Destination · Southern Africa
Botswana fam trips for travel agents and hosts
Botswana fam trips usually route through Maun or Kasane and use light aircraft between camps in the Okavango Delta, Moremi, the Chobe and Linyanti areas, and sometimes the Kalahari or Makgadikgadi. Camps are small, so hosts keep groups to the size of a light aircraft load, and soft bags within a weight limit are standard on those flights.
Photo by Jose Mizrahi on Unsplash
When is the best time for a Botswana fam trip?
Botswana's rain falls in the summer months. The Okavango's floodwater comes from rain in the Angolan highlands, so the Delta is at its fullest in the dry season.
General pattern only; it varies by region and from year to year.
| Months | Season | What agents see |
|---|---|---|
| May to October | Dry season | Floodwaters spread through the Delta, peaking mid-year; animals gather at water; peak rates |
| November to April | Green season | Rain, newborn animals, migrant birds, the zebra migration in the Makgadikgadi, the Kalahari at its greenest; lower rates |
Fams in the green season show agents a product many clients have not heard of, at a time when camps have space.
Which places in Botswana should travel professionals know?
Key parks, reserves, cities and coastlines in Botswana, with when to go and how guests usually get there. Each links to Google Maps.
WetlandOkavango Delta
North-West District, Botswana
A large inland delta where the Okavango River spreads into channels, lagoons and islands before draining into the Kalahari, a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2014. Camps in the inner Delta are small, reached by air, and offer water activities such as mokoro trips alongside game drives.
Open in Google Maps ↗Photo: Diego Delso, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Game reserveMoremi Game Reserve
North-West District, Botswana
A reserve covering about 40 per cent of the Okavango Delta World Heritage Site, on the Delta's eastern side, where permanent water meets dry land. It offers both water-based and land-based game viewing, with public campsites as well as lodges.
Open in Google Maps ↗Photo: diego_cue, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
National parkChobe National Park
Chobe District, Botswana
A national park in northern Botswana known for large numbers of elephants, especially along the Chobe River near Kasane, where boat cruises and game drives are the main activities. Its riverfront is close enough to Victoria Falls for the two to be combined.
Open in Google Maps ↗Photo: LBM1948, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
National parkSavuti
Chobe National Park, Chobe District, Botswana
An area in the west of Chobe National Park around the Savuti Channel and marsh, known for predators including lion and hyena. The channel has dried up and flowed again in cycles, which changes where the game concentrates.
Open in Google Maps ↗Photo: diego_cue, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
ConservancyLinyanti
Chobe District, Botswana
Private wildlife concessions along the Linyanti River on the Namibian border, between the Okavango and Chobe National Park. Camps are few and small, and concessions can offer activities such as night drives and walks that are not allowed in Botswana's national parks.
Open in Google Maps ↗Photo: Dicklyon, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
DesertMakgadikgadi Pans
Central and North-West districts, Botswana
One of the largest salt-pan systems in the world, partly protected by the Makgadikgadi Pans and Nxai Pan national parks. In the green season zebra and wildebeest migrate to its grasslands; in the dry season the open pans are the attraction.
Open in Google Maps ↗Photo: Eric Kilby, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Game reserveCentral Kalahari Game Reserve
Ghanzi and Central districts, Botswana
One of the largest protected areas in Africa, covering Kalahari grassland and fossil river valleys such as Deception Valley. Game viewing is best after the rains, when antelope such as oryx and springbok gather on the green pans.
Open in Google Maps ↗Photo: Benjamin Hollis, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons
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TownMaun
North-West District, Botswana
The gateway town for the Okavango Delta and Moremi, on the Thamalakane River. Most light-aircraft transfers to Delta camps start at Maun Airport, and many safari operators are based here.
Open in Google Maps ↗Photo: Mothusi Sekhomba, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
How do Botswana fam trip itineraries route?
Most international routings connect through Johannesburg to Maun, the gateway for the Okavango Delta, or Kasane, the gateway for Chobe. From there, shared light-aircraft flights link the camps.
- Okavango Delta and Moremi: water and land activities, from mokoro trips to game drives.
- Chobe, Linyanti and the private concessions to the north: river-based game viewing and large elephant populations.
- The Kalahari and Makgadikgadi Pans: desert and salt pans, best in the green season.
- Victoria Falls: often added via Kasane, across the border in Zimbabwe or Zambia.
Light aircraft carry soft bags only, with a weight limit set by the operator; agents should be told the limit before they pack.
Who sets park fees in Botswana?
Botswana's Department of Wildlife and National Parks sets fees for national parks and reserves such as Chobe, Moremi and the Central Kalahari. Camps in private concessions include conservation fees in their rates. Many visitors also pay a tourism development levy on entry. Confirm current amounts before budgeting.
Botswana's tourism policy favours fewer visitors at higher rates, which keeps camps small and fam places scarce.
What do travel agents need to enter Botswana?
Many nationalities can visit Botswana visa-free for short stays; others need a visa in advance. Check the current rules for your passport with the Botswana government before travel, and see a travel health clinic about malaria precautions for the north of the country.
What do hosts usually cover on a Botswana fam trip?
- Accommodation, meals and activities on the itinerary.
- Light-aircraft seats between Maun or Kasane and the camps, one of the largest costs on a Botswana fam.
- Park and conservation fees.
International flights to Maun or Kasane, insurance and personal extras are usually the agent's unless the invitation says otherwise.
What do travellers to Botswana need to know?
- Capital
- Gaborone
- Currency
- Botswana pula BWP
- Official language
- English
- Time zone
- Central Africa Time UTC+2
- Dialling code
- +267
- Driving
- On the left
Plugs and power
Plug types D, G, M. Mains supply 230 V, 50 Hz. Bring a plug adapter for these types; check whether devices also need a voltage converter.
International gateways
- MUB Maun Airport, Maun
- BBK Kasane Airport, Kasane
- GBE Sir Seretse Khama International Airport, Gaborone
Entry
Many nationalities, including UK passport holders, can visit Botswana for short stays without a visa; others apply in advance through the Botswana government's e-visa service. Rules on passport validity, blank pages and travelling with children are strict, so check the current requirements for each passport before travel.
Health
There is no yellow fever risk in Botswana, but a vaccination certificate is required from travellers arriving from, or transiting through, countries with yellow fever risk. Official sources describe malaria risk in the northern half of the country, including the Okavango Delta, which is highest from October to May; check with a travel health professional before travel.
Checked against the sources below. Rules change: confirm entry and health requirements before travel.
Questions travel agents and hosts ask
Why are Botswana fam trip groups small?
Botswana's camps are small and its tourism policy favours fewer visitors at higher rates. Groups also travel between camps by light aircraft, so hosts usually size a fam to fit one aircraft.
Where do Botswana fam trips fly into?
Most Botswana fam trips connect through Johannesburg to Maun, the gateway to the Okavango Delta, or Kasane, the gateway to Chobe, then use light aircraft between camps.
What luggage can you take on a Botswana fam trip?
Light aircraft between Botswana's camps take soft bags only, within a weight limit set by the air operator. Hosts should confirm the limit with agents before travel.
When is the best time to visit Botswana?
The dry season from May to October is the most popular time to visit Botswana, when the Okavango Delta is at its fullest and wildlife gathers at water; the green season from November to April brings rain, newborn animals, the zebra migration in the Makgadikgadi and lower rates.
What plugs are used in Botswana?
Botswana uses type D, G and M plugs. The mains supply is 230 V, 50 Hz.
What currency is used in Botswana, and what time zone is it in?
Botswana uses the Botswana pula (BWP) and is on Central Africa Time, UTC+2.
Explore the destination
Destination references for this guide. Confirm current arrangements with your host.