Food and Shopping in Botswana
A luxury safari in Botswana comes with excellent dining. Remote camps and lodges take their food seriously, with skilled chefs preparing fresh, imaginative menus in locations many miles from the nearest town. Breakfast after an early game drive, lunch overlooking the Okavango Delta and dinner outdoors under the stars all become part of the safari experience. Alongside contemporary and international menus, many lodges serve traditional Botswana dishes and locally inspired food.
The country’s cuisine has strong connections with cattle farming and agriculture. Meat, grains and vegetables form the basis of traditional cooking, with freshwater fish also eaten around the Okavango Delta and Chobe River. Botswana’s food is generally hearty and straightforward, based on good ingredients and recipes that have been prepared in homes and communities for generations.
Botswana is also known for the quality of its handmade crafts. Basket weaving is perhaps the best-known tradition internationally, alongside pottery, wood carving, textiles, jewelry and work by San artisans. Craft centers and community projects sell directly produced local work, supporting the artisans and communities involved.
In Maun and Kasane, you’ll find craft shops, galleries and markets selling locally made pieces, particularly around the main tourism areas. Gaborone has the country’s widest choice of shopping, including galleries, craft outlets and contemporary stores.
Good food, beautiful handmade crafts and the chance to buy directly from Botswana artisans add plenty of interest to the time between safari activities.
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Opening Hours in Botswana
Shops in Botswana generally open around 8:00 or 9:00 a.m. and close between 5:00 and 6:00 p.m. Monday through Friday. Many shopping malls and larger stores stay open later and trade throughout the weekend, although Sunday hours are shorter. Smaller independent shops and craft outlets set their own hours, particularly in Maun, Kasane and other tourism areas.
Dining Hours in Botswana
Breakfast at safari camps starts early to fit around morning game drives, sometimes before sunrise with coffee and a light snack followed by a full breakfast on your return. Lunch is usually served around midday, with afternoon tea before the evening safari and dinner afterwards. In towns, restaurants generally serve lunch from around noon and dinner from 6:00 or 7:00 p.m.
Paying in Botswana
The Botswana pula (BWP) is the official currency. Credit and debit cards are accepted at hotels, safari lodges, restaurants, shopping malls and larger stores. Carry some pula for smaller shops, craft stalls and other cash purchases. ATMs are available in Gaborone, Maun and Kasane, but access to banking facilities becomes limited once you travel into remote safari areas.
Tax-Free Shopping in Botswana
Botswana charges Value Added Tax (VAT) on most goods and services. Foreign visitors can claim a VAT refund on qualifying goods purchased during their stay and taken out of the country, subject to minimum purchase and documentation requirements. Keep your original tax invoices and receipts, and allow time to complete the refund procedure when leaving Botswana.
What to Buy in Botswana
Botswana has a strong tradition of craftsmanship, and the best souvenirs are made by hand using local materials and techniques passed through generations.
Botswana is especially well known for its handwoven baskets. In the Okavango region, women weave the leaves of the mokola palm into tightly coiled baskets decorated with intricate geometric patterns. Traditional designs have names inspired by local wildlife, plants and everyday objects, and you’ll find everything from bowls and trays to large decorative pieces.
In the Kalahari, San artisans produce jewelry, beadwork, leatherwork and carvings, drawing on artistic traditions developed within their communities over generations. Look for pieces sold through local craft projects and cooperatives, where a greater share of the money you spend goes directly to the artisans and their communities. These projects also give you the chance to learn about the techniques and materials behind the work.
You’ll find plenty more to tempt you, including hand-carved wooden animals, pottery, textiles and contemporary jewelry. Botswana’s artists also work in painting, sculpture and mixed media, giving you options beyond traditional souvenirs.
Gaborone has galleries and specialist craft outlets showcasing both established and emerging Botswana artists. In Maun and Kasane, shops and craft centers feature work made in the northern regions, particularly baskets, carvings and jewelry. Community craft projects are especially interesting places to shop, combining distinctive handmade pieces with the chance to support the artisans who made them.
Frequently Asked Questions
What traditional food should I try in Botswana?
Start with seswaa, slow-cooked and shredded beef or goat traditionally served with bogobe, a thick sorghum, maize or millet porridge. Dikgobe, made with beans and grains, and morogo, leafy green vegetables, are also common. For something sweet, try freshly cooked magwinya, balls of fried dough.
Where are the best places to shop for local crafts in Botswana?
Gaborone has galleries, specialist craft stores and community outlets, with a good choice of contemporary and traditional work. Maun is particularly good for baskets and crafts produced around the Okavango region, and Kasane has several craft outlets selling locally made pieces.
What are the best souvenirs to buy in Botswana?
Handwoven Botswana baskets are an excellent choice, particularly those made around the Okavango Delta. Other locally made pieces include San jewelry and beadwork, pottery, textiles, wood carvings and contemporary art. Craft cooperatives and community projects are good places to buy directly, helping more of your purchase reach local artisans.
Is tipping expected in restaurants in Botswana?
A tip of around 10% is customary in restaurants when a service charge has not already been added to the bill. Tipping arrangements at safari camps are different, with guides and camp staff usually tipped separately at the end of your stay.
Can I buy Botswana crafts at safari lodges?
Yes. Many safari lodges have small shops or boutiques selling baskets, jewelry, textiles and other locally produced crafts. The selection varies considerably between camps, so Maun, Kasane and Gaborone give you additional opportunities to shop during your itinerary.
Our local expert in Botswana
How Finest Journeys Enhances Your Food and Shopping Experience in Botswana
Finest Journeys can include opportunities to try traditional Botswana dishes, visit local craft centers and shop for work produced by Botswana artisans. Your private guide can recommend places to eat and shop during your vacation, help you identify locally made pieces and explain the traditions and techniques behind the crafts you find.