Cheap Flights to Botswana

Discover Botswana

Sometimes lush, sometimes arid, just under a quarter of Botswana is composed of superb national parks highlighting its fascinating wildlife, such as the famed elephants of Chobe National Park, the country's first game reserve. Buffalo, hippopotamus, antelopes and lions are often highlights of a visit. Some wildlife safaris will include time in a boat in order to spot elusive waterfowl and amphibious species. Photographic safaris are another popular way to visit and view wild animals. Flights to Botswana land at Sir Seretse Khama International Airport (GBE), which very close to the country's capital of Gaborone.

Flights to Botswana

There is one passenger terminal handling flights to Botswana at Sir Seretse Khama International Airport with a bank for changing money, a few small shops and a snack bar. Nearby entertainment includes restaurants and a shopping mall. Airport shuttles, buses and rental cars are all available. Taking a taxi is a convenient travel option and will cost around $10 for the 6-mile trip into Gaborone.

Attractions in Botswana

Gaborone is a thriving city with informative museums, including the Thapong Visual Arts Centre, which highlights local art. There are also galleries and shops devoted to traditional crafts for visitors who like shopping. Mountain biking locally is a popular pastime as is a visit to the Mannyelanong Game Reserve.

The dry season is the best time for touring the country as backcountry roads can become muddy during the wet season. Cheap flights to Botswana often coordinate with this timing, making safari tours a popular activity in the winter months as the many varieties of wildlife gather around watering holes. There are numerous game reserves and parks in Botswana. Dqae Game Farm in the Kalahari Desert is operated entirely by Ncoakhoe tribespeople, featuring traditional dancing and informative bushwalks.

The Okavango Delta represents one of the largest deltas in the world, and hand-hewn canoes called mokoros provide an excellent vantage for spotting native hippopotamus and crocodile. Land animals in the region include elephants, cheetahs, rhinoceros and antelopes.

Travel Tips for Botswana

Botswana experiences both a wet and dry season. The winter is the height of the dry season, lasting from May to November. Temperatures will range in the high 50s while the summer months are wetter and warmer with highs in the 80s. Cheap flights to Botswana are more readily available during the peak travel season of winter.

The Maitisong Festival in Gaborone takes place in March, featuring music and dancing as the central attractions. The Christmas season extends to New Year's Day with street parties, musical numbers and a party-like atmosphere marking another favorite time of celebration.

Braai is the name for barbecue in Botswana and is one of the national favorite dishes. Coiled lengths of intricately spiced sausages and free-range beefsteaks are common elements. Another favorite is vetkoek, which is fried bread dough filled with sweet or savory ingredients. A multiple-course meal in a nice restaurant in Gaborone will cost around $25 for two people.