Botswana Travel Guide
About to go wild in Botswana on a fabulous safari holiday? There's a few things you need to know before you do so look no further than our useful travel guide resources. Here you'll find information on the top game reserves and when best to visit them for wildlife spotting. There's also details on the necessary visa you'll need and tips on everything from currency to WiFi access. If you're still in the process of deciding which tour is right for you, read more about what to expect of our overland camping and lodge-accommodated safaris or read what our travellers think about our tours. We also have a comprehensive guide on where to find Africa's Big 5 and an easy reference guide on more of the continent's wildlife.
Best Places to Visit
Our pick of Botswana's top game reserves and national parks
Best Time to Visit
Time your safari adventure with the seasons for the best chance to spot wildlife
Top Travel Tips
Learn about what vaccinations you'll need, travelling with children and more
About Overland Safaris
What to expect on an overland camping expedition from transport to accommodation
About Lodge Safaris
More about our lodge accommodated safaris in Africa and what to expect
Traveller Visas
Visa requirements for Botswana and information on getting your visa
Safari Wildlife Guide
Where to see Africa's most iconic wildlife and the best time to do so
Spotting Africa's Big 5
Our guide to the best places in Africa to see the famous Big 5
Plan your trip to similar destinations!
Recommended Reading
- Cry of the Kalahari
by Mark and Delia Owens - Place of Reeds
by Caitlin Davies - Botswana Time
by Will Randall
Facts about Botswana
- Botswana is home to the largest elephant population in Africa and the Chobe River supports up to 50,000 in the dry season.
- The Okavango Delta is one of the largest inland deltas in the world, spanning 17,000 square km.
- In the Xoo language of Botswana, spoken by about 4,000 people, there are 112 distinct sounds compared to 40 in English.
Botswana Travel Advice for Canadian Travellers
The safety of our travellers is of prime importance and we closely monitor current travel advice on Botswana. We recommend that you check the latest travel updates from the Canadian Government Advisory when planning your trip.
Flying to Botswana from Canada:
Botswana is roughly a 24-28 hour flight from Canada depending on whether you depart from the east or west coast of the country. For our tours that start or end in Botswana, Maun international airport will be the arrival/departure point though a number of our tours start in Maun and end in Victoria Falls, or vice versa, so you will need to book what's known as an open jaw ticket flying into one city and out of another. From Vancouver most airlines require two transit stops en route to Maun with South African Airways via New York and Johannesburg one of the quickest options. From Toronto the same stops are made but with American Airlines operating the route instead. Both airlines also serve the route from Canada to Victoria Falls, ideal for open jaw tickets to coincide with our tours.
Useful Online Resources:
The official Botswana Tourist Organisation site and the latest Botswana Weather Updates from the BBC.