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Renowned as a luxury safari destination, Botswana remains a very unspoiled and wild country, reflected in the top-notch safari experience visitors have come to expect. Correspondingly, Botswana safari prices are considered higher here in comparison to other African nations
Visitors often wonder about the approximate cost of Okavango Delta safaris and if affordable Botswana safari packages are possible. Below, we have listed the various elements that impact Botswana safari costs and detailed the price averages for each.
Elements that influence safari prices in Botswana
Flight and entry to Botswana
For visitors wondering how to get to Botswana, there is no direct flight between Botswana and most countries. Therefore a stopover in Johannesburg, South Africa will be required before reaching Gaborone, the capital of Botswana.
Due to this stopover, flights to Botswana are more expensive than most flights serving African safari countries via a direct flight such as Kenya, Tanzania, or South Africa.
The prices of flights from the U.K. or the U.S. can vary according to the dates of the stay and the chosen airline.
A Botswana visa and certain vaccinations may also be required to enter the country and will add to the overall price.
Local transport
Several transport options are available in Botswana but not all offer the same experience and speed of connection visitors want when traveling between parks and reserves.
Others choose to go on self-drive safaris and rent their own cars/4×4 and use the roads of the national parks. This is a more affordable option and offers visitors the comfort of seeing the incredibly diverse range of Botswana animals and scenery at their own pace.
Flights from Maun to the Okavango Delta
Seeing the Okavango Delta from above is a breathtaking experience. Pricing is based on distance from the airport i.e. Maun or Kasane to the lodge with flights ranging from USD $150 for a short flight to USD $400 for longer distances.
Flights from Maun are shorter, so less expensive than those from Kasane but the flights from Kasane and South Africa allow visitors to see both Chobe National Park and the Okavango Delta from above.
Depending on your travel origin, visitors will also be able to see the incredible Kalahari Desert, Moremi Game Reserve, and Victoria Falls, each spectacular in its own way.
Accommodation
Accommodation options in Botswana are generally considered more limited than in other African countries.
Many luxurious lodges are available, some of which can only be accessed by plane transfer, however, thus adding to the costs.
Newlyweds on a Botswana honeymoon and premium safari tours can expect a price to reflect the premium accommodation they will typically stay in.
Food/Dining
Supermarket food prices are similar to those in Europe however there are fewer restaurants in Botswana other than those run by lodges and meal prices at these lodges are relatively expensive.
Parks and reserves
Botswana’s national parks and reserves charge entrance fees per person including guides, as well as vehicle entry fees. Carrying a small amount of Botswana currency, the Pula (BWP) is useful when paying for smaller food or ticket items.
A one-hour chartered scenic flight over the Makgadikgadi Pans, the salt pans situated in the middle of the dry savanna of north-eastern Botswana can be purchased for $400. 6 people sharing the flight instead can reduce this cost to a reasonable USD $67 per person.
Prices for a Botswana fly-in safari start at around US$500 per person per night in the low season in mid-range lodgings but go up to about US$1500 per person per night in luxury accommodation in the high season.
Travel Insurance
Safari trips can result in unfortunate events happening, like contracting an illness from contaminated water or falling ill from a mosquito bite.
Visitors may need medical attention while abroad so it’s important to ensure an adequate travel insurance policy is in place which will cover you in the event of an accident or injury.
Visitors should check to see if they have already been through their credit card companies and workplace benefits.
If not, it is recommended to ensure travel insurance is purchased prior to travel to cover:
- Medical expenses and hospital benefit
- Personal accident and liability
- Canceling and cutting short your holiday
- Covid-19 specific cover
- Abandoning your trip
- Delayed departures
- Accommodation cover
- Personal belongings and baggage
- Personal money, passport, and travel documents
- Legal expenses
Vaccinations
Vaccines are another expense that needs to be accounted for in the overall Botswana safari prices, especially if visitors are planning to visit the north of Botswana, an area with an increased risk of malaria.
Visitors are recommended to consult with their local doctor before arrival and consider antimalarial prophylaxis as recommended.
Other expenses
Gasoline, tips, and souvenirs can also impact a visitor’s budget.
Budgeting for a trip to Botswana
Transportation
For a flight to Botswana from the U.K, it will cost around £800/$1,060 per person, and more from the U.S. Prices can change and are certain to increase during the summer months.
If on a budget, visitors can save two-thirds of their daily expenses on transport costs by opting for a car/4×4 rental compared to plane transfers.
Guests staying at lodges should note the lodges will likely pick up guests and drive them to the lodge, with prices often included in the accommodation.
Accommodation and food
This will vary significantly depending on the type of accommodation selected. Guests can budget £15/$20 a night and upwards for one-night camping and can purchase groceries at local supermarkets.
For lodges, nightly rates will cost several hundred dollars, typically with meals included.
Park entrance fees
Comparably, Botswana does charge high prices for visiting its national parks. Average costs can expect to be around £8.50/$11 to visit most of Botswana’s national parks.
Access to private reserves and concessions is restricted to travelers staying at the lodge with prices typically already included in the concession entry and game viewing drives.
Excluding international flights and plane transfers:
- Visitors planning a 6-night safari staying at two different camps can expect to pay around $4000 – $4,500 per person
- Visitors planning a similar 6-night mobile camping safari can expect to pay around $2,500 per person, prices can vary
Affordable Botswana safari packages tend to be for longer safaris (7+ nights) whilst higher-cost safaris are typical of a shorter 3 or 4-night safari.
How much does it cost to go on a safari?
An African safari costs anywhere between $125 and $1,500 per person per night. A budget safari averages $150 per night, mid-range $350, and luxury $750. The extreme top safaris can easily go up to $1,500 per night or more.
Is Botswana cheap to travel to?
Botswana is one of the most expensive destinations to visit in Africa, but it’s on every safari-goer’s bucket list for a reason: its vast swathes of untamed wilderness, fence-free national parks, and wealth of wildlife.
Why are Botswana safaris so expensive?
Why is it more expensive? The Botswana government has taken a sustainable view of their precious lands, not allowing them to become overfilled with lodges and infrastructure. The result is more demand than supply, and this can mean two things. One, the camps book up very quickly, and two, the lodges can charge a premium.