Botswana
Republic of Botswana
Southern Africa · BWA
Editorial Snapshot
Why Go To Botswana
Botswana is one of Africa's cleanest safari picks for travelers who want wilderness first, low-density camps, and an itinerary that feels quieter and more expensive than the classic mass-market circuit. It works best when you choose one ecosystem or pair naturally linked areas such as the Okavango and Chobe, rather than trying to string the whole country together.
Popular For
Things To See
- Okavango Delta
- Chobe National Park
- Moremi Game Reserve
- Makgadikgadi Pans
- Central Kalahari Game Reserve
Best Months
Know Before You Go
- Botswana is rarely the cheapest safari option, but the quality of wilderness experiences is the reason people pick it.
- Flight connections, camp transfers, and seasonal water levels shape the route more than city logistics do.
- Self-drive and fly-in lodge trips are both viable, but they produce very different budgets and pacing.
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Flights
Hotels & Accommodations
Compare stays across major booking options
Open hotel and accommodation options for Botswana.
Guidebooks
📚Browse Botswana Guidebooks on AmazonTours & Activities
Country Data
Stats At A Glance
Practical travel, safety, climate, and quality-of-life stats for Botswana.
Quick Facts
- Capital
- Gaborone
- Population
- 2,359,609
- Area
- 582,000 km²
- Region
- Southern Africa
Languages
- English
- Tswana
Currency
Botswana pula (P)
BWP
Exchange rate unavailable for USD.
Cost of Living (World Bank)
37.5
Price level index (US = 100)
- Groceries
- 31.7
- Restaurants
- 30.2
- Rent
- 6.6
Safety & Peace
higher score = safer everyday environment · derived from World Bank homicide data
lower score = more peaceful · 1.0–3.5 scale
Monthly Climate Averages
These weather averages are based on data for Gaborone (24.63°S, 25.90°E).
LGBTQ+ Friendly
27/100
Traveler LGBTQ score
- Legal protections
- 20/100
- Lived safety
- 41/100
This score blends legal protections with lived-safety context so strong laws alone do not automatically push a country to the top of the ranking.
- Homosexuality legal✅
- Relationship recognitionNone
- Adoption recognition❌
- Anti-discrimination laws❌
- Employment protections❌
- Legal gender recognition❌
- Conversion therapy ban❌
Human Development Index (UNDP)
0.731
High human development
- 5-year change
- +0.021
- 10-year change
- +0.055
- Trend
- improving
- Data year
- 2023
- Gender Dev. Index (GDI)
- 0.997
- Gender Inequality Index (GII)
- 0.490
- Planetary-adjusted HDI (PHDI)
- 0.698
UNESCO World Heritage Sites (2)
- 🌿
Okavango Delta
Inscribed 2014
- 🏛️
Tsodilo
Inscribed 2001
Natural Beauty (World Bank)
- Protected land area
- 29.1%
- Forest cover
- 26.3%
Source: World Bank.
Wildlife & Birdwatching
- Threatened mammal species (IUCN)
- 11
- Threatened bird species (IUCN)
- 18
Source: World Bank / IUCN Red List. Higher counts indicate richer biodiversity, typically in tropical rainforest, island, and savannah ecosystems.
Food & Cuisine
29/100
Food and dining score
Built from two layers: dining-scene breadth and open prestige signals. We combine restaurant density, cuisine diversity, distinguished restaurants, and gastronomy-city recognitions from open data sources.
Luxury Infrastructure
76/100
Luxury & premium accommodation score
Based on OpenStreetMap luxury hotel density and World Bank international tourism receipts.
US Travel Advisory
There were no changes to the advisory level or risk indicators. Advisory summary was updated. Exercise increased caution in Botswana due to crime. Advisory Summary Crime Petty crime and crimes of opportunity, primarily the theft of money and personal property, are common in Botswana. Potentially violent crimes are also common, including home invasions, break-ins, muggings, and “smash and grabs” from vehicles. If you decide to travel to Botswana: Enroll in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) to get important updates and alerts from the U.S. embassy or consulate. Enrolling helps the U.S. embassy or consulate contact you or your emergency contact in an emergency. Review the Country Security Report for Botswana. Review our information on Crime Abroad and for Victims of Crime. Stay aware of your surroundings. Use caution when walking or driving at night. Do not physically resist any robbery attempt. Be extra vigilant when visiting banks or ATMs. Keep travel documents up to date and easily accessible. Much of Botswana is remote and difficult to reach, even during an emergency. Ensure you have a contingency plan for emergency situations, and use the International Travel Checklist. We highly recommend that you buy travel insurance before you travel. Check with your travel insurance provider about evacuation assistance, medical insurance, and trip cancellation coverage. Bring enough prescription medications to complete your trip. Check with your doctor about required vaccines and shots for high-risk exposure before you travel to Botswana. Review the Health section in the Travel Guidance for Botswana. Visit the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) website for the latest Travel Health Information for Botswana.
Read full advisory →Data current as of June 2026 and subject to change. Travel advisory information is sourced from the U.S. State Department and reflects conditions at the time of data collection, not real-time conditions. Do not rely solely on this information for travel decisions. Always check current government advisories for your nationality. Terms of Use · About our data