Do I need a visa to enter Botswana?

Visa requirements vary depending on your nationality. Visitors from certain countries may be exempt from obtaining a visa for short stays. It is recommended to check with the nearest Botswana embassy or consulate in your home country to determine the specific visa requirements. Find out more here . Botswana offers visa-on-arrival facilities at major entry points for eligible nationalities. It's essential to ensure that your passport is valid for at least 6 months beyond your intended departure date. Have at least 1 blank page in your passport for endorsements and take 2 colour passport photographs.

Is Botswana safe for tourists?

Botswana is a safe country and a great place to visit. However, it is always a good idea to just be street-smart. Here are some tips to keep in mind when travelling: Keep an eye on your belongings, whether travelling alone or in a group. Carry some emergency cash as some areas lack ATMs. Avoid wandering alone at night and exercise caution in urban areas. Respect wildlife, maintain a safe distance, and never provoke or feed them. If self-driving, ensure readiness with spare tires and repair tools for remote distances, cautious fueling, planned routes, and daytime driving to evade animals and respect speed limits.

Can I self-drive in Botswana?

It’s only advisable to self-drive in Botswana if you have the appropriate level of experience. Remote regions like Central Kalahari and Makgadikgadi Salt Pans necessitate a 4x4 vehicle. Proficiency in water, sand, and mud crossings is crucial, along with high and low range transmission expertise. You’ll need to maintain fuel awareness, meaning refilling regularly and carrying extra fuel. For more convenience, lodges and camps will often offer transfers and there are also plenty of internal flights to many of Botswana’s top attractions.

What currency is used in Botswana?

In Botswana, the currency used is the Botswana Pula (BWP), which is divided into 100 Thebe. Money can be exchanged at airports, urban Bureaux de Changes, and accredited hotels. Check with your bank beforehand to ensure your card will work in Botswana. Most ATMs in Botswana dispense local currency and accept international credit and debit cards, including Visa and Mastercard. However, many bespoke and luxury hotels charge in USD and accept tips in USD.

Botswana

San Camp

From €2,020 /person

An oasis camp set amongst the shimmering white Makgadikgadi Salt Pans

Immerse yourself in the Makgadikgadi scenery at the solar-run San Camp, where stylish tents offer 360-degree views of the shimmering white salt pans. By staying at San Camp, you directly support various Natural Selection initiatives centred on conservation and community upliftment. Take in the tranquillity of the stark wild from the yoga pavilion, go along on a bush walk with the Zu/’hoasi San people or flash over the salt earth on a quad bike spotting unique wildlife. Next, have a three-course meal at the mess tent and wind down at the tea tent with something sweet in hand. The starry night sky is a wonder to behold after watching the sunset as you lie out on the pan.

Immerse yourself in the Makgadikgadi scenery at the solar-run San Camp, where stylish tents offer ...

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San Camp (Twin)

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Each of the San Camp (Twin) tents include 2 four-poster three-quarter beds and en-suite bathrooms with solar-heated showers. A stay here will spoil you with an elegantly adorned room, complimentary laundry service and views of the stunning salt pans from your veranda with its outside seating area.

San Camp (Double)

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The San Camp (Double) tents include either a king-sized or queen-sized four-poster bed and en-suite bathrooms with solar-powered showers. Spoil yourself at this stay with an elegantly adorned room, complimentary laundry service and views of the stunning salt pans from your veranda with its outside seating area.

San Camp Family Tent

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The San Camp Family Tent can accommodate a maximum of 2 adults with children of all ages welcome. Indulge in an elegantly adorned room, en-suite bathrooms with solar-powered showers, complimentary laundry service and views of the stunning salt pans from your veranda with its outside seating area.

San Camp (Twin)

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San Camp (Double)

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San Camp Family Tent

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Because of the easy way we communicated with our Viatu expert, it felt like planning our holidays with a friend. It made it really flexible and perfectly suitable for our needs. The accommodations that he suggested were just wonderful and a perfect mix of everything we needed.

Nicole