Botswana on a budget: how to do it well
Short answer
Botswana is not a budget destination, but self-drive camping makes it possible at around P1,900 per person a day (bed P300, food P300, park fees and activities P400, transport P900). Mokoro trips and boat cruises from Maun and Kasane are the best-value experiences.
A realistic daily budget
| Budget | Mid-range | Comfort | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bed (per person, sharing) | P300 | P2,500 | P15,000 |
| Food & drink | P300 | P500 | P500 |
| Sights & tickets | P400 | P1,200 | P1,500 |
| Local transport | P900 | P1,500 | P3,000 |
| Per person, per day | P1,900 | P5,700 | P20,000 |
Approximate 2026 prices, two people sharing a room. From our Botswana day-cost table.
Free things to do
- Watch wildlife along the Chobe riverfront roads near Kasane (park fees apply inside)
- Sunset over the Thamalakane River from Maun's riverside
- Stargazing at camp, among the clearest skies anywhere
- Visit Maun's craft markets and town centre
- Spot elephants crossing the Nata–Kasane road (drive carefully)
- Birdwatching around Maun and Kasane lodges and campsites
Cheap eats
- Seswaa (pounded beef) with pap at a local restaurant: about P50–90
- Vetkoek or fat cakes from a stall: a few pula
- Supermarket braai pack for the campfire: about P100–200
- Pap and stew at a town canteen: about P40–70
- Lodge bar meal in Maun or Kasane: about P100–180
Where to sleep for less
Public campsites in Moremi, Savuti and Chobe cost about P400–900 per site; Maun and Kasane also have town campsites and backpacker-style lodges. Book park sites months ahead.
Getting around cheaply
Self-drive with a rented 4x4 (about P2,000–3,500 a day) is the cheapest way to see the parks. Buses link Gaborone, Nata, Maun and Kasane cheaply, but they do not enter parks. Fly into Maun or Kasane from Johannesburg.
A sample budget day
- Morning: game drive in Chobe riverfront in your own 4x4 (park fees)
- Lunch: picnic from the Kasane supermarket (about P80)
- Afternoon: shared Chobe River boat cruise (about P400–600)
- Evening: braai at the campsite (about P150)
- Total: about P1,500–1,900 per person with camping and a shared vehicle
More ways to save
- Share a 4x4 between three or four people.
- Book the shared river cruise rather than a private boat.
- Take a mokoro day trip from Maun instead of a fly-in camp.
- Carry jerrycans of fuel and water; prices rise in remote spots.
- Pay park fees in advance where required to avoid surprises.
- Choose a mobile safari in the green season for a good guided compromise.
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Common questions
Can I do Botswana on a budget?
Relatively: self-drive camping costs about P1,900 per person a day, much less than lodges.
What is the cheapest way to see the Okavango Delta?
A mokoro day trip or overnight from Maun, rather than a fly-in camp.
How far ahead should I book campsites?
Several months for the dry season; popular park sites sell out.