Botswana on a budget

28.10.2023 - 20:59 / lonelyplanet.com

Although Botswana is one of the most expensive destinations to visit in Africa, it’s on every safari-goer’s bucket list for some very good reasons: its vast swathes of untamed wilderness, fence-free national parks and wealth of wildlife.

The country has adopted a conservation strategy based on high-end, low-volume tourism, which means it’s free of crowds and mass-market resorts. There is no shortage of expensive lodges: butlers to draw your bath; tasting menus to rival Michelin-star restaurants; well-stocked wine cellars that wouldn’t look out of place in either London or New York. But with some savvy planning, Botswana doesn’t have to break the bank.

Here are our top tips to stretch your budget further in Botswana.

Good deals are rarer than black rhino sightings during Botswana’s peak season (June and September). Consider traveling in the shoulder season instead (April–May and October–November). This is when you can bag a bargain on accommodations and 4WD car rentals. The weather can be unpredictable as the seasons change from wet to dry and back again, but Botswana has no shortage of wildlife action, especially around permanent water sources.

Also, ensure you check the flight distance of your chosen luxury lodge from Maun. It's faster to fly, but the further your lodge, the more fuel and the pricier the return ticket. To bring the costs down you can drive to some luxury stays in the southeastern delta and Khwai areas, or even ask about boating access between camps.

Green season (aka the wet rainy season) from December to March is cheaper still, as some lodges slash their rates by up to 40% – though some shut entirely, especially in the wettest months of January and February. Roads and tracks can become difficult to navigate, but the rains bring lush landscapes and the zebra migration commences at Nxai Pan National Park. Areas like Chobe National Park and Moremi Game Reserve in the Okavango Delta are so jam-packed with wild creatures that it really doesn’t matter which time of year you go.

If you’re confident behind the wheel of a 4WD, a self-drive safari is one of the most wallet-friendly ways to explore Botswana: a week’s rental can cost less than a night in a luxury lodge. As a bonus, you can go from desert to delta at your own speed. Want to spend a couple of hours watching a playful pride of lions, or staking out a wild dog den? No problem.

You still need to be fully prepared. Plan your route (no driving after dark) and arrange your campsite reservations and national park permits in advance. Download an offline map such as Tracks4Africa and consider renting a satellite phone for any off-the-grid emergencies.

Rent the vehicle from a company such as Avis, or pay a bit more for a fully equipped 4WD,