Botswana Travel Guide: Essential Facts and Information

Botswana, one of the most exclusive safari destinations in South Africa, is a true haven for wildlife.

Its landscapes are as diverse as they are beautiful, from the lush wetlands of the Okavango Delta to the arid drama of the Kalahari Desert.

Botswana is also one of the most stable countries in Africa, with careful governance and a relatively high standard of living.

We hope you enjoy watching this video about Botswana Travel Guide

Source: World Travel Guide

Location and Geography

Botswana is a landlocked country in central southern Africa.

It borders Namibia, Zambia, Zimbabwe, and South Africa, geographically it is mostly flat (although there are some mountainous regions).

Notable features include the Okavango Delta in the northwest; Mkgadikgadi Pans in the north center; and the Kalahari Desert in the central and southwestern regions.

The total area of ​​Botswana is 224,607 square miles/581,730 square kilometers, making the country slightly smaller than Texas.

The capital of Botswana is Gaborone, located in the southeast near the South African border.

Population and Languages

The CIA World Factbook estimated that Botswana's population was just over 2.2 million in July 2016.

The Tswana or Setswana people comprise the largest ethnic group in the country, accounting for 79% of the population.

The official language of Botswana is English, but only 2.8% of the population speak it as their mother tongue.

77% of Botswana speak Setswana, the most common native language.

Christianity is practiced by almost 80% of Botswans.

A minority still follow traditional beliefs such as Badimo, the cult of ancestors.

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The official currency is the Botswana pula. Use this online converter to get accurate exchange rates.

Weather and When to Go

Botswana has a semi-arid climate with warm days and cool nights throughout the year.

The dry season usually lasts from May to October.

It coincides with the southern hemisphere winter and as such nights and mornings can be cold.

The rainy season lasts from December to March and is also the hottest time of the year.

The best time to visit Botswana is usually during the dry season when temperatures are warmer, mosquitoes are minimal, and wildlife is easier to see due to the lack of summer foliage.

However, the rainy season is especially rewarding for bird watchers and for trips to the greenest Kalahari desert.

Main attractions

Okavango Delta

In the northwestern corner of the country is the Okavango, a vast river delta surrounded by the Kalahari Desert.

Every year the Delta floods, creating a swampy swamp teeming with exotic animals and birds.

It is possible to explore on foot or by traditional canoe (known locally as mokoro).

The Okavango Delta is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and the Moremi Game Reserve (located to the west) is one of the best places in Africa to spot leopards.

Chobe National Park

To the east of the Delta is the Chobe National Park.

It is famous for its huge elephant population and for the Savuti Marsh, which has one of the highest concentrations of animals throughout the year in Africa.

During the dry season, animals come from afar to drink in the Chobe River, making a water safari especially rewarding at this time of year.

The birdlife here is legendary, with many regional specialties including African skimmers and Pel's fishing owls.

Nxai Pan National Park

Centered around a fossil lake bed south of Chobe National Park, Nxai Pan National Park offers a completely different landscape of sloping sand dunes and massive baobab trees.

It floods in the summer and offers an excellent off-season option for bird and wildlife watching.

In winter, the dry park resembles the surface of the moon, with cracked salt marshes stretching as far as the eye can see.

The park borders the Mkgadikgadi Pans National Park.

Tsodilo Hills

In the extreme northwest of the country, Tsodilo Hills serves as an open-air museum of San Bushman culture.

Some 4,000 paintings are hidden among the rocky outcrops and hills.

They provide information about the life of the ancient San, who are believed to be direct descendants of the first Homo sapiens or humans.

The hills were a place of great spiritual importance for the local tribes and many of the paintings depict the sacred eland antelope.

Getting There

The main gateway for foreign visitors is Sir Seretse Khama International Airport (GBE), located on the outskirts of Gaborone.

It is also possible to travel by land to Botswana from neighboring countries such as Namibia and South Africa.

Citizens of most first-world countries do not need a visa to enter Botswana for a short vacation.

For a complete list of visa rules and requirements, see the official government website.

Medical Requirements

Before traveling to Botswana, you should make sure your routine vaccinations are up to date.

Hepatitis A and typhoid vaccines are also recommended, while malaria prophylaxis may be necessary depending on where and when you plan to travel.

The CDC has more information on recommended health precautions.

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