Travel Essentials › Botswana
Travel Essentials
Plugs: Types D, G and M; 230 V, 50 Hz. Emergency: Police 999, Ambulance 997, Fire 998. Tipping: About 10% in restaurants and a daily tip for safari guides and lodge staff is customary. Tap water: Generally safe to drink in cities.
Types D, G and M; 230 V, 50 Hz
| Police | 999 |
| Ambulance | 997 |
| Fire | 998 |
About 10% in restaurants and a daily tip for safari guides and lodge staff is customary.
Greetings. Shake hands, supporting your right forearm with your left hand as a sign of respect; greet elders first.
Respect and modesty. Dress modestly in rural villages; ask permission before photographing people.
Wildlife etiquette. On safari, follow your guide's instructions on distance and noise around animals at all times.
Botswana has one of the lowest crime rates in the region and is considered one of Africa's safest countries to visit.
Overcharging at markets and informal safaris. Book safaris through licensed operators and agree on prices upfront.
Unlicensed guides. Use registered guides, especially in national parks, for both safety and price transparency.
Women travelers. Generally safe to travel alone with normal precautions.
Legal · Use Caution
Same-sex relations were decriminalized by the courts in 2019 and the anti-sodomy law was formally struck from the Penal Code in 2026; legal protections beyond decriminalization (marriage, anti-discrimination law) are still limited, and rural attitudes can be more conservative than in Gaborone.
| Coffee (café) | P 30 | $2.30 |
| Local bus or metro ride | P 7 (combi minibus) | $0.55 |
| Mid-range restaurant meal | P 150 | $11 |
| Hostel bed / budget room (night) | P 490 | $37 |
| Mid-range hotel (night) | P 970 | $74 |
| Daily budget, mid-range traveler | P 1,300 | $100 |
2026-09
May to October (dry season) is best for wildlife viewing, since animals gather at rivers and waterholes; June-August is coolest.