What is Botswana's currency?

The pula (BWP), subdivided into 100 thebe. Coins come in 5, 10, 25 and 50 thebe plus BWP 1, 2 and 5. Notes in BWP 10, 20, 50, 100 and 200. The pula trades independently — check current rates before travel.

Can I pay in US dollars or South African rand?

Yes, widely. Safari lodges typically quote and accept USD. South African rand are accepted in border towns and some shops. For everyday purchases in cities, you need pula. Markets and local transport are pula-only.

How expensive is Botswana?

Botswana is one of Africa's most expensive safari destinations. Luxury lodge rates range from USD 500 to over USD 2,000 per person per night, all-inclusive. Budget options exist — self-drive camping in national parks costs a fraction — but Botswana deliberately targets the high end to limit visitor numbers and environmental impact.

Do I need cash on safari?

Safari lodges are typically pre-paid and all-inclusive (meals, drinks, game drives). Daily cash needs are minimal — mainly for tipping guides and staff, and small craft purchases. Carry roughly USD 100–200 in small bills for a week-long safari.

Are there ATMs in Maun or Kasane?

Yes, both Maun and Kasane have ATMs (Barclays/ABSA, First National Bank, Stanbic). However, they can run out of cash or go offline, especially around holidays. Withdraw enough before heading into safari areas where no ATMs exist.

How much should I tip on safari?

The standard is roughly USD 10–20 per guest per day for your guide and USD 5–10 per day for camp staff, placed in the lodge tip box. For private guides or exceptional service, tip at the higher end. Tips in USD or pula are both accepted. Carry small bills.

Botswana

🇧🇼

Phone Code

+267

Capital

Gaborone

Population

2.6 Million

Native Name

Botswana

Region

Africa

Southern Africa

Timezone

Central Africa Time

UTC+02:00

Botswana is a landlocked Southern African country known for world-class wildlife safaris, the Okavango Delta (UNESCO site and largest inland delta), stable democracy, and conservation success. English is the official language. Visitors are drawn to Okavango Delta mokoro (canoe) excursions, Chobe National Park elephant herds, Moremi Game Reserve, Kalahari Desert, Makgadikgadi Salt Pans, and luxury safari lodges. Botswana prioritizes low-volume, high-value tourism, offering pristine wilderness experiences with exceptional wildlife viewing including the Big Five.

Visa Requirements for Botswana

Botswana offers visa-free entry to citizens of many countries including the United States, United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, EU member states, and many African countries for tourism or business stays of up to 90 days. Visitors must have a passport valid for at least 6 months, proof of return or onward travel, and sufficient funds for their stay. Some nationalities can obtain visa on arrival at ports of entry. Those requiring advance visas should apply through Botswana embassies or high commissions, submitting application forms, passport photographs, travel itinerary, proof of accommodation, and financial documents. Yellow fever certificate required if arriving from yellow fever endemic countries.

Common Visa Types

Visa-Free Entry

Up to 90 days; passport must be valid 6 months; proof of onward travel and sufficient funds required; no fee.

For tourism or business visits for citizens of US, UK, Canada, EU, Australia, South Africa, and many other eligible nationalities.

Visa on Arrival

30 to 90 days depending on nationality; fee payable at entry; requires valid passport, return ticket, proof of accommodation.

For eligible nationalities not on visa-free list who can obtain visa at Botswana entry points including airports and land borders.

Tourist Visa (Advance)

Typically 30 to 90 days; apply through Botswana embassy or high commission; requires application form, photos, itinerary, hotel bookings.

For nationalities requiring advance visa processing before travel to Botswana for tourism purposes.

SADC Entry (Regional Nationals)

90 days visa-free for SADC nationals; must present valid passport or national ID; facilitates regional travel.

For citizens of Southern African Development Community member states traveling within the region.

Important Travel Information

Passport validity: Must be valid for at least 6 months beyond your intended departure. Ensure you have at least 2 blank visa pages.

Proof of onward travel: Immigration may require confirmed return or onward tickets and proof of sufficient funds (cash, cards, statements).

Yellow fever: Certificate required if arriving from or transiting through yellow fever endemic countries. Check current list before travel.

Travel Guide

Botswana is Africa's ultimate wildlife destination — a country that chose low-volume, high-value tourism over mass market, preserving some of the most pristine wilderness on the continent. The Okavango Delta, the world's largest inland delta and a UNESCO World Heritage site, floods annually from the Angolan highlands, creating a labyrinth of channels, lagoons and islands that support extraordinary concentrations of elephants, buffalo, lions, leopards, wild dogs and hundreds of bird species. Mokoro (dugout canoe) excursions through the delta's papyrus-lined waterways are among Africa's most intimate wildlife experiences. Chobe National Park in the north holds one of the largest elephant populations on earth — an estimated 120,000 — and its riverfront game drives at sunset are iconic. The Central Kalahari Game Reserve, one of the world's largest protected areas, offers stark desert landscapes and the chance to encounter the San Bushmen's ancient culture. The Makgadikgadi Salt Pans — vast, flat, shimmering — host one of Africa's last great zebra migrations. Botswana is expensive by African standards, but the premium buys genuine wilderness: limited vehicle numbers, exclusive concession areas, and some of the finest safari guides in the world.

Ways to Experience This Destination

Okavango Delta & Water Safaris

The world's largest inland delta — mokoro excursions through papyrus channels, island-hopping between luxury camps, walking safaris on delta islands, and exceptional birding in a UNESCO World Heritage landscape.

Chobe & Big Game

One of Africa's greatest concentrations of elephants, plus lions, leopards, buffalo and hippos along the Chobe riverfront. Boat safaris at sunset are the signature experience.

Kalahari & Desert Wildlife

The Central Kalahari Game Reserve's vast open plains, black-maned lions, gemsbok, meerkats, and the San Bushmen's ancient desert culture — stark, beautiful and uncrowded.

Makgadikgadi Salt Pans

Vast shimmering salt flats that host one of Africa's last great zebra migrations (November to April), plus flamingo-filled pans and quad-biking across the dry lake bed.

Luxury Safari Lodges

Botswana pioneered the exclusive, low-impact safari model. Private concessions, tented camps, star beds and some of the world's finest wildlife guides — premium pricing for premium wilderness.

Money & Currency

Pula (BWP)

Currency code: BWP

Practical Money Tips

Currency & Exchange

Botswana's currency is the pula (BWP), meaning 'rain' in Setswana — reflecting the precious nature of water in this semi-arid country. US dollars are widely accepted at safari lodges, hotels and tour operators, and many quote prices in USD. South African rand (ZAR) are accepted in border towns and some shops. Exchange currency at banks or bureaux de change in Gaborone, Maun or Kasane. Safari lodges typically handle currency conversion for guests. Avoid exchanging at airports where rates are less favourable.

ATMs & Cash Access

ATMs are available in Gaborone, Francistown, Maun, Kasane and other towns, dispensing pula. Most accept Visa and Mastercard. In safari areas and remote villages, ATMs do not exist — withdraw enough cash before heading into the bush. Safari lodges are typically all-inclusive (paid in advance), so daily cash needs in the bush are minimal — mainly for tips and small purchases.

Card Acceptance

Credit and debit cards (Visa, Mastercard) are accepted at hotels, restaurants and shops in cities and at safari lodges. In smaller towns, markets and fuel stations, cash is essential. Safari operators and lodges typically accept card payment for bookings but may charge a processing fee. Contactless payment is emerging in Gaborone but uncommon elsewhere.

Safari Tipping Culture

Tipping is an important part of Botswana's safari culture. Most lodges have a tip box at reception — the standard is roughly USD 10–20 per guest per day for guides and USD 5–10 per day for camp staff, pooled and distributed among the team. Tips in USD or pula are both accepted. Carry small USD bills (1, 5, 10, 20) for tipping — they are more useful than large denominations in the bush.

Note: Always check current exchange rates before traveling. Currency exchange is available at airports, banks, and authorized money changers.

Common Money Questions