botswana

Botswana Travel Guide

Trek Zone
70°F
Friday
70°F
Saturday

Tourist season

Are May and June good months to visit Botswana?

5

May

Semi-high
season

6

June

High
season

Visa Limitations

Visa requirements for citizens of France visiting Botswana for tourism.

Visa not required

A visa is not required.

Daily budget (1 person)

How much will you spend on accommodation, local transport, sightseeing, meals?

Backpacker's budget
from 38 to 49 EUR

Tourist's budget
from 71 to 95 EUR

Did you know?

The surface area of Botswana is 224.7 thous. mi², which puts the country in position number 48 in terms of the area in the world.

How far is it?

1. The site uses the Great Circle method of calculating distances between two points on the Earth
2. To change the cities for comparison, change Your Country in settings

The distance between Gaborone (BW) and Paris (FR) is 5284 miles

To calculate distance between your location and Gaborone click here

Gaborone
Gaborone
Francistown
Maun
Mogoditshane
Molepolole
Paris
Paris
Lyon
Marseille
Nice
Toulouse
5284
mi

Country Comparison

Compare Botswana to any country in the world and see key differences between them side-by-side.

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Time Timezone

00:00

Safety

General travel safety level in Botswana on a scale of 1 (safe) to 4 (unsafe).

1

Level 1 • Exercise normal safety precautions.

Update: 13 Oct 2024

Upcoming holidays

29 May 2025• Ascension Day

1 July 2025• Sir Seretse Khama Day

Currency

Pula (BWP) - rate compared to selected currencies

1 BWP
Rate
Inversion
EUR
0.06567
15.22721
GBP
0.05544
18.03843
USD
0.07442
13.43651
Update: 22 May 2025

Get ready for your next trip

With just a few clicks you can find the best accommodation, airline tickets, or buy insurance that provides comprehensive protection for your next journey.

Cities and Top Tourist Attractions

From historical cities to picturesque landmarks and fascinating places - don't miss out on these attractions when planning a visit to Botswana

Map
Distance matrix
MilesGaboroneFrancistownKazungulaNxai Pan National ParkMakgadikgadi PanPalapyeMaunSerowe
Gaborone-261476327276163360164
Francistown261-2761941789927799
Kazungula476276-158210350192331
Nxai Pan National Park327194158-5222987205
Makgadikgadi Pan27617821052-191104165
Palapye16399350229191-29527
Maun36027719287104295-269
Serowe1649933120516527269-

Best Ways to Experience Botswana

  • Cuisine
  • Animals

Practical Information for Travelers

  • Budget
  • Currency
  • Vaccinations
  • Visa
  • Electricity

Determine the expenses for your travel or vacation budget, as well as the expenditures associated with residing in another country

More

Backpacker's budget

Daily budget for one person, assuming that two people travel in a standard close to 1 star (hostels, public transport). When traveling alone, the cost may be slightly higher (hotel room) or the same (dormitory accommodation).

from 38 to 49 EUR

Tourist's budget

Daily budget for one person, assuming that two people travel (they share the cost of a hotel room, taxis, etc.) to a standard close to 3 stars. Costs for a solo traveler will be higher.

from 71 to 95 EUR

You can find out more about travel costs and prices in Botswana via the Prices link

Currency

More

Pula (BWP)

BWP
  • BWP
  • EUR
  • GBP
  • USD
BWP
  • BWP
  • EUR
  • GBP
  • USD
 = 
Exchange rates provided by Open Exchange Rates. Last update: 22 May 2025
PulaPulaPulaPulaPulaPula

Vaccinations

More

All travelers

You should be up to date on routine vaccinations while traveling to any destination. Some vaccinations may also be required in Botswana.

Routine vaccines

Before each trip, it is worth making sure that we are up to date with the routine vaccinations. These include vaccinations against measles, mumps and rubella, diphtheria, tetanus, whooping cough, chickenpox, polio and flu.
Prevention
  • Get vaccinated
  • Reduce your exposure to germs

Most travelers

Get travel vaccines and medicines because there is a risk of these diseases in the country you are visiting.

Hepatitis A

Hepatitis A is a digestive disease caused by the hepatitis A virus and is closely related to a lack of good hygiene.It can be asymptomatic, moderate, or very severe.
Prevention
  • Get vaccinated
  • Eat and drink safely

Typhoid

Typhoid fever is an acute, systemic infectious disease caused by Salmonella typhi.The source of the infection may include dirty water, raw fruits, vegetables, dairy products, as well as dirt containing bacteria.
Prevention
  • Get vaccinated
  • Eat and drink safely

Some travelers

Vaccinations and medications that may be recommended under certain conditions, depending on where you will be, the length of your stay and the nature of your stay.

Hepatitis B

Hepatitis B is a disease caused by the hepatitis B virus.Infection occurs through contact of injured skin or mucous membranes with virus-infected blood or other secretions (e.g. during sexual contact, through contaminated needles or as a result of medical procedures).
Prevention
  • Get vaccinated
  • Avoid sharing body fluids
  • Avoid non-sterile medical or cosmetic equipment

Malaria

Malaria is a life-threatening parasitic disease transmitted by mosquitoes.
Prevention
  • Take antimalarial meds
  • Prevent bug bites
Estimated relative risk of malaria in Botswana

Niskie

Areas with malaria

Present in the following districts: Central and North West (including Chobe National Park). None in the cities of Francistown and Gaborone

Rabies

Rabies is an acute infectious disease caused by neurotrophic viruses from the rhabdovirus family.The infection is most often caused by biting a sick animal or other contact of its saliva with mucous membranes, conjunctiva or damaged skin.
Prevention
  • Get vaccinated
  • Keep away from animals

Yellow Fever

Yellow fever is an acute viral disease which is transmitted by virus-infected mosquitoes.
Prevention
  • Get vaccinated
  • Prevent bug bites
Vaccination requirements

Required if traveling from or having passed through a country with risk of YFV transmission and ≥1 year of age, including transit in an airport located in a country with risk of YFV transmission.

This section is for informational purposes and does not exhaust all issues related to vaccination. Based on Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

With or without a visa?

Visa requirements for citizens of

France
  • France
  • More

visiting flagBotswana for tourism

Updated on 2 March 2023. Based on Visa requirements for French citizens
Visa not required

A visa is not required.

  • 90 days within any-year period.

Electricity

230V (50 Hz)

In Botswana the standard voltage is 230V and the frequency is 50 Hz. Type D, G sockets are used.

Click on the socket icon to see more information
socket DType D
socket GType G

Facts and Figures

Fundamental socio-economic statistical data pertaining to the country

Population

143 / 231
Ranking
2 351 627
Tswana (or Setswana) 79%, Kalanga 11%, Basarwa 3%, other, including Kgalagadi and white 7%

Area

48 / 230
Ranking
224.7 thous. mi²
It is approximately 107% of the territory of France.

Life expectancy

171 / 196
Ranking
65.2
Life expectancy expressed in years.men 63.2women 67.3

Median age

48 / 157
Ranking
25.7
Average age of population expressed in years.men 24.5women 26.7

Population growth

65 / 172
Ranking
1.43%
The difference between live births and deaths. A negative value means natural loss.

Literacy

67 / 131
Ranking
88.5%
Ability to read, write and count.men 88%women 88.9%

GDP

84 / 194
Ranking
15 453 INT$
GDP per capita is gross domestic product converted to international dollars (Int$) using purchasing power parity rates and divided by total population.
Source: WDI World Bank & CIA World Factbook Country Comparison

Where to next? Discover country icon Zambia, a country in the region worth visiting, or use the destination finder