Botswana: the Okavango, Chobe & untamed wilderness

Most safaris start with a flight into Maun (gateway to the Okavango Delta) or Kasane (gateway to Chobe); Gaborone is the capital and business hub. From Australia, you'll typically connect via Johannesburg in South Africa (Airlink and Air Botswana serve Maun, Kasane and Gaborone).

• Light-aircraft transfers are how you reach almost every Delta camp (e.g., Mack Air, Moremi Air). Frameless soft bags (no wheels or rigid bases) — no hard cases — with a strict limit of around 15 -20 kg per person including hand luggage (inclusive of camera gear), and a small maximum bag size (roughly 25 × 30 × 62 cm) set by the Cessna luggage pod. Confirm your camp's exact limit before you pack.
• Self-drive 4x4 is rewarding in the drier reserves (Central Kalahari, the pans, parts of Chobe) for the well-prepared, but the Delta's water camps are fly-in only.
• Driving is on the left, as in Australia; distances are long and roads outside towns can be rough, with livestock and wildlife on them — avoid driving at night.
• Within camps, all game drives, boat cruises and mokoro trips are run by your lodge and its guides.

The currency is the Botswana Pula (BWP, written P), divided into 100 thebe.

• US dollars are widely accepted at safari camps and for tipping, and are useful to carry; bring clean, newer notes.
• Cards — Visa and Mastercard — are accepted at most lodges, hotels and larger shops in towns; some remote camps settle extras and tips by card on departure.
• ATMs are reliable in Maun, Kasane, Gaborone and Francistown but scarce or absent in the wilderness — draw cash before you head into the bush.
• Carry some cash (Pula and/or USD) for tips, curios, park fees and small purchases.
• Tell your bank you'll be travelling so your cards aren't blocked, and notify them of both South Africa and Botswana if you transit Johannesburg.

See your GP or a travel clinic about 6–8 weeks before you leave.

• Malaria — present in the northern safari areas (Okavango, Moremi, Chobe, Linyanti, the Makgadikgadi region and Ngamiland), with highest risk November to May/June. Gaborone, Francistown and the southern/central Kalahari are essentially malaria-free. Take anti-malarial medication if your itinerary includes a risk area and prevent bites with repellent and long sleeves at dusk.
• Yellow fever — does not occur in Botswana, but you must show a vaccination certificate if you arrive from, or have transited for more than 12 hours through an endemic country, a yellow-fever-risk country, (parts of Africa and South America) — relevant on multi-country trips.
• Other vaccines — make sure routine vaccinations are current; many travellers also add hepatitis A and typhoid. Ask your doctor.
• Water — bottled or filtered water is the safe choice in remote areas; camps supply drinking water.

Insurance: medical facilities are limited outside the main towns and remote camps rely on air evacuation, so comprehensive travel insurance that covers medical evacuation is essential.

Botswana is one of Africa's safest and most stable countries, and Smartraveller advises normal safety precautions. Most visits are completely trouble-free.

• In towns — petty theft can occur in Gaborone, Maun and Francistown; keep valuables out of sight and don't walk alone after dark.
• Safari areas — camps and reserves are very safe, but you are in genuine wilderness: always follow your guide's instructions, never walk in camp at night without an escort, and keep a respectful distance from wildlife.
• On the road — avoid driving at night (wildlife and livestock), carry water and fuel on remote routes, and stick to tracks.

Emergencies: 999 (police), 997 (ambulance), 998 (fire). Save your lodge's number and the Australian contacts below.

English is the official language and is used for business, government and tourism, so you'll be understood everywhere. Setswana is the national language and most widely spoken day to day; a friendly "Dumela" (hello) is always welcome.

Batswana are known for being warm, polite and reserved — greetings matter, so take a moment before getting down to business. Dress is generally casual; pack neutral colours for safari and modest cover for towns and villages. Tipping is part of the safari experience (see above). Always ask before photographing people, and note that photographing government buildings, military or police sites is best avoided.

• Mobile coverage (4G) is good in and around the towns — Maun, Kasane, Gaborone, Francistown — from operators such as Mascom, Orange and BTC.
• In the wilderness, expect little or no signal; remote camps are deliberately off-grid (a welcome chance to switch off).
• Wi-Fi — many lodges offer it in common areas, though it can be slow or satellite-based; don't count on it for work.
• SIMs & eSIMs — inexpensive prepaid local SIMs are available in town (bring your passport to register), and travel eSIMs covering Botswana are a convenient alternative.
• Power — camps often run on solar with limited charging hours, so a power bank is invaluable.

Last verified: 29 June 2026. This guide is researched from official and authoritative sources and reviewed by Explore Africa. Visa, health and safety rules can change — always confirm the current advice before you travel.

Key sources:

• Smartraveller (Australian Government): smartraveller.gov.au/destinations/africa/botswana
• Botswana Tourism Organisation: botswanatourism.co.bw
• Australian High Commission, Pretoria (accredited to Botswana): southafrica.embassy.gov.au
• US CDC Travelers' Health: wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/destinations/traveler/none/Botswana
• NaTHNaC / TravelHealthPro: travelhealthpro.org.uk/country/33/botswana