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Botswana Safari Costs

Types of Safaris in Botswana & Their Cost

Botswana is vast and varied, a true kaleidoscope of ecosystems, landscapes, and wildlife. And like any safari destination, has its more and less popular months to visit, which has an impact on cost. The general cost of a safari in Botswana will vary based on when you go, and also where you go; its remote locales are a little less accessible, often pushing up travel costs.

Most consider the dry, cooler months from May to October the best time to visit Botswana, when game viewing is at its peak while wildlife congregate around water sources. That being said, some of its safari destinations lie on migratory lines, making them good for summer safaris in what would be considered ‘low season', which is typically less expensive. These summer months are also when birdlife is abundant amidst the lush greenery.

While we've touched on a few elements here, we've broken down Botswana safari costs and factors that impact them below:

Botswana Safaris: What Are Your Options?

Safaris come in various forms, from privately guided adventures and general groups to self-drives and fly-ins in some of the best places to visit in Botswana. Not only is cost reliant on the style of safari you choose, but the activities you hope to enjoy along the way. Fortunately, most camps and lodges have inclusive activities such as game drives, nature walks, cultural interactions, boat safaris, and even mokoro (dugout canoe) excursions. However, it is worth noting that certain activities are only available at an extra cost – think hot air balloon safaris, horseback activities, quad bike rides, and even desert sleepouts – it all depends on the accommodation and what they offer.

Fly-in Safaris & Charters: For some of Botswana's beautiful hidden gems and remote locales, sometimes the best way to access your desired destination is by light aircraft charter. Examples of this include the remote Savute region and the Linyanti.

Self-drives: Parts of Botswana are well-suited to self-drives if that's what your heart desires. Self-drives are typically less expensive and can be better suited to families with young children if they wish to enjoy shorter game drives but don't want to book private vehicles. Areas suited to this would be around the Central Kalahari, Nxai Pans, and mainly Moremi Game Reserve for the Okavango Delta.

Classic Safaris: This would entail your more ‘standard' safari offering with a camp or lodge where game vehicles, expert trackers, and guides are on hand for daily drives exploring the area – be it a private or public national park, concession, or reserve. Typically, guests would be picked up and transferred via 4×4 vehicle or small bus to their lodge or camp of choice from a nearby airport.

How Much Does a Botswana Safari Cost?

A Botswana safari typically costs between $1,500 and $3,200 per person per night based on double occupancy, depending on the season and level of luxury. Mid-range options start around $1,500, while 5-star experiences can exceed $3,000 in high season. Costs vary with your safari style—self-drive, classic lodge, or fly-in—and are influenced by location, time of year, and included activities.

Botswana Safari Tour Costs

Mid-range		Luxury		5-star Options
Low	High	Low	High	Low	High
$1,500 pps*	$2,200 pps*	$1,900 pps*	$2,400 pps*	$2,500 pps*	$3,200 pps*

* Please note: all the costs are guidelines only and an average for per person, per night, sharing a room in High and Low Season. They exclude international flights, visas and optional activities. Note that conservation fees, levies and permits are all subject to change. Peak or High Season generally runs over Christmas and New Year, and from about July to October.

Botswana Accommodation Costs

There's no doubt that Botswana accommodation is amongst some of Africa's finest. They are typically renowned for their comfort, luxury, and exclusivity, especially in the more remote regions. It's no surprise that associated costs vary based on several factors including location, level of service, size of the camp or lodge, and whether private vehicles are available. Whether it's a more traditional, classic colonial-style camp that takes you back in time, a more modest yet luxe lodge, or perhaps the crème de la crème of safari offerings, there is something for every traveller.

Botswana Accommodation Pricing

4-star Comfort		4-star Luxury		5-star Luxury
Low	High	Low	High	Low	High
$800 pps*	$1,300 pps*	$1,500 pps*	$2,000 pps*	$2,000 pps*	$2,500 pps*

How the time of year affects the cost of a Botswana Safari

As mentioned briefly above, high (or peak) season goes hand-in-hand with higher pricing as it's the most popular time to visit Botswana. While this stretches from May to October, many consider June to April the prime time to explore as the weather cools slightly and the risk of malaria is reduced.

That's not to say that low season, otherwise known as green season, safaris are not worth embarking on, quite the opposite in fact, especially for aviary enthusiasts and those looking to take exquisite photos with lush backdrops. While the longer grasses and more dense shrubbery can make spotting wildlife a little more challenging, there are plenty of sensational sightings to enjoy. Botswana tours and safaris can be found year-round so it's very much dependent on the traveller, their safari ambitions, and available budget.

Additional Costs To Consider

It's important to note that ‘all-inclusive' may not be as comprehensive as you first expect. In Africa, and on safaris, that can mean a range of things and it's always worth clarifying what is not included. One of the first things to do is consult our blog on visa free African countries for US citizens as that may tick off one of the boxes regarding associated costs already. What possible additional costs could you come across? Have a look at our list below:

International flights / getting to the country – as a rule of thumb, consider this excluded.
Getting from place to place – internal transfers may be included with some accommodations, however, some others may be at your own cost. Most take place via charter flight but destinations such as Kruger National Park may be road based as it's so well connected.
Vaccinations – certain destinations require vaccinations prior to arrival like yellow fever. These are excluded and you will need to contact your healthcare professional to ensure the requirements are met.
Tipping is always optional but highly recommended. It's always worth carrying cash during your travels as it's the easiest way to go about this. Consult our tipping guide for more information.
Personal and travel insurance.
Additional activities – anything over and above the included activity offerings at an accommodation, which typically extends to hot air balloon safaris, certain sunset cruises, horseback safaris, and so on.
The exchange rate – international card payments will likely incur a small fee for paying in a different currency. Botswana operates on the Pula but dollars are widely accepted in camps and lodges.

Should you wish to plan your next great adventure with the help and guidance of one of our Africa Safari Experts, they will be able to advise you on all of the above and ensure each of your transfers is organised ahead of time and occurs as seamlessly as possible – just remember, in travelling, anything can happen and sometimes delays are unavoidable.

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