Botswana has been reappeared on UK’s red list on 26th November 2021. All British residents arriving in the UK from Botswana must book and pay for managed hotel quarantine, whether fully vaccinated or not. Similarly, you must book and pay for the COVID-19 test on days 2 and 8 of your arrival in the UK. We try to be as current as possible, but it is advised to confirm the latest rules before travelling.
For now, there are no direct flights to Botswana offered by any airline operating from the United Kingdom. Travellers prefer to take less-expensive routes, typically involving two stopovers, and save some pounds. Although such a flight is affordable, you are in it for the long-haul. South African Airways, Ethiopian Airlines, and British Airways are the top airlines offering connecting flights to Botswana from the United Kingdom.
At TravelHouseUK, we strive to help you make the best travel decisions and to bring your next trip a little closer with special offers on South African Airways. The airline operates connecting flights from the London Heathrow Airport and makes a brief layover in Johannesburg. Connect with TravelHouseUK via social media, newsletter, or a simple phone call and get the latest on deals and discounts on South African Airways.
Those of you travelling to Botswana during the low season (January-March) may not get a sunny start to your safari tour. Clouds start piling up well before January and as the weeks roll by, it only gets wetter. The plus point is that the showers are sudden and dissipate as quickly as they form, thankfully bringing life to the Kalahari Desert. Visiting the country during this time of the year lets you enjoy your vacation without maxing out your credit cards. Stay in touch with us and we will let you know if any discount is made available on flights or some last-minute offer is on its way. When you subscribe to our newsletter, you get an instant fare alert when the price drops.
There are a total of four international airports in Botswana; however, the busiest three are listed below. Most British travellers prefer to visit the country via the airport in the capital city, Gaborone.
Travellers with British passports do not require a visa to enter Botswana if their trip does not last for more than ninety days. Please make sure that your passport does not expire in six months after you enter Botswana. The British government advises all travellers to take proper medical precautions. Please read Botswana’s Foreign Travel Advisory on gov.uk for a better understanding.
The best time to visit Botswana is from April to September. Botswana primarily comprises of the Kalahari arid savannah and has few mountains or hills. Due to this reason, there are few local climatic pockets, and the weather patterns are usually the same all over the country. Located in the southern hemisphere, Botswana has winter in the middle of the year. The average temperature during this time moves between 17°C to 23°C, and there is little to no rain during this time. It is best to visit the country during these months as humidity and temperature are on the decline. Your expedition through the grasslands of Okavango and the Victoria Falls will be even better if you visit the country in July and August. In these two months, the Okavango floods the Kalahari Desert, and the Zambezi River is roaring with full might.
The most ecologically diverse natural park of Botswana and the oldest one in the country, the reserve holds one of the largest concentrations of the big five in all of Africa.
Okavango Delta:Even though there is little rain in Botswana throughout the year, the Okavango River swells up after the rainfall in neighbouring Angola. As the mammals migrate to the new lush pastures of the Okavango, the cheetah and the crocodile soon follow, completing the ecosystems that have been a part of the delta for centuries.
Tsodilo Hills:If you are a lover of rocks of all shapes and sizes, why not lose yourself into the mazes of caves of Tsodilo Hills? Also a UNESCO World Heritage Site, here we have an anthology of cave art, done in different styles, and dedicated to the worship of various deities.
Kabu Island:A scenic spot for camping and safari sighting, quite trendy in recent years. This is a rocky island offering plenty of unique viewpoints for photography and drone flying.
The best way to get around Botswana is by car or bus. There are a few roads that have been paved according to international standards, but most of the country still has dirt roads. Due to this, it is best to hire an experienced driver along with a rented car when exploring Botswana. When visiting parks and natural reserves, the Rangers have four by four vehicles to move you around quickly. You can also opt for an airlift to move from one park to the next – which can be expensive but fun. Many buses and coaches are running through the streets of Botswana that can take you from place to place cheaply. The buses are often crowded, not air-conditioned, and the passenger would have to wait in a line at the bus stations to get a seat.
There are a few five-star hotels in Botswana, but more affordable and low-cost hotels outnumber these luxury resorts. Most people coming to the country are nature lovers and spend their time discovering Botswana. Botswana encourages people to have an expedition and not to remain cooped up in a fancy hotel room. So choose a modest accommodation from one of the hotels below that you can return to after a long day exploring the Okavango.
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