How many towns: Three to five towns is the number I advise for most backpackers. Botswana’s distances are long, buses run mostly in the morning, and every extra stop adds a full travel day, not a quick hop. Three lets each place get at least two nights. Five suits a stay of three weeks or more, and beyond that you are mostly watching the road.
Which kind to prioritize: Towns fall into rough types, and the right mix depends on your style.
Safari gateways are where you arrange trips into the delta and parks, so they matter most if wildlife is the point, but they are the most expensive.
Administrative and trade towns are cheaper, with supermarkets, banks and local restaurants, and suit travelers who want to see everyday Botswana and rest between legs.
Smaller Kalahari or border settlements suit …
read more 👉 How many towns: Three to five towns is the number I advise for most backpackers. Botswana’s distances are long, buses run mostly in the morning, and every extra stop adds a full travel day, not a quick hop. Three lets each place get at least two nights. Five suits a stay of three weeks or more, and beyond that you are mostly watching the road.
Which kind to prioritize: Towns fall into rough types, and the right mix depends on your style. Safari gateways are where you arrange trips into the delta and parks, so they matter most if wildlife is the point, but they are the most expensive. Administrative and trade towns are cheaper, with supermarkets, banks and local restaurants, and suit travelers who want to see everyday Botswana and rest between legs. Smaller Kalahari or border settlements suit those with a vehicle or flexible time. A first-timer should take one gateway and one or two regular towns. An experienced overlander can reverse that ratio and save considerably.
What it costs: Costs run high by regional standards because services are priced for tourists with larger budgets. A tight backpacker budget is roughly US$40 to 70 a day using campsites, self-catering, shared rooms and buses. A comfortable independent budget runs US$80 to 140. Dorm beds or campsites in gateway towns cost about US$10 to 25 a person, guesthouses US$40 to 80, and a basic meal at a local restaurant US$4 to 8. Long-distance buses cost roughly US$8 to 25 per leg, and combis for short hops cost US$1 to 3. Mokoro or boat trips, game drives and park fees from a gateway town usually add US$50 to 150 for a day trip, and park entry is charged separately for non-citizens. Carry pula in cash for rural areas, although cards work in most larger shops.
Why transport planning matters: Public transport is cheap but sparse because the population is so small and spread out. Experienced travelers confirm departure times the day before, arrive early since buses leave when full, and sometimes hire a shared taxi or hitch with fellow travelers for remote legs. Hitching is common and accepted locally, but agree on the destination first and avoid traveling after dark, when livestock and wildlife wander onto roads.
Safety and culture: Violent crime is low compared with neighboring countries, but petty theft occurs in the larger towns and bus stations, so keep valuables out of sight and use accommodation with secure parking or lockers. Walking at night in poorly lit areas is best avoided. Botswana is a conservative, courteous society: greet people before asking anything, using “dumela” (hello), and dress modestly outside tourist lodges. Ask before photographing people, and never photograph government buildings, police or military sites. Same-sex relations were decriminalized in 2019, but social attitudes remain reserved, so discretion is sensible. Tap water is generally safe in towns, and malaria prophylaxis is advised for the north in the wet season.
v2.webp){kind=logo}
Best Backpacking.jpg)
Hi, I’m Johan (Netherlands 🇳🇱), the creator of TakeYourBackpack. Over the past 3 decades, I’ve backpacked through 90+ countries across six continents, gaining extensive experience with independent travel, long-term trips, and overland routes.