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Africa · Southern AfricaOutline guideCountry in Southern Africa
Photo: Joachim Huber from Switzerland, CC BY-SA 2.0 via Wikimedia Commons
Botswana is a landlocked country in Southern Africa, completely surrounded by four countries: Namibia, South Africa, Zambia, and Zimbabwe. Botswana is a true gem among African nations, boasting a remarkable level of wealth and tranquility that few other countries on the continent can match. With its high standard of living and extremely low crime rates, Botswana has established itself as an oasis of stability amidst the many challenges faced by its neighbours. But Botswana is much more than just a peaceful haven. This captivating country is also home to a wealth of attractions that are sure to delight any traveller. From the stunning Tsodilo Hills and Chobe National Park to the Moremi Game Reserve in the Okavango Delta and the Central Kalahari Game Reserve, there is no shortage of natural wonders to explore.
Answers to what travellers most often look up about Botswana.
You can also buy personal internet data bundles using your phone, depending on what mobile telecommunications company you bought your sim-card from internet speed can be fast or slow also depending on where you are in the country (4G speed in and around the…
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Still, short term visitors should drink bottled water to avoid traveller's diarrhoea.
Generally speaking, medical care in Botswana is quite good compared to other African countries.
Attractions, food, stays and travel essentials, with ratings, reviews, opening hours and directions.
a neat and tidy little capital, but with rapidly growing shantytowns on its periphery
The second largest city in Botswana, as well as the site of a 19th-century gold rush.
cattle ranching town in the Kalahari and refueling stop on the road to Maun and the Okavango Delta
small village and gateway to the Makgadikgadi Pans
town in southern Botswana with some natural sites
small town on the Chobe River and a good base to explore Chobe National Park and the nearby Victoria Falls
the main tourist center of northern Botswana and launching point for trips to the Okavango Delta. It has good road, bus and air connections
small village at the meeting point of roads to Francistown, Kasane and Maun
a unique geological formation where a delta is formed by a river (the Okavango) flowing into the Kalahari desert instead of the ocean. Part of the Delta is designated as Moremi Game Reserve.
the second-largest wildlife reserve in the world.
a great place to see wildlife with the greatest concentration of elephants in Africa, and a good point from which to move on to Victoria Falls.
The Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park (shared with Botswana and South Africa) is in the Kalahari regions of Botswana and South Africa, and came into being as the merger of the Gemsbok National Park in Botswana and the Kalahari Gemsbok National Park in South Africa. The park offers a majestic and infinite desert landscape with migrating herds of wildebeest, gemsbok, springbok and eland, cunning predators like lion, cheetah and leopard and unending red dunes with unique flora and a diversity of epic proportions is what draws the visitor to this ancient land of the Kalahari Desert.
Nxai Pan National Park is the Okavango-Chobe region of Botswana. The park protects Nxai Pan, which is one of the Makgadikgadi Pan salt flats.
a unique corner of Africa where nature & culture combine in spectacular wildlife, stunning scenery and fascinating history.
contains rock art that has been made for over 100,000 years, with around 4,500 rock paintings.
Places in Botswana on the World Heritage List.
List from Wikidata (CC0). Photos from Wikimedia Commons.
The sparsely populated Kalahari Desert and its fringe.
The northern part of the country with the Okavango Delta and good game reserves like Chobe National Park and Moremi Game Reserve
Home to the capital, Gaborone, and most of the country's population. The starting point for travel in the country.
Public transport and paid services in Botswana.
By bus
Every city in Botswana has its own bus station and set of bus stops where you can catch a bus to any part of the country surrounding the city where you initially boarded the bus.
By train
Botswana Railways operates all trains in the country. The main line goes from Lobatse, near the South African border, via Gaborone to Francistown at the Zimbabwean border.
By taxi
e. you can't catch a taxi in a specific city and intend to travel outside that specific city with that taxi.80 US Dollars.
By car
The roads are paved and well maintained, so travel by car is also not a problem. Traffic is on the left in right-hand drive vehicles (as in South Africa or the United Kingdom).
Apps for booking a taxi or a ride in Botswana.
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Operators checked against their official websites in October 2026; services that have stopped running are not listed. Logos and Wikipedia links: Wikidata (CC0)
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Gaborone · International · GBE
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Calculated from climate averages: mild daytime highs and lower rainfall. It does not account for festivals, crowds or prices.
Average conditions in Gaborone
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Avg. high | 33° | 32° | 31° | 28° | 25° | 22° | 21° | 26° | 30° | 33° | 33° | 33° |
| Avg. low | 19° | 19° | 17° | 13° | 9° | 5° | 5° | 8° | 12° | 16° | 17° | 19° |
| Rainfall (mm) | 86 | 78 | 69 | 41 | 11 | 12 | 2 | 2 | 11 | 35 | 67 | 90 |
| Humidity | 53% | 54% | 55% | 55% | 47% | 48% | 43% | 35% | 30% | 36% | 43% | 51% |
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Budget
$40
Per person, per day
Mid-range
$115
Per person, per day
Luxury
$305
Per person, per day
| Budget | Mid-range | Luxury | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Accommodation | $20 | $65 | $180 |
| Food and drink | $10 | $25 | $55 |
| Local transport | $5 | $10 | $25 |
| Activities | $5 | $15 | $45 |
Estimate from World Bank price levels (2025). Actual costs vary by city and season. World Bank
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We do not label countries as safe or unsafe. Below is the official advice from two governments, with the date it was last updated. Always read the full advice before you travel.
US Department of State
Level 2 of 4Exercise increased caution
Exercise increased caution in Botswana due to crime. Crime Petty crime and crimes of opportunity, primarily the theft of money and personal property, are common in Botswana. Potentially violent crimes are also common, including home invasions, break-ins, muggings, and “smash and grabs” from vehicles.
UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office
No advice against travel. Read the full advice before you go.
Before you travel No travel can be guaranteed safe. Read all the advice in this guide. You may also find it helpful to: see general advice for women travellers read our guide on disability and travel abroad see general advice for LGBT+ travellers read about safety for solo and independent travel see advice on volunteering and adventure travel abroad Travel insurance If you choose to travel, research your destinations and get appropriate travel insurance. Insurance should cover your itinerary, planned activities and expenses in an emergency. About FCDO travel advice The Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) provides advice about risks of travel to help you make informed decisions. Find out more about FCDO travel advice. Get travel advice updates Sign up to get email notifications when this travel advice is updated. Follow FCDO: travel advice on X travel advice on Facebook Travel Aware on Instagram
Stories, itineraries and practical advice for travelling in Botswana.
Nature & adventureMany of these parks are on the UNESCO World Heritage List. They can be visited for safaris, to see the African flora and fauna.
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