Botswana is not a budget destination. It has deliberately chosen low-volume, high-quality tourism, which keeps it wonderfully wild but means prices are higher than in some other African countries. That said, there is a wide range, and real value to be had. Here is a straight answer.
Every trip is tailor-made, so these are starting points rather than fixed prices, all per person and excluding international flights:
The biggest factors are the style and standard of your camps, and whether you fly between them or travel by road. On top of that, the season matters, with the peak dry months of July to October the most expensive and the green season much cheaper. Private concessions cost more than the national parks, longer trips cost more than shorter ones, and the more remote and exclusive the camp, the higher the price.
A typical safari price covers your camps, all your meals, your game drives and activities, park and reserve fees, the light-aircraft flights and transfers within Botswana, and expert guiding. In other words, once you are there, most things are taken care of.
The main extra is your international flights, which you should budget for on top, often somewhere around £800 to £1,200 return from the UK depending on the season and how far ahead you book. Beyond that, expect to pay for travel insurance, tips, any premium or imported drinks, and some optional activities such as those at Victoria Falls. UK visitors do not currently need a visa.
A few things genuinely help. Travelling in the green or shoulder season can cut costs noticeably. Combining a mobile leg with a fly-in leg gives you adventure and comfort without an all-luxury price. Staying a little longer in fewer camps often works out better than hopping around. And being flexible on dates, and booking ahead, both help.
No. Our prices are per person and cover everything once you are in Botswana: your camps, meals, activities, park fees and the light-aircraft flights between camps. International flights from the UK are extra, and you should budget roughly £800 to £1,200 return depending on the season and how far ahead you book.
Botswana has chosen a low-volume, high-quality approach to tourism. Fewer beds and large private wilderness areas keep it wonderfully wild and uncrowded, but they do mean higher prices than busier destinations. What you are paying for is space, exclusivity and some of the best guiding in Africa.
The best camps are small and fill up, especially for the peak dry season from July to October, so six to twelve months ahead is wise. That said, we can often put together a wonderful trip at shorter notice, so it is always worth asking.
Yes. Tell us the figure you have in mind and we will be honest about what it can buy, then shape the best possible trip around it. We would always rather tailor a trip to your budget than push you into something that does not fit.
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