Botswana

Botswana is often regarded as the most expensive safari in Africa. This is in many ways true however there are various options of travelling for both the price conscious traveller and the high-end safari goer.

The Botswana tourism model is one of high prices and limited lodging in its prime regions (especially the Okavango Delta) which ultimately leads to low tourists and a much more regulated conservation environment.

In the Okavango Delta high season, one will be able to find lodges anywhere between USD 500 and USD 5,000 per person per night.

Why are lodges in the Okavango Delta so expensive:

• Exchange Rates: Most lodges charge in US Dollars and therefore one cannot take advantage of the local currencies depreciation (BWP).
• Fly in Safaris: Most safaris involve flying on light aircrafts into these private concessions. These light charters are usually expensive flights relative the distance.
• Private Concessions: Due to many of the lodges being in private concessions. Tourism operators must pay large concession/management fees to government and also local community fees.
• Remote Locations: Due to lodges being in very remote locations only accessible by long drives on bad roads, flights, or boats, this leads to higher operational costs and ultimately one pays more for all these logistical issues, exclusivity, and solitude.
• Level of Luxury: The level of luxury in Botswana is some of the highest in the world, in order to construct, maintain and offer these levels of service in remote locations leads to higher prices.
• Diverse activities: Many of Okavango Delta Lodges have both land and water activities. This means they need more equipment (Boats and Mokoros) as well as professional guides to offer amazing experiences to guests.
• Importing of goods: As Botswana is part of the Kalahari Desert, the country does not manage to farm and produce all its necessary supplies, this means a lot of supplies need to be imported from South Africa at an additional cost.
• Competition in Tourism: The Botswanan Government limits the number of concessions and safari lodges; therefore, this leads to less competition. On the flip side this offers the ultimate exclusivity.

Can you travel Botswana on a budget?

Yes, there are ways to get around the USD 5,000 per person per night prices. From Mobile Safari’s, Overland Tours to Self-Drive, there are ways to enjoy safaris without breaking the bank.

Cost of Travelling Botswana in order of most affordable to most expensive:

• Self-Driving (Camping)
• Overland Group Tours
• Mobile Safari’s
• Fly-In Luxury Safaris

Overall, Safari Costs are dependent on:

• Location: The best concessions are usually the highest priced, these concessions will have the best all year-round game viewing and are situated in private/exclusive concessions.
• Seasonality: Travelling during the dry season (June – October) can be well over twice the price of travelling during the wet season (January – March).
• Level of Luxury: All safari lodges offer different levels of luxury, the top end lodges have world class chefs, private plunge pools, private safari vehicles, professional guides, fitness centres and spas.
• Transport to and from: Most lodges in Botswana are fly-in safaris (small aircraft or helicopter), the more lodges on your itinerary the more transfers costs. However these transfers offer a very scenic bird’s eye view of wildlife and landscapes.

For those looking for a real adventure we recommend mobile safaris and self-drive itineraries. There is also the option to combine the various a fly in safari with a mobile safari.

AfriVenture gets the best rates for all lodges, car rental companies and activity providers, therefore we will package the whole itinerary and pass on the best prices to our customers.

Botswana is an easy country to travel to.

The main international airports for tourists are: Maun and Kasane.

For those visiting Victoria Falls, there is also the option of flying into Livingstone, Zambia or Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe. From there it is a short transfer (1 hour 30 minutes) to Kasane.

The majority of international visitor’s would transit through either:

• Johannesburg, South Africa
• Cape Town, South Africa
• Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

Botswana is a very large and wild country (approximately the size of France).

Road distances between destinations can be very large and conditions change depending on the season.

Options for travelling in Botswana:

• Self-Drive: This is for adventurous travellers who are confident in driving a 4×4 vehicle in all types of difficult conditions (Deep Sand, Mud, Water Crossings, Etc). There are excellent vehicle hiring companies in Maun and Kasane. The safari vehicles come fully kitted to your preferences.
• Fly In: For travellers short on time or wanting to fly straight into the best locations, there are daily flights into all the luxury lodges. There is also the option of helicopter transfers into camps which is often more scenic than a fixed wing light aircraft.
• Mobile Safari: A truly authentic way to experience Botswana, one would be picked up in Maun or Kasane in an open safari vehicle and venture into the safari destination of choice where you will camp wild and go on overland safari. The level of luxury goes from basic all the way to extremely high end, where one would have full bed setups, gastronomic meals, fine wines and the best safari guides. One may join a fixed tour departure or as a private tour.
• Hybrid: One can do a combination of the above three options for a truly unique experience.
• Taxis: Only available in the major cities.
• Tours: Botswana is a great country to join a guided multi day tour, either on an overland truck or a customised safari vehicle. This is especially good for solo travellers who want to share the experience with travellers from throughout the world.
• Day Trips: Kasane is the best place for day trips. One can visit Chobe National Park and Victoria Falls on day trips. From Maun one can do day trips although they are logistically not ideal in terms of travel times and distances.

Botswana is generally safe for travellers. It has a relatively low crime rate compared to some other African countries. However, like any destination, it’s wise to take precautions and be aware of your surroundings, especially in urban areas where petty theft and opportunistic crimes can occur.

In remote areas or when driving long distances, it’s essential to be prepared with enough supplies, including fuel and water, especially in more desolate regions where services might be limited.

Overall, Botswana is a beautiful country with welcoming people, but as with travel anywhere, staying vigilant and informed is key to having a safe and enjoyable experience.

At AfriVenture we will never design an itinerary that would put you into a risky situation or area.

Yes, malaria is present in most parts of Botswana, although the risk of malaria is generally low.

It’s important to take precautionary measures if you’re traveling to malaria-prone areas, especially during the rainy season (November to April), when mosquito populations are higher.

Preventive measures against malaria includes:

• Taking anti-malarial medication prescribed by a healthcare professional (if necessary).
  Using insect repellent.
• Wearing protective clothing in the evenings. (eg, Long Sleeves and Long Pants)
• Sleeping in accommodations with mosquito nets, screened windows, fans and air conditioning.

Always consult with a healthcare provider or travel doctor before your trip to get the most up-to-date and personalized advice on malaria prevention based on the specific areas you plan to visit and your individual health considerations.

Visa requirements for Botswana vary depending on your nationality.

Some countries have visa-free arrangements with Botswana, allowing their citizens to visit for a specified period without needing a visa. Other nationalities might need to apply for a visa in advance.

To determine whether you need a visa to visit Botswana, you should check with the nearest Botswanan embassy or consulate in your country or visit the official website of the Botswana n Department of Home Affairs. They will have the most updated information about visa requirements.

Visa requirements can change, so it’s essential to confirm the most current information well before your planned travel dates.

Always consult with a healthcare provider or travel doctor several weeks before your trip to get personalized advice based on your health history, itinerary, and current health recommendations.

At the time of writing there are no compulsory vaccinations for travellers entering Botswana.

However, the country may require a Yellow Fever vaccination certificate if you’re arriving from or have recently visited a Yellow

Fever endemic area. This requirement usually applies to travellers coming from certain African and South American countries.

Malaria Prevention: Please see other frequently asked question on Malaria.

The currency used in Botswana is the Botswana Pula (BWP).

There are a variety of methods to pay for goods and services:

1. Credit and Debit Cards: Visa and MasterCard are commonly accepted in most establishments, especially in urban areas. American Express and Diners Club cards are less widely accepted. Inform your bank about your travel plans to prevent any issues with card usage abroad.
2. Cash: Carrying some cash in Botswanan Pula can be useful for small purchases, markets, and places where card payments might not be accepted. ATMs are widely available in cities and towns and accept most international cards.

Tipping:

It is customary to tip for services in Botswana.

• Restaurants: Tipping around 10% of the total bill is common if the service charge is not already included. Check the bill; sometimes a service charge is included, in which case additional tipping might not be expected.
• Hotels: Tipping hotel staff, such as porters and housekeeping, is customary.
• Transfers: Tipping transfer drivers isn’t mandatory, but rounding up the fare is appreciated.
• Lodges: This depends on the lodge standard and services, please enquire with us or directly with lodge management.

Even though tipping is customary, it is still discretionary, and the amount can vary based on the quality of service you received.