Botswana is a superb destination for any wildlife enthusiasts, offering diverse landscapes, abundant nature and plenty of safari accommodation from camping to high end luxury.
Please find below some useful travel information to help you plan your visit to Botswana.
- Contact us for more information or to discuss your travel plans with one of our dedicated travel consultants.
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Getting There
Botswana’s main international airport is Sir Seretse Khama International Airport (GBE), located approximately 15 kilometres from Gaborone, the capital of Botswana.
Maun (MUB) and Kasane (BBK) Airports are also used and can be linked with flights from South Africa.
There are no direct flights from UK or US into Botswana, most routes involve flying via South Africa into Johannesburg or Cape Town.
You can check your best flight route here
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Time Zone
Time zone in Botswana is GMT+2
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Security & General Travel Safety
To view the current travel advisory to Botswana click here: UK & USA
Our head office is based in Nairobi and we work with reputable safari companies who are located on the ground in Botswana. These companies are the eyes and ears on the ground and can inform our head office in Nairobi of any security situation as it may happen, ensuring that we can act and respond swiftly.
Other general travel safety advice:
– In the cities and main tourist areas, be on the alert for handbag snatchers and pick pockets.
– Do not travel with any precious jewellery items.
– Make copies of your travel documents and keep these in a safe place – separate from the original documents.
– Split out cash into separate bundles of small amounts and keep separately.
– Ensure that luggage can be locked.
– Always wear sear belts whilst traveling in vehicles and ensure doors are locked.
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Currency
The official currency of Botswana is Botswana Pula (BWP) although US$ is also widely used in many shops, hotels, lodges and restaurants that cater to travellers.
Ensure to travel with lower denomination notes, as change given from high tender notes may not be easily available.
When tipping, do so in local currency or US$.
Many camps/lodges will be pre-paid before your safari, with tips needing to be settled upon departure. If you do need to settle something to a bill, please be aware that some camps/lodges in remote areas may not accept credit/bank cards, so it is advised to have enough US$ or Pula in cash to cover any additional costs.
Please note that not all airports have ATM machines – including Maun and Kasane Airports in Botswana, though Maun has a bureau de change, so plan in advance.
Always inform your bank that you are travelling outside of the country as they might block any attempt to withdraw cash or use card machines if they have not been informed beforehand
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Tips & Gratuities
Tipping is entirely at your discretion and although it is not a requirement it is customary to tip for good service.
Tips in USD or Euro are generally accepted in Botswana and it is usual to tip at the end of your stay. Some hotels/lodges will have a tip box for the camp staff team.
There is not a set amount to tip, so please take the following information as a guideline:
Guides in the camps: USD$20 per day, per adult
Mokoro polers: USD10 – USD$15 per poler, per adult
General staff (boat drivers, bar staff, housekeeping): USD$10 – USD$15 per day which is put into a communal tip box and shared between staff ensuring those behind the scenes are rewarded
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Health Information
Malaria:
It is advised that visitors take malaria precautions when travelling to certain areas of Botswana. It is recommended that you contact your Doctor or Travel Health Clinic at least 6-8 weeks prior to travel.
You can reduce the risk of malaria by using prophylactics (which should be started before arriving in Botswana and under your doctor’s guidance) and by following these simple procedures:
– Wear long sleeves and long trousers to avoid bites from mosquitos, insects and ticks.
– Apply mosquito repellents on a regular basis to exposed skin.
– Where possible sleep under a mosquito net.
– Burn an insect/mosquito repellent candle or coil.
All travellers should be aware of the signs and symptoms of malaria and should be advised to seek immediate medical attention if these occur either whilst abroad or up to a year after their return. Speak to your Doctor or Travel Health Clinic for more information.
Vaccinations:
The recommendations regarding vaccinations & anti-malaria tablets need to be discussed with a professional, therefore it is advised that you contact your Doctor/medical centre/ travel health clinic for up-to-date details, this should ideally be done at least 8 weeks before you travel.
COVID-19:
There are currently no COVID-19 testing or vaccination requirements for travellers entering Botswana, but please check this before you travel.
For more information see the Centres for Disease Control and Prevention
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Drinking Water & De-Hydration
- Drinking Water:
Do not drink water straight from the tap, always drink & brush teeth from bottled water.
Be aware that ice for drinks may be made using tap water, so it is best to request drinks without ice.
De-Hydration
Always take a bottle of drinking water in your day bag on any activity or excursions – even if it’s a short one – and take regular, small drinks of water.
Wear a hat and sunscreen at all times and cover up/take shade from the heat of the sun, especially during the hottest times of the day.
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Bites & Stings
Bugs and small creatures are all a part of being in the wilds of Africa. It is of course important to take precautions against any opportunity for bites or stings, so being aware is important.
When walking in the bush always wear long trousers and enclosed shoes or walking boots , with thick socks covering the ankles for protection. When walking in long grass, check your legs and clothes for grass ticks – especially in the rainy season, even when you are wearing long trousers.
Check & shake out shoes and walking boots before putting them on.
Always look first to see where you are sitting, when picking something up or when putting your hand/foot into something, like a bag or shoe – check first!
If you think you may have been bitten or stung by something, always inform the Camp Manager & Safari Guide as soon as possible.
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Internet, Electricity and Plug Standards
Internet availability and wifi can be sporadic whilst on safari in Botswana. It is best to think of this trip as an opportunity to take a break from the world of tech and reconnect to nature. If necessary, we can check each camp individually if there is a wish to know if it has an internet connection.
Botswana operates on a 230V supply voltage and 50Hz. Solar power and/or generators are also common in safari locations.
Botswana uses plug types D and G.
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Climate
The summer / rainy season is November – March. It usually brings very high temperatures, as well as rains which can cool the temperature down. Temperatures can reach as high as 37C.
The winter / dry season is May – August.
During these months, it tends to be sunny and warm, with temperatures in the high 20sC, however nights can be very cold sometimes below zero.The in-between periods – April/early May and September/October – still tend to be dry, but the days are cooler than in summer and the nights are warmer than in winter.
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Visa & Passport Requirements
PASSPORT
• Passport valid for a least 6 months from your date of entry.
• Enough blank pages (a min of 3) in your passport to fit the required entry visa.VISA:
All citizens of Commonwealth countries do not require a visa except those from Bangladesh, Cameroon, Ghana, India, Nigeria, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka. Foreign nationals whose countries have signed a Visa Abolition Agreement with Botswana are also not required to apply for a visa. Click here for a list of all the countries that do require visas.
If you do require a Visa, we advise our clients to apply online for a visa in advance so that they have this before arrival. To check the latest Visa requirements and to apply click here
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Clothing Suggestions
Pack lightly for your safari to include:
– Comfortable, loose fitting cotton clothing in muted and natural tones is recommended.
– Long sleeves and long trousers, shorts and t-shorts with enclosed footware.
– Jacket or fleece for early mornings and evenings, when it can get chilly.
– Hat to keep the sun off and protect from sunburn.
– Swimwear & travel light beach towel.
– Small day pack to hold water bottle, binoculars, notebook and pen, sunglasses, face/hand wipes etc
See here for our clothing packing guide
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Travel Insurance
All travellers must have adequate and comprehensive travel health insurance. Make sure your travel insurance covers all the activities you plan on doing in Botswana and covers your full stay in the country and travel to/from.
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Getting There
