With its remote wildlife areas and vast stretches of sparsely populated land, a Botswana safari tour is a very different experience than a safari elsewhere in Africa. Whether in the wide expanses of the Kalahari Desert and the Makgadikgadi Pans or among a network of channels and lagoons in the Okavango Delta Botswana, the scenery is distinctive. The pace of safari is gentler, with time spent slowing down and enjoying the smaller details. Wildlife sightings may not be as frequent as on a South African safari or in East Africa but they are more exclusive, most often only shared with those on your safari vehicle.

Botswana is an exclusive safari destination and tourism is strictly regulated. As a result, prices may appear higher than elsewhere in Africa, but the experience is unfailingly of a high quality, most often in very remote and untouched parts of the country. The most beautiful destinations in Botswana can only be reached by light aircraft, which also influences the cost of your safari, although it adds to the experience.

Camps and lodges in the Okavango Delta are generally situated on private concessions. This means that guests are able to participate in a wider range of activities, including game drives, nature walks, boating excursions or trips in traditional canoes known as mokoro. In areas where lodges can be easily accessed by land game drives can continue after dark, providing a glimpse of the nocturnal activities of Botswana’s wildlife.

Lodges in the more remote areas of Botswana do not have electricity and rely on generator power for lighting and refrigeration. Generators may often be switched off at night, which means that air conditioning may not function during this time. Should you have any medical requirements that call for a 24-hour electricity supply, most lodges will be able to oblige, with the exception of some tented camps or mobile operations.

Botswana is one of the most stable and peaceful countries in Southern Africa, however it helps to be aware of your surroundings and keep your possessions close at all times. When travelling in the cities, keep your cameras and valuables out of sight.

Botswana is an exclusive destination and government strictly regulates tourism to the country. As a result, park entry prices and commodity prices are higher than elsewhere in Africa. Budget for this; it is absolutely worth it.

Be prepared that the most beautiful destinations in Botswana can be reached by light aircraft only. &Beyond are travel experts in Botswana and will help you organise transfers and shuttle flights.

Lodges in the more remote areas of Botswana do not have electricity. These lodges generally rely on generator power for lighting and refrigeration, but this power only runs at critical times of the day. Please be aware that you will not find a plug socket in your room/tent at many of these lodges.

Currency

US dollars are widely accepted; however, notes dated before 2003 are no longer accepted. Also, high denomination notes may not be accepted.

Banking hours at most commercial banks are Monday to Friday from 08h30 to 15h30 and on Saturday from 08h30 to 11h00.

ATMs are found throughout Botswana’s major city centres and shopping complexes.

The currency is the Pula, where BWP1 is made up of 100 thebe. Please check with your hotel for daily exchange rates.

Visa, MasterCard, Diners Club and American Express are accepted by most restaurants, shops and hotels. Proof of identity may be requested, so be sure to carry a passport or some form of photo identification at all times. Credit cards are not accepted at petrol stations.

Safety

It is advised you check with your tour operator or hotel concierge – they will know if there are any potentially unsafe areas along your travel route.

It is wise to avoid deserted areas, particularly at night. If you are on a self-drive journey then please ensure your car is locked at all times – park in well-lit, busy areas.

Dress-down (i.e., don’t wear excessive jewellery) when exploring Africa’s diverse cities. Concealed travel wallets are recommended.

Stopping for hitch hikers is not recommended.

Photography

Please be sensitive when photographing people. Botswana are renowned for being friendly; however it is courteous to ask permission before snapping away.

The use of Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (Drones) is not allowed in any of the conservation areas we manage until such time as their impact on wildlife and anti-poaching initiatives can be assessed. This rule will apply throughout Africa, as our partners in various countries and regions have adopted a similar stance.

Passport & Visa Requirements

Guests visiting Botswana must be in possession of a passport that is valid for at least six months from the date of travel and should have two blank pages available in their passport. It is advisable for visitors who intend travelling to Botswana’s neighbouring countries and back to apply for multiple entry visas.

Travel Insurance

It is essential that adequate travel insurance be taken out prior to departure. This should cover any medical situation such as hospitalisation, as well as cancellation, curtailment of arrangements and baggage. When you travel with &Beyond, you are automatically covered by our emergency evacuation insurance. This guarantees emergency evacuation to the nearest hospital should you suffer either severe illness or injury. This does not cover the cost of treatment once in hospital and in no way replaces your normal travel insurance. There are certain medical exclusions. Please advise us of any existing conditions in advance in order to arrange cover, subject to our insurer’s approval. Please contact us for further details.

Health

Botswana is a malaria area and malaria prophylactics are highly recommended. Please consult your medical practitioner prior to travel. The use of additional precautionary measures, such as insect repellents and wearing long-sleeved clothing, long trousers and socks when outside at night, is recommended.

Any person entering Botswana from, or via, a yellow fever infected area must be in possession of a valid International Certificate of Vaccination against yellow fever.

Tap water

Tap water in Botswana is purified and is safe to drink at hotels, lodges and other public places.

What the experts say

• Carry a record of your passport number, airline tickets and travellers cheques, and ensure these are kept in a safe place.
• Never leave baggage or luggage unattended.

Some areas in Botswana have malaria, so take precautions. Consult your doctor about the latest anti-malaria precautions.

Few offer as much to visitors as Botswana. A favourable exchange rate, superb accommodation and infrastructure, coupled with a safe and stable environment make this a great country to visit. places in Africa

Botswana offers superb game viewing and safari activities throughout the year. The winter months (May to September) are dry, with warm and sunny days (26ºC / 79ºF average) but temperatures do drop dramatically at night. The summer months (October to April) are hot (25ºC / 77ºF – 45ºC / 113ºF).

The best time to see Botswana’s prolific bird life is during the wet summer, between November and March, when the Okavango Delta is teeming with migratory birds.

Okavango Delta

In the spectacular Delta the rising floodwater reach their peak in April or May. While the rest of Botswana lies in the grip of the dusty, dry season during winter, which last from June to August, the Okavango is a mass of shimmering lagoons and channels. The floodwaters start to recede in September or October. During the summer months from November to March, the warm days usher in photogenic afternoon thundershowers. This is also birthing season, when newly born antelope are trying out their wobbly legs and baby birds are venturing out of their nests.

Chobe National Park

In the Chobe National Park the dry winter brings even more wildlife to the banks of the Chobe River as water sources dry up elsewhere. From November to March summer brings the rainy season, during which wildflowers burst into bloom, babies are born and the exquisite carmine bee-eaters start nesting in the islands on the Chobe River.

Savute

In Savute, May brings increased sightings of African wild dog as the females begin to den. September to October is the driest season, when flocks of birds congregate around the artificial watering holes. As the rains begin in November, large breeding herds of elephant move into the wide open Savute Marsh. During the summer months of November and December thousands of zebra migrate through Savute in search of grazing.

There are relatively few international flights directly into Botswana and it is often easier to fly into Johannesburg in neighbouring South Africa and catch a connecting flight in to Maun, which is the gateway to Botswana’s premier wildlife areas. From here, a network of international scheduled charter flights will take you to your safari destination. Unlike private charters, these small planes carry a number of passengers headed for a specific region and may touch down at a number of bush airstrips along the way.

Because of the among of effort involved in getting to Botswana and the number of destinations worth visiting, it is recommended that visitors set aside ten days to two weeks for their Botswana safari.

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Flights

Scheduled Flights
Frequent flights link Johannesburg to Gaborone, Maun and Kasane – the gateways to the national parks and wildlife areas.

Shuttle/Charter Flights
Shuttle/charter flights are the only way of reaching the majority of camps in the Chobe, Moremi, Central Kalahari and Delta areas. Scheduled light aircraft flights depart from Maun and Kasane and handle all inter-camp transfers in this area.

Transfers

Self-Drive
Although Gaborone, Maun and Francistown are accessible by 2-wheel drive cars, travel into Moremi, Chobe and the Central Kalahari can only be undertaken by 4-wheel drive. Self-drive clients have access to most of the Moremi, Savute and Chobe lodges, but lodges in the Okavango Delta itself are only accessible by light aircraft.

Guided Safaris
A large variety of guided safaris are available. Please see our &Beyond Expeditions, detailing a great diversity of guided camping, personalised and lodge-accommodated safaris.

Trains and Coaches
We do not recommend these modes of transport for travel within Botswana.

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What to remember when travelling around Botswana

Botswana is not really a self-drive destination unless you are prepared for serious 4×4 driving and check weather conditions carefully, as these impact on the road conditions.

Although Gaborone, Maun and Francistown are accessible by 2-wheel drive cars, travel into Moremi, Chobe and the Central Kalahari can only be undertaken by 4-wheel drive.