Getting to Botswana and getting around

Self-drive trips – important to know

Apart from going on a guided safari and leaving the driving to your guide, you can also explore Botswana and its neighbouring countries on a self-drive trip, as long as you’re an experienced and confident driver. Botswana is a landlocked country and as such, has land borders with several countries. We have a saying here, “never cross an African border on an empty stomach”, because bottlenecks sometimes do form at certain border post and the crossing from one country to the next can take longer than expected. So be sure to have some snacks and plenty of water to drink with you.

Most of the main roads and the roads in towns are 2-wheel drive accessible. The national parks, however require a sturdy 4×4 vehicle and an experienced off-road driver to navigate the sometimes tricky road conditions. This is particularly true in the rainy season.

Drive carefully when driving in Botswana as the road conditions will be different to what you are used to in your home country and whatever you do, do not drive at night. For more information on this, see our section on self-drive in Botswana.

What you need to enter Botswana

Travellers from a number of countries including the EU, UK, United States and the Commonwealth Nations can obtain a visitor’s visa upon arrival in Botswana. This visa will be valid for 30-days.

Requirements for a visitor’s visa on arrival in Botswana are:

• A valid return ticket
• A passport that is valid for at least six months
• Three or more blank pages in your passport

The tourism development levy of 30 USD has currently been put on hold, but may be reinstated on short notice.
Keep in mind that a yellow fever vaccination certificate will be required if you travel from a yellow fever country to Botswana.

If you wish to travel to Botswana with a child you will require:

• a certified copy of the child’s unabridged birth certificate
• a valid passport with at least 1 blank page per entry
• a parental consent form from the parent or parents not accompanying the child.

Please keep in mind that visa requirements can change – please contact the Botswana embassy or a consulate in your home country. Botswana-Experience cannot be held responsible if you are refused entry and cannot begin your trip. All costs incurred due to a delay in travelling are for the traveller’s account.

Good to know before travelling to Botswana

We recommend you be prepared for anything with a comprehensive travel and health insurance when travelling to Botswana.

Make sure that your insurance also covers you for any possible activities you may undertake including game drives, bush walks and mokoro trips.

Keep in mind that many of the camps, lodges and activities are located or take place in very remote places and as such, that it is important that any possible emergency medical evacuation is covered.

Finally, it is advisable to carry with you, or to know the emergency telephone number of your travel and health insurance, so that in the case of an unforeseeable event they can be reached straight away.

At the end of the day, we are not health insurance specialists, and we recommend you get in touch with your own personal insurance for further details.