Do I need a visa to enter Botswana?

Visa requirements vary depending on your nationality. Visitors from certain countries may be exempt from obtaining a visa for short stays. It is recommended to check with the nearest Botswana embassy or consulate in your home country to determine the specific visa requirements. Find out more here . Botswana offers visa-on-arrival facilities at major entry points for eligible nationalities. It's essential to ensure that your passport is valid for at least 6 months beyond your intended departure date. Have at least 1 blank page in your passport for endorsements and take 2 colour passport photographs.

Is Botswana safe for tourists?

Botswana is a safe country and a great place to visit. However, it is always a good idea to just be street-smart. Here are some tips to keep in mind when travelling: Keep an eye on your belongings, whether travelling alone or in a group. Carry some emergency cash as some areas lack ATMs. Avoid wandering alone at night and exercise caution in urban areas. Respect wildlife, maintain a safe distance, and never provoke or feed them. If self-driving, ensure readiness with spare tires and repair tools for remote distances, cautious fueling, planned routes, and daytime driving to evade animals and respect speed limits.

Can I self-drive in Botswana?

It’s only advisable to self-drive in Botswana if you have the appropriate level of experience. Remote regions like Central Kalahari and Makgadikgadi Salt Pans necessitate a 4x4 vehicle. Proficiency in water, sand, and mud crossings is crucial, along with high and low range transmission expertise. You’ll need to maintain fuel awareness, meaning refilling regularly and carrying extra fuel. For more convenience, lodges and camps will often offer transfers and there are also plenty of internal flights to many of Botswana’s top attractions.

What currency is used in Botswana?

In Botswana, the currency used is the Botswana Pula (BWP), which is divided into 100 Thebe. Money can be exchanged at airports, urban Bureaux de Changes, and accredited hotels. Check with your bank beforehand to ensure your card will work in Botswana. Most ATMs in Botswana dispense local currency and accept international credit and debit cards, including Visa and Mastercard. However, many bespoke and luxury hotels charge in USD and accept tips in USD.

Botswana

Mapula Lodge

From €1,245 /person

A charming safari lodge located in a private Okavango concession

Mapula Lodge is nestled in a breathtaking Okavango Delta setting, offering guests a scenic, game-rich wilderness experience. Surrounded by grassy floodplains, clear lagoons, and lush riverine forests, Mapula is an oasis of safari serenity, home to a variety of bird species. The main area offers a comfortable viewing deck, providing guests with the perfect position for gorgeous views of the lagoons and the hippo visitors. Go on game drives to view some of the iconic wildlife, or take a guided bush walk to experience the wilderness up close. Whether on a sundowner Delta cruise, or dining around a campfire under the stars, Mapula Lodge offers guests a chance to reconnect with nature while managing their impact on the environment.

Mapula Lodge is nestled in a breathtaking Okavango Delta setting, offering guests a scenic, game-rich ...

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Mapula Lodge Twin Room

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The 6 Mapula Lodge Twin Rooms each include 2 three-quarter beds, as well as en-suite bathroom facilities with an indoor shower and private outdoor shower. The canvas and thatch units also offer an outdoor seating area on a private deck. Amenities include an overhead fan and a charging station.

Mapula Lodge Family Suite

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The Mapula Lodge Family Suite accommodates a maximum of 2 adults and 2 children. The family unit consists of 1 tent with a queen-sized bed, en-suite bathroom facilities with an indoor and outdoor shower, and an outdoor seating area on a private deck. A small lounge area and partition separate the 2 three-quarter beds and an indoor shower.

Mapula Lodge Double Room

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The 2 Mapula Lodge Double Rooms each come with 1 king-sized bed (that cannot be split) as well as en-suite bathroom facilities with an indoor shower and private outdoor shower. The canvas and thatch units also offer an outdoor seating area on a private deck. Amenities include an overhead fan and a charging station.

Mapula Lodge Twin Room

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Mapula Lodge Family Suite

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Mapula Lodge Double Room

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Because of the easy way we communicated with our Viatu expert, it felt like planning our holidays with a friend. It made it really flexible and perfectly suitable for our needs. The accommodations that he suggested were just wonderful and a perfect mix of everything we needed.

Nicole