Botswana

Botswana - Tour Highlights & Travel Tips

Small on population and big on wildlife, that’s Botswana! Most parts of the Great Kalahari Desert lie within the borders of this exotic country and it is also home to the ancient bushman tribe, San. Wildlife ranks among the biggest attractions of Botswana. Those savannahs are scattered with all kinds of game lodges and the country is famous for hosting some of the best African safaris. Two of the best destinations for checking out Botswana’s wildlife are the Okavango River Delta and the Northern Tuli Game Reserve. Botswana is truly one of the most extraordinary places in the world, making a holiday in Botswana truly unforgettable. It ranks among the top travel destinations in Africa and always promises a memorable experience.

Botswana - Tour Highlights & Travel Tips

• Ride in a mokoro (a traditional Botswanan canoe) through the grasslands of the Okavango Delta
• See all the wildlife your heart desires at Chobe National Park
• Take in natural beauty and rich history at the same time with a visit to the Tsodilo Hills
• Learn about the country’s culture and tradition with a visit to the Bahurutshe Cultural Lodge
• Get lost in the labyrinth of the Gcwihaba Caves, an underground UNESCO World Heritage site
• Experience Botswana’s warm hospitality and ancient culture in the city of Maun

Botswana - Travel Tips

• Don’t expect your visit to Botswana to be a cheap one. This is one of Africa’s most affluent countries, with prices to match!
• ‘Pula’ is not just the name of Botswana’s currency - it is a term of pure delight! ‘Pula’ is literally translated into ‘rain’, and chants of ‘pula’ in this often-dry country mean something good has happened.
• Botswana has a unique musical culture, best experienced at the Maitisong Festival. This annual festival occurs at the end of March and features some of the country’s top choirs, marimba bands, and theatre performances.
• Looking for tranquility? A tour to Botswana is for you! Botswana is one of the world’s least densely populated countries, and 40% of its land is dedicated to wildlife parks.
• To make the most of your time in Botswana, consider skipping Gaborone, the capital city. The city is continuing to develop and there isn’t much to offer in terms of sightseeing.

2. Wildlife & Animals – Botswana

Botswana has a healthy wildlife population. Most big safari animals are easily seen, with the exception of rhino, which have recently been reintroduced. The northern parks have permanent water sources and host greater concentrations of wildlife than the dry parks in the south.

The Okavango Delta and Moremi contain one of the largest populations of the highly endangered African wild dog. Wild dog packs roam over large territories and spotting them is 'hit-or-miss' except when they are denning. Sitatunga, red lechwe and puku can be found in the Okavango Delta, Moremi and Chobe's riverfront area. These rare antelopes have adapted to a semi-aquatic habitat and spend a lot of time in shallow water.

In general, wildlife viewing is best during the Dry season (May to October). Vegetation is thinner, and animals concentrate around water making them easier to spot. The Okavango Delta floods from June to October, providing the opportunity to watch wildlife in this unique ecosystem.

The drier parks in the Kalahari area offer better wildlife viewing during the Wet season (November to April) when fresh grasses attract wildlife from the north.

3. Best Time to Visit – Botswana

The Okavango Delta, Moremi and Chobe are Botswana's most popular parks. The best time to visit them is from May to September, during the Dry season and winter, resulting in more moderate temperatures. In addition, the Okavango is flooded from June to October. Wildlife viewing is good year-round, but this can differ for some parks. See below to learn when to visit which park.

May to October – Dry Season – Winter

• Less vegetation and animals concentrate around water, making them easier to spot
• The skies are clear, rain is rare, and there are fewer mosquitoes
• Even though most tourists visit during the Dry season, the parks still feel uncrowded, except for the bustling Chobe riverfront area
• Early morning and evening drives are cold in June, July and August

November to April – Wet Season – Summer

• The scenery is greener, and there are lower rates during this season
• Although wildlife is easier to spot in the Dry season, you’ll still see plenty
• There are many newborn animals and migratory birds
• Except for January and February, rains seldom interfere with your trip
• During January and February, the rains can be continuous for days
• It gets very hot in October and November
• Some lodges and camps close down during part of the Wet season

4. Getting There – Botswana

Most visitors to Botswana will have a stopover in South Africa to pick up a direct flight from OR Tambo International Airport (JNB), Johannesburg or Cape Town International Airport (CPT).

Botswana’s main airport is Sir Seretse Khama International Airport (GBE), located 11km/7miles north of Gaborone, the capital.

For travelers, it is more common to fly into Maun Airport (MUB) and Kasana Airport (BBK). When combining a safari in Botswana with a visit to Victoria Falls, it is common to fly into Maun and depart from Victoria Falls Airport (VFA) in Zimbabwe or Livingstone Airport (LVI) in Zambia.

In most cases we will collect you from the airport and will arrange all further transportation.

Passport, Visa and Other Entry Requirements

Entry requirements can change, so please contact your local Botswana embassy to verify the information below is current.

• A passport is required for all foreign visitors and has to be valid for at least six months.
• All foreign visitors will need to carry a return ticket
• Children (under 18 years of age) must have a certified copy of their full, unabridged birth certificate as well as a valid passport to enter Botswana. If a child is traveling with only one parent, or no parents, the child must have an affidavit from the missing parent(s), which gives their consent for the child to travel.
• Citizens from most nationalities do not require a visa and will get a 30-day entry permit on arrival.