Gap Year Programs in Botswana

Just as you don’t go to the desert if you can’t stand the heat, you’re not coming to Botswana for its towering skyscrapers or world famous architecture. The name of the game in this faraway plain is wilderness—and bucketloads of it. So, depending on your goals for your gap year in Botswana, whether you travel, volunteer, or work in a lodge, it will revolve around the great outdoors. 

Maun. Nestled on the banks of the Thamalakane River to the north of the country, Maun is your port of call for trips to the Okavango Delta. Packed with all types of accommodations, gappers looking to work a stint on a lodge would do well to start their search here. You can also get your culture fix at the Nhabe Museum, featuring local art, and stock up on supplies for your unforgettable delta safari.

Serowe. Somewhat off the beaten path in central Botswana, Serowe is home to the Khama Rhino Sanctuary. Here the animals are bred and looked after before being re-introduced to the wild. If you’re looking to learn about endangered species or volunteer in Botswana, no other destination will bring you so close to these mighty beasts.

Okavango Delta. During the wet season, the arid terrain of the Kalahari Desert is transformed into lush and sprawling grasslands that come to life with natural species. Get up close and personal with crocodiles and hippos on a canoe safari straight through their habitat. Or stay at safe snapping distance on dry land, spotting lions, giraffes, leopards, and buffalo at Moremi Game Reserve. 

Kasane. They say it’s location, location, location, and Kasane certainly boasts an enviable one. At the “Four Corners” of Africa, here Botswana collides with Zimbabwe, Zambia, and Namibia. Botswana gap years will offer the opportunity to pick up more stamps in your passport and explore the world famous Victoria Falls, or watch for black rhino in Chobe National Park. The mighty Baobab tree here has a trunk so large, it was once used as a human jail! And if you’re into reptiles, there's a pretty cool snake park nearby.

Francistown. If you’re aching for a fix of civilization, and to share a brew with a fellow gapper, head to lively Francistown, Botswana’s oldest city. History buffs will love the Supa Ngwao Museum, which shows the life of the Kalanga people over the ages. There are plenty of open plazas and restaurants in which to try Seswaa, Botswana’s national dish. You can also head to the Domboshaba ruins, north of the town to marvel at centuries-old stone walls and enclosures.

Before you start packing your bags, you might want to come up with a plan. Botswana’s landscape varies dramatically by season, and this will affect the types of animals you see. Keep in mind that much of Botswana’s population lives below the poverty line. You’re unlikely to find work here that isn’t on a game lodge, and volunteering programs need to be applied for in advance.

Adventure Travel. Botswana is a paradise for thrill seekers, and a gap year in Africa’s jewel will not disappoint. From the spray of water on your cheeks canoeing up the Okavango Delta, to the wind rushing through your hair on a jeep safari, adrenaline junkies will smile from ear to ear. Take a sunset balloon ride over the flooded plains and watch endangered species from a bird’s eye view, or simply camp out under the stars and awake to a dawn chorus of African bullfrogs.

Working Holiday. With the influx of foreign tourists each year, gappers who want to spend some time working on a lodge should find enough opportunities. From tour guides to chefs, personal trainers to receptionists; there’s a variety of jobs for your working holiday in Botswana. You’ll get accommodation and board on top of your salary and the chance to fund your travel while meeting other gappers.

Volunteering. If you want to dedicate some time to preserving Botswana’s unparalleled wildlife, there’s no better way than volunteering. Help restore previously farmed and hunted lands to the wild, natural places they once were. Come face to face with lions, leopards, and elephants, and swap stories with fellow gappers over the campfire with the hum of the outback as your soundtrack.

Costs. Depending on your plans when you get there, the cost of living during gap year programs in Botswana is relatively cheap. Food from the markets is inexpensive and transport can cost as little as a few cents. A meal out in a restaurant won’t break your budget either, at around $5-6 for your average inexpensive eatery. A beer will set you back around $2.60. Volunteering in Botswana isn’t cheap, with a typical wildlife rehabilitation placement starting at around $700 a week, which includes food and housing. 

You could always combine volunteering for a few weeks with working on a lodge and some adventure travel. Safari tours can be steep, so shop around, and plan to add an extra couple of thousand on top of your budget if you don’t want to miss out. Be sure to check out FundMyTravel if you need some help raising capital for the more expensive gap year travel programs.

Accommodations. Botswana has something for everyone’s budget, but if you’re really on a shoestring, pack a canvas. There’s an eye-opening disparity in accommodation prices, ranging from around $15 a night for a spot on a campsite to over $1,000 for a luxury suite with a pool. If you’re working in Botswana, you’ll be provided accommodation in the lodge, and volunteering programs cover room and board. 

Visas. Nationals from most English-speaking countries don’t need visas to enter Botswana. If you do, you’ll need to organize it before you arrive. Be aware that you’ll only be granted a 30-day stay upon entry. If you want to stay longer, renew your permit at the nearest immigration office (or do a border hop, like most gappers). Visitors to Botswana can stay for a maximum of three months in a twelve-month period, so contact the Department of Immigration to extend your stay or request a work permit. Check with the GoAbroad embassy directory for more information. 

Safety. Despite what you may have heard, tell your folks not to sweat it; Botswana is widely regarded as the safest African country to travel in. Street crime is exceptionally low (especially against tourists), although it pays to exercise caution, especially when traveling alone. Take care when walking and talking with a cell phone. The areas of Kgale Hill and Gaborone Dam in the capital can be a bit sketchy, and carjackings are not entirely infrequent. It’s best not to resist should you find yourself victim of crime.

It’s hard leaving your family and friends behind, and it takes courage to set out on your own. But when you’re yards away from newborn lion cubs playing in the drylands, or sipping an ice-cold beer at your campsite as the sun melts over the Kalahari desert, you’ll know you’re truly alive. A gap year in Botswana will open your mind and nourish your soul. When you get back, you’ll have killer experience on your resume and genuinely wild stories to share. 

Top tip? Take a flashlight. The sun sets early and you’ll often find yourself pitching your tent in the dark. Also, decide what kind of wildlife you prioritize seeing the most. Although the terrain here is always stunning, the seasons can dramatically affect your chances of seeing certain animals, and the humidity in the wet season hits like a wall. 

If you’re hearing the call of the wild and aching for an African adventure, take a gap year in Botswana. Work, travel, or give something back to the land with the most magnificent creatures on earth.

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