Botswana is Africa's premier safari destination, home to the stunning Okavango Delta and massive elephant herds in Chobe National Park. This landlocked Southern African nation offers pristine wilderness, diverse wildlife, and a commitment to conservation tourism.
Local currency: Botswana Pula (BWP).
Daily budget by traveller style
Typical per-person daily spend in Botswana.
Cost breakdown
Typical price ranges across major spending categories.
Accommodation
- Hostel
- $15-25 (camping at Audi Camp, Island Safari Lodge dorm)
- Budget
- $40-70 (guesthouses like 53A B&B, Khama Rhino Rest Camp)
- Midrange
- $100-220 (Chobe Safari Lodge, Thamalakane River Lodge)
- Luxury
- $500-2500+ (Mombo Camp, Belmond Eagle Island Lodge, Chobe Game Lodge)
Food
- Street
- $1-4 (fat cakes, vetkoek, samosas from market vendors)
- Local
- $6-12 (traditional Tswana meal, Indian curry, pub food)
- Midrange
- $18-35 (Basilico, Bull & Bush, Ocean Basket)
- Fine
- $45-80+ (Beef Baron, Caravela, Rodizio)
Transport
- Bus
- $1-2 (combi minibus within city)
- Taxi
- $10-25 (city taxi or Uber/Bolt across Gaborone)
- Airport
- $20-30 (taxi from Gaborone airport to city center)
- Daytrip
- $40-80 (rental car per day for day trip from Gaborone)
Activities
- Museum
- $3-5 (National Museum free, Nhabe Museum $3, Khama III Museum $4)
- Sites
- $5-20 (Tsodilo Hills $5, Gaborone Game Reserve $3, Mokolodi $8)
- Tour
- $25-80 (guided walking safari, Chobe river cruise, cultural tour)
- Excursion
- $80-200 (scenic flight over delta, multi-hour safari activities)
Trip budgets by length
What a typical trip to Botswana costs end-to-end.
Budget traveller
$280-420/week (camping, self-cooking, public transport, limited safari activities)
Midrange traveller
$1050-1750/week (mid-range lodges, restaurants, rental car, guided activities)
Luxury traveller
$5600-17500+/week (all-inclusive luxury lodge packages with flights between camps)
Money-saving tips
Practical ways to stretch your budget further.
Visit during green/wet season (November-April) for significantly reduced safari lodge rates — often 40-60% lower than peak season
Travel as a group to split 4x4 vehicle rental costs — a group of four sharing a rented 4WD can make self-drive safaris very affordable
Cook your own food at lodges with kitchen facilities — supermarkets (Pick n Pay, Spar) have good provisions at South African prices
Book flights to Maun well in advance; Air Botswana and South African Airlink run Gaborone-Maun routes that fill quickly in peak season
National park fees are charged per person per day — plan your activities to maximize time inside parks rather than multiple short visits
Free things to do
Memorable experiences that cost nothing.
National Museum of Botswana
Botswana's premier museum covering natural history, cultural heritage, and contemporary art on Independence Avenue in Gaborone. Free entry makes this one of the best value experiences in the capital.
Gaborone Main Mall Walking Tour
Self-guided walk through Gaborone's pedestrianized city center visiting the Three Chiefs monument, Parliament buildings, street vendors, and absorbing daily Botswana life at no cost.
Kgale Hill Sunrise Hike
Free access to the popular Kgale Hill trail on Gaborone's outskirts offering panoramic city views, rock hyraxes, and excellent birdwatching at the granite summit.
Gaborone Dam Birdwatching
The shores of Gaborone Dam attract over 200 bird species. Free to walk the shoreline paths, particularly productive at dawn and dusk for herons, kingfishers, and raptors.
Maun Riverside Walks
Walk along the Thamalakane River in Maun at sunrise or sunset watching for wading birds, monitor lizards, and occasional hippos from the relative safety of the riverbank path.