Botswana Travel Guide
Botswana is one of Africa’s most settled safari countries. Here is where the real risks lie, and the simple habits that manage them.
Is Botswana safe? For most safari travelers, yes, and a well-planned trip keeps you away from the places where problems usually happen. The UK government notes that attacks on tourists are rare, while violent crime has been rising in the larger towns, particularly Gaborone, Francistown and Maun. A typical safari spends a night in Maun or Kasane at most, then moves into remote camps by guided transfer or light aircraft.
The risks worth thinking about differ from those at home: wild animals walking through unfenced camps, long roads with livestock and elephants after dark, and the opportunistic crime of any town. None is a reason to stay away. Each is a reason to follow a few habits, which this guide sets out.
At the time of writing (September 2026), check the current advice before you book and again before you fly. Historically, the US State Department has placed Botswana at Level 1, its lowest advisory level (“exercise normal precautions”); levels can change, so confirm the current one on travel.state.gov.
In Gaborone, Francistown and Maun, the UK government reports hold-ups at restaurants and thieves targeting cars stopped at traffic lights. Keep valuables out of sight, use licensed taxis (blue number plates) and avoid walking at night.
There have been isolated room break-ins and thefts at river-facing lodges in the Chobe area. Use the room safe, lock doors and windows when you go out, and never leave cameras on a balcony or deck.
Crime is rarely the concern in the bush; wildlife is. Camps are unfenced by design, and the rules in the next section keep you safe.
Livestock, donkeys and elephants wander onto unlit roads, and potholes and deep sand add to the risk. Driving after dark is best avoided entirely.
Most Botswana camps sit in open wilderness, and elephants, hippos and predators move through them, especially at night. Your camp briefs you on arrival; these are the rules that matter most.
For visitors, the roads often carry more risk than the wildlife. Livestock and wild animals wander onto roads at night, distances between towns are long, and deep sand on safari tracks demands experience. Flying between camps, or using guided road transfers in daylight, removes most of that risk, which is one reason we plan journeys the way we do.
In the rainy season, roughly November to March, the UK government warns that flash floods can make roads unsafe and close border crossings at short notice. Guides and pilots watch conditions and adjust plans; if you are thinking about a road trip, a guided journey such as the 10-day Moremi to Chobe mobile safari gives you the adventure without the navigation.
On safari itself, solo women generally find camps easy places to be: small, well staffed and sociable. The UK government notes a high rate of sexual assault in Botswana, while adding that visitors are unlikely to be targeted; the sensible precautions are to avoid walking alone at night in towns and to use licensed transport.
Same-sex activity is legal in Botswana, but the UK government notes that attitudes can be less tolerant than in many US or European cities, so many couples keep public displays of affection low-key in towns. Safari camps host guests from all over the world and are generally welcoming; tell us if you would like our input on camps that suit you.
| Service | Number |
|---|---|
| Ambulance | 997 |
| Police | 999 |
| Fire | 998 |
In a remote camp, tell the camp manager first: they can reach emergency services and arrange air evacuation with your insurer faster than you can alone.
Safaris
Maun · Moremi Game Reserve · Khwai · Savuti · Chobe Riverfront · Kasane
Travelers who value wilderness and a guide’s company over lodge comforts, and don’t mind long, sandy drives
Kasane · Chobe Riverfront · Okavango Delta · Makgadikgadi Pans · Maun
Families with children roughly 12 and older who want variety, activity and a little adrenaline
Experiences
On foot
Follow a qualified walking guide across Delta islands, Linyanti floodplains or Kalahari sand, and read the bush from ground level.
Where to go
Elephant country on the Chobe River, minutes from Kasane and a short drive from Victoria Falls, with boat safaris as the highlight.
Explore
Botswana’s flooded heart: papyrus channels, palm islands and small fly-in camps where the safari happens on the water as well as by vehicle.
ExploreGood to know
For most travelers, yes. Attacks on tourists are rare, and safaris spend most of their time in remote camps away from the towns where crime is concentrated. Check the State Department’s current advisory before you book and again before you travel.
Yes, provided you follow the camp rules: an escort after dark, closed tents, no food in your room and no swimming in natural water. Staff brief every guest on arrival, and following their instructions is what keeps encounters with wildlife safe.
Generally, yes, especially on a guided safari where transfers, meals and activities are organized for you. In towns, avoid walking alone at night and use licensed taxis, which have blue number plates.
Same-sex activity is legal in Botswana, and safari camps are used to welcoming international guests. Public attitudes are more conservative in places, so many couples choose discretion in towns.
Experienced 4x4 drivers do it, but it demands skill in deep sand, careful planning for fuel and water, and no driving after dark because of animals on the roads. For most visitors, a guided mobile safari or a fly-in trip is both safer and more relaxing.
Share when you can travel, who is coming and what you most hope to see in Botswana. A specialist will shape a private route around it and walk you through every choice before anything is booked.
Plan My Botswana Safari