Our Botswana travel tips comprise of actual tips from people who have travelled to Botswana recently and from past travel experiences.

When traveling to Botswana it is very important to be aware of the fact that Botswana is considered a high risk malaria zone. You should always consult with your travel doctor before planning to travel 2 Botswana. During my trip to Botswana, I flew into Maun Airport (considered the ‘gateway’ airport to the Okavango Delta, Moremi and Savite Wildlife Concessions) from Cape Town International Airport for my very first trip to Botswana’s world renowned Okavango Delta. I opted not to take any malaria prophylactics during my exciting holiday, for a couple of reasons detailed below. Travellers visiting Botswana, have the highest chance of contracting malaria just after a rainy summer season. Mosquitoes need water to breed. Having said that, I decided to travel 2 Botswana in the dry season. By travelling at this time of the year, I hoped to lower my risk of being bitten by a female mosquito carrying the virus. My recommendation if you do decide to travel in or just after the rainy reason, is to take malaria prophylactics. Prophylactics may make you feel nauseous or may even cause you to vomit, but I wasn’t about to let a couple of mosquitoes spoil my first visit to Botswana.

Botswana does have quite a large number of mosquitoes, but most are just ordinary mosquitos and not malaria carrying mosquito. Malaria mosquitos are easily identifiable as they almost look like flying zebra. Nevertheless, try to avoid them all and pack your mosquito repellent, try not to leave your tent or mosquito net open and be sure to check that your accommodation has mosquito nets. If you decide not to take prophylactics, I would strongly urge you to check the above. Make sure your deodorant is odourless as the smell of body odour attracts mosquitoes.

Botswana is renowned for not having the best roads to travel on, many of them being dirt roads. If you do plan to drive through Botswana especially if heading out of the bigger towns, then I would advise you to rent a 4x4. There are potholes the size of landmine craters in certain areas! Generally the main roads are tarred but there are a lot of gravel and dirt roads, so drive cautiously.

Air Botswana has a daily commercial flight departing from Johannesburg to Maun. When flying from Oliver Tambo International Airport (previously known as Johannesburg International Airport )you MAY be forced to fly via Gaborone airport onto Maun, where your light aircraft pilot will meet you and assist you onto your charter flight. Please note that 99% of all safari lodges or private camps in the Okavango Delta can ONLY BE ACCESSED by AIR. Most travellers who planned to travel to the delta had a shocking surprise when they wanted to travel to the delta and couldn’t afford the extra charter flight. Be prepared for the extra expense as accommodation in the Okavango Delta is very exclusive due to the remoteness and exclusivity of the regions. Botswana favours a high income, low impact policy and is often regarded as the most expensive safari destination in Africa.

Botswana is regarded as “the land of contrast”. When you travel to this majestical wildlife-rich country… you will see why. Botswana’s landscape ranges from the swamp lands of the Okavango delta to the deserts of the Kalahari Desert. The Savuti plains are also a very popular destination, renowned for it’s awesome predatory cat and dog sightings. Chobe National Park is also popular with visitors, offering both land and water based activities. Most of the other destinations in Botswana are easily accessible with the exception of the Okavango delta. My tips are that if you can afford to fly - do it! Travelling through Botswana by car or overland truck with a group of independent travellers can be great fun, but the heat can easily kill the chirpy enthusiasm in most travelers, with many hours spent in the vehicle, enduring the unrentless heat. Driving through Botswana is one of the best ways to see the spectacular beauty it offers but takes time and can leave one tired. Botswana is a vast country and the landscape can be rugged thus if you are travelling by car, prepare yourself for the journey but carry extra fuel, extra water and a satellite phone if possible. I you think it is going to be like a quick drive along the scenic Garden Route you are in for a surprise.

The best African travel to keep in mind when booking your travels, is to remember that this is Africa (TIS) and things happen at their own time. If you are in a rush, don’t be shocked if a herd of cattle block your way or an elephant walks out into the road in front of you…Enjoy the image infront of you, be patient and don’t hoot! Its Africa remember…