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.

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Evening campfire gathering at Mbamba Lodge with safari tents and lantern-lit pathways under twilight sky in Okavango Delta

Botswana

Mbamba

From $2,055 /person

Mbamba offers all-inclusive tented accommodation, located in the northwestern region of Botswana on the NG12 concession, where the Okavango River begins to spread out, creating the world’s largest inland delta. Accommodation comprises 11 solar-powered, stylish, and luxury canvas tents (double/ twin/family units), each with an en-suite bathroom with a shower. Each tent contains a portable standing fan, an overbed cooling system, mosquito nets, and a private verandah. Free Wi-Fi access is available in public areas. All meals are included, as well as daily activities, local drinks, and laundry services. Flights, premium brand beverages, discretionary tips/gratuities, items of a personal nature and personal travel insurance are excluded. The main mess area includes a lounge and a small library with books, games, and a drinks cabinet. Dine under the stars or under canvas. Relax around the swimming pool in the heat of the day and stargaze around the firepit at night.

Mbamba offers all-inclusive tented accommodation, located in the northwestern region of Botswana on the NG12 ...

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Rooms

Luxury safari tent interior at Mbamba with canopy bed, traditional rugs, and colonial-style wooden furniture

Standard Double Tent

1•

Each solar-powered luxury tent is furnished with a double bed and features an en-suite bathroom fitted with a shower, a basin, and a toilet. Each canvas tent contains a portable fan, mosquito nets, an overbed cooling system, and a private verandah.

From $2,055

Luxury safari tent interior with canopy bed, red drapes and wooden floors overlooking African bush at Mbamba Camp

Standard Twin Tent

2•

Each luxury tent is furnished with 2 three-quarter beds and features an en-suite bathroom fitted with a shower. Each canvas unit contains a portable fan, mosquito nets, an overbed cooling system, and a private verandah.

From $2,055

Luxury safari tent interior at Mbamba with canopy bed, traditional African rugs and vintage-style lounge furniture

Standard Family Tent

3•

Each luxury family tent is furnished with a king-size bed and 2 single beds. Each has an en-suite bathroom. Each canvas tent contains a portable fan, mosquito nets, an overbed cooling system, and a private verandah.

From $2,055

Rustic safari tent interior at Mbamba with wooden floors, twin beds and natural light through canvas windows

Standard Double Tent

1•

From $2,055

Luxury safari tent with wooden deck nestled under acacia trees at Mbamba Camp in natural wilderness setting

Luxury safari tent interior at Mbamba with twin beds, traditional rugs, and colonial-style wooden furniture on raised wooden deck

Standard Twin Tent

2•

From $2,055

Luxury safari tent lodge with wooden deck nestled under acacia trees at Mbamba Camp during golden hour

Interior of Mbamba luxury safari tent with wooden floors, three rustic beds and natural lighting through canvas windows

Outdoor safari shower enclosure with bamboo walls and wooden amenity shelf at luxury Mbamba tented camp

Standard Family Tent

3•

From $2,055

Facilities

The below facilities are available at this stay:

Wi-Fi
Bar / Lounge
Laundry service
Library
Outdoor Pool
Restaurant
BBQ / Picnic area

Best time to go to Mbamba

Best
Good
Acceptable

January
From $1,855
February
From $1,085
March
From $1,085
April
From $1,425
May
From $1,685
June
From $1,905
July
From $2,105
August
From $2,105
September
From $1,855
October
From $1,635
November
From $1,385
December
From $1,855

January

From $1,855

February

From $1,085

March

From $1,085

April

From $1,425

May

From $1,685

June

From $1,905

July

From $2,105

August

From $2,105

September

From $1,855

October

From $1,635

November

From $1,385

December

From $1,855

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Have Questions?

Our FAQs about Botswana

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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