Okavango Delta
UNESCO World Heritage Site (2014) — the world's largest inland delta, 15,000 km² of wetlands where the Okavango River ends in the Kalahari rather than reaching the sea. The paradox season: floodwaters from Angolan rains peak in June–August, making Botswana's dry winter months the wildlife spectacle. Mokoro canoe safaris, luxury fly-in camps (Mombo, Vumbura, Duba Plains), Big 5 game plus African wild dogs, and Maun as the MUB gateway town.
Tours & Experiences
Browse bookable tours, activities, and day trips in Okavango Delta
📍 Points of Interest
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At a Glance
- Pop.
- No permanent residents (Maun 60K)
- Timezone
- Gaborone
The Okavango Delta is the world's largest inland delta — a 15,000 km² oasis of crystal channels, papyrus-fringed lagoons, and palm-studded islands fanning into the Kalahari Desert of northern Botswana
UNESCO inscribed the Okavango Delta as a World Heritage Site in 2014 — the 1,000th site on the list — recognising its unparalleled biodiversity and its rare status as a wetland that never reaches the sea
The delta's floodwaters originate 1,200 km away in the Angolan highlands — summer rains travel for months down the Okavango River to reach the Kalahari in the dry winter, a counter-intuitive miracle that fills the delta when the land around it is parched
Home to Africa's Big 5 — elephant, lion, leopard, buffalo, and rhino — plus the continent's largest population of endangered African wild dogs and over 480 bird species including the elusive Pel's fishing owl
The mokoro — a traditional dugout canoe poled by a standing guide through shallow channels — has been used by the Bayei people for centuries and remains the most intimate way to experience the delta's waterways
Botswana adopted a high-cost, low-volume tourism model in the 1990s — the delta's ~90 camps admit limited guests at premium rates, keeping the wilderness largely untrafficked; luxury fly-in camps can run $1,000–3,000+ per person per night all-inclusive
Top Sights
Mokoro Safari Through the Channels
🌿The signature Okavango experience — gliding silently through papyrus-lined channels in a dugout canoe poled by an experienced guide. Frogs cling to reeds at eye level, elephants wade through the shallows, and the only sounds are the water lapping the hull and the soft push of the pole. Morning and late-afternoon trips of 2–3 hours are standard at every camp.
Moremi Game Reserve
🌿The only officially protected reserve within the delta itself, covering roughly one-third of its eastern portion. Moremi combines classic dry-land game drives with water-based safaris — rare in Africa. Expect lion, leopard, cheetah, elephant herds in the hundreds, buffalo, and one of the continent's richest concentrations of African wild dog packs.
Chief's Island
🌿The largest island in the delta (1,000 km²) at the core of Moremi. Once a royal hunting ground, now a predator hotspot where Mombo and Chitabe camps operate. Sightings of lion prides, leopards in sausage trees, and massive breeding herds of elephants are near-daily. The ground here stays dry year-round, supporting high densities of big game.
Luxury Fly-In Safari Camps
📌Camps such as Mombo, Vumbura Plains, Duba Plains, Chitabe, and Little Tubu are accessed by bush plane from Maun and offer exclusive concessions, expert guides, and all-inclusive rates covering meals, drinks, game drives, and mokoro excursions. The experience is the definition of premium safari — tented suites with plunge pools, boma dinners under the stars, and 5 am game drives.
Wild Dog Tracking in NG32
🌿The Okavango holds one of the largest remaining populations of endangered African wild dogs on Earth — roughly 10% of the global total. Concessions like NG32 (Kwara), NG26 (Vumbura), and Linyanti are the prime tracking grounds. Morning pursuits behind a hunting pack are among the most exhilarating experiences in African safari.
Bush Walk with an Armed Guide
📌On foot, the delta changes completely — dung becomes data, trampled grass a clue, a snapped branch a warning. Most camps offer armed walks led by professional guides at first light. Tracking elephant footprints through the bush, stopping to smell wild sage, or watching a herd of buffalo from behind a termite mound at walking pace is the safari experience pared down to its essence.
Helicopter Flight Over the Delta
📌Scenic helicopter flights from Maun reveal what ground-level safari cannot — the delta's entire spiderweb of channels, islands, and winding waterways. Flights of 30–60 minutes circle over elephant herds crossing channels, buffalo pods in the shallows, and the sheer geometric brilliance of the Okavango drainage from 300 metres up.
Off the Beaten Path
Budget Mokoro Trip from Maun
Not every Okavango experience costs four figures. The Old Bridge Backpackers and similar Maun operators run 2–3 day community mokoro trails launching from the buffalo fence at the delta's edge — you camp on islands, pole through channels with Bayei polers, and see genuine wildlife for roughly $150–300 per person per night all-inclusive. The same water, the same birdsong, without the helicopter transfers.
Most delta trips skip the traveller who cannot or will not pay $1,500 a night. These community trails directly employ local polers and support the Okavango Poler's Trust — one of the few ways to experience the delta that actually channels money back to the villages on its edge.
The Maun Cultural Village & Nhabe Museum
A small, rarely visited museum in central Maun displaying Ngamiland history, Bayei and HaMbukushu culture, and the ecology of the delta. A useful half-day stop before flying in — puts the landscape and its people in context before you arrive at camp. Entry around BWP 20.
Virtually every delta visitor flies in and out of Maun without stepping into a single cultural institution. The Nhabe Museum gives language, history, and craft context that transforms the safari — you begin to hear Setswana-Kalanga-Yeyi distinctions that guides mention only in passing.
Night Drives in the Private Concessions
Game drives after dark are prohibited inside Moremi Game Reserve (a national park) but permitted on the private concessions that surround it — Chitabe, Vumbura, Kwara, Duba. The spotlight reveals a completely different cast: leopard on the hunt, pangolin foraging, aardvark, bushbabies in the canopy, and predator-on-prey interactions invisible by day.
Night drives are one of the single biggest reasons to choose a private concession over Moremi self-drive. Some of the most extraordinary wildlife in the delta only moves after the sun sets.
Old Bridge Backpackers Sundowners, Maun
The legendary Maun meeting spot for bush pilots, overlanders, guides, and researchers at the end of a day in the delta. Cold beers on the deck overlooking the Thamalakane River, grilled chicken off the braai, and campfire conversations with people who have just come off a Vumbura shift. No pretension; everyone is covered in dust.
The delta's stories are told here every evening — guides decompressing, pilots between charters, researchers on break from elephant collaring. It is the unguarded version of the industry that the glossy brochures never show.
Khwai Community Concession
A self-administered community concession on Moremi's eastern boundary where traveller-friendly lodges and campsites (Khwai Private Reserve, Sango Safari Camp, Khwai Tented Camp) offer high-density game viewing at half the luxury-concession price. Self-drivers can camp here with permits. Lion, elephant, and wild dog are resident.
Khwai is the insider's secret of the Okavango — the wildlife density matches Moremi, community-owned lodges reinvest in the village, and multi-day itineraries here come in at $400–800 per person per night rather than $2,000+. The compromise versus big-brand camps is small; the savings are huge.
Insider Tips
Climate & Best Time to Go
Monthly climate & crowd levels
The Okavango's weather is paradoxical: the delta is driest on land when the floodwaters are highest. Angolan summer rains (January–March) take months to travel down the Okavango River, arriving in Botswana between May and August — the southern African dry winter. This means water levels peak while local rainfall is near zero. The classic safari season of May–October is both the driest and the flood-richest time to visit.
Dry & Flood Season (Peak Safari)
May - October41-86°F
5-30°C
The prime time to visit. Clear blue skies, zero rain, cool nights, and warm days. The floodwaters from Angola peak between June and August, filling channels and concentrating wildlife at permanent water. June–August mornings and evenings are cold — bring warm layers. September–October heats up dramatically but game viewing is at its absolute peak.
Transition (Hot Pre-Rains)
October - November68-104°F
20-40°C
The flood recedes and the heat builds to scorching levels. Midday temperatures regularly hit 38–40°C, dust is high, and wildlife gathers at shrinking waterholes — making game viewing spectacular if you can tolerate the heat. Massive thunderheads build in late November announcing the wet season.
Green Season (Wet)
December - March64-95°F
18-35°C
Afternoon thunderstorms, emerald grass, newborn impala and wildebeest calves, and millions of migratory birds. Roads in Moremi can become impassable in places, but the landscape is lush and the skies dramatic. Lower rates, fewer tourists, and the delta's most photogenic light. Many remote camps close for refurbishment in January–February.
Shoulder (Early Dry)
April59-90°F
15-32°C
The wet season ends, skies clear, and the landscape is still green while the floodwaters begin arriving from the north. Excellent photography light, lower rates than peak, and a noticeable drop in humidity. One of the best-value months of the year to visit.
Best Time to Visit
May through October is peak safari season — the paradoxical period when local rain has ended but the Angolan floodwaters fill the delta, concentrating wildlife at permanent water. July and August are the driest, coldest, and most wildlife-rich months. September and October are hotter but offer the best dry-season game viewing of the year. Avoid January and February — many camps close, roads flood, and humidity is intense.
Peak Safari — Dry & Flood (May - September)
Crowds: Highest of the year; luxury camps fully bookedThe prime season. Cool mornings (5-10°C in June-July), warm sunny days (25-30°C), zero rain, and peak floodwaters arriving from the Angolan highlands. Wildlife concentrates at permanent water; mokoro trips are at their best; game drives are the most productive of the year. Book 6-12 months in advance.
Pros
- + Best wildlife viewing
- + No rain, clear skies
- + Mokoro channels fully flooded
- + Cool comfortable days
- + No malaria risk peak
Cons
- − Peak-season rates (20-40% higher)
- − Cold mornings in June-July
- − Camps fully booked far in advance
Hot Dry (October - early November)
Crowds: High but dropping as heat buildsThe heat builds dramatically — midday temperatures hit 38-40°C. Water sources shrink and wildlife concentrates into dense clusters at remaining waterholes, making game viewing exceptional. Less rain than the full wet season, but humidity rises. A trade-off of discomfort for density.
Pros
- + Incredible wildlife concentrations
- + Dramatic sunsets
- + Slightly lower rates than peak
- + Clear nights for stargazing
Cons
- − Dangerously hot at midday (38-40°C)
- − Dust is heavy
- − Some mokoro channels drying
Green Season — Wet (December - March)
Crowds: Low; some camps closedThe rains arrive from the Indian Ocean. Afternoon thunderstorms, vivid green landscape, newborn impala and wildebeest, and millions of migratory birds. Some camps close for refurbishment. Roads in Moremi may be impassable. Lower rates and the delta's most photogenic light.
Pros
- + Lowest rates of the year (30-50% discount)
- + Lush green landscape
- + Newborn wildlife
- + Migratory birdlife peaks
- + Dramatic storm skies
Cons
- − Afternoon thunderstorms disrupt activities
- − Some roads impassable
- − Malaria risk elevated
- − Some camps closed Jan-Feb
Shoulder (April)
Crowds: ModerateThe rains end and the landscape is still green while the floodwaters start trickling in from the north. Clear skies return, humidity drops, and rates are significantly below peak season. One of the best-value months of the year for a delta visit.
Pros
- + Green landscape with clear skies
- + Lower rates than peak
- + Fewer crowds
- + Excellent photography light
Cons
- − Floodwaters not yet at peak
- − Mokoro channels limited in some areas
- − Occasional late shower
🎉 Festivals & Events
Botswana President's Day
July (3rd week)A 4-day national holiday including the Monday and Tuesday of the week. Maun and Gaborone see celebrations, parades, and cultural performances. Some businesses close; camps operate normally.
Maun Festival
AprilAnnual music and cultural festival in Maun drawing performers from across Botswana and southern Africa. A rare chance for delta travellers to experience the local music scene.
Kuru Dance Festival
AugustHeld in D'Kar in the Kalahari (west of Maun) — an extraordinary gathering of San traditional dancers, musicians, and storytellers celebrating indigenous culture. One of the most authentic cultural events in southern Africa.
Botswana Independence Day
September 30National holiday commemorating independence from Britain in 1966. Public celebrations in Gaborone; minimal disruption to delta operations.
Safety Breakdown
Very Safe
out of 100
Botswana is one of Africa's most politically stable and low-crime countries, consistently ranking among the safest on the continent for travellers. The Okavango Delta itself is a wilderness reserve with essentially zero crime — the risks here are ecological. Hippos, elephants, lions, crocodiles, buffalo, and malaria are the things to respect. Fly-in camps have excellent medical evacuation protocols; self-drivers through Moremi must be completely self-sufficient.
Things to Know
- •Never approach a hippo or stand between one and water — hippos kill more people in Africa than any other large mammal; always listen to your mokoro poler
- •Stay zipped inside your tent at night — predators patrol through camps after dark and the canvas boundary is respected by wildlife only when closed
- •Take malaria prophylaxis — the Okavango is a moderate-to-high risk malaria zone year-round, especially November–April; consult a travel doctor 4–6 weeks before travel
- •Never swim, wash, or dangle feet in delta water — crocodiles are present in all channels including apparently small ones; bilharzia (schistosomiasis) parasites are also present
- •Buffalo, not lion, cause most guide injuries — keep vehicle distance and stay in vehicle until your guide says it is safe to dismount
- •Self-drivers in Moremi must carry spare tyres (2), recovery gear, extra fuel, food/water for 3+ days, and a satellite communicator — mobile coverage is absent across the delta
- •Book emergency evacuation insurance (Global Rescue, SafariCare Flying Doctors, or equivalent) — a medevac flight out of a delta camp runs $20,000–50,000
- •Respect the guide's authority absolutely — experienced Okavango guides read situations more quickly than any self-styled adventurer, and their instructions are what keeps everyone alive
Natural Hazards
Emergency Numbers
Police (Botswana national)
999
Ambulance
997
Fire
998
Medical Rescue International (Maun)
+267 390 1601
Maun Tourism Office
+267 686 0492
Costs & Currency
Where the money goes
USD per dayQuick cost estimate
Customize per category →Estimates based on regional averages. Flight prices vary by season and airline.
budget
$150-300
Community mokoro trail from Maun, tented camping on delta islands, self-drive 4x4 with Moremi park fees; Maun backpacker accommodation between trips
mid-range
$400-900
Mid-range lodge in Khwai community concession or Maun river lodges, combined with short fly-in experiences; includes meals and game activities
luxury
$1,500-3,500+
Premium all-inclusive fly-in camps (Mombo, Vumbura, Duba Plains, Chitabe) — includes tented suites, all meals and drinks, twice-daily game activities, and inter-camp flights
Typical Costs
| Item | Local | USD |
|---|---|---|
| AccommodationMaun backpacker (Old Bridge Backpackers) | BWP 250-450 | $19-33 |
| AccommodationCommunity mokoro trail (all-inclusive) | BWP 2,000-4,000/night | $150-300 |
| AccommodationKhwai community lodge (all-inclusive) | BWP 5,500-11,000 | $400-800 |
| AccommodationLuxury fly-in camp (all-inclusive) | BWP 14,000-40,000+ | $1,000-3,000+ |
| AttractionsMoremi NP entry (foreign, per person/day) | BWP 120 | $9 |
| AttractionsMoremi vehicle fee (per day) | BWP 50 | $3.75 |
| AttractionsHelicopter scenic flight (30 min) | BWP 4,000-6,000 | $300-450 |
| AttractionsHelicopter scenic flight (60 min) | BWP 7,500-9,500 | $560-710 |
| TransportMaun-camp light aircraft transfer (per leg) | BWP 5,500-9,500 | $400-700 |
| Transport4x4 rental from Maun (per day) | BWP 1,200-2,500 | $90-185 |
| FoodMeal at Maun restaurant | BWP 80-200 | $6-15 |
| FoodSupermarket beer (500 ml) | BWP 15-25 | $1.10-1.85 |
💡 Money-Saving Tips
- •Book a community mokoro trail out of Maun instead of a fly-in camp — the same delta, a fraction of the price, and directly supports the Okavango Poler's Trust
- •Self-drive Moremi and Khwai in a 4x4 with rooftop tent — Maun rental companies (Bushlore, Drive Botswana) specialise in fully equipped vehicles; expect ~$180/day for a 2-person outfit including camping gear
- •Stay at Khwai community concession instead of luxury concessions — similar wildlife densities at roughly half the nightly rate
- •Travel in shoulder season (April or November) — fly-in camp rates drop 20-40% and wildlife viewing is still excellent
- •Combine Okavango with Chobe or Kasane via overland transfer — scheduled road transfers and regional drives cut the flight costs that dominate delta budgets
- •Book well in advance through a Botswana specialist agent (African Bush Camps, Wilderness Safaris, Ker & Downey offer package rates) — agents often secure better rates than direct booking for multi-camp circuits
- •Accept a shared-vehicle game drive instead of private — the per-guest vehicle fee is the main driver of luxury-camp pricing; shared drives are the norm at mid-range properties
- •Pre-book international flights to Maun via Johannesburg on combined tickets — separate bookings add USD 300-500 in fare disadvantage
Botswana Pula
Code: BWP
The Botswana Pula (BWP, also abbreviated P or Pula) trades at approximately BWP 13-14 per USD (as of early 2026). ATMs in Maun dispense BWP; no ATMs exist inside the delta. Most luxury camps price in USD and accept credit cards; many bill in USD directly. Budget Maun-based operators take BWP cash. Withdraw enough BWP in Maun before flying in to cover tips, souvenirs, and incidentals — card connectivity in camps is variable.
Payment Methods
Most delta lodges settle bills by credit card (Visa and Mastercard; Amex accepted at some luxury properties). Tips to staff are almost always in USD cash. Withdraw BWP from Maun ATMs (Standard Chartered, First National Bank, ABSA all present near the airport) for in-town expenses, community tips, and market shopping. A USD cash float of $200-500 per person for a week-long safari is customary for tipping. Camp card readers sometimes fail due to satellite connectivity — always have a backup payment method.
Tipping Guide
USD 15-25 per guest per day for your primary guide; USD 5-10 per guest per day for trackers or junior guides. Paid in USD cash at the end of your stay.
USD 10-20 per guest per day to the communal staff tip box, shared among chefs, housekeeping, and grounds teams. Most camps have a discreetly placed box at reception.
BWP 100-150 (~$7-11) per poler per day for community mokoro trails — significant at local wage levels. Agree with the group before paying.
Tipping not standard for scheduled transfers; for private charters, USD 10-20 is appropriate.
10% of the bill at sit-down restaurants. Rounding up is standard at casual places. Tipping is not customary at takeaways.
BWP 20-50 (~$1.50-3.75) for short transfers; USD 5-10 for longer airport runs or with luggage handling.
How to Get There
✈️ Airports
Maun Airport(MUB)
Gateway town — Maun IS the gateway, 0 km; lodge airstrips 15-60 min flight awayMaun is the delta's gateway. From Maun Airport, onward transfer to a delta lodge is by light aircraft from the same airport (often 15-30 min walk between terminals), arranged by your lodge. Scheduled flights to Maun operate from Johannesburg (Airlink, 1 hr 45 min), Cape Town (Airlink, 2 hr 30 min), Gaborone (Air Botswana, 1 hr), and Windhoek (Airlink, seasonal).
✈️ Search flights to MUBO.R. Tambo International Airport (Johannesburg)(JNB)
Transit hub; 1 hr 45 min onward flight to MaunThe primary international gateway for the delta. Airlink runs 2-3 daily flights from Johannesburg to Maun. International arrivals connect through Johannesburg from most of the world. Direct flights from London (11 hr), New York via connection, and most European capitals terminate at JNB for onward Maun legs.
✈️ Search flights to JNBCape Town International Airport(CPT)
Transit hub; 2 hr 30 min onward flight to MaunAirlink operates direct Cape Town to Maun flights 4-5 times per week. A common combination is to pair delta time with Cape Town before or after — the two make an iconic southern African itinerary.
✈️ Search flights to CPTSir Seretse Khama International Airport (Gaborone)(GBE)
Transit hub; 1 hr onward flight to MaunAir Botswana operates daily flights from Gaborone to Maun. Useful for travellers entering Botswana overland from South Africa who want to fly internally rather than drive the 900+ km to Maun.
✈️ Search flights to GBE🚌 Bus Terminals
Maun Bus Rank (for overland)
Public buses connect Maun with Gaborone (12-14 hr, BWP 250-350), Francistown (5-6 hr, BWP 150-200), and Kasane (6-7 hr, BWP 150-200) via Nata. These are used almost exclusively by locals — delta visitors fly in. Cross-border services via Johannesburg are available with Intercape and Greyhound on longer routings through Francistown.
Getting Around
Within the delta, there are effectively no roads — transport is by light aircraft between lodge airstrips, motorboat or mokoro along the channels, and 4x4 game-drive vehicles on the game paths of each concession. All camp-to-camp transfers are by Cessna 206 or Caravan bush planes operated by Mack Air, Moremi Air, or Wilderness Air. Self-drivers can access Moremi and Khwai by 4x4 only; the deep delta is not accessible by road.
Bush Plane (Light Aircraft)
Typically included in all-inclusive camp rates; ad-hoc charter USD 400-700 per legThe default mode of delta travel. Cessna 206 and Cessna Caravan flights connect Maun with every major lodge airstrip — typical hop is 15–40 minutes. Baggage limit is strict (usually 20 kg per person in soft duffle bags). Views of the delta from 300 metres up are extraordinary in themselves.
Best for: Camp-to-camp transfers, fly-in safari circuits, reaching private concessions
Mokoro (Traditional Dugout Canoe)
Included in camp rates; budget community trips USD 40-80/dayHistoric dugout canoe poled by a standing guide through shallow channels. Modern mokoros are usually fibreglass to protect the sausage tree from over-logging, but they are built to the same shape and poled the same way. Two passengers sit in the bow. The most intimate way to see the delta.
Best for: Channel exploration, birding, quiet wildlife viewing close to water
Motorboat / Tinny
Included in all-inclusive camp ratesSmall aluminium motorboats operate from lodges in the permanent-water northern delta — Jao, Duba Plains, Vumbura. Used to reach channel systems too distant for mokoro and for fishing (tigerfish and catfish) where permitted.
Best for: Permanent-water camps, fishing excursions, reaching remote channels
4x4 Open Game-Drive Vehicle
Included in camp rates; self-drive 4x4 hire from Maun BWP 1,200-2,500/day (~$90-185)Open-sided Toyota Land Cruiser with tiered seating for up to 8 guests. The backbone of dry-land safari across Moremi and every concession. Morning (6 am) and afternoon (3 pm) game drives, plus optional night drives on private concessions.
Best for: Big game viewing, wild dog tracking, dry-land wildlife coverage
Helicopter (Scenic)
USD 300-700 per person for 30-60 minHelicopter Horizons and Helicopter Wildlife run scenic flights from Maun and some lodge airstrips. Doors-off option for photographers. 30-minute to hour-long flights reveal the geometry of the delta in a way no ground experience can.
Best for: Aerial photography, perspective on the delta system, honeymooners
🚶 Walkability
The delta is not walkable — settled areas are only the lodge footprint and the village perimeter of Maun. Bush walks within private concessions must be accompanied by an armed, licensed guide. Public self-guided walking is prohibited in all game reserves including Moremi. Within lodges and camps, short walks between tents are normal; camp staff may escort guests after dark.
Travel Connections
Chobe National Park
Home to the largest elephant population on Earth — estimated 120,000 animals — concentrated along the Chobe River in the dry season. Sunset boat cruises watching elephant herds cross the river and hippo pods surface are legendary. A classic pairing with the Okavango for a two-park Botswana safari.
Makgadikgadi Pans
The largest salt pan system in the world — a vast, silver-white void that stretches to the horizon. In the wet season, flamingos flock in the thousands and zebra migrate across the grasslands. In the dry season, quad-bike across the pans at sunset and sleep out under some of Africa's darkest skies. Home to a habituated meerkat colony.
Victoria Falls (Livingstone/Vic Falls)
One of the Seven Natural Wonders of the World — the Zambezi River plunges 108 metres into a basalt chasm on the Zambia–Zimbabwe border. Pair the delta's tranquil wilderness with the thundering falls, white-water rafting, bungee jumping, and sundowners at the Royal Livingstone terrace.
Central Kalahari Game Reserve
Africa's second-largest protected reserve — 52,800 km² of fossil riverbeds, red Kalahari sand dunes, and the traditional lands of the San people. Famous for black-maned Kalahari lions, cheetah, brown hyena, and the dramatic rains-season migration of springbok and oryx on the Deception Valley plains.
Entry Requirements
Botswana offers visa-free entry of up to 90 days to citizens of most Western and Commonwealth countries. Entry is typically via Maun Airport (from a regional connection) or by land from South Africa, Zimbabwe, or Namibia. Passports must be valid for at least 6 months beyond the intended departure date and have sufficient blank pages for entry stamps. Botswana is efficient and welcoming at entry points; immigration procedures are typically quick.
Entry Requirements by Nationality
| Nationality | Visa Required | Max Stay | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| US Citizens | Visa-free | 90 days | Visa-free entry for tourism. No advance application required. Entry stamp issued on arrival; proof of onward travel and funds may be requested. |
| UK Citizens | Visa-free | 90 days | Visa-free. Standard tourist entry stamp on arrival at Maun or any other port of entry. |
| EU Citizens | Visa-free | 90 days | Most EU nationals enter visa-free. Some newer EU member states may require a visa — verify with the Botswana embassy in your country before travel. |
| Australian Citizens | Visa-free | 90 days | Visa-free entry for 90 days. Passport must be valid 6+ months beyond planned departure and have blank pages. |
| Canadian Citizens | Visa-free | 90 days | Visa-free for tourism. Standard entry stamp issued on arrival. |
| Indian Citizens | Yes | 30 days | Visa required; apply at the Botswana High Commission in New Delhi before travel. eVisa system for Indian nationals has expanded recently — check the Ministry of Immigration website for the latest. |
| Chinese Citizens | Yes | 30 days | Visa required; apply at a Botswana mission before travel. Requires letter of invitation or confirmed lodge bookings. |
Visa-Free Entry
Tips
- •Park entry permits for Moremi must be pre-booked for self-drivers through the Department of Wildlife and National Parks (DWNP) — same-day walk-ins are not guaranteed
- •Carry a printed copy of your camp bookings and return flight itinerary — immigration officers occasionally request proof of onward travel
- •Botswana has a tourism development levy of USD 30 per person per day included in most camp rates — confirm with your operator
- •The Kazungula Bridge between Botswana and Zambia makes Chobe-to-Victoria Falls crossings fast (30 min); the older ferry is no longer the only option
- •Do not bring raw meat or dairy across the Namibia-Botswana border — foot-and-mouth regulations are strictly enforced and infractions result in fines
- •If combining with South Africa, carry the original of any child's birth certificate when travelling with minors — required for entry/exit by both countries
Shopping
Shopping in the delta itself is non-existent — you are in pure wilderness. Maun, the gateway town, offers the only meaningful shopping: a handful of safari outfitters, a craft market, supermarkets, and curio shops. For serious Botswana craft shopping, Gaborone has a more developed retail scene. Buy anything essential (prescription drugs, specific toiletries, photography gear) before arriving in Maun — stock is limited.
Maun Craft Market
open-air marketA small open-air market near the airport selling basketry from the HaMbukushu, Bayei, and San peoples, wooden carvings, beaded jewelry, and textiles. Baskets here are among the finest in southern Africa — tightly woven from palm fibre and coloured with natural dyes from roots and bark.
Known for: HaMbukushu baskets, wooden San craft, ostrich-eggshell jewelry, leather goods
Lodge Curio Shops
lodge boutiqueMost luxury camps (Mombo, Vumbura, Duba Plains) operate small curio shops selling high-end Botswana crafts, safari wear from Courteney, Rogue, and Patagonia, photography books, and branded merchandise. Prices reflect the captive market, but quality and authenticity are guaranteed.
Known for: Safari wear, wildlife photography books, high-end crafts, branded camp merchandise
Maun Supermarkets (Spar, Choppies, Shoprite)
supermarketMaun has standard southern African chain supermarkets stocking groceries, cold drinks, camping supplies, basic pharmacy, and some clothing. Essential for self-drivers preparing for Moremi or Khwai. Prices in BWP with card payment widely accepted.
Known for: Groceries, camping supplies, biltong, beer, basic pharmacy items
🎁 Unique Souvenirs to Look For
- •HaMbukushu baskets — Botswana's most iconic craft; tightly woven palm-fibre baskets with geometric patterns in natural dyes (most collectible between $40-300 depending on size)
- •San bushman prints and craft — etchings, bone tools, and ostrich-eggshell jewelry from the San people of the Kalahari
- •Botswana tanzanite or diamonds — Botswana is one of the world's major diamond producers; certified stones available in Gaborone
- •Safari wear from Courteney Boot Company — classic veldskoen boots and bush clothing, a Botswana institution
- •Kgalagadi wildlife photography books — local publishers produce excellent Okavango and Kalahari photo books
- •Botswana beef biltong — dried cured beef; the quality is outstanding, widely available in Maun supermarkets
- •Wood carvings of elephants and other wildlife — from local Bayei and HaMbukushu artisans at the Maun craft market
Language & Phrases
Setswana is the national language of Botswana and the most widely spoken. English is the official business and government language — all signage, menus, and park materials are in English, and every guide and camp staff member speaks fluent English. Locally in the Okavango, Bayei, Hambukushu, and Kalanga languages are also spoken. A few words of Setswana go a long way — locals respond warmly to any attempt.
| English | Translation | Pronunciation |
|---|---|---|
| Hello (singular) | Dumela | doo-MEH-lah |
| Hello (plural / group) | Dumelang | doo-MEH-lahng |
| How are you? | O tsogile jang? | oh tso-GEE-leh jahng |
| I am well | Ke tsogile sentle | keh tso-GEE-leh SEN-tleh |
| Thank you | Ke a leboga | keh ah leh-BOH-gah |
| Thank you very much | Ke a leboga thata | keh ah leh-BOH-gah TAH-tah |
| Yes | Ee | AY |
| No | Nnyaa | NYAH |
| Please | Tsweetswee | TSWEH-tsweh |
| Excuse me / Sorry | Intshwarele | in-TSWAH-reh-leh |
| Goodbye (to person staying) | Sala sentle | SAH-lah SEN-tleh |
| Goodbye (to person leaving) | Tsamaya sentle | tsah-MAH-yah SEN-tleh |
| Water | Metsi | MEH-tsee |
| Elephant | Tlou | TLOH |
| Lion | Tau | TAH-oo |
| Rain (also the currency, Pula) | Pula | POO-lah |
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