20-Day Ultimate Budget Backpacking Route in Botswana
Botswana is often viewed as an exclusive, high-end safari destination, but with a bit of grit and local knowledge, it is an incredible frontier for budget backpackers. This itinerary focuses on using public 'combis' (minibuses), long-distance buses, and finding the hidden gems where you can experience world-class nature for a fraction of the cost.
By sticking to street food like seswaa (shredded beef) and pap, staying in community campsites, and utilizing public transport hubs, you will see the real Botswana. This journey takes you from the modern pulse of Gaborone in the south to the aquatic wonders of Maun and the wildlife-rich northern corridors of Chobe.
The Itinerary
Day 1: Gaborone, Botswana - Arrival & City Pulse
Arrival at Sir Seretse Khama International
Touch down and clear immigration. Take the official airport shuttle or a local taxi into the city center to settle into your hostel.
Three Dikgosi Monument
Visit this historic landmark featuring the bronze statues of the three chiefs who secured Botswana's independence. It is free to view and provides great context for the country's history.
Main Mall Walk
Stroll through the city's oldest mall, a pedestrian-only area perfect for people watching and finding cheap street snacks like roasted maize.
Bull & Bush Pub
Head to this local favorite for a moderately priced meal and a chance to meet expats and locals in a relaxed garden setting.
Day 2: Gaborone, Botswana - Urban Nature
Gaborone Game Reserve
One of the few city-limits game reserves in the world. It’s incredibly cheap for non-residents and walkable or accessible by a short taxi ride.
Local Lunch at Station
Head to the main bus station area for 'Plate' food—huge portions of beef, rice, and beans for just a few dollars.
National Museum and Art Gallery
Explore the cultural history of the Tswana people and see contemporary local art for free.
Kgale Hill Sunset
Hike up Gaborone's highest point for a panoramic view of the Gaborone Dam and the city lights as they flicker on.
Day 3: Gaborone, Botswana - Mokolodi Sanctuary
Combi to Mokolodi
Take a public combi south to Mokolodi Nature Reserve. It’s a budget-friendly way to see rhinos and giraffe without the price tag of northern parks.
Picnic at the Dam
Bring your own food from the city to enjoy at the reserve's designated picnic spots overlooking the water.
Education Center Visit
Learn about Botswana’s conservation efforts and see some of the rescued wildlife up close.
Hostel Social Night
Return to Gaborone and swap stories with other travelers at the Mokolodi Backpackers hostel lounge.
Day 4: Francistown, Botswana - Heading North
Bus to Francistown
Board the long-distance bus from the Gaborone station. It’s a 6-7 hour journey through the heart of the country.
Francistown Arrival
Check into a local guesthouse near the city center. Francistown is one of Botswana's oldest towns, built on gold mining.
Blue Jacket Street stroll
Walk the main thoroughfare to see the colonial-era architecture and local shops.
Street Side Dinner
Grab some fresh 'Fat Cakes' (Magwinya) from a street vendor for a very cheap and filling local supper.
Day 5: Francistown, Botswana - Heritage & History
Supa Ngwao Museum
Visit this community museum to learn about the Kalanga people and the history of the regional gold rush.
Lunch at the Market
Eat like a local at the central market; try the Mopane worms if you’re feeling brave—they are a high-protein local delicacy!
Tati River Walk
Enjoy a quiet walk along the banks of the Tati River, a popular spot for locals to relax in the afternoon.
Budget Bar Hopping
Check out some of the local shebeens or small bars for a cheap St Louis Lager and local music.
Day 6: Francistown, Botswana - Leisure Day
DumaTau Park
A small local park where you can enjoy some greenery and local birdlife for free.
Central Business District Exploration
Browse the modern shopping centers to restock on supplies for the move further north into more remote areas.
Library & Culture
Visit the public library to see local students at work and perhaps find books on Botswana's unique wildlife.
Home-style Guesthouse Meal
Ask your guesthouse host to prepare a traditional meal—often cheaper and better than a restaurant.
Day 7: Nata, Botswana - The Edge of the Pans
Bus to Nata
Take the bus heading toward Kasane and hop off at Nata. This is the gateway to the massive Makgadikgadi salt pans.
Nata Lodge Check-in
Choose the campsite option at Nata Lodge or North Gate to keep costs low while enjoying their great facilities.
Village Walk
Explore Nata village on foot; it’s a small, dusty junction town that feels like the real African interior.
Sundowners at the Lodge
Watch the sun set over the horizon with a cold drink at the campsite bar.
Day 8: Nata, Botswana - The Bird Sanctuary
Nata Bird Sanctuary
Head into the sanctuary early. This community-run project offers incredible views of the Sua Pan and seasonal flamingos.
Sua Pan Photography
Walk out onto the blinding white crust of the salt pans for those famous 'endless horizon' photos.
Rest & Rehydrate
The heat on the pans is intense. Spend the hottest part of the day in the shade of the lodge’s indigenous trees.
Stargazing
Nata has some of the darkest skies in the world. Step away from the lodge lights for an incredible view of the Milky Way.
Day 9: Kasane, Botswana - Northern Gateway
Bus to Kasane
Catch the bus for the final leg north. Keep your eyes peeled; it’s common to see elephants crossing the main road here.
Kasane Arrival
Drop your bags at a budget safari lodge or campsite. Kasane is where the borders of Botswana, Namibia, Zambia, and Zimbabwe meet.
Seboba Nature Park
A community-run park with a boardwalk along the river. Very cheap and great for spotting bushbuck and monkeys.
Chobe Riverfront Sunset
Walk along the river bank outside the park to watch the sunset—free and just as beautiful as the expensive cruises.
Day 10: Kasane, Botswana - Chobe River
Kasane Market
Stock up on supplies. Food inside the national park areas is expensive, so buy your snacks and drinks here.
Budget River Cruise
Join a multi-person boat cruise. It is the most cost-effective way to see elephants, crocs, and hippos in Chobe National Park.
Braai Night
Cook your own dinner on a 'braai' (BBQ) at the campsite, a true Southern African backpacking tradition.
Wildlife Stories
Join the communal fire pit at your lodge to hear stories from safari guides finishing their shifts.
Day 11: Kasane, Botswana - Crossing Borders
Kazungula Bridge
Take a taxi to see the impressive new bridge connecting Botswana and Zambia. You can walk partway for great views of the Zambezi.
Lunch in Kazungula
Eat at a local shack near the border post for cheap chicken and chips.
Baobab Prison Tree
Visit the historic hollow baobab tree in Kasane that was once used as a temporary holding cell.
Pizza at Old House
Treat yourself to a reasonably priced pizza at The Old House, a popular backpacker hangout.
Day 12: Maun, Botswana - The Great Transit
The Long Bus to Maun
This is your longest travel day. It’s roughly 9-10 hours through the wild corridor. Keep your camera ready for roadside wildlife.
Maun Arrival
Arrive in the 'safari capital' of Botswana. Maun is dusty, vibrant, and full of character.
Thamalakane River Chill
Head to the riverfront near the bridge to watch the locals cool off and the birds settle for the night.
Maun Backpackers
Check into a hostel like Motsebe Backpackers to meet fellow travelers and plan your Delta trip.
Day 13: Maun, Botswana - Delta Prep
Okavango River Exploration
Walk along the Thamalakane River. It’s the lifeblood of Maun and offers great free bird watching.
Maun Central Market
Buy your supplies for a multi-day Delta trip (water, bread, canned goods). Prices are much higher once you leave town.
Nhabe Museum
A small museum housed in an old colonial building that details the natural history of the Okavango Delta.
Hilary's for Coffee
A locally famous spot for a cheap, high-quality home-cooked lunch or coffee in a garden setting.
Day 14: Okavango Delta, Botswana - Into the Wild
Mokoro Departure
Head to the 'poling station' via a shared 4x4. Board a Mokoro (traditional dug-out canoe) for a trip into the Delta.
Wilderness Camping
Set up your tent on a remote island. This is as close to nature as it gets—no fences, just the wild.
Bush Walk
Go on a guided walk with your poler to track elephants, zebras, and lechwe on foot.
Campfire Cooking
Eat dinner under a canopy of stars while listening to the sounds of hippos grunting in the distance.
Day 15: Maun, Botswana - Delta Return
Sunrise Mokoro Session
Glide through the lily pads in the silent morning light—the best time for photography and birding.
Swim in 'Safe' Channels
Ask your guide for a safe spot to take a quick dip in the crystal clear Delta water.
Return to Maun
Head back to the mainland and wash off the dust at your hostel.
Tsholetsa Beer Garden
Celebrate your return with a very cheap local meal and music at this popular Maun spot.
Day 16: Maun, Botswana - Local Culture
Maun Village Walk
Wander the backstreets of Maun to see the traditional 'lapa' houses and meet local basket weavers.
Lunch at a 'Chibuku' Shake
Try the local traditional beer (Chibuku) if you're adventurous, or just enjoy some street-fried chicken.
Craft Shopping
The quality of baskets in Maun is world-class. Buy directly from weavers to ensure the money stays in the community.
The Old Bridge Backpackers
Even if you aren't staying here, the bar is the best place in town for budget travelers to congregate.
Day 17: Ghanzi, Botswana - The Kalahari Desert
Combi to Ghanzi
Travel west toward the Kalahari. The landscape changes from lush riverbanks to dry, scrubby desert.
Ghanzi Arrival
This is the 'Capital of the Kalahari.' It’s a rugged town known for its cattle ranching and San (Bushmen) culture.
Kuru Art Corner
See the world-famous contemporary San art. It's affordable and supports the local community projects.
Ghanzi Trail Blazers
Stay at this campsite to participate in cultural activities that help sustain the local San heritage.
Day 18: Ghanzi, Botswana - San Heritage
San Bushman Walk
Learn about desert survival, medicinal plants, and tracking from the indigenous San people. A very humbling experience.
Local Braai Lunch
Ghanzi is famous for its beef. Buy a steak at the local butcher and grill it at your camp for a fraction of restaurant prices.
Ghanzi Town Exploration
See the contrasts of a modernizing desert town and the traditional lifestyle that still thrives on the outskirts.
Traditional Dance
If available, watch a traditional San healing dance—a spiritual and rhythmic experience around the fire.
Day 19: Gaborone, Botswana - The Return Journey
The Long Road South
Board the early bus back to Gaborone. It’s a long day on the Trans-Kalahari Highway, passing through small settlements.
Arrive in Gaborone
Return to the capital for your final night. Use this time to pick up any last-minute souvenirs.
Airport Junction Mall
A modern mall where you can find familiar foods if you're missing home after 20 days of backpacking.
Final Farewell Dinner
Choose a lively local restaurant to celebrate the completion of your epic Botswana loop.
Day 20: Gaborone, Botswana - Departure
Sanitas Tea Garden
Visit Gaborone's oldest nursery and garden center for a peaceful breakfast in a green oasis before leaving.
Last Minute Souvenirs
Stop by the craft stalls near the main mall to use up your remaining Pula on hand-carved wooden animals.
Transfer to SSK International
Take a final taxi or shuttle to the airport for your flight home.
Departure
Reflect on your journey as you fly over the vast Kalahari you just traversed.
Best Time to Visit Botswana
The best time for budget travelers is the shoulder season (May to June or September to October). You avoid the peak prices of the dry season (July-August) while still enjoying great wildlife viewing and manageable temperatures. The wet season (November to April) is the cheapest time, but some roads become impassable by public transport and the heat can be extreme.
Currency & Money
The local currency is the Botswana Pula (BWP). While credit cards are widely accepted in Gaborone, Maun, and Kasane malls, you will need cash (Pula) for local buses, markets, and smaller villages. Tipping is not mandatory but 10% is appreciated in restaurants. Always carry small denominations for combi fares.
Getting Around Botswana
Public transport in Botswana consists of large buses for long-distance routes between major towns (Gaborone, Francistown, Maun, Kasane) and 'combis' (minibuses) for shorter urban and peri-urban distances. The buses are generally reliable but leave when full, so arrive early. There is also a night train between Gaborone and Francistown which is a great budget saver, though service can be seasonal.
