Tips When Traveling in Botswana, Botswana Travel Tips, Traveling Tips to Botswana Guide

Tips When traveling to Botswana and what you need to know before going to Botswana. While intending to go on Botswana safaris, it’s wise to know some Botswana travel tips for the best safari experience.

With our great knowledge of organizing safari tours in Botswana, we have brought you the best travel tips for Botswana.

Among the basic things to know before traveling to Botswana are: how to get there; the best attractions and things to do in Botswana; safety measures; and health guidelines in this country, to mention but a few.

Following this travel guide to Botswana will yield you an amazing tour experience in Botswana, one of the top safari destinations in southern Africa.

Below Is A Detailed Safari Botswana Guide:

Guide to Botswana Safaris: Getting to and traveling in Botswana Travel Tips and Advice

Found in southern Africa, Botswana is a vast, lovely landlocked country between Zambia, Zimbabwe, South Africa, and Namibia.

There are no direct flights to this nation, and Maun is its main gateway town. You can fly here from Cape Town or Johannesburg, as well as from other small cities in Southern Africa.

In most cases, tourists travel to Botswana from Victoria Falls, which is roughly 50km on the border of Zambia and Zimbabwe. The cheapest and easiest way to travel to Botswana from Europe is to take a flight from Livingstone or Victoria Falls and then proceed overland.

Traveling in Botswana: How to get around in Botswana?

On your Botswana vacation, there is an option for domestic charter flights and international flights on scheduled airlines that depart from Maun and connect to various safari destinations in Botswana. Guests hardly ever use the trail service!

It’s possible to connect from town to town using buses or smaller minibusses! However, note that both of them are rowdy; therefore, we recommend you travel through tour operators.

A self-drive tour in Botswana is possible! You’ll need to hire a 4WD vehicle. We don’t advise a self-drive tour, as you might miss out on some features that are well-known by local tour guides. Also, tour guides know the best routes, thus providing easy access to most destinations.

Traveling to Botswana Restrictions and Botswana Entry Requirements: What Travel Documents Do I Need for Botswana?

What do I need to travel to Botswana? As you plan to visit this country, keep in mind that there are some Botswana travel requirements you should have to be allowed to enter this lovely nation.

BELOW ARE THE REQUIRED DOCUMENTS WHILE TRAVELING TO BOTSWANA:

A valid passport

Your passport should be valid for at least 6 months from the day of your entry. Also, make sure it has more than one blank page.

A tourist visa

To mention but a few, passport holders from countries such as the United Kingdom, Canada, Germany, the USA, Australia, the Netherlands, South Africa, and New Zealand don’t require a visa to travel to Botswana.

Check https://evisa.gov.bw/#/ to see if your nationality needs to have one.

A tourist visa in Botswana costs $30 for a single entry, and it’s valid for 3 months. A multiple-entry visa costs $50. Tourists planning to visit Victoria Falls in Zambia or Zimbabwe and then return to Botswana should apply for a multiple-entry Botswana visa.

Yellow fever vaccination card

It’s a must-have if you are coming from a yellow fever-endemic destination.

Top Tourist Attraction in Botswana: Best Places to Visit in Botswana: Which Tourist Attraction Is Found in Botswana?

Botswana Travel Tips

Botswana tourism attractions rank among the best safari destinations in South Africa. The prominent Botswana places to visit are national parks.

BELOW ARE THE TOP BOTSWANA TOURIST ATTRACTIONS:

1. Chobe National Park

Among the top safari destinations in Botswana, Chobe National Park (within northern Botswana) is the best site for game-viewing expeditions.

Famously, it’s renowned for its impressive elephant population. Other animals in Chobe Park include Lions, Leopards, Zebras, Hippos, Wild dogs, Giraffes, Buffalos, Cheetahs, etc.

In Chobe National Park, you’ll enjoy game drives as well as a boat cruise on the River Chobe.

2. Okavango Delta

The Okavango Delta (a UNESCO World Heritage Site) is also one of the top safari destinations in Botswana. It’s an ideal site for game-watching safaris in Botswana as it’s home to all the Big Five and many others, such as Wildebeests, Giraffes, Zebras, African wild dogs, etc.

Undertaking Mokoro canoe and boat rides is the best way to explore the Okavango area, especially in the wet season.

OTHER TOP PLACES TO VISIT IN BOTSWANA INCLUDE:

Makgadikgadi Salt Pans Park
Central Kalahari Game Reserve
The Kalahari Desert
Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park
Central Kalahari Game Reserve is famous for its amazing black-manned Lions

Top Things to Do in Botswana Travel Advice: What to Do in Botswana?

During your Botswana trip, you will find various amazing activities, ranging from game viewing and bird watching to cultural tours. Most of them are done in national parks such as Chobe National Park, Okavango Delta, Makgadikgadi Pans Park, and Central Kalahari Game Reserve.

BEST BOTSWANA SAFARIS: BELOW ARE THE BEST THINGS TO DO IN BOTSWANA:

a) Game-Viewing Safaris in Botswana

Game viewing tours in Botswana allow you to spot most of the wonderful wild animals or incredible wildlife in this country, for example, Elephants, Giraffes, Lions, Leopards, Black and White Rhinos, Cape Buffalos, Cheetahs, and Hyenas, among others.

A game drive offers the best experience for game-watching in this country. Travelers can also do boat cruises, game walks, horseback rides, and helicopter drives.

b) Game Walking Botswana Tours

Within this country, you can have game walks in Chobe National Park, but game walks in the Kalahari wilderness with the Bushmen offer the best game walking experience.

c) Hanging Out With Meerkats

This is another amazing adventure you shouldn’t miss on your Botswana tours.

Meerkats are lovely, fearless social creatures. Some in Botswana Makgadikgadi Pans Park in the Kalahari Desert have been habituated and are used to human presence.

Apart from having fan time with Meerkat families in Makgadikgadi Pans Park, you’ll also enjoy stunning views of picturesque salt pans.

MORE THINGS TO DO ON BOTSWANA SAFARI TOURS:

Canoe riding
Birding tours where you will spot wading birds, savannah birds, and migratory birds
Horseback riding within the Okavango area
Hot-air balloon rides within the Okavango Delta
Camping in the wilderness

Accommodation in Botswana: Botswana Hotels: Where to Stay?

Accommodation on your Botswana safari trip largely depends on your choice as well as your budget. In this lovely nation, you will find luxury lodges, midrange safari lodges, and budget lodges.

In most regions, you will find various lodges, hotels, and comfortable camps, to name but a few.

We can tailor your accommodation to suit your safari interests, depending on the park you visit. Since Chobe Park is the most famous among the tourist places in Botswana, it holds most of the lodges.

HERE ARE SOME OF THE BEST HOTELS:

Chobe Game Lodge
Mombo Camp
Chobe Chilwero
Nxabega Okavango Tented Camp
Eagle Island Lodge
Camp Savuti
Mashatu Main Camp

Tour operators usually guide their guests to the best safari lodges or hotels to use on their vacation in Botswana.

Botswana Safari Packing List: What to Pack for a Botswana Trip? | What Should I Pack for a Botswana Safari?

Packing tips (advice) for the Botswana safari! We have listed crucial items you should have while traveling to Botswana for a vacation.

HERE IS THE ESSENTIAL PACKING LIST FOR THE BOTSWANA VACATION:

Good-quality camera
Insect repellent
Comfortable clothing: these should be in neutral colors
Comfortable shoes or boots for nature walks
Sunglasses,
Sun hat
Sunscreens
A simple backpack
A cell phone
A charger for your camera
Toiletries
A warm jumper is ideal during the rainy season
Binoculars- are of help during bird watching
A basic first aid kid has anti-malarial medication, painkillers, and bandages
Travel documents; travel insurance details, passport, air tickets, important contact numbers, as well as vaccination certificates if required
A reusable water bottle

Health in Botswana: Travel Advice

BELOW IS THE HEALTH TRAVEL GUIDE FOR BOTSWANA:

Malaria does exist in Botswana; therefore, you should travel with some anti-malarial medication, especially while visiting the north of Botswana. Insect repellents are of help as well
Guide on HIV/AIDS: Roughly a quarter of nationals in Botswana live with HIV; therefore, you should avoid taking part in any risky activities that will expose you to HIV!
Various vaccinations are recommended to enter Botswana: Make sure you visit your clinic 6–8 weeks before you travel to Botswana. This duration ensures that you complete your vaccinations
Waterborne diseases: These diseases exist within Botswana’s rivers and lakes; therefore, you should avoid swimming in them. Avoid taking tap water; only take boiled or bottled water.
During the winter months (May to August), this nation can be surprisingly cold, mostly in the early morning, almost reaching freezing point. So, you should have warm clothes along with hats and gloves
Sunlight can be too much in dry months; thus, carry sunscreen, a sun hat, and enough bottled water to keep you hydrated. If possible, carry a cooler box in the vehicle
Take a scarf that will protect you from dust if you are to visit saltpans or a desert.
A buff or scarf for world nomads heading to the mountains or desert to protect you from dust.
Travel with your extra specialist medications! It can be challenging to get such medication, even in Maun.
What food is served on safari in Botswana? Let your tour operator know about your special dietary needs. Lodge staff can prepare all your dietary needs if you inform them beforehand. These menus include vegan, kosher, and even gluten-free menus, etc.

Do You Need Malaria Pills for Botswana Tours?

Yes, you should pack anti-malaria pills while coming for a vacation trip to Botswana. Some parts of this country are at risk of malaria, for example, the north of the nation.

Talk to your doctor first; some anti-malaria pills need to be started before you travel.

Safety in Botswana Travel Tips, Advice

Botswana safari tours are safe, as this country ranks among the safest destinations within Southern Africa. Even though this nation is safe, you should exercise the same safety measures you could follow while in your home state, especially in main towns and urban areas!

HERE ARE THE SAFETY GUIDELINES TO FOLLOW ON YOUR BOTSWANA VACATION:

Listen always to your guide! These guys are highly trained and experienced. They make sure that you are safe while on your Botswana safari vacation.
Avoid driving outside major towns at night. Roads there are not lit; therefore, doing it puts your vehicle in danger and can result in bumping into roaming game animals while in national parks
When camping, check your boots and shoes before you put them on!
Homosexuality is not illegal within Botswana, but it’s still stigmatized! In that case, same-sex couples should act discretely while in public.
Avoid keeping food in your room while camping, as it can easily be stolen by monkeys and baboons that usually raid tents looking for snacks. If you have special food, keep it with the kitchen staff
It’s illegal to come with plastic bags in Botswana.

Is a Botswana Safari Safe? | Is It Safe to Travel to Botswana Right Now? | Is Botswana Safe for American Tourists?

Is it safe to travel to Botswana? If you adhere to the safety precautions listed above and those that your tour operator will provide you with, traveling to Botswana for a vacation is safe. The key ones include avoiding moving at night alone, especially on lonely streets, etc.

We advise you to purchase travel insurance before traveling to Botswana. This insurance covers costs in case of any mishap on your vacation. It can offer rescue services (medical evacuation) where needed!

Just be vigilant, just like you do while in your home state. Even independent travelers and solo travelers will be safe while traveling in Botswana.

Can You Wear Shorts in Botswana?

Neutral-colored shorts & T-shirts or shirts can be worn during the day on game-watching safari adventures, especially a game drive.

Avoid bright colors, as these don’t blend well in nature. Khaki, brown, and grey colors are the best. Black clothing is not good as it might become hot during hot hours in the dry season. White picks up dust easily on the game drive.

Currency in Botswana Travel Guide: What is Botswana’s Currency

What is the currency of Botswana? The national currency of Botswana is the Pula. $1 is equivalent to 11 Pula. Within this republic, most mid-range hotels, luxury lodges, and tour operators accept US dollars.

Can You Use Credit Cards and ATMs in Botswana?

All major credit cards, for instance, Visa and Mastercard, are accepted in this country, mostly in urban areas such as Maun, Gaborone, and Francistown.

Gas stations are the only places that you might encounter that refuse to accept your foreign bank card. Also, they might not work in rural areas. Therefore, it’s ideal that you have some cash on hand for emergencies to avoid any issues.

There are ATMs in the main towns and airports if you need to get some cash.

Are US Dollars Accepted in Botswana?

It’s possible to use US dollars on your Botswana safari vacation. The US dollar is the most widely accepted foreign currency in Botswana, but we advise you to exchange some money for local currency for easier transactions, especially in rural areas.

How Much Money Should I Bring to Botswana?

It’s up to you to decide how much you want to travel with on your Botswana vacation. Your spending culture and style influence how much you should travel to this nation.

Remember, most of the expenses, such as accommodation, transportation, and meals, are covered by the cost of the Botswana safari trip.

Botswana Safari Cost: How Much Does It Cost to Go on Safari in Botswana?

Budget tours in Botswana cost about 200 US dollars per person a day, while a mid-range trip is roughly $500. Luxury safaris cost about $1,000 a day per person.

Your travel style will greatly influence the above rates.

Best Time to Visit Botswana Safari, Best Time to Go to Botswana, Best Month to Visit Botswana—What Time of Year Is Best for Botswana?

The best time to visit Botswana is for a safari! Botswana safaris are open all year round; however, the dry season of June–October offers the best wildlife viewing experience. In these months (peak season in Botswana), minimal summer rains are received; therefore, rain is hardly a problem during game drives, nature walks, or any other outdoor adventure.

In the dry months, you can easily spot wildlife in the golden plains of Chobe National Park and around the beautiful meandering waterways of the Okavango Delta.

Botswana’s wet months run from November to May. Around this time, tourism components such as accommodation are cheaper due to the limited number of travelers. If interested in budget Botswana safari tours, a wet season can be the ideal time to undertake Botswana tours.

More Questions on Botswana Travel Tips

1. What is Botswana famous for? What is special about Botswana?

Botswana is well-known for its amazing parks that reveal the true African wilderness. Most of these parks, for instance, Okavango Park and Chobe National Park hold huge herds of wild animals like Elephants, Cape Buffalos, Zebras, Hippos, Cheetahs, and Lions, among others.

In summary, this country is a great destination for game-watching lovers.

2. Is Botswana good for tourists? | Is it worth going to Botswana? | Why do tourists visit Botswana?

Does Botswana have good safaris? If you ever think of which state to explore among South African countries, Botswana is the best place to be! This nation holds wonderful game animals, picturesque landscapes featuring rivers and deltas, as well as the scenic and vast Kalahari Desert.

On your vacation in Botswana, you’ll enjoy game-watching, birding, game walks, etc.

3. How many days do you need for Botswana safari? How long should I stay in Botswana?

5–10 days are ideal to tour key tourism destinations in Botswana! Within these days, you can go wildlife viewing in Chobe National Park, Okavango region, and also explore the scenic grasslands of Linyanti and the lovely dry pans of Makgadikgadi. The options are endless!

In most cases, the duration of your vacation is influenced by your budget and interests.

Talk to our travel expert in Botswana.

Botswana language: What language is mostly spoken in Botswana?

Even though Setswana is Botswana’s national language and English is the country’s official language, various tribes speak more than 20 different languages.

What to expect on safari in Botswana?

Regardless of the destination you visit in Botswana, expect to enjoy breathtaking scenery and an encounter with incredible wildlife. Among these are huge numbers of Elephants, Buffalos, Lions, Hippos, Cheetahs, Crocs, Leopards, Wildebeests, etc.

If you have any inquiries about the Botswana safari vacation, don’t hesitate to email us! Let’s travel together for an epic tour in Botswana.