Book cheap flights to Botswana

Botswana experiences a semi-arid climate with two distinct seasons: wet (November to March) and dry (May to October). January and February see the most rainfall; temperatures can soar to 44°C in summer and drop near freezing on winter nights. The best time to visit Botswana for wildlife viewing is between May and September. Receding water levels concentrate animals around permanent water sources, making game viewing exceptional. December to March is the peak season in the Kalahari, when zebra and wildebeest migrate across the Makgadikgadi Pans and birdlife is spectacular. Notable events: Maitisong Festival (March/April, Gaborone), Kuru Dance Festival (August, D’Kar), and the Toyota 1000 Desert Race. For the cheapest flights to Botswana from South Africa, consider travelling between November and March — low safari season means better fares, though the heat and rain are more intense during this period.

South African passport holders do not require a visa to visit Botswana for stays of up to 90 days. Ensure your passport is valid for at least 6 months from your date of entry and has at least two blank pages for entry stamps.

Planning a multi-destination trip? The KAZA UniVisa allows travellers to visit both Zambia and Zimbabwe on a single visa — ideal for combining a Chobe safari with a trip to Victoria Falls.

The South African High Commission is located in Gaborone.

Address: Plot 29, Queens Road, Gaborone.

Phone: ( 267) 390 4800 / ( 267) 390 4801

Botswana is considered a relatively safe country. Use common sense and remain vigilant as you would anywhere unfamiliar. Travel insurance covering theft and medical expenses is strongly recommended.

Avoid flashy displays of wealth and carrying large sums of cash, as opportunistic theft does occur. Avoid travelling alone at night or through isolated areas. Do not drive outside cities at night — roaming wildlife and wandering livestock are a serious road hazard. Use reputable taxi services and agree on a fare before departing.

Malaria risk: Malaria is present in Botswana, with higher risk in northern areas including Chobe, the Okavango Delta and Kasane, particularly during the wet season (November to April). Gaborone carries minimal risk. Consult your doctor about antimalarial medication before travelling. Use insect repellent and wear long sleeves at dusk and dawn.

Recommended vaccinations include hepatitis A & B, typhoid and rabies. Routine vaccinations (MMR, diphtheria-tetanus-pertussis, meningitis, varicella, polio and influenza) should be up to date. Stick to bottled water in rural areas and smaller towns.

Accommodation in Botswana ranges from rustic bush camps deep in the delta to world-class luxury lodges, catering to every type of traveller — from budget backpackers to honeymooners and serious safari enthusiasts.

For budget and mid-range travellers, Gaborone offers comfortable guesthouses, B&Bs and business hotels, while towns like Maun — the gateway to the Okavango Delta — have a good selection of self-catering lodges and backpacker-friendly camps. Well-regarded options include Cresta Riley’s Hotel in Maun and the Gaborone Sun.

For those wanting to splurge, Botswana is globally renowned for its exclusive, high-end safari camps. Think private concessions in the Okavango Delta, butler-serviced tented suites in Moremi Game Reserve, and intimate lodges on the banks of the Chobe River — places like andBeyond Sandibe, Wilderness Vumbura Plains and &Beyond Chobe Under Canvas are among the most celebrated safari camps in Africa.

Ready to book? Search and book accommodation in Botswana at Travelstart and find the best deals across all budgets.

Getting around Botswana requires a bit of planning, but the journey itself is part of the adventure — from dusty salt pans to winding delta waterways, how you travel shapes the whole experience.

For independent travellers, a self-drive is one of the most rewarding ways to explore Botswana. The main roads between Gaborone, Francistown and Maun are tarred and in reasonable condition, but once you head into the bush — the Makgadikgadi, the Chobe floodplains or the tracks around Moremi — a 4×4 is essential. Roads can be sandy, corrugated and remote, so come prepared with offline maps, a spare tyre and plenty of water. Note that Botswana drives on the left.

If self-driving isn’t for you, organised safari transfers and charter flights are the norm for reaching remote camps in the Okavango Delta, where roads simply don’t exist. Maun is the main hub for light aircraft charters and road transfers heading into the delta and surrounding reserves. For budget travellers, coach services connect Johannesburg to Gaborone, and local bus services run onward to Maun and other towns from there.

Planning a self-drive adventure through Botswana? Search, compare and book a car hire in Botswana at Travelstart and find the best rate for your trip.