Botswana Tours & Safaris

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Botswana Tours & Safaris

Botswana Travel Articles

Mistakes To Avoid When Planning An African Safari

To go on an African safari is to feel the hairs on the back of your neck rise with the bellowing roar of a hungry lioness. It’s losing all sense of time when watching elephants bathe in a waterhole in the early morning. It’s marveling at leopards resting in tree branches, rhinos cropping grasses quietly beside their calves, and even mountain gorillas slicing through bamboo stems without a care in the world…

Botswana FAQ

When is the best time to travel to Botswana?

Botswana’s dry season lasts from the start of May through October, making these months the traditional time of year for exploring the country’s wild spaces. The chance of rain is almost non-existent, especially between June and the end of September, leaving clear skies and warm temperatures day after day.

What’s more, wildlife is at its most concentrated within Chobe National Park and Central Kalahari Game Reserve, as Botswana’s 170 mammal species gather around permanent water sources to quench their growing thirst.

It’s the dry season which also sees the Okavango Delta, arguably Botswana’s finest single attraction, at its best. Counterintuitively, the delta’s waters are at their highest at this time of year, creating the series of shallow channels which become a haven for wildlife.

Temperatures throughout Botswana’s dry season build steadily from around 75°F (24°C) in June, to 93°F (34°C) in October. They then remain steady from November until April or May, a period known as the rainy or green season. The Kalahari turns from dry countryside to a lush landscape which welcomes the calves of Botswana’s herbivores. It’s also the time of the recently-discovered zebra migration, crossing between the Okavango Delta and new growth of the Makgadikgadi Pans.

Despite around four inches (90 mm) of rain falling during January, this is considered the best time to visit Botswana for birding. The presence of migratory bird species at this time of year means there are around 500 individual species to look out for.

What are the best places to visit in Botswana?

The best places to visit in Botswana are the The Okavango Delta, Moremi Game Reserve, and Chobe National Park.

What is the difference between a national park and a game reserve?

A National Park is an area set aside and run by a national government whereas a Game Reserve (aka Game Park or Wildlife Park) is a large area of land where wild animals live safely or are hunted in a controlled way for sport. If hunting is prohibited, then a Game Reserve may be classified as a Nature Reserve.

What are the passport/visa requirements for U.S. citizens traveling to Botswana?

U.S. citizens require a passport valid for at least six months and are permitted stays up to 90 days total within a 12-month period without a visa. Citizens of other countries are advised to contact the Botswana embassy in their country before traveling.

What is the time zone in Botswana?

The Time Zone in Botswana is UTC+2. The country observes Central Africa Time (CAT) all year. There are no Daylight Savings Time clock changes.

How do I plan a trip to Botswana?

The best way to plan a trip to Botswana is to tell us what trip you want, when you want to travel, the number of passengers, and where you want to depart from. For an existing trip, you can either call us or complete the “Get Pricing Now” form on the itinerary page. If you want a personalized tour, you can either call us, email us, or complete the “Contact Us” form on our website.

Do you have flexible departure dates?

Yes. Our clients choose their own departure dates, unless there is a cruise or a group tour with a fixed departure date.

Are meals included?

All meals are listed on each itinerary as (B,L,D) or Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner. Typically, breakfast is included daily. The other meals are either included or not, depending upon the itinerary.

Is airfare included?

We do not include international airfare in the cost of our tours. We will, however, quote it for you and you can purchase it through us if you like. The cost of our international airfare is usually the same or lower than what you can purchase yourself. Domestic airfare may be included in the cost, depending upon the tour.

What vaccinations are recommended and/or required for travel to Botswana?

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s website provides recommended and/or required vaccinations for each country. For Botswana, it recommends that you should be up-to-date with routine vaccines such as Chickenpox (Varicella), Diphtheria-Tetanus-Pertussis, Flu (Influenza), Measles-Mumps-Rubella (MMR), Polio, and Shingles. It also recommends that you get vaccinated for COVID-19, Hepatitis A, Hepatitis B, and Typhoid, and that you speak to your doctor about prescription medicine to prevent Malaria. Consider Rabies vaccination if you will be around dogs or wildlife. Yellow fever vaccination is required for travelers arriving from countries with risk for yellow fever virus transmission. Otherwise, it is generally not recommended for travelers to Botswana.

Do you recommend Travel Insurance?

Yes, we recommend travel insurance and strongly believe that you should be protected in the event that something unforeseen happens either before or during your trip. We work with Allianz Travel Insurance, AIG (Travel Guard Travel Insurance), and Travelex Insurance Services.

Can I use my cell phone?

You will need to check with your cell phone carrier prior to traveling, since every carrier is different.

What are the standard wall currents and electrical socket shapes in Botswana?

Voltage: 230 V; Frequency: 50 HZ; Plugs: Type G (UK standard three-prong).

What is the official language?

The official languages of Botswana are English and Setswana. Setswana is the national language and English is the official business language.