Botswana is great for seeing wildlife because it is home to some of the most diverse and abundant wildlife populations in Africa. The country boasts a range of ecosystems, including the Okavango Delta, Chobe National Park, and the Kalahari Desert, …
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backpacking Africa
Botswana
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Backpacking Botswana in 2025
A complete guide for backpacking in Botswana with best places to go, best time to visit, what to bring and safety advice.
Visit Botswana
Venture into the heart of Africa with Botswana, an extraordinary backpacker's haven where pristine wilderness and diverse wildlife set the stage for adventure. Pros? Immerse in unparalleled safari experiences, witness the majestic Okavango Delta, and enjoy a peaceful atmosphere. However, Botswana tends to be pricier than some African destinations, and backpacker infrastructure may be limited. Yet, for those seeking an authentic African safari off the beaten path, Botswana's commitment to conservation and unique landscapes offer a rare and enriching backpacking experience, making it a distinctive choice in the realm of African adventures.
Why to go?Why backpacking in Botswana
Wildlife
Scenery
Botswana is known for its diverse and stunning landscapes, making it a great destination for nature lovers. The Okavango Delta is a must-see, with its vast network of waterways, lagoons, and islands, providing a unique and rich ecosystem for …
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People
The people of Botswana are known for their warm and welcoming nature. They are quick to offer a friendly smile and are always willing to lend a helping hand to others. Whether it’s sharing a meal, offering a place to stay, or simply engaging in …
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💡 HighlightsTop-5 things to do in Botswana
- Okavango Delta: Discover the world’s largest inland delta, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and witness the diverse wildlife and stunning landscapes.
- Chobe National Park: Embark on a safari adventure in one of Africa’s premier game reserves, renowned for its large elephant herds and diverse wildlife.
- Makgadikgadi Pans: Explore the otherworldly salt pans, home to unique wildlife like meerkats and the annual zebra migration.
- Moremi Game Reserve: Experience the incredible biodiversity of this protected area, with its mix of wetlands, savannah, and woodlands, perfect for game viewing.
- Tsodilo Hills: Visit this sacred site, known as the ”Louvre of the Desert,” and admire its impressive collection of rock art, reflecting thousands of years of human history.
But Botswana offers more...
🌤️ When to go?Best time to go backpacking Botswana
The best time to visit Botswana for backpacking is during the dry season, which is from May to October. During this time, the weather is cooler and there is less rainfall, making it easier to navigate the wilderness and go on outdoor adventures. Additionally, the dry season is the best time for wildlife viewing as animals gather around water sources, making it easier to spot them. However, it is important to note that this is also the peak tourist season, so popular destinations may be crowded and prices may be higher.
Risk level: low (17%)Safety advice for Botswana
- Violent crime, break-ins and carjackings can occur. Be alert, particularly if you're out after dark.
- Exercise additional caution in Gaborone Dam and Kgale Hill due to crime.
- Wildlife attacks and waterborne diseases can occur. Don't swim in freshwater lakes and rivers.
source: smartraveller.gov.au
BotswanaMy tips to get you on the way!Does Botswana sound like your next backpacking destination? Use these steps to get you on the way.
Get inspiration 📚
While guidebooks used to be the backpacker’s holy grail for finding accomodation, nowadays that’s more conveniently accomplished online. However, guidebooks remain an excellent resource for familiarizing oneself with the country, gaining inspiration, and discovering itineraries. I enjoy reading them before my travels and then leaving them behind at home when I embark on my journey.
While guidebooks used to be the backpacker’s holy grail for finding accomodation, nowadays that’s more conveniently accomplished online. However, guidebooks remain an excellent resource for familiarizing oneself with the country, gaining inspiration, and discovering itineraries. I enjoy reading them before my travels and then leaving them behind at home when I embark on my journey.
Prepare your trip ✅
Before embarking on your journey, several essential checks are crucial: passport, visa, vaccinations and insurance. Some countries mandate that your passport remains valid for 3 to 6 months post your return. Additionally, it is important to verify the specific visa requirements for Botswana. These differ per country of origin. While you can handle visa arrangements independently, online visa services streamline the process as they know exactly what’s needed for each country. Botswana may require certain vaccinations. Make sure to timely check which ones you still need. Lastly, if you don’t have a travel insurance yet, Safety Wing is a good choice as they are tailored for backpackers.
Before embarking on your journey, several essential checks are crucial: passport, visa, vaccinations and insurance. Some countries mandate that your passport remains valid for 3 to 6 months post your return. Additionally, it is important to verify the specific visa requirements for Botswana. These differ per country of origin. While you can handle visa arrangements independently, online visa services streamline the process as they know exactly what’s needed for each country. Botswana may require certain vaccinations. Make sure to timely check which ones you still need. Lastly, if you don’t have a travel insurance yet, Safety Wing is a good choice as they are tailored for backpackers.
Book your flight ✈️
The flight may be the most expensive part of your trip. Therefore it’s worth spending a bit of time finding the right one. Flight search engines like Skyscanner and Kayak are the best to compare all possible options. A good tip is to be flexible with your exact travel dates. Traveling one or two days earlier/later may save you some bucks. Also booking about three months in advance can help making the best deal for you (though I’m not the best one myself to follow this advice as I tend to decide last-minute). A final tip would be to check airports in neighbouring countries. Not necessarily for cost saving but it can be intriguing to journey into Botswana, travel overland to one of its neighbours and fly back home from there.
The flight may be the most expensive part of your trip. Therefore it’s worth spending a bit of time finding the right one. Flight search engines like Skyscanner and Kayak are the best to compare all possible options. A good tip is to be flexible with your exact travel dates. Traveling one or two days earlier/later may save you some bucks. Also booking about three months in advance can help making the best deal for you (though I’m not the best one myself to follow this advice as I tend to decide last-minute). A final tip would be to check airports in neighbouring countries. Not necessarily for cost saving but it can be intriguing to journey into Botswana, travel overland to one of its neighbours and fly back home from there.
Book your first night(s) 🛌
Depending on your travel style, you can either plan a detailed day-to-day route and pre-book your accommodations, providing peace of mind, or opt to book them spontaneously, offering greater flexibility to adjust your plan. Personally, I am a big fan of the latter approach, but I always ensure to book the first night(s) in advance.
Depending on your travel style, you can either plan a detailed day-to-day route and pre-book your accommodations, providing peace of mind, or opt to book them spontaneously, offering greater flexibility to adjust your plan. Personally, I am a big fan of the latter approach, but I always ensure to book the first night(s) in advance.
My personal packing list 🎒
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Over the years, I’ve learned the importance of packing minimally. It’s so much easier to jump on the back of a truck or squeeze yourself into the last spot of a minibus without that supersized backpack. If you’re headed to a warm destination, leave your winter jacket at home; for colder regions, opt for thin thermal underlayers. Instead of packing your entire wardrobe, bring just three sets of clothes, as laundry facilities are available everywhere.
Money & Documents
Clothing
Electronics
Health
Others
Over the years, I’ve learned the importance of packing minimally. It’s so much easier to jump on the back of a truck or squeeze yourself into the last spot of a minibus without that supersized backpack. If you’re headed to a warm destination, leave your winter jacket at home; for colder regions, opt for thin thermal underlayers. Instead of packing your entire wardrobe, bring just three sets of clothes, as laundry facilities are available everywhere.Money & Documents
Clothing
Electronics
Health
Others
Moneybelt
[Amazon]
“Best way to carry your important documents”
Quick dry pant
[Amazon]
“Nothing beats these quick dry and light pants when traveling”
Light rain jacket
[Amazon]
“Hiking in rainy season? These keep you dry”
Thermo underwear
[Amazon]
“Less weight and volume than bulky sweaters or jackets”
Quick dry towel
[Amazon]
“Normal towels get smelly and heavy when traveling”
Power bank
[Amazon]
“Pick a small and light one, with 10.000mAh or more”
Travel adapter
[Amazon]
“Needed as each country has its own electricity plugs”
Number lock
[Amazon]
“No chance of losing your key; handy for lockers in dormitories”
Packing cubes
[Amazon]
“Keep your wet or dirty clothes separate from the rest”
Travel pillow
[Amazon]
“Light and great for flights and long bus journeys”
last page update: 29 September 2024