botswana

Prices and Cost of Living in Botswana

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Travel Budget Calculator

Calculate how much money you will spend on your vacation in Botswana. Sample budget for each type of traveler - food, transportation, sightseeing and accommodation expenses.

Travel style: 1 Travel style: 3

Food

from 31.98 PLN to 54.08 PLN

Transportation

from 3.87 PLN to 4.42 PLN

Sightseeing

from 10.57 PLN to 21.13 PLN

Accommodation

from 113.76 PLN to 126.40 PLN

Backpacker's budget

Traveling with a backpack

from 160.17 PLN to 206.03 PLN

Average daily expenses were calculated on the basis of the prices of accommodation, food (restaurants and shops), transport (public transport and taxis) and some tourist attractions. Values may vary depending on the city, tourist season, or during major religious and public events. Update 11 May 2025.

How much do you spend per day on travel and sightseeing?

Traveling and sightseeing in a cheap way (hostels, cheap food), you can fit into a budget from 580 BWP (160 PLN) to 746 BWP (206 PLN). On the other hand, a slightly higher standard (3-star hotel, meals in restaurants) you should expect to spend from 1083 BWP (299 PLN) to 1450 BWP (401 PLN). You should additionally take into account that if you are traveling alone, the cost may be slightly higher.

Food Prices - Calculate the Cost of Living

The calculator allows you to quickly and easily calculate how much you will spend on average to buy food at grocery stores in Botswana. Plan your daily, weekly and monthly food expenses.

Select the appropriate number of days to see how much you will spend on food during that period. Values given for one person.

1 day

Cheapest products

Here's how much you will spend in 1 day.

from 15.08 PLN to 26.2 PLN

Mid-range products

Here's how much you will spend in 1 day.

from 18.79 PLN to 33.2 PLN

Average values for capital or largest city. Purchase of food products in local stores and supermarkets corresponding to daily meals of 2,200 to 2,400 kcal was taken into account. Update 11 May 2025.

How much do you have to spend on groceries per day in Botswana?

When shopping for groceries in local stores and markets, the average daily cost of food expenses will range from 54.59 BWP (15.08 PLN) to 94.85 BWP (26.2 PLN) when buying the cheapest products. However, if you choose slightly more expensive products, you can expect to pay from 68.02 BWP (18.79 PLN) to 120 BWP (33.2 PLN) per day. These figures are based on daily meals consisting of approximately 2200-2400 kcal and may vary slightly depending on the city.

Budget and shopping basket update: 11 May 2025

Estimated budget and daily food costs are always given per person and are only a suggestion to help you plan your total travel costs.

Budget was calculated on the basis of average prices of accommodation in each category (hotels and hostels), food costs (restaurants and grocery shopping), transport prices and some tourist attractions.

BACKPACKER'S BUDGET
• accommodation in a hostel or cheap hotel,
• travel by public transport,
• dining in cheap local restaurants or buying food in local stores,
• small number of paid tourist attractions,
• two people travel (when traveling alone, prices may be higher, but only if we use a hotel room instead of a dormitory).

TOURIST'S BUDGET
• accommodation in a 3 star hotel (with a small number of available facilities, average prices of 3* and 4* hotels),
• traveling by taxis,
• catering in middle-class restaurants and buying food in grocery stores,
• average number of paid tourist attractions,
• two people travel (they share costs of accommodation and transport).

FOOD EXPENSES
• daily meals containing 2200 to 2400 kcal (applies to both price variants),
• shopping for food in local stores or supermarkets (no meals in restaurants),
• value per person & for the capital or largest city.

Prices in Botswana

Below you will find a list of prices for products and services in Botswana, which will help you determine what expenses you should prepare for when going on vacation in this country.

Grocery Store Prices

Apples (1kg)6.32 PLN
Banana (1kg)4.76 PLN
Beef Round (1kg) (or Equivalent Back Leg Red Meat)16.33 PLN
Bottle of Wine (Mid-Range)22.10 PLN
Chicken Fillets (1kg)16.33 PLN
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro)13.81 PLN
Domestic Beer (0.5 liter bottle)5.23 PLN
Eggs (regular) (12)7.68 PLN
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)6.02 PLN
Lettuce (1 head)4.04 PLN
Loaf of Fresh White Bread (500g)2.50 PLN
Local Cheese (1kg)18.76 PLN
Milk (regular), (1 liter)4.14 PLN
Onion (1kg)4.42 PLN
Oranges (1kg)7.25 PLN
Potato (1kg)4.84 PLN
Rice (white), (1kg)5.26 PLN
Tomato (1kg)4.80 PLN
Water (1.5 liter bottle)3.33 PLN

Food and beverage prices in Botswana

Popular food products found on store shelves in Botswana include bananas, rice, bread, onions, eggs, tomatoes, cheese, beef and potatoes, among others. Prices for a kilo of these products range from 16 BWP (4.42 PLN) for a kilo of onions to 59.12 BWP (16.33 PLN) for a kilo of beef. The price of white rice is 19.06 BWP (5.26 PLN) per kilo, while a loaf of fresh white bread costs 9.05 BWP (2.5 PLN) per half kilo. Bananas cost 17.22 BWP (4.76 PLN) per kilo, while apples cost 22.89 BWP (6.32 PLN) per kilo.

Water, available in 1.5-liter bottles, costs 12.05 BWP (3.33 PLN). Dairy prices in Botswana, on the other hand, are as follows: 1 liter of milk costs about 14.99 BWP (4.14 PLN), and 1 kilogram of locally produced cheese is an expense of 67.92 BWP (18.76 PLN). Chicken filet, which is a common ingredient in meat dishes, costs in the range of 59.12 BWP (16.33 PLN) per kilo. Eggs (12 pieces per package) are an expense of about 27.81 BWP (7.68 PLN), and the average price of tomatoes is 17.38 BWP (4.8 PLN) per kilo.

Restaurant Prices

Cappuccino (regular)8.10 PLN
Coke/Pepsi (0.33 liter bottle)3.02 PLN
Domestic Beer (0.5 liter draught)5.25 PLN
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)6.08 PLN
McMeal at McDonalds (or Equivalent Combo Meal)21.41 PLN
Meal for 2 People, Mid-range Restaurant, Three-course110 PLN
Meal, Inexpensive Restaurant23.48 PLN
Water (0.33 liter bottle)1.76 PLN

What is the typical cost for an affordable meal?

Prices in restaurants in Botswana vary and depend on several factors, such as the type of restaurant, location and time of day. For instance, a Cappuccino typically costs around 29.33 BWP (8.1 PLN), while a 0.33-liter bottle of Coca-Cola or Pepsi is priced at approximately 10.94 BWP (3.02 PLN). At a fast-food restaurant such as McDonald's, you can expect to pay 77.5 BWP (21.41 PLN) for a meal, whereas a meal for two at a mid-range restaurant could cost around 400 BWP (110 PLN). Budget-friendly dining options are also available, with some restaurants offering meals for as little as 85 BWP (23.48 PLN).

Public Transportation Prices

Monthly Pass (Regular Price)82.87 PLN
One-way Ticket (Local Transport)1.93 PLN
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)11.05 PLN
Taxi 1km (Normal Tariff)8.29 PLN
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)1.93 PLN

How much does transportation cost in Botswana?

The average expense of a one-way trip using local transportation stands at approximately 7 BWP (1.93 PLN), while a monthly ticket for public transportation has an average cost of roughly 300 BWP (82.87 PLN). Choosing to travel by taxi would entail an initial fee of 7 BWP (1.93 PLN), along with a per-kilometer charge of 30 BWP (8.29 PLN).

Fuel Prices

Diesel 1L4.25 PLN
Gasoline 1L4.20 PLN

Fuel prices in Botswana

Average fuel prices in Botswana are 15.2 BWP (4.2 PLN) per liter of gasoline and 15.39 BWP (4.25 PLN) per liter of diesel.

Entertainment Prices

Cinema, International Release, 1 Seat20.72 PLN
Fitness Club, Monthly Fee for 1 Adult108 PLN
Tennis Court Rent (1 Hour on Weekend)23.63 PLN

Apartment Rental Prices

Apartment (1 bedroom) in City Centre791 PLN
Apartment (1 bedroom) Outside of Centre596 PLN
Apartment (3 bedrooms) in City Centre1 795 PLN
Apartment (3 bedrooms) Outside of Centre1 367 PLN

How much does it cost to rent an apartment in Botswana?

The cost of renting or buying an apartment in Botswana varies according to its location. On average, renting an apartment with one bedroom and a living room outside the city center costs approximately 2158 BWP (596 PLN) per month, while the same type of apartment in the city center can cost around 2864 BWP (791 PLN) per month. In comparison, the purchase price of an apartment in the city center is 15547 BWP (4295 PLN) per square meter.

Apartment Buying Prices

Price per Square Meter to Buy Apartment in City Centre4 295 PLN
Price per Square Meter to Buy Apartment Outside of Centre138 114 PLN

Average Salary

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)2 748 PLN

Hotel Prices in Botswana

A comprehensive list of the current prices of accommodations in various cities, ranging from budget-friendly hotels to high-end luxurious stays.

Category
Qty
Average price
Cheapest
4
283 PLN
Tlokweng Home Away From Home
29
304 PLN
Kopong Guest House
7
765 PLN
Tlotlo Hotel and Conference Center
Source: Expedia.com • Update: 15 December 2024 (1 night stay for 2 people on 29 Dec 2024)
Sources and updates

• Prices of products and services in Botswana. Prices may vary from town to town.
• Updates: oldest data 03/2023, latest data 10/2024.
• Prices were calculated based on several sources including Expedia.com, Booking.com, local supermarket websites, own sources, submissions from users. We do not guarantee their accuracy, however, we try, to keep them high.
• If you have noticed an error, please report it.

prices and living costs botswana

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