Leisure in Botswana

Formal leisure activities are organized, among others, by the Ministry of Sport and Arts, the Botswana National Sports Commission, the Botswana National Olympic Committee, the Botswana National Arts Council, the Department of National Museum and Monuments, the Department of Wildlife and National Parks and the Botswana Tourism Organisation. Municipal authorities, schools, sports clubs, private providers, lodges, cultural institutions and community organizations also contribute. Common sports include football, athletics, netball, volleyball, basketball, tennis, table tennis, boxing, judo, karate, swimming, golf, horse racing, cycling and motorsport. Sports can be practiced or attended as a spectator; access and fees are usually set by the relevant facility or organizer. Museums and heritage sites complement traditional music and dance, handicrafts, exhibitions, workshops, fashion shows and film offerings. Citizens and non-citizens can request a group tour of facilities of the Department of National Museum and Monuments in writing, by email, fax or post. Processing takes about ten working days, and according to the available information the tour is free of charge. General opening hours are Monday to Friday from 07:30 to 12:45 and from 12:45 to 16:30, except on public holidays. At Tsodilo Hills, local guides and the Community Trust are part of practical access; the rock paintings and their significance for San and Hambukushu communities require respectful conduct and compliance with local rules. Outdoor leisure is available, among other places, in the Okavango Delta and along the Okavango Panhandle. Activities include trips in a traditional dugout canoe (Mokoro), boat tours, fishing, birdwatching and village visits. In Greater Gaborone, options include hiking and picnicking at Kgale Hill, the Gaborone Dam and non-motorized water sports at the Gaborone Yacht Club. Hiking in the southeast and around Gaborone is generally more pleasant from May to September; an early start, sufficient water, long clothing and hand protection help in heat and thorny areas. GPS can be useful on poorly marked routes; blanket guarantees about routes or maps are not available. For recreational fishing, the Department of Wildlife and National Parks issues a licence. It is available to citizens and non-citizens aged 18 and over; the open season runs from 1 March to 31 December. Citizens need a certified copy of the Botswana identity document (Omang), while non-citizens need a certified copy of their passport. At a camp or lodge, an additional letter is required, and at a dam an access permit from the Water Utilities Corporation may be necessary. Processing takes approximately two hours. The fee is 30 Botswana pula (BWP) per month or 360 BWP per year for citizens, and 300 BWP per month or 600 BWP per year for non-citizens. National parks, campsites and wilderness activities vary by location, season, residency status and operator. Reservations, park, camping and guide fees are variable; a tariff change was announced for 2026, so the final published tariff should be checked before booking. Safaris, camping, hiking, cycling, four-wheel-drive trips and quad biking should be planned with licensed providers or with the permits required in each case. Many wilderness areas are unfenced and may involve heat, water shortages, thorns, wildlife and long distances. Urban leisure activities such as shopping centers, music, dance, culture, golf, boat trips and local entertainment are concentrated in Gaborone. No reliable nationwide comprehensive list of nightlife and private events is available; opening hours, admission, age limits and entry rules should be checked directly with the organizer or venue. The Botswana Tourism Organisation supports lifestyle, cultural, sports, adventure and festival formats. Examples include the Khawa Dune Challenge and Cultural Festival, the Botswana Kalahari 1000 Toyota Desert Race, the Makgadikgadi Epic, cultural and music festivals, marathons, horse races, heritage walks and Family Fun Days. Dates, prices and cancellations are not automatically guaranteed and should be confirmed directly. Accommodation for relaxation includes hotels, lodges, safari camps, guesthouses, self-catering accommodation, backpacker accommodation and campsites. Picnics, walks, cycling, sports and family days are often organized informally or privately in towns. The available information does not document a nationwide uniform leisure pass or general government leisure benefit. Typical travel routes connect Greater Gaborone, Maun and the Okavango, Kasane and the Chobe, the Makgadikgadi and Nxai Pans, the Central Kalahari, Tuli and Tsodilo. Accommodation, transfers and individual activities are usually booked separately, either independently or through a licensed provider or guide.