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Beautiful Botswana holidays
Botswana is home to some of Africa's most gloriously charismatic wildlife including wily big cats, wallowing hippopotami, herds of migrating buffalo and nomadic elephants. It’s a huge country, and diverse too, stretching across the Kalahari Desert and the Okavango Delta to the Zambezi River on the border with Zambia. This is where you can witness one of Botswana’s other world-class attractions: mighty Victoria Falls.
In the north of Botswana, the Okavango Delta is where the Okavango river spills out over the surrounding Kalahari desert, bringing fertility and new life to the wide floodplains. It’s the world’s only inland delta, as well as being UNESCO-listed and a rich ecological hotspot, with animal and plant life thriving along its reed-lined channels and palm-fringed islands. Also in the north of Botswana, Chobe National Park boasts the highest concentration of African elephants in the world. It’s also one of the few places in Botswana where the rare Puku antelope can be seen. Botswana offers some of Africa’s finest safari experiences, along with some of its most charming and welcoming people.
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Our holidays and small group tours in Botswana showcase all the highlights, along with visits to some of the top attractions in neighbouring countries. To make your Botswana holiday as comfortable as possible we've handpicked the best hotels and safari lodges and, in many cases, you'll be staying in the national parks themselves.
Victoria Falls
Victoria Falls is without doubt one of the world’s must-see sights. Twice the height of Niagara Falls, it’s 108 metres wide and almost two kilometres wide - the largest single sheet of falling water in the world. The rainbow mists that shimmer above and around the awesome cascade can be seen several miles away, while the sound of its raw power earned it the local name Mosi oa Tunya - ‘the smoke that thunders’.
Chobe National Park
Chobe National Park offers the seminal safari experience, and you can see everything from giraffes and zebra to impala, baboons and kudo here. It’s also one of the best places in Botswana to see big cats including lion, leopard and cheetah. Richard Burton and Elizabeth Taylor famously chose to honeymoon in Chobe National Park in 1975.
Okavango Delta at sunrise and sunset
The skies here are spectacular at night, but also at sunrise and sun set. As the sun moves across the sky, intense colours fill the horizon, reflecting back from the surface of the water. As you see the silhouettes of the animals calmly settling down to sleep - or setting out to hunt - you’ll realise you’re somewhere truly off the beaten track.
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When is the best time of year to visit Botswana?
Botswana has a mainly temperate climate. Summer is between October and April and is very hot. Although this is the rainy season, rainfall is low and sporadic. Dry and cooler weather occurs between May and September. Early mornings and evenings - when games drives take place - can be cold and frosty so pack a warm sweater if you will be going on safari while on your Botswana holiday.
What language is spoken in Botswana?
English is the official language in Botswana. Setswana is the national language.
What is Botswana’s currency?
The official currency in Botswana is the Botswanan Pula (BWP). The pula is divided into 100 thebe.
Is there a time difference between the UK and Botswana?
Botswana is two hours ahead of GMT during our winter, and one hour ahead in summertime.
Can I fly direct to Botswana from the UK?
You can’t fly non-stop from the UK and most routes have one or two stops. The total flight time from London to Botswana is around twelve hours.
How do I manage tipping in Botswana?
Hotel service charges are included in the cost of your holiday, but not for safari staff. As a guideline we recommend a tip of US$10 per guest, per day for the guide and the same for each of the mobile safari crew.
Do I need a visa to visit Botswana?
British passport holders can stay in Botswana for up to 90 days without a visa, however your passport must be valid for six months from the date you arrive. But entry requirements can change so we recommend that you check before you travel. CIBT have a useful tool to do this at CIBT visas or you can visit GOV UK.
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