Overlanding Africa.com offers budget safaris, Africa overland tours, camping & backpacking advice for Africa. About us or enquire now.

Get the free Overlanding Newsletter!
/images/flickr/Photo_of_Marrakech_Morrocco_/3364376953_l.jpg

Ultimate Trans Africa Expedition

40 weeks From GBP 4850 More about this trip
/images/flickr/Egypt_top_20/3265503339_l.jpg

Cairo to Cape Town Nile Trans

16 weeks From GBP 2395 More about this trip
/images/flickr/Malawi_top_20_photos/3196768792_l.jpg

Johannesburg to Nairobi

7 weeks From US$ 2490 More about this trip
/images/flickr/Photo_of_Nkhata_Bay_Malawi_/3346978216_l.jpg

Cape Town to Nairobi Epic

6 weeks From US$ 1990 More about this trip
/images/flickr/Malawi_top_20_photos/3196771084_l.jpg

Dar Es Salaam to Cape Town

5 weeks From US$ 1790 More about this trip
/images/flickr/Photo_of_Lake_Manyara_NP_Tanzania_/2807896663_l.jpg

Victoria Falls to Nairobi and Gorillas

5 weeks From US$ 1990 More about this trip
/images/flickr/Photo_of_Lake_Malawi_Malawi_/3348818374_l.jpg

Dar Es Salaam to Johannesburg

26 days From US$ 1390 More about this trip
/images/flickr/Photo_of_Moremi_Wildlife_Reserve_Botswana_/3358646681_l.jpg

Central Africa Family Loop

22 days From US$ 1090 More about this trip
/images/flickr/Photo_of_Serengeti_NP_Tanzania_/2825077478_l.jpg

Victoria Falls to Nairobi

21 days From US$ 1290 More about this trip
/images/flickr/Photo_of_Sossusvlei_Namibia_/3351155494_l.jpg

Discover South West Africa

21 days From US$ 990 More about this trip
/images/flickr/Okavango_Delta_Mokoro_Excursion/3541150527_l.jpg

Complete Desert and Delta

21 days From EUR 1855 More about this trip
/images/flickr/Photo_of_Zanzibar_Island_Tanzania/3250183182_l.jpg

Dar Es Salaam to Victoria Falls

15 days From US$ 890 More about this trip
/images/flickr/Tanzania_Top_20/3351146310_l.jpg

Victoria Falls to Dar Es Salaam

15 days From US$ 890 More about this trip
/images/flickr/Nxai_Pan_Botswana/3541147353_l.jpg

Kalahari and Okavango Delta

15 days From EUR 1595 More about this trip
/images/flickr/Wildlife/3441309888_l.jpg

Magic Namibia

14 days From US$ 690 More about this trip
/images/flickr/Zambia_top_20_photos/3194380990_l.jpg

Waterfalls and Sand Dunes

14 days From US$ 690 More about this trip
/images/flickr/Active_images_of_people_on_tour/3208986699_l.jpg

Victoria Falls to Johannesburg Family Tour

11 days From US$ 590 More about this trip
Previous Next
Use the Overlanding Google Map

Build Your Trip to Africa

Where?

Where do you want to go?

Close
Close Button
When?

Close
Close Button
How Long?

Close
Close Button
Botswana Navigation
About Botswana
About
Airports
Birdlife
Conservation
Culture
Customs
Health
AIDS
Vaccinations
Languages
Money
Phrase
Plants
People
Safety Tips
Religion
Transport
Travel Books
Visa Requirements
Wildlife
What To Pack
What To Buy
When To Go
Activities
Chobe National Park Game Drive
Chobe Sunset Boat Cruise
Ghanzi Hunter-Gatherer Guided Walk
Okavango Delta Mokoro Excursion
Okavango Delta Scenic Flight
View All Activities
Destinations
Chobe National Park
Gaborone
Moremi Wildlife Reserve
Okavango Delta
Savuti National Park
View All Destinations
Tours
Accommodated Tours
Camping Tours
Family Tours
Small Group Tours
View All Tours
Photo Gallery

Botswana Languages

Botswana languages are diverse and varied, with traditional languages as well as modern English spoken by the majority.

Setswana is the official language and is spoken by 78.2% of the population, with minor differences in dialect across the regions. While many Tswana people understand English, knowing some basic Setswana will impress locals and show a sign of respect which will make locals very happy.

English is widely spoken and understood, especially in larger cities like Maun and Gaborone, and is the official business language. All safaris and tours are conducted in English and nearly all shops and vendors have a basic grasp of English, making Botswana ideal for meeting locals and interacting with various people in the country.

Afrikaans is spoken by a small percentage of farmers in some regions, so Dutch and German visitors should be able to understand to a point.

Other languages in Botswana include Kalanga and Sekgalagadi, which include some of the bushmen dialects.

9 Botswana Overland Tours recommended for you

  • Ultimate Trans Africa Expedition

    40 weeks   From GBP 4850

    London to Cairo

  • Johannesburg to Nairobi

    7 weeks   From US$ 2490

    Johannesburg to Nairobi

  • Dar Es Salaam to Cape Town

    5 weeks   From US$ 1790

    Dar Es Salaam to Cape Town

  • Dar Es Salaam to Johannesburg

    26 days   From US$ 1390

    Dar Es Salaam to Johannesburg

  • Victoria Falls to Nairobi

    21 days   From US$ 1290

    Victoria Falls to Nairobi

  • Complete Desert and Delta

    21 days   From EUR 1855

    Livingstone to Livingstone

  • Victoria Falls to Dar Es Salaam

    15 days   From US$ 890

    Victoria Falls to Dar Es Salaam

  • Magic Namibia

    14 days   From US$ 690

    Swakopmund to Victoria Falls

  • Victoria Falls to Johannesburg Family Tour

    11 days   From US$ 590

    Victoria Falls to Johannesburg