Welcome to Botswana

Ticking all the boxes for a quintessential safari destination, Botswana offers some of the most incredible wildlife sightings on Earth. Throughout its vast wilderness – dotted with remote safari lodges reminiscent of the golden era of travel – you’ll find great beasts roaming free.

In the Okavango Delta, set off in a dugout mokoro, a traditional canoe of the Bayei people, in search of lechwe antelope and purple herons. Visit the Delta’s Wayeyi people and learn the art of basket weaving. Photograph the baobabs in Nxai Pans and the undulating sands of the Kalahari Desert. Glimpse hippos, crocodiles and elephants up close in Chobe National Park.

Cruise down the Chobe River and watch as the riverbanks come alive with giraffe and Cape buffalo. Birdwatchers are in luck, as this is one of the best places to glimpse our feather friends in all of Africa. Botswana is a front-row seat to the greatest show on Earth.

Unique Facts

• The largest elephant population on the African continent is in Botswana. Look for the large herds in Chobe National Park.
• The Okavango Delta, the largest inland delta in the world, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of Botswana’s top attractions.
• Botswana is renowned for its diverse and abundant wildlife. The country is home to more than 150 mammal species, more than 460 bird species and more than 200 reptile and amphibian species.
• Try the national dish of Botswana, Seswaa – a meat stew (beef or goat) service with maize meal. Or, try Mopane worms, a local delicacy and excellent source of protein!

Language

Botswana’s official language is English.

When To Go

The best time to visit Botswana is May through October, the dry season when the days and warm and sunny and the nights are chilly. The water levels in the Okavango Delta are at their highest during this period, creating the waterways and channels for which the country is famous.

Airports

Sir Seretse Khama International Airport, Gaborone

Passport Validity

Passport must be valid for six months after arrival.

Visa Required By US Citizen?

None

Vaccinations

The CDC suggests the following vaccines for most travelers when visiting Botswana: Hepatitis A and Typhoid. Depending where you are going and how long you are staying, it may also be suggested that you receive Hepatitis B, Rabies, Malaria and Yellow Fever vaccinations.

Electrical Outlets

Power plugs and sockets: types D, G and M. Standard voltage: 230V. Frequency: 50Hz.

Currency

Botswana’s official currency is the Pula.

Getting Around

Road conditions are good in major population centers, but poor in rural areas. Traffic lights and streetlamps are not always working property. Watch for high speed limits, lack of shoulders, free-range domestic animals, intoxicated drivers and pedestrians and hitchhikers on two-land highways. Traffic operates on the left.

Taxi service is generally safe and can be arranged through hotels or at the airport. Coach bus service is scheduled and available between Botswana and South Africa, Zimbabwe, Namibia and Zambia.

Driver’s License

A valid international driver’s license, and vehicle registration documents, are required to drive in Botswana.

US Embassy Info

U.S. Embassy Gaborone
Embassy Drive, Government Enclave
Gaborone, Botswana
Telephone: +(267) 395-3982
Emergency After-Hours Telephone: +(267) 395-7111
Fax: +(267) 318-0232
consulargaborone@state.gov

Local Visitor Info

Botswana Tourism Organisation
Fairscape Precinct, Plot 70667
Fairgrounds Office Park
Building 1A & 1B, 2nd Floor (East Wing)
Gaborone, Botswana
Tel: +267 391 3111
Fax: +267 395 6810
https://www.botswanatourism.co.bw/

Local Emergency Phone Numbers

Ambulance: 997
Police: 999
Fire: 998

Safety and Security

Petty street crime and theft of money and personal property are common. Remain alert and take reasonable precautions to safeguard personal property (particularly money and electronic equipment), especially near the Gaborone Dam and Kgale Hill. Crime is also reported in game parks, nature reserves, and remote areas frequented by tourists. If arriving in Botswana via South Africa, be aware of serious and continuing baggage pilferage problems at OR Tambo (Johannesburg) and Cape Town International Airports.