
Botswana
Legal breakdown by identity
Learn about Botswana
Beyond the scoreLearn about Botswana.Official names, languages, local time and practical context for understanding Botswana beyond its legal score.
Destination overview
About Botswana.
Diamond in the Desert
Botswana gleams like a polished jewel in the heart of Southern Africa. The Kalahari stretches across much of the country, painting the landscape in warm shades of gold and rust, while the Okavango Delta defies all expectations by blooming into a lush waterworld in the middle of this arid expanse. From the salt pans of Makgadikgadi to the rich floodplains of Chobe, Botswana rewards those who look beyond the obvious.
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Where Water Meets the Wild
The Okavango Delta is one of the planet's most extraordinary wetlands, a UNESCO World Heritage Site where seasonal floods from Angola transform the Kalahari into a teeming maze of channels, lagoons and islands. Elephants wade through waterways studded with lilies, leopards lounge in riverine forest canopies, and hippos surface in the shallows with a theatrical snort. Chobe National Park boasts one of the largest concentrations of elephants on the continent, while Moremi Game Reserve sits at the heart of the Delta, offering some of the finest wildlife viewing anywhere in Africa.
Salt, Stars and Silence
Beyond the water, Botswana reveals another personality entirely. The Makgadikgadi Pans, among the largest salt flats in the world, stretch to the horizon in a shimmering expanse of white. In the wet season, flamingos descend on the pans in their thousands, painting the landscape pink. By night, the absence of light pollution makes the Kalahari one of the finest stargazing destinations on Earth. The Central Kalahari Game Reserve offers a raw and remote wilderness where gemsbok, springbok and brown hyena roam ancient riverbeds.
A Proud and Welcoming Nation
Botswana has been a beacon of stability and good governance since independence in 1966. The warmth of its people is legendary, and the greeting "Dumela" opens doors wherever you go. The country's commitment to conservation is reflected in its vast network of protected areas, covering roughly a third of the land. Whether you are gliding through the Delta in a mokoro, tracking wild dogs across the savannah, or simply watching the sun sink over the Kalahari, Botswana offers an experience that is both humbling and utterly unforgettable.
Official names
- Republic of Botswana (English)
- Lefatshe la Botswana (Tswana)
Region
- Southern Africa
Continent
- Africa
Total population
2,359,609
2022 data
Capital
- GaboroneGBE
Currency
- Botswana Pula (BWP · P)
Driving side
- left side of the road
Electricity
Languages
English
Official by law · ISO 639-3: eng
Afrikaans
Official in practice · ISO 639-3: afr
Tswana
Official in practice · Indigenous · ISO 639-3: tsn
Birwa
Indigenous · ISO 639-3: brl
Gǀwi
Indigenous · ISO 639-3: gwj
Show 20 more languages
Gǁana
Indigenous · ISO 639-3: gnk
Herero
Indigenous · ISO 639-3: her
Juǀʼhoan
Indigenous · ISO 639-3: ktz
Kalanga
Indigenous · ISO 639-3: kck
Kgalagadi
Indigenous · ISO 639-3: xkv
Khoekhoegowab
Indigenous · ISO 639-3: naq
Khwe
Indigenous · ISO 639-3: xuu
Kua
Indigenous · ISO 639-3: tyu
Lozi
Indigenous · ISO 639-3: loz
Mbukushu
Indigenous · ISO 639-3: mhw
Naro
Indigenous · ISO 639-3: nhr
Northern Ndebele
Indigenous · ISO 639-3: nde
Shona
Indigenous · ISO 639-3: sna
Shua
Indigenous · ISO 639-3: shg
Subiya
Indigenous · ISO 639-3: sbs
Taa
Indigenous · ISO 639-3: nmn
Tshwa
Indigenous · ISO 639-3: hio
Yeyi
Indigenous · ISO 639-3: yey
ǁAni
Indigenous · ISO 639-3: hnh
ǂHoan
Indigenous · ISO 639-3: huc
Current time and time zone
Central Africa TimeCAT
Africa/Gaborone
Largest cities
- GaboroneGBE · 273,602
2022 data
- FrancistownFRW · 98,961
2022 data
- Molepolole · 73,100
2022 data
- MaunMUB · 55,784
2022 data
- Serowe · 50,820
2022 data
Busiest airports
- Sir Seretse Khama International AirportGBE · 366,458 annual passenger movements
2024 data
- Maun International AirportMUB · 220,000 annual passenger movements
2024 data
- Kasane International AirportBBK · 110,000 annual passenger movements
2024 data
- PG Matante International AirportFRW · 88,000 annual passenger movements
2024 data