Situated in the southern reaches of Africa, Botswana is renowned for its pristine wilderness areas characterised by deep lagoons, wetlands, lush palms, rugged hills and desert plains scattered with scrubland. The country’s primary tourist drawcard is undoubtedly the vast red expanse of the Kalahari Desert and its remarkably beautiful Okavango Delta, the largest inland delta in the world. These natural wonders provide a tranquil haven for an abundance of African wildlife to thrive. Other highlights include the impressive Makgadikgadi Salt Pans, where visitors are privy to massive zebra migrations during the flood season; the Savuti plains, which host large prides of lions; and the Tsodilo Hills, where 4500 rock paintings form a unique record of human settlement over many millennia.


Banking and Currency

Currency

Botswana’s currency is Pula (which means ‘rain’ in Setswana). It is divided into 100 thebe (which means ‘shield’ in Setswana). Travellers’ cheques and foreign currency may be changed at banks, bureaux de change and authorized hotels. 

The US dollar, Euros, British Pound and the South African Rand are the most easily convertible currencies (and accepted by some establishments – but, generally, then an inflated rate of exchange will be applied). 

Banking

Seven main commercial banks, as well as a number of foregin exchange bureaux, operate in Botswana. Operating hours are Monday to Friday 08h30 to 15h30 and Saturday 08h30 to 10h45.

Full banking services are available in major towns, although ATMs are sprouting up all over the country. Most credit cards are accepted at hotels and restaurants. Cultural sites and community art and craft outlets usually only accept cash.

Travel, Transport and getting around

Public transport in Botswana is geared towards the needs of the local populace and is confined to main roads between major population centres. Although cheap and reliable, it is of little use to the traveller as most of Botswana’s tourist attractions lie off the beaten track.

Driving off the main roads in Botswana is only recommended to expects in 4×4 vehicles, that are equipped correctly. Most lodges offer transfers or they can be arranged. If, however, you will be driving in Botswana: your home driving licence will be accepted (with an official English translation if necessary; driving is on the left side of the road; and the national speed limit is on tarred roads is 120km/h and 60km/h in towns and villages. 

Be sure to watch out for wild animals on the roads!

There are major airports in Maun, Kasane and Gaborone, while smaller charter flights are used to get to the other top attractions and camps.

Food, Drink and Cuisine Advice

Safari lodges and camps serve international-style cuisine, generally of an extremely high standard, along with local beer and imported wine and spirits. Good restaurants and bars can be found in main towns, often within hotels. Beef and goat are very popular meats. Elsewhere, food is more basic: millet and sorghum porridge are the local staples.

Tap water is considered safe to drink, although outside main cities and towns, visitors are advised to check first and sterilise water if in any doubt. Bottled water is available in most tourist centres. Filtered water is available at most camps and shops offer bottled water – it is advised to be well stocked of bottled water if you are travelling off the beaten track. Milk is pasteurised, and dairy products, local meat, poultry, seafood, fruit and vegetables are generally safe.

A discretionary five-to-ten-percent tip is typical for restaurant bills. In many places, a service charge is automatically added. It is customary to tip the game guide and lodge staff while on safari.

Climate and Weather

Botswana’s climatic pattern is typical of southern Africa, although its rainfall is less than countries further east. The rains in Botswana come mostly between December and March, when average minimum temperatures are in the low 20°s. Some days will be bright and sunny, some will have afternoon thunderstorms, and some will just be grey.

As with Namibia, April and May in Botswana are generally lovely, with the sky clear and the landscape green. Night temperatures start to drop during these months, especially in the Kalahari. Note that places in and around the Okavango tend to have less extreme, more moderate temperatures than the drier areas of the Kalahari.

From June to August the night-time temperatures in drier areas can be close to freezing, but it warms up rapidly during the day, when the sky is usually clear and blue. It’s now very much ‘peak season’ for most safari areas: the land is dry in most areas so the animals congregate around the few available water sources.

This continues into September and October, when temperatures climb again, drying the landscapes and concentrating the game even more. This is the best time for big game safaris – although October can feel very hot, with maximum temperatures sometimes approaching 40°C.

November is difficult to predict, as it can sometimes be a continuation of October’s heat, whilst sometimes it’s cooled by the first rains; it’s always an interesting month.

Clothing and Dress Recommendations

In summer, lightweight, lightcoloured cottons are preferable. Avoid synthetic materials and black clothing, as they increase perspiration and discomfort. In winter, wear trousers, longsleeved shirts / blouses and jerseys. From May – August, night temperatures can fall below zero degrees celsius, so warm jerseys and jackets are vital, especially on morning and evening game drives. Garments of neutral colours that blend with the bush and forest are advisable for safaris and game viewing. Bring a lightweight jacket and/or jersey for unexpected temperature changes or rain. Closed, comfortable walking shoesor gym shoes are a must in all seasons. Special attention should be given to protection from the sun. Bring a sunhat, good quality sunscreen, sun lotion and polarised sunglasses. Wide brimmed sun hats are essential.

Electricity and Plug Standards

Electrical sockets (outlets) in Botswana are the ‘Type M’ South African SABS1661 (‘Large’ 15 amp BS-546) sockets. This is actually an old British standard. The ‘Type M’ South African plug and socket is not to be confused with the ‘Type D’ Indian plug and socket. In pictures, they look very similar, but the South African type is much larger than the Indian type, and they are physically incompatible. If your appliance’s plug doesn’t match the shape of these sockets, you will need a travel plug adapter in order to plug in. Travel plug adapters simply change the shape of your appliance’s plug to match whatever type of socket you need to plug into.

Electrical sockets (outlets) in Botswana usually supply electricity at between 220 and 240 volts AC. If you’re plugging in an appliance that was built for 220-240 volt electrical input, or an appliance that is compatible with multiple voltages, then an adapter is all you need. 

But travel plug adapters do not change the voltage, so the electricity coming through the adapter will still be the same 220-240 volts the socket is supplying. If you need to use appliances that are not compatible with 220-240 volt electrical input, you will need a voltage converter.


Find your next Safari to Botswana

Dusty Trails Safaris Namibia is specialized to individual safari experiences. Still we are always offering some pre-build trips you can directly head for our simply use as a source of inspiration to design your own safari adventure. Feel free to browse choose the trip you like. We can fit it to your desires after your enquiry.

Any questions? – please feel free to contact us!

Need help finding the perfect safari ? – try our Safari Finder!

Swakopmund sea fishing
#WT-CODE 36227

Luxury Fishing Adventure

8 Day(s) 7 Night(s)
10 Pax

You like fishing? What about fishing in Namibia?
Get yourself ready for some real big fish!
Enter the rough shores of the Namibian Skeleton Coast and enjoy a very special fishing experience. Rounded up with all enjoyments of a luxury lodge at nights.
Namibia Luxury Fishing Adventure: 8 Days group trip around Walvis Bay, Swakopmund and Henties Bay full of fishing fun.

Omeya Golf Club - sunset view
#WT-CODE 36130

Golf Tour Namibia

10 Day(s) 9 Night(s)
20 Pax

Have you ever considered Namibia as your next golf vacation destination? If not, you SHOULD – and here is why. During the next few weeks, we will share the top eight golf courses Namibia has to offer, including must do attractions in each location.
Golf Tour Namibia: 10 days lodging group trip through some top spots of Namibia including your special Golfing experience!

IZUZU MU-x Safari SUV with rooftop tent
#WT-CODE 8304

ISUZU mu-X Safari SUV – available with rooftop tent

N/A
7 Pax

You are looking for a safari SUV that is offering versatility, maximum comfort, high fuel efficiency but still being a good and reliable 4×4 car? The ISUZU mu-X Safari SUV with rooftop tent is the rental car of your choice!

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Toyota Fortuner Safari SUV with rooftop tent
#WT-CODE 7736

Toyota Fortuner Safari SUV

N/A
7 Pax

The Toyota Fortuner is one of the favorite cars when it comes to lodging trips. It is a modern and well equipped SUV suitable as well for long trips. As it is based on the Toyota Hilux platform it still provides full 4×4 capabilities.

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Toyota Land Cruiser Double Cab with rooftop tent
#WT-CODE 7687

Safari Land Cruiser double-cab

N/A
4 Pax

The Toyota Land Cruiser represents the classic 4×4 safari car. Easy to handle but durable and long lasting – it is made to bring you to all destinations. The car offers space for 2-4 persons and is ideal for camping safaris due to is 4×4 capabilities combined with big storage space.

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header image campsite at little hunters living museum
#WT-CODE 7049

Namibia Camping Adventure

14 Day(s) 13 Night(s)
20 Pax

Namibia Camping Adventure – get the real Namibian feeling
14 days lodging group trip to must see spots in central Namibia.
Destinations: Windhoek, Kalahari North, Kalahari Namibia, Sesriem, Sossousvlei, Swakopmund, Twyfelfontein, Etosha South and Otjiwarongo.

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oryx, zebra, wildebeest Etosha National Park Namibia - Dusty Trails Safaris Namibia & Dusty Car Hire Namibia
#WT-CODE 7045

Namibia Highlights – a Dozen Days in Paradise

12 Day(s) 11 Night(s)
20 Pax

Namibia Highlights – a Dozen Days in Paradise
12 days lodging group trip through to the top spots in central Namibia.
Destinations: Windhoek, Kalahari North, Kalahari Namibia, Naukluft Mountains, Sossusvlei, Sesriem Canyon, Swakopmund, Twyfelfontein and Etosha South.

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leopard stalking on road Moremi Botswana - Dusty Trails Safaris Namibia & Dusty Car Hire Namibia
#WT-CODE 7042

Namibia and Botswana Wildlife Adventures

19 Day(s) 18 Night(s)
15 Pax

18 days camping safari through Namibia and Botswana packed with wildlife adventures.
This trip combines popular places and national parks in Botswana and Namibia with gorgeous spots in highly off grid bush areas. 
Destinations: Windhoek, Ghanzi, Maun, Moremi Game Reserve, Savuti – Chobe National Park, Chobe River Front, Kasane Forest Reserve, Kwando River, Divundu, Khaudum National Park and Kalahari North

dunes Sossousvlei Namibia- Dusty Trails Safaris Namibia & Dusty Car Hire Namibia
#WT-CODE 7039

Namibia self drive adventure

14 Day(s) 13 Night(s)
9 Pax

14 days camping or lodging trip through Namibias top spots in central Namibia – specially dedicated for self drive travelling.
Destinations: Windhoek, Sossusvlei, Swakopmund, Brandberg, Damaraland, Etosha South, Otjiwarongo and Kalahari North.

Deadvlei - Sossousvlei Namibia - Dusty Trails Safaris Namibia & Dusty Car Hire Namibia
#WT-CODE 7035

Namibia safari best-of and wildlife adventure

13 Day(s) 12 Night(s)
15 Pax

13 days camping or lodging trip through most of the must-see spots of Namibia.
Destinations: Windhoek, Sossusvlei, Swakopmund, Brandberg, Twyfelfontein, Etosha South, Etosha East, Bushmanland and Kalahari North

Namibia Skeleton coast ship wreck - Dusty Trails Safaris Namibia & Dusty Car Hire Namibia
#WT-CODE 7031

Exclusive Safari: Skeleton Coast and Etosha

14 Day(s) 13 Night(s)
15 Pax

14 days exclusive camping / lodging trip to the restricted area in the northern Skeleton Coast and Etosha National Park.
Destinations: Windhoek, Twyfelfontein, Purros, Skeleton Coast, Kunene, Opuwo and Etosha South

2022 IZUZU D-Max Double Cab with rooftop tent
#WT-CODE 7008

ISUZU Camping car with rooftop tent

N/A
4 Pax

The ISUZU D-MAX is the most modern double cab in out 4×4 car rental offerings. It is especially equipped for camping including 2 rooftop tents.
Providing a start of the art entertainment system and an easy to drive spirit it is ideal for your next camping trip.

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