Trip readiness checklist for Botswana
Botswana does safari the quiet way: low numbers, high prices, and a government that would rather you came once and properly. Here's the trip-readiness checklist for Botswana: what to pack, when to go, entry rules for your passport, and the official sources to confirm before you fly.
Build my checklistWhat to pack
Botswana is the Okavango Delta, elephants in ridiculous numbers, and safari done quietly and well. Pack light, neutral layers — bush planes have strict soft-bag weight limits, and they mean them.
A soft duffel under the weight limit
Delta camps are reached by small planes with limits around 15–20kg in soft bags only. Hard shells get left behind.
Neutral safari layers
Warm for dawn drives (winter mornings are cold), stripping to light layers by noon.
Serious sun and insect protection
High-SPF plus repellent; malaria precautions apply in the north — talk to a travel doctor.
Binoculars
The guides have eyes like hawks; you'll want your own glass for everything they point at.
When to go
The dry season (May–Oct) is peak: game concentrates on water, and the Delta's flood peaks mid-year. It's premium safari country — 'crowded' here means another vehicle at the sighting. Green season (Nov–Apr) is lush, cheaper, and full of baby animals.
Money & getting around
Botswana uses the pula (BWP) — the word means 'rain', which tells you what matters here. Cards work in towns and lodges; carry cash for markets and park fees. Most safari costs are prepaid; tipping guides (~USD 10/day) and camp staff is customary and appreciated.
Local quirks worth knowing
Botswana does safari the quiet way: low numbers, high prices, and a government that would rather you came once and properly.
High value, low volume
Lodges are few and booked far ahead; there is no cheap season in the Delta. The mid-range option is a mobile camping safari.
Pula means rain, and money
The currency is named after rain, which tells you what matters. Lodges take cards; villages and craft stalls take pula.
Greet before business
A dumela and a question about the person's day precede any transaction. Skipping it is the mark of a tourist in a hurry.
Stay in the vehicle
Guides mean it. Animals ignore a car and notice a person. Standing up in an open vehicle counts.
Light aircraft, light bags
Delta camps are reached by small planes with a strict soft-bag weight limit, often 20 kg. Hard suitcases stay in Maun.
A week in Botswana, the list starts here
Quantities scale with your dates, the weather groups arrive once we have your travel days, and your own plans add their gear on Trip Pass.
- Passport & travel documents1
- Phone charger & adapter1
- Wallet, cards & some local cash1
- Toiletries bag1
- Any daily medicationsenough for the trip
- Underwear7
- Socks7
- T-shirts / tops5
What am I forgetting?
A real answer from Trip Happens for a sample week in Botswana, departing in five weeks with a checked bag and nothing packed yet. Yours is built from your own trip.
Maun in late October. Five weeks out, nothing packed yet.
- 1.
A soft bag, not a suitcase
You've got a checked bag booked, but light aircraft into the Delta enforce soft-sided luggage and strict weight limits. Confirm the exact allowance with your safari operator now, while there's still time to borrow a duffel.
- 2.
A malaria conversation
Northern Botswana is a malaria area and any prophylaxis usually needs starting before you fly. Book the travel clinic this week rather than the week of departure, and check your own medication needs while you're at it.
- 3.
Pula in small notes
Most of your safari is prepaid, but tipping guides and camp staff is customary and cash-only, as are markets and park fees. Sort currency before you land in Maun instead of hoping for an ATM.
Entry, advisories & health
These change. Confirm at the official source before you book.
Entry and visa requirements depend on your nationality. Confirm the current rules for Botswana with the official source below before you book.
U.S. State Department travel advisory for Botswana — check the current level and any alerts before you go.
CDC traveler health page for Botswana — recommended vaccines, health notices, and a packing checklist.
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