Botswana Country Commercial Guide
Learn about the market conditions, opportunities, regulations, and business conditions in botswana, prepared by at U.S. Embassies worldwide by Commerce Department, State Department and other U.S. agencies’ professionals
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Travel and Tourism
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Botswana’s unique natural resources provide a significant competitive advantage in the tourism sector, making it a globally recognized destination.  In 2024, Botswana was voted the ‘Best Safari Country’ for the fourth time by SafariBookings.com, an online marketplace for African safari tours.  The country is home to the Okavango Delta, the world’s largest inland delta (spanning 15,000 square kilometers in the dry season and 22,000 square kilometers in the wet season), a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and the Central Kalahari Game Reserve (CKGR), the second-largest wildlife reserve globally and the largest in Southern Africa, covering 52,800 square kilometers.

Botswana’s rich and diverse wildlife resources are primarily utilized for non-consumptive purposes, such as ecotourism, though subsistence hunting and game ranching also play a role.  The Wildlife Conservation and National Parks Act of 1992 supports the development of a viable game ranching industry, with game farms covering 971,137 hectares and contributing significantly to wildlife conservation.

Tourism is a major contributor to Botswana’s economy, though it is estimated to account for less than 5 percent of GDP.  Recognizing its growth potential, the GoB prioritized tourism as part of its economic diversification strategy. The FY 2025/2026 budget includes funding for the implementation of the National Tourism Strategy and Master Plan.  The government is also improving connectivity by signing bilateral air service agreements with neighboring countries and pursuing partnerships with regional and international airlines to establish direct routes to key global tourism markets.
To broaden its tourism base, Botswana is expanding beyond its traditional focus on high-end consumers to include the mid-range market, aiming to increase revenue and create jobs.  The GoB is actively promoting alternative forms of tourism, such as cultural tourism and agro-tourism, to diversify offerings and enhance visitor experiences.  The government encourages new investments and joint ventures in tourism and continues to play a significant role in developing tourism projects.

In recent years, new hotels, including U.S. brands and conference facilities opened, increasing Botswana’s capacity to host international events.  However, Gaborone’s hotel room capacity remains insufficient, presenting opportunities for further investment.  The government is also upgrading infrastructure in wildlife-protected areas and approving new lodging sites within four of the largest national parks.  Trophy hunting, reintroduced in 2019 under a permitting and quota system, allows community-based trusts to issue licenses and benefit from the revenues.
The Botswana Tourism Organization (BTO), a quasi-governmental entity, oversees tourism operations, including marketing, investment promotion, and grading facilities to international standards.  The Hospitality and Tourism Association of Botswana (HATAB), a non-profit organization funded by its members, promotes excellence in the hospitality and tourism industries.

Botswana’s tourism sector offers significant opportunities for investment in infrastructure, mid-range tourism, alternative tourism products, and partnerships to support the country’s growing reputation as a premier global destination.

Sub-sector Best Prospects 

Eco-tourism, midrange tourism excursions, hotels, lodges, holiday resorts, direct flights, and restaurants are the best sub-sector prospects.

Opportunities  

There are opportunities for joint ventures for hotel expansions and start-ups along the Trans-Kalahari Highway, joining Botswana and Namibia, and development of lodges in the Kgalagadi Trans-frontier Park, Greater Mapungubwe Transfrontier Conservation Area, Central Kalahari Game Reserve, Makgadikgadi Pans National Park, and forest reserves surrounding Chobe National Park.  Botswana’s rich culture provides opportunities for cultural tourism development, showcasing the country’s heritage and traditions.  Conservation projects that prioritize environmental sustainability and community involvement also offer good investment opportunities.  Increased air linkages to nearby counties are another area of potential growth.  

Resources  

  • Botswana Ministry of Environment and Tourism
  •  Hospitality and Tourism Association of Botswana (HATAB)
  • The Tourist (Botswana Tourism Magazine)
  • Botswana Tourism Organization (BTO)
  • Botswana Ministry of Trade and Entrepreneurship

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