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 language is spoken in Botswana?

The official language is English, while Setswana is the national language spoken widely across the country.

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.

Is Botswana family-friendly?

Yes, but some lodges have age restrictions for children on game drives or mokoro trips. Always check child policies in advance.

Currently seeing:
Aerial view of luxury safari tents at Jack's Camp Botswana overlooking Makgadikgadi salt pans and palm oasis

Botswana

Jack's Camp

From $3,555 /person

An iconic 1940s campaign-style camp in the Makgadikgadi Salt Pans

Stay at the 1940s campaign-style Jack’s Camp, where rooms are adorned with Persian and North African rugs, paraffin lamps, brass fittings, and mahogany furniture. Curated over decades, Jack’s Camp has one of the most wide-ranging ancient artefact collections in Botswana. All year round, guests can spot the fascinating wildlife that inhabits these mysterious pans, like the Kalahari lion, brown hyena, and oryx. When it's dark, the aardvark and bat-eared fox can be sought out on night drives. The thrills continue with Zu/’hoasi San nature walks and horseback rides for all levels. Guests can even sleep inside a tent that’s a designated Natural History Museum, but whatever the choice, a stay at Jack’s Camp benefits various Natural Selection conservation initiatives in Botswana.

Stay at the 1940s campaign-style Jack’s Camp, where rooms are adorned with Persian and North ...

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Rooms

Luxurious twin safari tent interior at Jack's Camp with draped canopy beds, polished wooden floors and traditional African decor

Jack's Camp (Twin)

2•

The 7 Jack's Camp (Twin) tents include 2 extra-length queen-size beds, with an overhead cooling system. The 135 sqm tent holds a lounge area leading to a private plunge pool on a private deck. All tents offer private indoor and outdoor showers, charging points, and 24-hour solar-powered electricity.

From $3,555

Luxury safari tent interior at Jack's Camp with four-poster canopy bed, red decor, oriental rugs and private veranda views

Jack's Camp (Double)

1•

The 2 Jack's Camp (Double) tents each accommodate 2 adults with extra-length king-size beds, with an overhead cooling system. The 135 sqm tent holds a lounge area leading to a private plunge pool on a private deck. All tents offer private indoor and outdoor showers, charging points, and 24-hour solar-powered electricity.

From $3,555

Luxurious safari tent interior at Jack's Camp with red patterned textiles, hardwood floors and savanna views

Jack's Private Camp

3•

Jack’s Private Camp has two bedrooms, each with their own en-suite bathroom, private veranda and day bed. One room will have an extra length king size bed and the other, two extra length king size beds, with over bed cooling systems and mosquito nets.

From $10,665

Luxury safari tent interior at Jack's Camp with twin beds, red patterned walls, wooden furniture and traditional African decor

Luxurious safari tent interior at Jack's Camp with vintage yellow sofa, patterned textiles, and twin beds beneath ornate red canvas ceiling

Luxury safari tent interior at Jack's Camp showing outdoor shower with red towels and natural wood accents

Luxury safari tent deck with private plunge pool overlooking Makgadikgadi Pan grasslands at sunset, Jack's Camp Botswana

Jack's Camp (Twin)

2•

From $3,555

Luxury safari tent interior at Jack's Camp featuring four-poster bed with white drapes, Persian rugs, and vintage colonial furnishings

Luxurious safari tent interior at Jack's Camp with red textured walls, vintage furniture, and colorful lounge area featuring traditional African decor

Luxury safari tent at Jack's Camp with private deck overlooking Botswana savanna during dramatic sunset

Jack's Camp (Double)

1•

From $3,555

Jack's Private Camp

3•

From $10,665

Facilities

The below facilities are available at this stay:

Outdoor Pool

Best time to go to Jack's Camp

Best
Good
Acceptable

January
From $3,555
February
From $2,305
March
From $2,305
April
From $3,055
May
From $3,205
June
From $3,755
July
From $4,055
August
From $4,055
September
From $3,755
October
From $2,995
November
From $2,855
December
From $3,555

January

From $3,555

February

From $2,305

March

From $2,305

April

From $3,055

May

From $3,205

June

From $3,755

July

From $4,055

August

From $4,055

September

From $3,755

October

From $2,995

November

From $2,855

December

From $3,555

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What our travellers are saying

All Reviews

With super short notice, they organised a trip that was just perfect. Loved everything about it! Will definitely recommend Viatu to all my friends!

Margherita

Verified Traveller

Our Viatu experience was just amazing, starting with the first discussions and the planning of our trip to Namibia. The Viatu team did a great job planning the trip according to our wishes and preferences.

Stefano

Verified Traveller

We booked our 3.5-week honeymoon with Viatu, and it was simply wonderful! We had the most amazing time in South Africa and will book holidays with Viatu again!

Linda

Verified Traveller

I spent one of my most exciting and beautiful holidays with Viatu in Namibia. From unforgettable game drives, lodges with stunning locations, delicious food and an adventurous cycling trip through the desert, we got the full package.

Manuel

Verified Traveller

From the first contact to trip preparation and implementation as well as support during the trip, Viatu always acted very professionally. Our wishes and the given financial framework were taken into account. The hotels, the food, the activities - everything was excellent and highly recommended.

Nadja

Verified Traveller

We booked our honeymoon with Viatu. From the first minute on, we had good communication going with our travel agent, and she suggested a very nice itinerary right away. After some little adjustments that were easily done, we were ready to go.

Nora

Verified Traveller

I'm very thankful for my first Viatu experience. The 3-week trip across Namibia combined incredible landscapes and nature, mindblowing eco-friendly lodges and utter peace of mind. The organisation and support of the Viatu team were spot-on - this is the way to impress. Thanks a lot!

Christoph

Verified Traveller

The recommended accommodations were perfect for us and everything was as expected. Even though we booked on very short notice, everything went smoothly and was well managed by Viatu.

Jan

Verified Traveller

We had the most wonderful experience with Viatu and the trip of a lifetime. My sister and I travelled for 3,5 weeks through Namibia and South Africa, and everything was perfectly planned and just amazing.

Valerie

Verified Traveller

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

Verified Traveller

With super short notice, they organised a trip that was just perfect. Loved everything about it! Will definitely recommend Viatu to all my friends!

Margherita

Verified Traveller

Stefano

Verified Traveller

We booked our 3.5-week honeymoon with Viatu, and it was simply wonderful! We had the most amazing time in South Africa and will book holidays with Viatu again!

Linda

Manuel

Nadja

Nora

Christoph

The recommended accommodations were perfect for us and everything was as expected. Even though we booked on very short notice, everything went smoothly and was well managed by Viatu.

Jan

Valerie

Nicole