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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Luxury white canvas tents with wooden decks overlooking Makgadikgadi salt pans at San Camp during sunset

Botswana

San Camp

From $2,455 /person

An oasis camp set amongst the shimmering white Makgadikgadi Salt Pans

Immerse yourself in the Makgadikgadi scenery at the solar-run San Camp, where stylish tents offer 360-degree views of the shimmering white salt pans. By staying at San Camp, you directly support various Natural Selection initiatives centred on conservation and community upliftment. Take in the tranquillity of the stark wild from the yoga pavilion, go along on a bush walk with the Zu/’hoasi San people or flash over the salt earth on a quad bike spotting unique wildlife. Next, have a three-course meal at the mess tent and wind down at the tea tent with something sweet in hand. The starry night sky is a wonder to behold after watching the sunset as you lie out on the pan.

Immerse yourself in the Makgadikgadi scenery at the solar-run San Camp, where stylish tents offer ...

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Rooms

Elegant twin four-poster beds with ornate bedding in luxury safari tent at San Camp, featuring traditional canvas walls and rustic decor

San Camp (Twin)

2•

Each of the San Camp (Twin) tents include 2 four-poster three-quarter beds and en-suite bathrooms with solar-heated showers. A stay here will spoil you with an elegantly adorned room, complimentary laundry service and views of the stunning salt pans from your veranda with its outside seating area.

From $2,455

Luxury safari tent interior at San Camp with four-poster bed, traditional decor and desert views through canvas windows

San Camp (Double)

1•

The San Camp (Double) tents include either a king-sized or queen-sized four-poster bed and en-suite bathrooms with solar-powered showers. Spoil yourself at this stay with an elegantly adorned room, complimentary laundry service and views of the stunning salt pans from your veranda with its outside seating area.

From $2,455

Luxury safari tent at San Camp with wooden deck overlooking golden grasslands and palm trees at sunset

San Camp Family Tent

3•

The San Camp Family Tent can accommodate a maximum of 2 adults with children of all ages welcome. Indulge in an elegantly adorned room, en-suite bathrooms with solar-powered showers, complimentary laundry service and views of the stunning salt pans from your veranda with its outside seating area.

From $2,455

Spacious safari tent interior at San Camp with twin beds, vintage furniture, oriental rugs and savanna views through canvas walls

San Camp (Twin)

2•

From $2,455

Luxury safari tent interior at San Camp with four-poster bed overlooking Makgadikgadi salt pans through canvas openings

San Camp (Double)

1•

From $2,455

Luxury safari tent interior at San Camp showing wooden furniture and deck overlooking Makgadikgadi grasslands at sunset

Relaxing on wooden deck overlooking vast Makgadikgadi salt pans at San Camp luxury safari tent

San Camp Family Tent

3•

From $2,455

Facilities

The below facilities are available at this stay:

Wi-Fi
Bar / Lounge
Laundry service
Outdoor Pool

Best time to go to San Camp

Best
Good
Acceptable

January
From $3,413
February
From $3,413
March
From $3,413
April
From $2,220
May
From $2,435
June
From $2,655
July
From $2,870
August
From $2,870
September
From $2,655
October
From $2,255
November
From $3,413
December
From $3,413

January

From $3,413

February

From $3,413

March

From $3,413

April

From $2,220

May

From $2,435

June

From $2,655

July

From $2,870

August

From $2,870

September

From $2,655

October

From $2,255

November

From $3,413

December

From $3,413

Our top picks

Trips we think you'll love whilst staying at San Camp

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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