- The Okavango Delta is the highlight, best from June to October when the floods arrive
- British passport holders can visit visa-free for up to 90 days
- Expensive, low-volume camps mean few vehicles at sightings
- Fly via Johannesburg to Maun or Kasane
- Airports
- Maun (MUB), Kasane (BBK), Gaborone Sir Seretse Khama (GBE)
- Flight time
- about 14h from London to Maun, usually with one stop in Johannesburg
- Best time to go
- June-October for the Okavango Delta and Chobe; December-March for the Kalahari and Makgadikgadi
- Currency
- Botswana pula (BWP)
Botswana chose a high-value, low-volume model of tourism, and it shows. Camps are small, concessions are vast and private, and you can spend a day in the Okavango Delta without seeing another vehicle. Wildlife is spectacular, from the elephants massing along the Chobe River to lions wading through flooded channels, and the country is stable, well run and safe.
For UK travellers, Botswana is one or two hours ahead depending on the season, cars drive on the left and you will need type D or M plug adaptors as well as some UK-style sockets. The catch is cost: this is one of the most expensive safari destinations anywhere. This guide, from our Africa section, explains where to go and how to make it work.
Entry requirements
British passport holders can usually visit Botswana visa-free for up to 90 days in a 12-month period. Your passport should have at least six months' validity and two blank pages. Parents travelling with children under 18 may be asked for full birth certificates, especially if crossing from South Africa. Rules change, so check GOV.UK foreign travel advice before booking.
Where to go in Botswana
The Okavango Delta
The world's largest inland delta floods in the middle of the dry season, as summer rains from Angola trickle south. Explore by traditional mokoro dugout canoe, motorboat, on foot and in vehicles. Private concessions allow night drives and off-road tracking, while Moremi Game Reserve, on the eastern side, is the more accessible option for mobile and self-drive safaris.
Chobe National Park
Chobe has one of the largest elephant populations in Africa. Boat cruises on the Chobe River from Kasane are a highlight, and the Linyanti and Savuti areas further west offer predators and fewer people. Kasane is close enough for a trip to Victoria Falls in Zimbabwe or Zambia.
Makgadikgadi and Nxai Pans
Vast salt pans that turn into a sea of grass in the rainy season, when zebra and wildebeest migrate here. Highlights include meerkat colonies, quad-biking on the pans and sleeping out under the stars.
Central Kalahari Game Reserve
A huge, empty wilderness known for black-maned lions, gemsbok and San Bushman culture. It is best in the green season, when antelope gather in the old river valleys.
Tsodilo Hills
A UNESCO site in the north-west with thousands of rock paintings, sacred to the San people.
Best time to visit Botswana
| Season | What to expect |
|---|---|
| June-August | Dry, sunny and cool, cold nights; Okavango floods at their peak |
| September-October | Hot, very dry, superb game viewing; highest prices |
| November-March | Green season with afternoon storms; good value, baby animals, Kalahari at its best |
| April-May | Shoulder season, pleasant temperatures, landscape still green |
Green-season rates in the Delta can be far lower than peak, and the birdlife is outstanding.
Getting to Botswana from the UK
There are no direct flights. The usual route is an overnight flight from London Heathrow to Johannesburg, then a connection with Airlink to Maun or Kasane, about 14 hours in total. Some itineraries route through Cape Town or start at Victoria Falls in Zimbabwe, then transfer by road to Kasane. Gaborone, the capital, is rarely the start of a safari.
Getting around
Most safaris move between camps in small light aircraft, with strict luggage limits of about 20 kg in soft bags, including hand luggage. Road transfers link Kasane and Victoria Falls. Self-drive with a rooftop-tent 4x4 is popular in Moremi, Chobe and the Kalahari, but requires experience, booked campsites and full self-sufficiency, as there are long stretches of deep sand and no fuel.
Money and costs
The pula is the local currency, but lodges and safari operators usually price in US dollars. Peak-season all-inclusive camps in the Delta often cost US$1,000-3,000 or more per person per night, which includes meals, drinks, activities and park fees; green season and Moremi or Chobe lodges are cheaper. A self-drive camping trip can be done for around £150-250 per person per day including the vehicle. Cards work in Maun and Kasane, and tipping guides and staff is customary.
Frequently asked questions
Why is Botswana so expensive?
The government deliberately limits visitor numbers to protect the environment. You pay for space, exclusivity and excellent guiding rather than crowds.
When is the best time to visit the Okavango Delta?
From June to October, when the floodwaters arrive and wildlife concentrates around permanent water.
How many days do I need in Botswana?
Seven to ten days lets you combine two or three camps, for example the Delta, Chobe and the Makgadikgadi Pans.
Do I need malaria tablets for Botswana?
Malaria is present in the north, including the Okavango and Chobe, mainly from November to June. Ask a travel clinic for advice.
Written by
Anna Beach, family & practical travel editor
Anna knows which beach has shade at 3pm and which car hire excess is a rip-off. She covers sun, islands, family trips and practical travel tips.
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