🧥
Waterproof jacket
if visiting during the wet season
👀
Binoculars
for wildlife viewing
🪰
Insect repellent
🔋
Power bank
🩹
Basic first aid kit
👒
Sun hat
📃
Travel insurance
🪪
Copies of passport and important documents
👖
Long trousers
for sun/insect protection
👚
Long-sleeved shirt
for sun/insect protection
📱
Travel eSIM
🔌
Universal travel adaptor
🩺
Prescription medicines
💳
Credit card with no foreign transaction fees
🛂
Passport
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