About Botswana

Botswana is nothing short of enchanting! It’s home to incredible wildlife, breathtaking national parks, and intriguing local culture and history. It’s also one of the most popular destinations in Africa, especially for safaris! You can choose from 5-star getaways in the bush with no Wi-Fi signal for miles or explore the waterways on a meandering Zambezi river cruise.

Highlights include spotting elephants in Chobe National Park, exploring the Okavango Delta, and visiting the rhinos at the Khama Rhino Sanctuary. There is no shortage of authentic African adventure in Botswana!

Culture

Travellers greeting local Batswana will notice that the spoken “dumela rra/mma” (man/woman) is accompanied by a handshake with the right hand while the left hand moves to gently grasp one’s own right forearm. This greeting is commonly shared between local people, and tourists are welcome to take part in the tradition.

Botswana culture is essentially what the country is known for today; peaceful, democratic, racial harmony, stable, humble and welcoming people and independent. The culture of Botswana is prominent in the Setswana language, traditional music, local food, dance, traditional attire, rituals and other ceremonies like wedding celebrations.

Best time to visit

May to October is the dry season in Botswana. It’s the best time to visit the country for safaris in the famous Okavango Delta or Chobe National Park. With hardly any rainfall, the animals flock to the waterholes, making it easy to spot the more elusive creatures like lions and leopards!

From November to April, the rains arrive, transforming the dry, arid landscape into a lush green landscape. While the less than ideal weather makes it hard to spot the Big 5, the wet season is perfect for bird lovers! The migratory birds return to Botswana in the hundreds, and you’ll be in time for the births of baby animals

How many days do I need in Botswana?

Six to seven nights

If you don't have enough time or if you are combining other countries on one trip, then most people would allocate about six or seven days for Botswana. The two most requested destinations would be the Okavango Delta and the Chobe River.

Things to do in Botswana

Why is Botswana a tourist destination?

One of the best travel destinations in Africa, Botswana is known for its great safaris, incredible wildlife, and exciting adventures. Those who visit Botswana experience a place like no other. Its breathtaking landscapes cover a vast variety of habitats, from the sands of the Kalahari Desert to the lush Okavango Delta.

Getting around Botswana

By air

There are two ways to fly within Botswana: on scheduled airlines or using small charter flights. The national carrier, Air Botswana, operates the scheduled network. Air Botswana links Maun directly with Kasane, Gaborone, Windhoek and Johannesburg

By rail
There is a railway that links South Africa with Lobatse, Gaborone, Palapye, Francistown and Bulawayo (in Zimbabwe) – but that's the only railway in the country.

By bus
Botswana has a variety of local buses which link the main towns together along the tarred roads. They're cheap, frequent and a good way to meet local people.

Health & Safety

Botswana is considered to be one of the safer countries in Africa. Petty crime does exist though so be cautious with your belongings and avoid walking alone in the evening. All travellers are required to have a PCR COVID-19 Clearance Certificate issued by a recognized facility within 48 hours from the date of departure, in line with WHO guidelines. Yellow fever and Malaria vaccination certificate is required from travellers from risk areas. Furthermore, you should take out comprehensive travel and medical insurance to cover you while you are away.