GENERAL INFORMATION
Surface Area: 581 730 km2
Population: 2 million

Time: GMT +2
Capital: Gaborone
Language: Most of the population speaks Setswana, but English is the official language of government and business, and is widely spoken.
Currency: Pula
Dialing Code: +267 + area code + number required
Plugs: Two & three-prong round socket

HUNTING IN BOTSWANA

The trophy hunting season in Botswana starts from the third week in April to the last week in September. During December and January the hunting season is closed.

Why hunt in Botswana?

Botswana is one of the iconic African destinations, and with the opening in 2021 of the historic hunting concessions – elephant hunting – it is back to its former glory. Large, remote wilderness tracts of land offer international hunters an unforgettable experience. 

Botswana Weather and Climate

The best time for Hunting in Botswana on a game ranch, is during the cool, dry winter months.

In a concession, the Government season is from the 2nd Tuesday in April – 3rd Tuesday in September.

Winter will reach the maximums of 25ºC (77ºF) during the mid-day and minimums of 6ºC (43ºF) in June/July, where early mornings and evenings are crisp with frost.

Botswana’s summer months are from November to March. During these months the landscapes are greener, as this is our rainy season. So, expect high temperatures and heavy downpours.

Drinking Water

Most tap water is purified and safe to drink.

Visitors should exercise caution in rural areas.

Electrical Outlets
Electricity outlet voltage: 220V, running at 50Hz
Electrical Plugs: Type D 

Time Zone (West Africa)
Summer: GMT + 2 hours from the 1st
Sunday in April.
Winter: GMT +1 hour from the 1st Sunday in April

TRAVELING TO BOTSWANA

Air Travel

Most visitors to Botswana will have a stopover in South Africa to pick up a direct flight from OR Tambo International Airport (JNB), Johannesburg or Cape Town International Airport (CPT).

Botswana’s main airport is Sir Seretse Khama International Airport (GBE), located 11km / 7miles north of Gaborone, the capital.

For travellers, it is more common to fly into Maun Airport (MUB) and Kasana Airport (BBK). When combining a safari in Botswana with a visit to Victoria Falls, it is common to fly into Maun and depart from Victoria Falls Airport (VFA) in Zimbabwe or Livingstone Airport (LVI) in Zambia. 

Flights from USA

Flights depart on a daily basis from Atlanta, Washington DC and New York to Johannesburg. 

Flights from Europe

Most destinations in Europe can be routed through Johannesburg where connecting flights are made to Botswana.

REQUIREMENTS FOR VISAS AND PASSPORTS

Passport must be valid for a minimum of six months, after date of departure into Namibia. Visas are required for certain nationalities and are valid for three months from the date of issue for stays up to three months from date of entry.

There are three types of Visas: Tourist, Business and Transit +-US$50. Citizens from most nationalities do not require a visa and will get a 30-day entry permit on arrival. All foreign visitors will need to carry a return ticket.

Children (under 18 years of age) must have a certified copy of their full, unabridged birth certificate as well as a valid passport to enter Botswana. If a child is traveling with only one parent, or no parents, the child must have an affidavit from the missing parent(s), which gives their consent for the child to travel.

For further information please contact your embassy.

 

HUNTING FIREARMS & AMMUNITION

FIREARMS REGULATIONS

Air Travel with Firearms
Trophy hunters entering Botswana with a rifle(s) must complete a temporary import permit application form, for all rifle(s) and/or ammunition in possession. This permit application form will need to be handed in at the Police Firearm Customs check point with your rifle(s) and ammunition.

 

Prohibited Firearms

  • Any automatic or semi-automatic firearms.
  • Any pistol or revolver (unless specified for hunting)
  • More than 100 rounds of ammunition per person per firearm.
  • No more than one firearm per caliber per person (max 3 in total)

Travelling with Firearms and Ammunition to Botswana

We recommend taking out full insurance for all firearms before traveling to Africa.

 

Before booking with your preferred airline, please confirm that the airline involved is rifle-friendly, and will agree to transport your firearms and ammunition. Before your departure, confirm with the airlines their procedure in transporting firearms and, if necessary, any prior forms to be completed before departure for handling and transfer purposes.

 

We always recommend booking in luggage and firearms straight through to Botswana, Sir Seretse Khama International Airport (Gaborone), even when you have a layover in another country on your way to Botswana for your hunt. Recent regulations and the world’s ‘anti-gun friendliness’, have made travelling with firearms a time-consuming and unpleasant process.

Flights from USA

Flights depart on a daily basis from Atlanta, Washington DC and New York to Johannesburg.