“Botswana is rugged, pure, and special. To truly enjoy it to the fullest, it’s important that you travel well-prepared.”
If you go on safari in Botswana, an impressive adventure awaits you. It is one of the most beautiful and pristine nature areas in Africa. Think of the vast Kalahari, the crystal-clear waters of the Okavango Delta, and the endless Makgadikgadi salt pans. But yes, what do you take on safari in Botswana? I’d love to share what my suitcase generally looks like.
First of all, this. Botswana is rugged, pure, and special. So to truly enjoy it to the fullest, it’s important that you travel well-prepared. And that begins, of course, with packing your bag. You also want to keep the seasons in Botswana in mind.
Climate and seasons
Botswana has two seasons. Keep this in mind when choosing your clothing. A tip from me: layers work best. Here’s what you can generally expect from the seasons in Botswana:
- During the dry winter months (May to September), it is pleasantly warm during the day, around 25°C, but at night it can cool down considerably, sometimes to near freezing.
- During the wet summer months (November to March), it is warm, humid, and there are heavy tropical downpours.
Pack your luggage for Botswana light and flexible
Are you traveling by bush plane? In that case, you are usually allowed a maximum of 20 kg of luggage, including hand luggage and cameras. Your luggage must be in a soft travel bag without wheels. Hard suitcases are not allowed. Fortunately, many lodges offer a laundry service, so you won’t find yourself without clean clothes. Do keep in mind that socks and underwear (strangely enough) are often not washed. Often, there are extra costs associated with the laundry service. If you will also be going to mobile camp safaris during your safari in Botswana, know that laundry is usually not possible there.
Clothing advice for safari in Botswana
You will often be in open 4x4s, helicopters, or boats. Perhaps you will even go on a walking safari? Be aware that the weather in Botswana can change rapidly. Here’s what we recommend when packing your clothing for your trip through Botswana:
- Jacket or fleece: windproof for winter, waterproof for summer
- Thermal shirt, hat, and scarf (especially from May to September)
- Swimwear
- Neutral clothing (no white or bright colors): t-shirts, shorts, lightweight long trousers, and long-sleeved shirts
- Breathable fabrics such as cotton or linen
- Sneakers or lightweight hiking shoes
- Flip-flops or sandals with a sturdy sole
- Note: plastic bags are banned in Botswana. Use canvas bags or cloth pouches to store your items.
What else do you take with you?
A number of personal items that will make your safari in Botswana much more pleasant:
- Sturdy backpack for your personal items and camera
- Binoculars
- Camera, memory cards, batteries, and possibly an external hard drive
- Chargers, travel adapter, and extra batteries
- Headlamp or flashlight (especially for mobile camping)
- High-quality water bottle
- Books or an e-reader for relaxation moments
- Small medical kit with personal medication
- Sunblock (factor 30 or 50), insect repellent spray or stick
- Toiletries (shampoo, lotion, etc. are usually available in lodges)
Discuss your Botswana packing list together
We have gone through the above lists dozens of times already. And we are of course more than happy to assist you with that. Therefore, during the booking of your trip, we take the time to calmly go through everything with you. This way, you know exactly what you do or do not need. This makes it a lot easier to set off relaxed and to get the most out of your Botswana safari.
