Botswana travel guide.

July to October is the classic dry season, when the Okavango flood is high and game concentrates around water. May, June and November are excellent and better value. December to April is the green season: the zebra migration, newborn animals, superb birding and the lowest rates. The right answer depends on what you most want to see. Read our guide to when to go.

Seven to ten nights lets you see two or three contrasting areas, typically a water camp and a land camp in the Okavango Delta plus Chobe, Linyanti or the Kalahari, with three nights in each. Fewer than six nights usually means too much time in light aircraft. See our signature journeys for how the days fit together.

For July to October, twelve to eighteen months ahead: the best camps are small and fill early. For the shoulder and green seasons, six to nine months is usually enough. Shorter notice is sometimes possible, with fewer choices.

Easily. Kasane is about an hour from the Victoria Falls by road, and Cape Town is a short flight from Maun or via Johannesburg. Remember the extra visas and passport pages. Read our guide to getting to Botswana.

Visitors from the UK, EU, US, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Japan, Kenya and most Commonwealth and SADC countries are generally visa-exempt for up to 90 days. Other nationalities apply online in advance. We confirm the current rule for every passport in your party. Read our visa and entry guide.

Families are advised to carry a full, unabridged birth certificate for each child showing both parents, and a consent affidavit if only one parent is travelling. See travelling with children under 18.

For the Okavango Delta, Chobe and the north, antimalarials are generally recommended, particularly from November to April. The Kalahari and pans are lower risk. Ask a travel clinic six to eight weeks before you go. Read our health and malaria guide.

None is compulsory from Europe, North America or Australasia. Clinics commonly advise routine vaccinations plus hepatitis A and typhoid. A yellow fever certificate is required if you arrive from a risk country such as Kenya. See vaccinations for Botswana.

High medical and repatriation limits, air evacuation from remote areas, cancellation for the full cost of the trip, and safari activities such as walking, mokoro and light-aircraft flights. Buy it when you pay your deposit. Read our safari insurance guide.

Neutral colours such as khaki, olive and stone, in layers. Avoid white, dark blue, black and camouflage. Between May and August bring a properly warm jacket, hat and gloves for early drives. Read our packing guide and checklist.

About 20kg per person, including hand luggage, in a soft bag without wheels or a frame. Some routes allow only 15kg. See the luggage rules.

The local currency is the pula, but US dollars in small, recent notes are widely accepted at camps and lodges, and Visa and Mastercard work in towns. On an inclusive safari you need little cash. Read our money and tipping guide.

Not on our journeys: all gratuities to guides, trackers and camp staff are included. With other operators, tipping is customary. See tipping in Botswana.

Botswana chose a high-value, low-volume model: big concessions, few camps and limited vehicles, with fees that fund conservation and communities. Remote camps are also supplied by air. See what each level costs per day.

Fly to Johannesburg, connect to Maun, then take a light aircraft to camp. With an early-morning arrival in Johannesburg you can often reach camp the same afternoon. Read our guide to getting there.

Yes. It is one of Africa’s most stable democracies, and crime against visitors is rare. In unfenced camps, follow the rules, above all being escorted after dark. Read our safety guide.

Most camps have Wi-Fi in the main area, via satellite; mobile signal is rare outside towns. Read our practical information guide for power, plugs and language too.

Yes, with planning. Many camps have minimum ages between 6 and 12, others welcome all ages, and a private vehicle helps. See our family safaris.