What currency is used in Botswana?

The official currency used in Botswana is the Pula. USD, Euros, UK Pounds and South African Rands are also accepted. Major international credit cards are accepted at most hotels and there are also ATMs available throughout Botswana, dispensing local currency.

What time zone is Botswana in?

Botswana shares the same time zone as the rest of Southern Africa, which is two hours ahead of Greenwich Mean Time (GMT) +2 hours, in the Central Africa Time Zone (CAT).

Can I use my credit cards in Botswana?

MasterCard and Visa (both with raised credit card numbers so that an imprint may be taken) are usually accepted throughout Botswana, including Wilderness camps. American Express is accepted in some instances. However, Diners Club is not accepted.Please note that debit cards are not accepted as a form of payment at our camps/lodges.

What power sockets do they use in Botswana?

220V multi-plug adaptor points are provided in our rooms which can be used to charge batteries, mobile devices and sleep apnoea machines. We also supply universal charging points in our safari camps. It is advisable to bring an additional adaptor as a back-up for any other hotels or properties you may be travelling to.

What do I pack for a holiday in Botswana?

Because of the size of our aircraft, we can only accommodate soft bags, weighing up to 20 kg (44 lbs.) Pack a maximum of 3 or 4 days' worth of clothes, as our camps offer a free laundry service. White and solid bright stand out in the wild, so choose fewer items, in softer shades of khaki, brown or grey. Flies are attracted to dark blues and black colours. Depending on the season, please bring warmer clothes for the evenings and early morning game drives.

Where is Botswana located?

Botswana is a landlocked country in Southern Africa. It’s bordered by South Africa to the south and east, Namibia to the west and Zimbabwe to the east.

What is Botswana known for?

Botswana is home to the world's largest concentration of African elephants and other iconic African wildlife. The beautiful Okavango Delta, the vast Kalahari Desert and the game-rich Linyanti. As well as warm, wonderful people and thrilling adventures by vehicle, air and on foot. All combine to make Botswana an unforgettable holiday.

What language do they speak in Botswana?

Setswana is the main local language, but English is widely spoken, especially in all Wilderness camps.

Do I need a visa to travel to Botswana?

Botswana currently offers visa-free travel to all countries for stays up to 90 days. Your passport must be valid for at least six months beyond the date you expect to leave Botswana.

What is the COVID protocol for travelling to Botswana?

We address all concerns surrounding COVID in line with the latest recommendations from the World Health Organization and other leading authorities. Please speak to your Travel Designer for the latest travel advisory updates, to ensure that you are prepared for all COVID travel requirements in Botswana before your departure.

Do I need a yellow fever vaccination to go to Botswana?

If you are travelling to Botswana from areas infected with yellow fever, you must have a valid yellow fever vaccination certificate. We advise our guests to also have an updated TPD (tetanus, polio, diphtheria) vaccine and a hepatitis A vaccine.

Do I need to take malaria tablets when visiting Botswana?

Depending on where you travel in Botswana, you may require malaria medication. Please consult your GP or travel consultant before departure.

Discover Africa

Luxury Botswana Safaris

Heed the call of the wild on an exclusive Botswana safari. Explore astonishing landscapes in the pristine wilderness areas of the Okavango Delta, and game-rich Linyanti and Mababe.

Home Africa Botswana

A WILDERNESS HAVEN

Botswana – Premier Southern African safaris

This is Botswana. Where vast concessions span millions of acres of private wilderness. And where the wildlife roams unfenced and untamed. As a pioneering conservation hospitality collective with over 40 years of expertise, Wilderness has been instrumental in developing camps that help protect these iconic wild areas and empower local communities.

BOTSWANA

Botswana stands apart from other safari destinations through a deliberate national strategy that prioritises conservation and high-value, low-volume tourism. This approach, coupled with the country’s renowned wilderness areas, has created an outstanding safari experience in Southern Africa that offers the utmost privacy. .

Botswana is a modern-day ark for Africa’s threatened species, and conservation is taken seriously. It is home to a number of the world's most endangered species, and the largest elephant population in the world. We are proud to be leading the way in our efforts to help protect these wild areas.

Botswana at a glance

Duration	Typically, 7-14 days
Best time	Year-round (peak Jun-Oct)
Price range	USD800-USD4,500 per person per night
Ideal for	Wildlife lovers, adventurers, families, luxury safaris, honeymoon celebrations
Activity level	Low to moderate with opportunities for relaxing mokoro rides, thrilling game drives and boating or walking safaris
Accommodation	Luxury camps & lodges
Highlights	Big 5, Pel's fishing owl, Okavango Delta

160+

Mammal species in Botswana.

600+

Recorded bird species, making Botswana a superb birding destination.

42

Years of operating camps dedicated to making an impact.

7

Eco-regions which play a vital role in the country’s rich biodiversity.

THINGS TO DO

Botswana experiences

Each of our Botswana safari destinations offer a different experience. Explore beautiful waterways by boat, track wildlife on foot, or take to the sky in a helicopter over one of the world's most breathtaking sights with a myriad of wildlife below.

Explore all Experiences

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Game drives

Get closer to thrilling wildlife interactions and see creatures big and small on morning and afternoon game drives.

Game Drives

Botswana, Tanzania, Rwanda, Zimbabwe, Zambia

Mokoro

Explore Botswana’s Okavango Delta on a mokoro, gliding along peacefully, revealing the wild secrets of the channels.

Mokoro

Botswana

Guided walking safaris

Slow down and pay attention to the smaller details of the safari experience on a walking safari with our professional guides.

Guided Walking Safaris

Botswana, Namibia, Tanzania, Zimbabwe, Zambia

Birding

Birding with a knowledgeable Wilderness guide is spectacular across all our regions, with 930 different species for twitchers to tick.

Birding

Botswana, Namibia, Rwanda, Tanzania, Zambia, Zimbabwe

Wilderness Experiences Boating Family Fun

Boat safari

View wildlife from the water on a thrilling boat safari, past hippos, sunbathing crocodiles and a dazzling array of birds.

Boat Safari

Botswana, Namibia, Zimbabwe, Zambia, Rwanda

Wildlife highlights in Botswana

Elephants

Botswana boasts some of the greatest numbers of elephants in Africa

African lion

These protected big cats will take to the water when the Delta levels rise

African wild dog

Impressive packs of wild dog can be seen at Chitabe & DumaTau as well as many other Wilderness camps

Red lechwe

These semi-aquatic antelopes are regulars along the channels and waterways

Cheetah

The termite mounds that form the Delta are great vantage points for cheetahs on the hunt

Buffalo

Tremendous herds congregate in the plains around Mokete, as well as other Wilderness camps

Pel's fishing owl

Birders spend years waiting to tick these rare beauties

Giraffe

These quietly elegant, towering herbivores are a wonder to observe

Sitatunga

One of the shyest water-based antelopes, this aquatic specialist occurs in the Delta and Linyanti

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Lions Wilderness Botswana Vumbura Plains

Botswana - Beyond the Delta

Botswana's private concessions offer something increasingly rare in our crowded world: space. With strict limitations on bed numbers and vehicle density, these vast private reserves ensure you'll rarely encounter other visitors during your game drives. This is a place where you might spend an entire day tracking lions without encountering another vehicle, where elephant herds one hundred strong gather at dusk along riverbanks, and where the ancient rhythms of nature continue undisturbed.

What is a luxury safari

Wilderness' history and expertise in Botswana

Wilderness' story began in Botswana in 1983, when a passionate pair of guides established our first operation in the Okavango Delta. From these early days, we've been committed to protecting Botswana's wild spaces, while sharing them in the most sustainable way possible. We do this by working in partnership with local communities and the government to ensure these areas remain protected for generations to come. Our deep knowledge and commitment to both conservation and outstanding hospitality have set the standard for luxury Botswana safaris.

WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW

Planning your Botswana safari

Your Botswana safari starts here. From selecting the perfect destinations to understanding what to pack, our Travel Designers ensure every detail of your safari is thoughtfully planned. With over 40 years of experience, we'll help you craft the Botswana safari of your dreams.

Key Facts

Habitats

When to go

What to pack

Botswana key facts

Each Wilderness safari experience is a unique gateway to nature in its rawest form. Our diverse safari types immerse you in Africa's extraordinary environments - whether tracking wildlife up close, capturing the perfect shot, or engaging with local culture. Led by our expert guides, these activities are designed to connect you deeply with the wilderness in a variety of ways.

POPULATION SIZE

2.7 Million

CURRENCY

Botswana Pula (BWP)

GEOGRAPHICAL SIZE

581,730 km²

BEST TIME TO GO

All year round

LANGUAGE

Setswana & English

What to pack

When packing for your Botswana safari, soft-sided bags (no wheels or hard shells) are essential due to aircraft luggage restrictions, with a total weight limit of 20 kg (44 lbs) including hand luggage and camera gear. You’ll only need a few days' worth of clothing, as most camps offer laundry services. Choose neutral, muted colours and avoid bright clothing that stands out. Layering is key.

Buy Wilderness-branded and safari-approved apparel

Key Facts

Botswana key facts

Each Wilderness safari experience is a unique gateway to nature in its rawest form. Our diverse safari types immerse you in Africa's extraordinary environments - whether tracking wildlife up close, capturing the perfect shot, or engaging with local culture. Led by our expert guides, these activities are designed to connect you deeply with the wilderness in a variety of ways.

POPULATION SIZE

2.7 Million

CURRENCY

Botswana Pula (BWP)

GEOGRAPHICAL SIZE

581,730 km²

BEST TIME TO GO

All year round

LANGUAGE

Setswana & English

Habitats

When to go

What to pack

When packing for your Botswana safari, soft-sided bags (no wheels or hard shells) are essential due to aircraft luggage restrictions, with a total weight limit of 20 kg (44 lbs) including hand luggage and camera gear. You’ll only need a few days' worth of clothing, as most camps offer laundry services. Choose neutral, muted colours and avoid bright clothing that stands out. Layering is key.

Buy Wilderness-branded and safari-approved apparel

Award-winning lodges

Innovative and world-renowned, our awards affirm our deep commitment to driving conservation and hospitality, and pioneering positive change.

View all awards

Elite Traveler

Wilderness Vumbura - Top 100 Suites

Elite Traveler

Wilderness DumaTau - Top 50 Eco Suites in the World

Architectural Digest

Wilderness Mokete - 20 New Hotels for Global Exploration

In the supremely wild Mokete Private Wilderness Area, predators meet prey in a beautifully brutal dance of life and death.

Explore Camp

Botswana's safari destinations

Botswana is a country of remarkable diversity, with dramatically varying landscapes. From the serpentine waterways of the Okavango Delta to the sweeping plains of Mababe and the shaded woodlands in between, each environment offers momentous safari experiences. These diverse habitats support an enormous range of species, delivering striking contrasts in scenery and wildlife within just days.

Let us help plan your Botswana safari

Okavango Delta

Linyanti

Mababe

Maun

Chobe

Kalahari

Okavango Delta

The world's largest inland delta is a labyrinth of lagoons, channels and islands that transform annually from semi-arid grassland to a lush wetland paradise when the seasonal inundation arrives. This UNESCO World Heritage site covers approximately 15,000 square kilometres (5,800 miles) and is a true wilderness, where ancient wildlife migration paths remain intact.

Okavango Delta

Linyanti Wildlife Reserve

Bordering the Okavango Delta to the north-east, Botswana’s Linyanti region features permanent rivers and floodplains that draw in tremendous numbers of animals, especially during the dry season. This critical wildlife corridor connects the Okavango Delta with Chobe National Park, and is famed for its populous herds of elephants.

Linyanti region

Mababe

This expansive grassland area between the Okavango and Chobe is a remarkable natural feature - a fossil lake-bed that becomes a wildlife magnet, particularly during dry seasons when the Mababe Marsh provides the only natural water sources for miles around. Here, the vast, open plains offer unobstructed wildlife viewing and attract enormous herbivore concentrations.

Mababe region

Maun

Maun, known as the gateway to the Okavango Delta, is the starting point for many unforgettable safaris in Botswana. It's a small town that blends modern conveniences with a sense of the wild, and is home to the Wilderness Botswana operational centre. From Maun, Wilderness Air transfers you via light aircraft to our remote camps across the Delta & Linyanti, confirming Maun’s status as a vital hub.

Chobe

Botswana's first national park is renowned as the home of one of Africa's highest concentrations of elephants. It offers spectacular riverside game viewing and a diverse habitat, from riverine floodplains to mopane woodland and grasslands. A visit here is also easily combined with Victoria Falls, just 80 km away.

Kalahari

Supremely remote and wild, a Botswana safari in the Central Kalahari is a unique African experience. Spend warm days in the open air, take in the sights and sounds of springbok moving across the plains, and fall asleep to a black-maned lion roaring in defence of its territory, while a Verreaux’s eagle-owl flies silently between the camelthorns, hunting.

Okavango Delta

The world's largest inland delta is a labyrinth of lagoons, channels and islands that transform annually from semi-arid grassland to a lush wetland paradise when the seasonal inundation arrives. This UNESCO World Heritage site covers approximately 15,000 square kilometres (5,800 miles) and is a true wilderness, where ancient wildlife migration paths remain intact.

Okavango Delta

Linyanti

Linyanti Wildlife Reserve

Bordering the Okavango Delta to the north-east, Botswana’s Linyanti region features permanent rivers and floodplains that draw in tremendous numbers of animals, especially during the dry season. This critical wildlife corridor connects the Okavango Delta with Chobe National Park, and is famed for its populous herds of elephants.

Linyanti region

Mababe

This expansive grassland area between the Okavango and Chobe is a remarkable natural feature - a fossil lake-bed that becomes a wildlife magnet, particularly during dry seasons when the Mababe Marsh provides the only natural water sources for miles around. Here, the vast, open plains offer unobstructed wildlife viewing and attract enormous herbivore concentrations.

Mababe region

Maun

Maun, known as the gateway to the Okavango Delta, is the starting point for many unforgettable safaris in Botswana. It's a small town that blends modern conveniences with a sense of the wild, and is home to the Wilderness Botswana operational centre. From Maun, Wilderness Air transfers you via light aircraft to our remote camps across the Delta & Linyanti, confirming Maun’s status as a vital hub.

Chobe

Botswana's first national park is renowned as the home of one of Africa's highest concentrations of elephants. It offers spectacular riverside game viewing and a diverse habitat, from riverine floodplains to mopane woodland and grasslands. A visit here is also easily combined with Victoria Falls, just 80 km away.

Kalahari

Supremely remote and wild, a Botswana safari in the Central Kalahari is a unique African experience. Spend warm days in the open air, take in the sights and sounds of springbok moving across the plains, and fall asleep to a black-maned lion roaring in defence of its territory, while a Verreaux’s eagle-owl flies silently between the camelthorns, hunting.

An Award-Winning Botswana Safari

Few destinations on Earth rival northern Botswana. Between the legendary Okavango Delta and the wildlife-abundant Linyanti, these pristine landscapes offer sights, sounds, adventure and luxury found nowhere else.

Journey with us on a 9-night exploration of three of our most loved, award-winning camps.

Conservation efforts and Wilderness's contribution

At Wilderness, our mission is rooted in a deep responsibility to protect Earth’s last wild places, for today and for future generations. With the planet’s biodiversity under threat, we are committed to using our conservation and hospitality business as a force for lasting, positive impact. Currently helping to conserve some 2.3 million hectares (5.6 million acres) of wilderness, we aim to double this in the next decade. Guided by our Impact framework - Educate, Empower, and Protect - we work to safeguard wildlife, uplift local communities, and inspire meaningful change through every journey you take with us.

Discover how Wilderness is making an impact

Wilderness's contribution

Wilderness's commitment to conservation in Botswana extends beyond our camp operations to include a number of initiatives that protect wilderness areas, support wildlife research, and empower local communities.

Impact

Impact pillars

Ecoexist

Diyoveya

CLAWS

CITW

Trust

Ecoexist

As part of its long-term conservation efforts in Botswana’s Okavango Delta, Wilderness has partnered with the Ecoexist Project to address the growing challenge of human-elephant conflict. Through the donation of satellite collars to Ecoexist we can help track elephant movements and better understand herd behaviour.

Discover more about Ecoexist

Diyoveya

Diyoveya Honey is an elephant-human conflict mitigation project led by local farmers turned beekeepers. In 2021, Wilderness partnered to launch this initiative, providing 70 beehives to local farmers. These hives act as natural, non-lethal deterrents to elephants, reducing conflict with farmers while also producing organic honey that Wilderness purchases from the beekeepers.

Male lion in the tall grass spotted on game drive

Human-wildlife conflict mitigation

In Botswana, Wilderness has donated satellite elephant collars through Ecoexist to help track and protect vital wildlife corridors, while our partnership with the CLAWS (Communities Living Among Wildlife Sustainably) in the Vumbura/OCT communities area promotes peaceful human-lion coexistence.

Wilderness and CLAWS help alleviate human-lion conflict

Children in The Wilderness

The CITW programme starts with Eco-Clubs, which introduce primary school children to environmental education. This is followed by Youth Environmental Stewardship (YES) Clubs for secondary school students who continue to show an interest in conservation. The Scholarship Programme is a vitally important aspect of CITW’s work with children in Wilderness’ partner communities.

CITW Botswana highlights

Wilderness Trust

Africa’s conservation and development requirements are enormous and in urgent need of money and logistical support. As an independent non-profit fundraising organisation, the Wilderness Trust is on a mission to help raise and disburse funding for these causes.

Donate to the Wilderness Trust

Impact pillars

Ecoexist

As part of its long-term conservation efforts in Botswana’s Okavango Delta, Wilderness has partnered with the Ecoexist Project to address the growing challenge of human-elephant conflict. Through the donation of satellite collars to Ecoexist we can help track elephant movements and better understand herd behaviour.

Discover more about Ecoexist

Diyoveya

Diyoveya Honey is an elephant-human conflict mitigation project led by local farmers turned beekeepers. In 2021, Wilderness partnered to launch this initiative, providing 70 beehives to local farmers. These hives act as natural, non-lethal deterrents to elephants, reducing conflict with farmers while also producing organic honey that Wilderness purchases from the beekeepers.

CLAWS

Human-wildlife conflict mitigation

In Botswana, Wilderness has donated satellite elephant collars through Ecoexist to help track and protect vital wildlife corridors, while our partnership with the CLAWS (Communities Living Among Wildlife Sustainably) in the Vumbura/OCT communities area promotes peaceful human-lion coexistence.

Wilderness and CLAWS help alleviate human-lion conflict

CITW

Children in The Wilderness

The CITW programme starts with Eco-Clubs, which introduce primary school children to environmental education. This is followed by Youth Environmental Stewardship (YES) Clubs for secondary school students who continue to show an interest in conservation. The Scholarship Programme is a vitally important aspect of CITW’s work with children in Wilderness’ partner communities.

CITW Botswana highlights

Trust

Wilderness Trust

Africa’s conservation and development requirements are enormous and in urgent need of money and logistical support. As an independent non-profit fundraising organisation, the Wilderness Trust is on a mission to help raise and disburse funding for these causes.

Donate to the Wilderness Trust

BOTSWANA JOURNEYS

Ready to take a life-changing Botswana tour?

The luxury lies not only in the amenities, but in the privilege of witnessing wildlife up close, guided by experts who share a deep respect for the land. Every detail is designed to enhance the connection to nature, without disturbing it, offering a rare experience that is both indulgent and impactful.

EXPLORE OUR JOURNEYS

MAP

Explore regions & camps in Botswana

Situated in central Southern Africa, Botswana lies 950 m above sea level and more than 600 km from the nearest coast. We operate 19 camps in Botswana’s three most wild regions – the Okavango Delta, Linyanti Wildlife Reserve, and Mababe Depression. Private and luxurious. No comfort has been spared. No detail overlooked.

Explore Destination Map

GUEST EXPERIENCES

Testimonials from fellow safari-goers

Wilderness isn't just a safari - it's a journey acclaimed by travellers worldwide. Our Trustpilot Excellent rating reflects the extraordinary experiences we create: unparalleled wildlife encounters, passionate guides, and luxurious moments that transform how you see the world. Read what fellow safari-goers have to say about their unforgettable experiences with Wilderness. Read more reviews on TripAdvisor.

Absolute luxury in the wilderness - we were totally spoiled

"OMG - this place is the ultimate in luxury in the wilderness. The rooms were incredible - large. The bed was so comfortable, hot water bottles to make it nice and cozy when we get into bed each night. There was a large seating area both inside and outside to take in the views. There was a double indoor and single outdoor shower. They provided shampoo, conditioner, body lotion and bug spray. The bar fridge was totally stocked, they even provided gluten free cookies..."

4familycalgary | Canada

★★★★★

Impeccable attention on the Okavango Delta

"Another rich safari experience provided by Wilderness Safaris. We came to Chitabe from a sister camp in Zimbabwe (Linkwasha) and spent 3 nights here as well. Chitabe in Botswana is a good complement to the dry climes of the eastern camps because it usually has more winter rainfall and the Okavango Delta provides a completely different and wetter safari experience. We saw all the big beasts here too with the added bonus of leopards, cheetahs and the endangered wild dog. Our guide Ibs has a well earned reputation for his instinctive and uncanny knowledge of the area and its animal inhabitants. He and camp manager Mass were warm and resourceful hosts."

Charles | Australia

★★★★★

DumaTau exceeded expectations, bespoke experience in a luxury setting

"We checked out of DumaTau today, and it was one of the best luxury stays we’ve experienced globally - I would say it is on par with a Six Senses. We had initially planned to be in Rwanda for another experience but pivoted to Botswana. I was nervous about it being wet season, but that didn’t impact the experience, we actually didn’t experience much rain. The airport transfer was seamless, and we took the opportunity to immediately do a sunset game drive. We saw lions, elephants, giraffes and hippos, all within a 30 minute span."

Katheryn F | USA

★★★★★

FAQ

General

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Visas

02

Vaccinations

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JOURNAL

Botswana featured stories

Page through a collection of Botswana stories – from award-winning photography to wildlife updates, feature travel stories and more. Travel to Botswana’s iconic wild areas – ready and waiting to welcome you. Coffee hot? Comfortable? Happy reading.

SEE ALL STORIES

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