Botswana2026-02-24T18:39:30+01:00

Botswana

Travel tips for Botswana

Top 5 Experiences

Botswana is a safari paradise, celebrated for its remarkable wildlife density and exclusive, low-impact tourism model. The lush wetlands of the Okavango Delta create a striking contrast to the vast, arid landscapes of the Kalahari Desert. Highlights include:

Okavango Delta

The world’s largest inland delta unfolds as a mesmerizing labyrinth of winding channels, tranquil lagoons, and shimmering floodplains—an oasis that sustains one of Africa’s richest concentrations of wildlife and plant life. This extraordinary Okavango Delta, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is traditionally explored by mokoro, a handcrafted canoe that glides silently through the reeds. Guided walking safaris offer an equally unforgettable perspective.

Chobe National Park

As the country’s first national park, it boasts one of the highest concentrations of wildlife in Africa. Encounters with its vast herds—around 100,000 elephants and countless buffalo—are not a matter of chance, but of time. Alongside the Big Five, visitors can observe zebras, African wild dogs, hyenas, giraffes, wildebeest, various antelope species, and much more. The park is equally rewarding for bird enthusiasts, with its rich and diverse birdlife adding another highlight to the safari experience.

Moremi Reserve

The game reserve, located in northern Botswana, encompasses a rich mosaic of habitats—from arid savannahs to lush swamps—providing a sanctuary for an extraordinary variety of wildlife. Majestic buffalo, elusive hippos, graceful kudus, powerful rhinos, swift cheetahs, regal lions, and countless other African species all call this reserve home.

Makgadikgadi Pans

As one of the largest salt pans on Earth, the Makgadikgadi Pans in northeastern Botswana captivate with their striking landscapes, rare bird species, and roaming herds of antelope, alongside fascinating archaeological traces of some of the region’s earliest human settlements. From the surrounding elevations, visitors are treated to breathtaking panoramic views across the vast, shimmering salt desert.

Kalahari

The largest expanse of this vast semi-desert, which stretches across several countries, lies in Botswana. Its striking red sands create a dramatic play of colors across the landscape. In addition to its unique wildlife, the region is home to the San, the original indigenous people. A visit offers a rare glimpse into their traditional nomadic way of life and enduring cultural heritage.

Tourist infrastructure

For a sparsely populated country of its size, Botswana is remarkably well connected by air. The main international gateway is Sir Seretse Khama International Airport in the capital, Gaborone. Additional international access is available via Maun International Airport—the primary gateway to the Okavango Delta—and Kasane International Airport near Chobe National Park. A network of smaller bush airstrips further enhances accessibility, allowing travelers to reach even the most remote lodges quickly and comfortably.

The road infrastructure is also comparatively well developed. Major highways are paved and generally in good condition, and many secondary roads are graded. In more remote areas and wildlife reserves, however, sandy or gravel tracks are common, making four-wheel-drive vehicles advisable.

Accommodation Options:

With steadily growing visitor numbers, Botswana offers a strong selection of accommodations. Many lodges and camps are intentionally small, exclusive, and set in pristine wilderness—an approach that ensures privacy and authenticity, but is typically reflected in the price level.

Climate and travel season

Botswana has a semi-arid savannah and semi-desert climate with sometimes fluctuating temperatures. From November to March is the rainy season with mostly short but heavy rains and daytime temperatures between 30°C and 35°C. The relatively long dry season runs from April to October, during which daytime temperatures fluctuate between 25°C and 30°C.

The best time to travel is during the dry season from June to October, although occasional, sometimes heavy rain showers are to be expected throughout the year. During the dry months, the animals are bound to the few water sources due to the lack of water and unique animal observations are thus guaranteed.

Visa and entry

Citizens of Germany, Austria and Switzerland do not need a visa in advance to enter Botswana. Upon arrival, travellers receive an entry permit free of charge, which is limited to a maximum of 90 days per calendar year. The passport must be valid for at least 6 months upon departure and contain at least four free pages for endorsements.

Since the regulations can change at any time, all information are non-binding and without guarantee. Please observe the visa regulations and the current information of the Federal Foreign Office / Federal Ministry European and International Affaires / Federal Department of Foreign Affaires at all times.

Impressions from Botswana

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Stories

Our partners for Botswana

Visa, Entry, and Updates

Federal Foreign Office ➝

Federal Ministry European and International Affairs ➝

Federal Department of
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Information of the
Tourism Board ➝

Country information

Current accessibility

  • Information on entry:

    Germans, Austrians and Swiss can enter Botswana via the international airports in Francistown, Gaborone, Kasane and Maun. All border crossings at the national land borders are also open. The Botswana government requires a negative PCR test to be presented upon entry, which must not be older than 72 hours. Another rapid test is carried out upon entry. There are no further quarantine regulations for tourists.

  • Information on return:

    Since March 30, 2021, all travellers, no matter from which country they are coming and which means of transportation they use, must present a negative PCR or PoC test, a proof of complete vaccination, for instance the digital Covid-Certificate from the EU (Green Pass), or a proof of recovery from a Covid-19 infection, which was completed at least 28 days ago and is maximum 6 months old, before entering the Federal Republic of Germany. The PCR test must be performed at the earliest 72 hours and the PoC-test 48 hours before the start of the return journey. In addition, travellers must register their entry at the entry portal www.einreiseanmeldung.de➝ before arriving in Germany and carry proof of the corresponding registration with them. For stays in high risk areas classified by the RKI➝ there is a 10-day quarantine obligation. The quarantine can solely be prevented when a proof of complete vaccination or a proof of recovery from a Covid-19 infection, which was completed at least 28 days ago and is maximum 6 months old, was submitted on the entry portal. After five days at the earliest, travellers who are not vaccinated or did not recover from a Covid-19 infection can undergo a Covid-19 test. With a subsequent negative result, the quarantine obligation can be ended early. For stays in virus mutation areas a negative PCR-test, which must be performed at the earliest 72 hours before entering, needs to be shown before return and a fourteen-day quarantine must to be entered without possibility to shorten it.

    All travellers older than 12 years, must present a negative PCR or PoC test, a proof of complete vaccination, for instance the digital Covid-Certificate from the EU (Green Pass), or a proof of recovery from a Covid-19 infection before entering Austria. The PCR-test must be performed at the earliest 72 hours and the PoC-test 48 hours before the start of the return journey. Since January 15, 2021, travellers must register their entry here ➝ („Pre-Travel-Clearance“) before arrival. With the above mentioned certifications a quarantine can be fully prevented when entering from a country classified as safe. The certifications can be handed in 24 hours later if no hotel stay is planned. For vaccinated people arriving from countries not classified as safe or from virus mutations areas the quarantine does not apply neither. Non-vaccinated people however need to present a negative Covid-test or a proof of recovery as well as enter a 10-day quarantine. After five days at the earliest, travellers can undergo a Covid-19 test. With a subsequent negative result, the quarantine obligation can be ended early.

    All air as well as transit passengers who are not fully vaccinated or did not surpass a Covid-19 infection within the past 6 months must register their entry on www.swissplf.admin.ch before or during arrival in Switzerland and need to carry the generated QR-code with them. Air passengers older than 16 years must present a negative PCR or PoC test, a proof of complete vaccination, for instance the digital Covid-Certificate from the EU (Green Pass), or a proof of recovery from a Covid-19 infection before entering. The PCR-test must be performed at the earliest 72 hours and the PoC-test 48 hours before the start of the return journey. Air as well as transit passengers who are not fully vaccinated or did not surpass a Covid-19 infection as well need to enter a 10-day quarantine and present a PCR-test. In addition, they need to inform their corresponding cantonal authority latest within two days after arrival. After seven days at the earliest, travellers can undergo a Covid-19 test. With a subsequent negative result, the quarantine obligation can be ended early. The obligation to test or enter quarantine does not apply to fully vaccinated people who can present a certificate such as the EU Digital Certificate or a Swiss Covid certificate.

Covid-19

Corona precautionary measures

  • Restrictions in the country:

    Nationwide, the safety distance of at least 1.5m hast o be maintained. Travel within the country is possible again without restrictions and there is no longer a curfew. All shops, restaurants and hotels can open and operate normally if the hygiene rules are observed.

  • Mouth and nose protection:

    Wearing a mouth and nose protection is mandatory in public spaces. Frequent hand washing and disinfecting is strictly recommended.

  • Hygiene measures in the country:

    The list of measures published by the Botswana government (PDF) requires for all places where large groups of guests are gathered a digital or analogue registration of each attendee. This includes restaurants, stores and public transport. In addition, temperature checks are carried out more frequently.

Status: 19.10.2021

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