Botswana expat guide

Indoor smoking is not usually the dominant social norm. Law vibe is relatively orderly and clear compared with many nearby places.

Minimum budget: rural $600/mo, urban $700/mo. Medical insurance: $900/yr.

Auto: Russian licenses should be paired with an IDP, English translation; rental desks care about readable license, passport and credit card. Prices vary sharply: $35-70/day for city compacts, $90-180+/day for Hilux, Fortuner, 4x4 safari vehicles. Namibia, South Africa, Zimbabwe, Zambia crossings are possible with written authorization and border fees, but wildlife routes and ferry, park rules require planning.

Smoking: Indoor smoking is not usually the dominant social norm.

Police / rules: Police and public-order vibe is orderly and clear: not especially soft, but the rules tend to feel legible rather than random or performatively harsh.

Zones

• Urban South-East: Dry modern city life, quiet suburbs, wide roads, big sky and strong services. Dry sunny plateau climate with huge skies and low humidity. Summers reach 30–38°C with seasonal thunderstorms, while winters stay cool and crisp around 5–22°C.
• Savanna Interior: Safari bases, lodges, desert space, huge distances and life built around the road. Hot open safari landscapes with dusty roads and sparse vegetation. Temperatures swing heavily between hot sunny days and cold desert-like nights. Rainy season briefly turns the plains green.