Botswana – Travel Guide
Explore Botswana, a land of diverse landscapes and rich wildlife, from the vastness of the Okavango Delta to the rugged beauty of Chobe National Park. Indulge in authentic cuisine, tasting local specialties like seswaa and morogo, accompanied by fresh seasonal produce. Immerse yourself in history in Maun, a gateway to the Okavango Delta, and marvel at the majestic Makgadikgadi Salt Pans, a testament to the country’s geological wonders. Experience the cultural heritage of Botswana in villages like Shakawe, where traditional music and dance celebrations offer a glimpse into local life.
All about Botswana
Botswana FAQ
What is Botswana known for?
Botswana is an incredible country and top travel destination in Africa boasting breathtaking landscapes, fascinating diverse wildlife spread throughout top highlights and landmarks such as Chobe National Park, Okavango Delta, Kalahari Desert, and Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park. A popular and exclusive safari destination through the national parks, wilderness, and vast arid desert areas, where unique ecosystems exist boasting abundant birds and wildlife. The mighty and vast River Delta cuts through the middle of the Kalahari, one of the largest river deltas in the world a lush verdant area brimming with wildlife. Botswana has the densest elephant population in the entire world, they come to the Chobe River to play, drink, and swim. Discover amazing wildlife opportunities including the Big Five, African wild dogs, aquatic antelopes, cheetahs, lions, zebras, and all manners of birdlife.
What are the best places to visit in Botswana?
Chobe National Park, known as `The Land of The Giants`, boasts sprawling lush parkland dotted with forests, grasslands, and lagoons. Abundant wildlife can be seen on the Chobe River and on exciting safaris through the park. Unique accommodations nestled along the riverside include camping, eco-lodges, tented camps, and luxury lodges with breathtaking views.
How many days should I spend in Botswana?
We recommend 7-10 days based on what you want to see and do. We offer flexible vacation packages so you can select your number of nights in each city, desired hotel, and activities. We suggest a minimum of 3 nights in larger cities.
What is the best way to get around Botswana?
Hiring a car when traveling around Botswana is one of the best and most practical options to connect you to the sights and attractions. There are major roads that connect to the main towns, driving is on the left-hand side. Driving in the wilderness does require a 4WD due to dirt tracks and bushland.
There are frequent domestic air services for reliable connections to a handful of towns in Botswana. Charter flights and scheduled airline flights are the two main options when flying within Botswana. Air Botswana links Maun with Kasane, Gaborone, Windhoek, and Johannesburg.
Do people speak English in Botswana?
The official language spoken in Botswana is English, with Tswana widely spoken. Many people speak English, especially in the service industry at hotels and restaurants. Most of the inhabitants have a good comprehension of the English language. We recommend you get a good English-Tswana guidebook and learn common phrases such as hello, goodbye, please, thank you, and numbers 1-10.
Best time to visit Botswana
Visiting Botswana during the dry season which runs May through October will provide you with warm, sunshine-filled days with average daily temperatures around the low to mid-90s and lows in the 70s. This time of year is when the Okavango Delta water levels are at their highest. The area is known for its wildlife and exciting safaris, which can be enjoyed year-round.
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There are two main seasons in Botswana, Dry and Wet Season; The Wet or Green season runs from November to March, a pleasant time of year with lots of verdant landscapes, rain can occur in the afternoons but sunshine is predominant throughout the day. May to October is considered the Dry season with cooler temperatures, clear blue skies, and plenty of wildlife on display.
Tipping in Botswana
The official currency of Botswana is the Pula (BWP or P), Pula translates to `rain` in Setswana, because rain is scarce in Botswana. US Dollars are not accepted, be sure to exchange your dollars for Pula upon arrival. There are exchange desks found in the airport. ATMs can be found in local towns.