Botswana FAQs

What is Botswana's weather like?

In summer (between November and April) days are hot and generally sunny in the morning with possible afternoon thunderstorms. Daytime temperatures can rise to about 38° C/ 100° F and night temperatures drop to around 20° - 25° C/ 68° - 77° F. Afternoons can be very humid.

In winter (from May to October) days are dry, sunny and cool to warm while evening temperatures drop sharply. Daytime temperatures generally reach 20° C/ 68° F and can drop as low as 5° C/ 57° F at night.

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When is the best time to travel to Botswana?

Game viewing is best in the dry season from May to October when the animals congregate around water sources.

Birding, on the other hand, is best between November and March when intra-African and Palaearctic migrants can be seen. If you want to see the bush at its greenest, then December to May is the time to visit. Please note that January and February can be very wet months.

The peak season (and most expensive time for travel) is from July to October when it is dry, warm to hot and there are relatively few mosquitoes.

For more information, have a look at our When to go to Botswana section.

Does Botswana have the Big Five?

Rhinos have recently been re-introduced onto Chief's Island in the Okavango Delta. It seems they are doing well and individuals have been spotted in other regions as well. Nevertheless, the chances of seeing a rhino in Botswana are extremely slim.

I heard that it is best to wear natural colors such as beiges, browns and greens while on safari. Can I wear camouflage-patterned clothing in Botswana?

No. Although we recommend wearing natural colours that blend into the environment on safari, camouflage-patterned clothing is not permitted. This mainly applies to any clothing that can be construed as resembling military-wear. You are urged not to wear, or even carry any military-inspired clothing while travelling in this region.

Can I bring my children on safari in Botswana?

With the exception of Chobe where many lodges and hotels welcome children, Botswana is less child-friendly than is commonly believed. There are certain lodges with family facilities and even children's programmes, but often these lodges require then that you hire a private vehicle for your game drives if you have children under 12, which makes things slightly more costly. Most lodges welcome children over the age of 12. Certain lodges only allow children older than 16 to go on guided walks in the parks for safety reasons.

Is Botswana a suitable destination for a honeymoon?

Absolutely - the scenery is magical and the safari lodges place an emphasis on intimacy, exclusivity and luxury - check out our Botswana honeymoon section for more information and recommendations.

What kind of activities does Botswana offer?

Activities at the various lodges differ according to location and season. In the Okavango Delta, the land based camps offer twice daily game drives, while the water based camps offer seasonal boating, walking, fishing and sometimes game drives and mokoro (canoe) trips as well. Certain lodges are situated such that they can offer both land and water based activities at certain times of the year.

In the Savuti region, all the lodges only offer game drives because the area has no rivers or channels to navigate. The Linyanti region may offer seasonal water activities along with its usual game drives, while in the Chobe River area most lodges offer both game drives in the Chobe National Park and river cruises on the famous river.

Note that walking trails are permitted only on Chief's Island in the Okavango Delta or in private concessions; the regulations governing national parks and reserves prohibit walking safaris.

Click here for more information about activities in Botswana.

Will my guide carry a gun or rifle with him?

Gun control is extremely rigid in Botswana, and no firearms are permitted in national parks and reserves. Guides, therefore, do not carry weapons in Botswana. They are highly skilled and very well trained in their knowledge of the wild. They do not require guns to ensure your safety. The private concessions are an exception however, and your walking trails guide will more than likely be armed.

Can I go on night game drives in Botswana?

Night drives are not allowed in the national parks, and so in these areas you will have morning and evening game drives as opposed to night drives. The lodges in the private reserves offer night drives.

What can I expect to pay for accommodation in Botswana?

Pricing in Botswana changes dramatically with the seasons. Depending on the standard of luxury and exclusivity you are looking for, accommodation can cost anything from about $300 - $1500 (US) per person per night sharing in Botswana. Certain lodges in Chobe are cheaper than this, but that is not the norm.

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What does the price I pay for accommodation generally include?

The cost of accommodation in Botswana for all destinations excluding Chobe generally includes all meals and snacks, all soft drinks, all teas and coffees, all scheduled safari activities and often all local alcoholic beverages as well (excluding premium brands and imported liquor). In Chobe, there is no general rule and the various lodges differ tremendously in terms of what their prices include.

How accessible are the safari lodges in Botswana?

Many lodges in Botswana are only reached by light aircrafts and/or small motor boats. Going on safari in Botswana, you will usually either fly into Maun (just south of the Okavango Delta), or into Victoria Falls in Zimbabwe or Livingstone in Zambia, followed by a 1.5 - 2 hour road transfer across the border into Kasane Airport in Chobe, Botswana. From these points, you will take small charter plane flights to the various lodges and reserves. There are daily flights from Johannesburg in South Africa into Maun, and several daily flights from Johannesburg to Victoria Falls and Livingstone.

What is the normal luggage restriction on flights in Botswana?

Most scheduled flights have a luggage restriction of 20kg, but various charter flights differ in the amount of luggage you can take from 12 - 20kg per person. It is imperative that all luggage on the charter planes is in soft bags. Hard, shell-type suitcases are not allowed on these planes under any circumstances.

What is the local currency and how should we manage carrying our money?

The unit of currency is the Pula (P), which is divided into 100 thebe. It is best to carry small denominations of US Dollar cash with you as well as Pula because this is widely accepted and charged at most lodges and hotels. All major credit cards are accepted at hotels, shops and restaurants. However, certain lodges and restaurants do not accept payment by Diners or American Express. Credit cards are not accepted at petrol filling stations.

What is the standard tipping procedure?

Tipping is entirely at your discretion but we recommend the following guide:

• Transfers - US $2 per person • Restaurants - 10% for good service, up to 15% for exceptional service • Game Lodge Staff - US $25 per stay • Rangers/ trackers - US $10 per person per day

Will there be electricity for me to charge my camera? What kind of plug will I need?

Yes. All lodges and hotels will either have electricity, solar power or a generator so charging your camera will be no trouble. Botswana plugs have a voltage of 231V and a frequency of 50 Hertz. The plugs have 3 round-pins.

Is it safe to drink the water?

Throughout Botswana at hotels, inns, lodges and other public places, tap water is purified and safe to drink. Please remember that water is a scarce resource, especially in a drought-prone area such as Botswana so please help to conserve water.

Is malaria a risk in Botswana?

Yes, particularly in the later summer months, January to April. You will need to consult your doctor about anti-malaria medication. Find out more about heath and safety in Botswana.

What about safety in Botswana?

Botswana is a very safe destination with a low crime rate. The people of Botswana are generally very friendly. Hitchhiking is commonly practised and it is quite safe to do so. The greatest dangers are out in the wild and visitors should adhere to the rules when visiting parks. Never get out of your vehicle unless absolutely safe to do so and never confront wild animals. Find out more about heath and safety in Botswana.

What about self-driving in Botswana? Do I need a license? What are the roads like?

There are 18,482 km of highways in Botswana, of which 4,343 km are paved. Road conditions in the reserves of Botswana are extremely rough and dusty, and the roads can be badly signposted. Four-wheel drive vehicles are essential, as are good driving skills to negotiate these roads in the wild. Botswana is not recommended as a self-drive destination, except as a 4x4 adventure. If you will be driving in Botswana, your normal driving license is accepted, with an English translation, if necessary. Driving is on the left side of the road. The national speed limit on tarred roads is 120 km/h and 60 km/h in towns and villages. Watch out for wildlife on the roads!

How long does it take to get from Victoria Falls to Chobe in Botswana?

It's only 70km from Victoria Falls to Botswana, and another 10km to the park but depending on the traffic at the border, the odd game viewing stop and so on, the journey takes about 1 to 1.5 hours.

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