Botswana
Botswana is known for the Okavango Delta, where a river spreads across the Kalahari instead of reaching the sea, and for wildlife in the north along the Chobe River.
Botswana is a landlocked country in Southern Africa, bordered by South Africa, Namibia, Zambia and Zimbabwe. The capital, Gaborone, lies in the southeast. The Okavango Delta in the northwest is a vast inland delta where the Okavango River spreads across the Kalahari instead of reaching the sea. The delta was inscribed as a World Heritage Site in 2014. Along the Chobe River, which forms part of the Namibia border, wetlands and savannas support some of Africa's largest wildlife populations, including one of the few large populations of endangered African wild dogs.
About 70% of the country is part of the Kalahari Desert, and the land is flat. The climate is semi-arid with highly seasonal rain, and the north and east get more rain than the dry southwest. Heavy rain can cause localized flooding in the Okavango and Chobe regions, while drought can affect water, farming and wildlife. Summers can be extremely hot, and winter nights can be quite cold, so pack for both. Wildlife concentrates where wetlands and savannas provide permanent or seasonal water.
Five things to know before Botswana
- Check the 90-day visa-free rule
UK and Canadian passport holders can visit without a visa for up to 90 days. Check the rule for other passports with Botswana's immigration department before you book. Visas and entry
- Carry birth certificates for children
Parents need an original or certified full birth certificate for every child aged 17 or under, plus a signed affidavit from any parent not traveling.
- Book delta camps and park sites early
Okavango camps and the campsites in Chobe and Moremi are limited and fill months ahead for June to October. Reserve those before flights.
- Get your passport stamped and check the pages
UK advice asks for six months of validity and three blank pages; Canada's asks for one blank page. Make sure the officer stamps your passport, as the stamp records your arrival.
- Plan the dry season for game viewing
May to October is dry, animals gather at water and the Okavango flood peaks around June to August. Summer rains from November green the Kalahari.
Botswana travel guides
Practical guides from writers who live there.
Visa-free stays and the rules for traveling with children.
Read the guideTravel insuranceCover for remote camps, light aircraft and medical evacuation.
Read the guidePhones and eSIMData in Maun and Kasane, and what works in the bush.
Read the guideMoney and cardsPula, cards at lodges and cash for tips and fuel.
Read the guideGetting aroundLight aircraft to the delta, 4x4 hire and self-drive routes.
Read the guideWhere to stayDelta camps, Maun lodges and Chobe riverfront bases.
Read the guide
Hostel beds, cheap eats, buses and free sights.
- Bed a night
- BWP 350
- Food
- BWP 150
- Transport
- BWP 30
- Sights
- Free
A 3-star room, casual restaurants, public transport and one paid sight a day.
- Bed a night
- BWP 750
- Food
- BWP 350
- Transport
- BWP 100
- Sights
- BWP 500
A 4-star room, good restaurants, taxis and a guided tour.
- Bed a night
- BWP 1,500
- Food
- BWP 700
- Transport
- BWP 250
- Sights
- BWP 1,500
When to go
- Rainy days
- Best
- JanuaryClear11 rainy daysHigh32°Low21°Hot, rainyJanuaryClear
- High
- 32°
- Low
- 21°
- Precipitation
- 99 mm
- Rainy days
- 11
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Hot, rainy
- FebruaryPartly cloudy10 rainy daysHigh31°Low20°Hot, rainyFebruaryPartly cloudy
- High
- 31°
- Low
- 20°
- Precipitation
- 98 mm
- Rainy days
- 10
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Hot, rainy
- MarchClear6 rainy daysHigh31°Low19°Rains easeMarchClear
- High
- 31°
- Low
- 19°
- Precipitation
- 33 mm
- Rainy days
- 6
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Rains ease
- AprilClear5 rainy daysHigh27°Low16°Drying outAprilClear
- High
- 27°
- Low
- 16°
- Precipitation
- 42 mm
- Rainy days
- 5
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Drying out
- MayClear1 rainy dayHigh25°Low12°Dry, mildMayClear
- High
- 25°
- Low
- 12°
- Precipitation
- 8 mm
- Rainy days
- 1
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Dry, mild
- JuneClear0 rainy daysHigh22°Low8°Flood arrivesJuneClear
Best
- High
- 22°
- Low
- 8°
- Precipitation
- 2 mm
- Rainy days
- 0
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Flood arrives
- JulyClear1 rainy dayHigh22°Low8°Cold nightsJulyClear
Best
- High
- 22°
- Low
- 8°
- Precipitation
- 2 mm
- Rainy days
- 1
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Cold nights
- AugustClear0 rainy daysHigh26°Low11°Flood peakAugustClear
Best
- High
- 26°
- Low
- 11°
- Precipitation
- 0 mm
- Rainy days
- 0
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Flood peak
- SeptemberClear0 rainy daysHigh31°Low15°Dry, hotSeptemberClear
Best
- High
- 31°
- Low
- 15°
- Precipitation
- 1 mm
- Rainy days
- 0
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Dry, hot
- OctoberClear3 rainy daysHigh32°Low18°HottestOctoberClear
- High
- 32°
- Low
- 18°
- Precipitation
- 27 mm
- Rainy days
- 3
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Hottest
- NovemberClear7 rainy daysHigh32°Low20°Rains startNovemberClear
- High
- 32°
- Low
- 20°
- Precipitation
- 57 mm
- Rainy days
- 7
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Rains start
- DecemberClear11 rainy daysHigh32°Low20°Hot, greenDecemberClear
- High
- 32°
- Low
- 20°
- Precipitation
- 96 mm
- Rainy days
- 11
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Hot, green
Average daily high and low in Maun, 2016–2025. Rainy day: 1 mm of rain or more.
Right now in Botswana
Local time, today's weather and the exchange rate, refreshed through the day.
35
- Feels like
- 32°
- Humidity
- 14%
- Wind
- 9 km/h
- Chance of rain
- 26%
Botswana
10:36 PM
Monday, November 2
- Today37°24°26%Monday: Cloudy. High 37°, Low 24°. Chance of rain 26%.
- Tue38°22°4%Tuesday: Partly cloudy. High 38°, Low 22°. Chance of rain 4%.
- Wed39°24°6%Wednesday: Drizzle. High 39°, Low 24°. Chance of rain 6%.
- Thu38°25°2%Thursday: Partly cloudy. High 38°, Low 25°. Chance of rain 2%.
- Fri39°24°16%Friday: Drizzle. High 39°, Low 24°. Chance of rain 16%.
- Sat36°22°33%Saturday: Drizzle. High 36°, Low 22°. Chance of rain 33%.
- Sun37°22°4%Sunday: Clear. High 37°, Low 22°. Chance of rain 4%.
Updated 06:23 PM local time · Powered by WeatherAPI.com · Weather data by Open-Meteo.com
Money
Mid-market rate1 USD = 13.84 BWP
Rates from Nov 2, 2026 · Rates By Exchange Rate API
Before you go to Botswana
Botswana FAQ
Do I need a visa for Botswana?
Not with a UK or Canadian passport for stays of up to 90 days. Check the rule for any other passport with Botswana's immigration department before you book.
When is the best time for a safari in Botswana?
June to September, when it is dry and wildlife gathers at water. October is excellent but very hot; November to March is green and cheaper.
Why is Botswana so expensive?
The country limits visitor numbers in the delta and many camps are fly-in only. Self-drive camping in Chobe, Moremi and the Kalahari costs far less.
Can I self-drive in Botswana?
Yes, with a 4x4 and experience on sand. Book park campsites in advance and carry water, fuel and a satellite messenger for remote areas.
Is the water safe to drink in Botswana?
Tap water in towns is treated, but many travelers stick to filtered or bottled water. Camps supply drinking water.