I’m just starting to plan our trip for late August 2026, but I’ve read multiple times that campsite bookings need to be made *way* in advance if we want to secure a spot—especially in the parks. Before I get too far into my road book, I’d love to get a sense of what “way in advance” actually means.
That leads to another question: what’s the best *channel* for making these reservations? Can I find a list of campsites online?
From what I’ve gathered, there aren’t any fenced campsites—is wild camping allowed?
I’ll admit, I’m short on time, and reading a few threads here has shown me how quick and helpful the experts are [;)].
We’re a group of 4 and plan to rent a 4x4. Rooftop tents seem like the better option given the wildlife (and, well, *people* roaming freely), especially compared to Namibia (which we visited in 2018).
Hi,
My trip to Botswana was back in 2019, so the info I’m sharing below is from then.
For booking campsites in the parks, I mostly went through Botswana Footprints (outside the parks, it’s not too hard to book on your own). From what I can tell, the site still exists. They take a commission, but it’s very reasonable. I booked about 7 or 8 months before my trip started, and the most popular reserves like Moremi and Chobe were already fully booked. But the provider offered me alternatives nearby that were totally fine. I haven’t checked, but I’ve heard you sometimes need to book a year in advance for certain national parks.
In the reserves, campsites aren’t fenced. Even if they’re several kilometers apart (like in the Central Kalahari), you’re not allowed to just set up anywhere. So no wild camping! Outside the parks, I’m not sure—probably nothing stops you.
Anyway, a 4x4 with roof tents seems like the perfect setup for this country. Don’t wait too long to book that either.
Good luck with your prep!
Mon voyage au Botswana :
https://voyageforum.com/discussion/pays-tswanas-botswana-d9819920/
Campsite reservations had to be made very far in advance to hope for a spot, especially in the parks
Yes, inside the parks.
Yes for popular campsites outside the parks.
I’d like to get an idea of what "very far in advance" means
A good year ahead if your trip is planned for high season.
What "channel" should we use to make these reservations? Can we find a list of campsites online?
I wrote this some time ago elsewhere:
Botswana doesn’t have an infinite number of campsites, even fewer within its parks.
To be honest—and not to be mean—the number is more like *tiny*...
Yet, this wild destination is attracting more and more travelers seeking nature, wildlife experiences, or a return to a simpler way of life.
That’s why such a trip leaves little room for improvising overnight stays, especially in high season (the dry season combined with international and local school holidays, i.e., the austral winter).
The risk is ending up, at best, outside the parks, alongside budget group tours, in large campsites that are certainly more comfortable but farther from the immersive wild experience.
Still, these campsites are much cheaper and can save the budget for less well-off travelers...
Now, let’s talk about *how*!
The organization managing Botswana’s parks doesn’t have a reservation site like Sanparks.
Worse, from a user’s perspective, it has outsourced the management of its campsites to private operators that charge a premium for their limited services to international travelers.
The campsites still managed by the public sector are currently the following:
- Central Kalahari Game Reserve (or CKGR for those in the know): campsites at Deception, Kori, Leopard, Phokoje, Xade, Bape, and Xaka.
- Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park (or KTP for regulars): all campsites on the Botswana side except Mabuasehube Pan and Mpayathuthwa.
- Makgadikgadi Pans National Park: only Tree Island.
These campsites are booked the old-fashioned way via email to the parks office: dwnp@gov.bw or by phone to the Gaborone (+267 318 0774) and Maun (+267 686 1265) branches.
Rates are very affordable, from 30 to 200 pula per person per night, with spartan facilities (a shaded spot, a braai, possibly dry toilets, rarely water, very rarely a proper bathroom—but very often nocturnal visitors on four legs...)
It would’ve been too simple to entrust the management of the most in-demand sites to a single company.
That’s why Botswana, in its infinite wisdom, has multiplied the operators for its concessions...
Ready for a long list? Here we go.
- CKGR (Passarge, Piper, Sunday Pan, Lekhubu, and Letiahau Pans) and Khutse: Bigfoot Tours
This organization can be reached by phone at +267 395 3360 or 391 0927, or by email (bigfoottoursbw@gmail.com or operations@bigfoottours.co.bw).
It also has a website (if you can get the page to load...): http://www.bigfoottours.co.bw/
- KTP (Mabuasehube Pan and Mpayathuthwa): Inter-Tourism
This organization can be reached by phone at +267 715 57665 or by email (campsites@inter-tourismgroup.com or traveloptions@inter-tourismgroup.com).
- Chobe (Ihaha) and Moremi (South Gate -Maqwee- and Xakanaxa): Kwalate Safaris
This organization can be reached by phone at +267 686 1448 or by email (kwalatesafari@gmail.com).
- Chobe (Savuti and Linyanti), Moremi (Khwai/North Gate), Makgadikgadi Pans (Kumaga): SKL Camps
This organization can be reached by phone at +267 686 5365 or by email (reservations@sklcamps.co.bw or sklcamps@botsnet.bw).
It also has a website (a bit rough around the edges...): https://sklcamps.com/
- Moremi (Third Bridge), Nxai (South Camp and Baines Baobab): Xomae Group
This organization can be reached by phone at +267 686 2221 or by email (xomaesites@botsnet.bw).
It also has a website: https://www.xomaesites.com/
These campsites are also minimalist: from almost nothing to a decent bathroom block, but they come at a steep price for international travelers (expect around $50 USD per person at Baines Baobab, for example).
Faced with such complexity and a lack of responses, travelers often throw in the towel and end up entrusting a local agency with booking their overnight stays.
Personally, I went through Botswana Footprints, and they met all my expectations: bookings@botswanafootprints.com
Un si beau paysage : concours de photos amical de juin 2026
Rubrique Jeux Voyages
C'est le moment de poster vos meilleurs clichés !
