Botswana

Botswana

Botswana offers unparalleled wildlife viewing in pristine wilderness, especially in the Okavango Delta and Chobe National Park. It's a top destination for luxury safaris and eco-tourism, focusing on low-impact, high-value experiences.

Quick Facts

Recommended Stay10 days
Budget$100/day
Mid-range$150/day
Luxury$1000/day

Known For

KalahariOkavango DeltaGaboroneSouthern AfricaSub-Saharan Africa

🇧🇼 Country Information: Botswana

CapitalGaborone
CurrencyBotswana pula (P)
Language English , Setswana, Kalanga, Kgalagadi, Herero
Phone Code+267
Electricity230V (Type D, G, M)
Tap WaterSafe to drink

Tipping

  • Tipping is generally expected in tourist areas, especially for guides, drivers, and hotel staff
  • A 10
  • 15% tip is customary for good service in restaurants
  • For safari guides and lodge staff, consider tipping around BWP 50
  • 100 per person per day
  • Petrol attendants are often tipped a small amount

Money & Payments

  • ATMs are widely available, especially in urban areas
  • Credit cards are accepted in most hotels, restaurants, and larger shops, but cash is preferred for smaller purchases and in rural areas
  • It's advisable to carry some cash, especially when traveling outside major towns
  • There is no black market for cash

Cultural Norms

  • Dress modestly, especially when visiting rural areas or traditional villages
  • Shoulders and knees should be covered
  • Always ask for permission before taking photos of people
  • It's customary to greet people with "Dumela" (hello) before engaging in conversation
  • When eating, it's polite to wash your hands before and after the meal if eating with hands
  • Don't point with your finger; instead, use your open hand

LGBTQ+ Information

Exercise caution. Same-sex sexual activity was decriminalized in 2019, but same-sex marriage is not recognized. Discrimination based on sexual orientation is not explicitly prohibited by law.

Alcohol & Drug Laws

  • The legal drinking age is 18
  • Drug laws are strict, and possession of even small amounts of illegal drugs can lead to severe penalties, including imprisonment
  • Drunk driving is illegal and carries harsh penalties

Special Laws

  • It is illegal to litter, and fines can be imposed
  • It is illegal to buy or sell any wildlife products, including ivory, without a valid permit
  • Respect wildlife and maintain a safe distance from animals in national parks and reserves

Common Phrases

HelloDumela (doo-meh-lah)
GoodbyeSala sentle (sah-lah sehn-tleh)
Thank youKe a leboga (keh ah leh-boh-gah)
How are you?Le kae? (leh kah-eh?)

Climate

General climate classification for Botswana, primarily semi-arid to arid, with a hot rainy season and dry winter.

Climate Zone: Semi Arid Steppe Hot

Best Time to Visit

Getting There

Getting Around

Health & Vaccinations

Staying Connected

Local Cuisine

Seswaa must_try

Seswaa is the national dish of Botswana, consisting of slowly cooked, pounded beef (or sometimes goat/mutton). It is simmered until soft with only sal

Bogobe breakfast

A traditional porridge made by stirring sorghum, maize, or millet flour into boiling water to create a soft paste. It is often eaten for breakfast, an

Magwinya dessert

Also known as 'fat cakes,' these are small, fried dough balls resembling mini doughnuts. They are often rolled in sugar or dipped in jam and are a pop

Mophane worms regional_speciality

The larvae of the Emperor moth, these are a locally procured food item in Botswana. They are dried and cooked, or sometimes eaten raw, and are conside

Madila snack

This is fermented milk, also known as sour milk. It can be eaten on its own as a snack or added to porridge like Bogobe/ting.

Book in Advance

Plan ahead for the best experience. Here's what to book before your trip:

🔴 Must Book in Advance

Safari Lodges/Camps (Okavango Delta, Chobe) Accommodation
Book 6–12 months in advance, especially for peak season

Accommodation in Botswana's prime safari areas, particularly during the dry peak season (June-September), has extremely high demand and limited availability.

Mobile Safari Tours (Multi-Day) tour_or_activity
Book 3–6 months in advance

Scheduled mobile safaris, which often include lodging/camping permits in exclusive wilderness areas, have limited capacity per departure.

🟡 Recommended to Book Ahead

Chobe National Park Game Drives & Boat Cruises tour_or_activity
Book 1–3 months in advance

Day trips, especially those originating from nearby hubs like Kasane or Victoria Falls, fill up quickly due to vehicle capacity limits and high popularity.

Internal Flights/Air Transfers (Maun/Delta) Transport
Book 2–6 months in advance

Flights connecting Maun to remote delta airstrips use small planes with very limited seating capacity, essential for accessing many lodges.

Fun Facts

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