Chat To Our Team
If you'd like to discuss joining one of our departures or modifying an existing one for your group, please get in touch with our travel experts.
Make an Enquiry
WHY BOOK A TRIP TO BOTSWANA
Always dreamt of a big wildlife-spotting adventure in Africa? Well, Botswana might just be the best country to make this dream come true.
This beautiful nation is right in the middle of southern Africa, and is home to one of the region’s most diverse landscapes – from the wetlands of the Okavango Delta to the salt pans of Makgadikgadi and classic African game reserves like the Central Kalahari.
It is also incredibly well populated with the animals you’d expect to see in this part of the world. Botswana is home to more elephants than any other country – you’ll find a lot of them at Chobe National Park – and it’s one of the best countries to tick off the Big Five – rhino, lion, leopard and buffalo alongside the elephants.
So, if you’re dreaming of the great plains of Africa, consider booking a trip to Botswana.
Frequently Asked Questions
-
What’s the best time of year to visit Botswana?
General consensus is that the best time to visit Botswana is during the dry season (May-October). This is the best time to explore the Okavango Delta, as the water is at its highest, while the lack of water in game reserves makes wildlife-spotting much easier. This time of year also comes with a lower risk of malaria. There are pros to visiting in the green season (November-April), too, when there are fewer crowds and cheaper prices, not to mention more foliage and an incredible range of birdwatching possibilities.
-
What’s the climate like in Botswana?
The climate in Botswana is consistently semi-arid and very low on humidity. Daytimes are very hot but temperatures plummet in the night. There are two seasons – winter (dry season) runs from May to October, while summer (wet/green season) is November-April. The northern regions of Botswana have a high malaria risk, particularly from November to June.
-
What’s the currency in Botswana?
Botswana pula
-
What language is spoken in Botswana?
The official language of Botswana is English – a remnant of colonial times – but the Bantu language of Setswana is spoken by most of the population too. In fact, 90% of the population consider one of the Bantu languages to be their mother tongue, included among these are Kalanga, Kgalagadi and Mbukushu.
-
What is the time difference in Botswana?
The time zone in Botswana is Central Africa Time (UTC+2), which is 2 hours ahead of London, 7 ahead of New York and 10 hours ahead of Los Angeles.
-
Major Airports in Botswana:
- Sir Seretse Khama International Airport (GBE), Gaborone
- Maun International Airport (MUB)
- Kasane International Airport (BBK)
-
What are the best places to visit in Botswana?
- Okavango Delta – a wildlife paradise, home to elephants, lions, leopards, giraffes, hippos, crocodiles and over 450 species of bird
- Makgadikgadi Salt Pans – an enormous salty expanse where a lake larger than Switzerland existed tens of thousands of years ago
- Central Kalahari Game Reserve – the second largest game reserve in the world, home to a cornucopia of animals, including some huge lions
- Chobe National Park – the best place in Botswana to see buffalo and elephants
- Khama Rhino Sanctuary – established in 1992 to save these precious beasts, currently there are 4 black and 30 white rhinos here
-
What are the top five local dishes to try in Botswana?
- Seswaa – a simple, hearty meat stew, usually served over polenta
- Vetkoek – a fried bread usually treated like a burger and filled with minced meat
- Marula – juices, jams and even beer is made using this mango-related fruit
- Dikgobe – a traditional porridge-type dish made using peas, beans and samp
- Mopane worms – for the intrepid eaters out there, these caterpillars are sourced from mopane trees and dried into a popular crispy snack
-
Is Botswana safe?
Botswana is totally safe to visit. While the crime rate is not insignificant in major cities, a lot of it exists in a different world to the one tourists experience. In the countryside, it is extremely important to have a good plan and plenty of supplies – the best way of exploring is without doubt on a group tour, where that is all taken care of.