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Botswana

Botswana

Capital:Gaborone
Population:2.6M
Currency:Pula (BWP)
Language:English (official), Setswana
Giraffe and elephants

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Quick Look Factsheet

A multi-page overview of Botswana.

Botswana Factsheet

Customs and Culture

Cultural Attributes

Individuals are expected to contribute to society rather than have the government support them. Cleanliness and neatness are important throughout the country.

Giraffe and elephants

Land of the Kalahari's Keepers

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6 more cultural topics for members

Social Customs & Etiquette · Diet · Family · Dating Customs · Recreation · Student Life

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Holidays

  • Independence Day

    9/30

    Independence Day

Dates of Interest

  • September 30th

How do people greet each other in Botswana?

Formal verbal greetings are common, with a right-handed handshake while supporting your right elbow with your left hand, especially with acquaintances, elders, or people of higher social status.

Do

  • Shake with the right hand while supporting your elbow with the left hand
  • As an elder or someone approaching, greet first among Setswana speakers

Good to know

  • Greeting customs vary by ethnic group — among the Kalanga, the younger person always greets first

What are the dining customs in Botswana?

Sharing is central to meals, with most families eating from common bowls or plates, though each person has their own cup.

Do

  • Leave a little food behind to show the meal was filling
  • Expect to eat with the family if you arrive at mealtime, and often help prepare the meal

Don’t

  • Don't share drinks — each person has their own cup
  • Don't smell food before eating it, as this implies something is wrong with it

Good to know

  • Bogobe, a sorghum, maize, or millet porridge, is a staple — soured and soft for breakfast, thickened for later meals
  • Phane worms dried in hot ashes are a delicacy in the northeast
  • Leftovers may be kept for later or given to departing guests

What etiquette should travelers know in Botswana?

Community is at the heart of Tswana life, and cleanliness and neatness are valued throughout the country.

Do

  • Value contributions that benefit the community
  • Welcome unannounced visitors, especially relatives, offering water or a drink first

Good to know

  • Working family members are expected to support relatives without jobs and to house traveling relatives

What should I wear in Botswana?

Western dress is common; despite the heat, urban men wear business suits with ties and women wear dresses or blouses.

Good to know

  • Rural women often wear a wrap over their dresses to protect them from dirt
  • Married women cover their heads with a kerchief
  • Both sexes typically have very short hair

What gestures should I be aware of in Botswana?

Public displays of affection are inappropriate, and respect for elders in conversation is shown by looking toward the ground.

Don’t

  • Don't show affection publicly

Good to know

  • Several different gestures are used to communicate 'No thank you'
  • Look toward the ground to show respect to elders during conversation

What is family life like in Botswana?

High unemployment and the search for work often keep families separated, so women remain primarily responsible for the family and often run home-based businesses.

Good to know

  • Married couples may work far apart from one another
  • When a couple becomes engaged, the two families negotiate the bogadi (bride price)

What do people do for recreation in Botswana?

A popular traditional game is 'stalking,' where blindfolded children play a hunter chasing a springbok to sharpen listening skills and reflexes.

Good to know

  • Stalking is played by eight or more players and needs only two blindfolds
  • A hunter and a springbok are blindfolded, spun, and placed in a circle for timed rounds

Last updated: 2026-07-12 · Sources: CountryReports

Photos of Botswana

Travel and Tourism

Travel Alert Status
Level 1: Exercise Normal Precautions
Currency
10.21
Time Difference
UTC+2 (7 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time)
Climate
Most of its area is an inhospitable semi-desert known as the Kalahari. Even the most arable sections of eastern Botswana are subject to periodic drought and unpredictable rains. Botswana straddles the Tropic of Capricorn and has an average elevation of 3,300 feet. Daily high temperatures during the hottest month, January, average in the upper 90's to over 100°F. Winter daytime temperatures generally reach 70 degrees, but with little cloud cover and no humidity to hold warmth in the air, they plummet to 30 or 40°F at night.
Airports
85
Recommended Vaccinations
How important is it to do your research about vaccinations? It might just save your life! Make yourself aware of the different types of vaccinations and which ones you may need to travel to your destination. Schedule an appointment with your doctor at least four to six weeks before you travel to ensure you receive all important shots. Be sure that you and your family are up to date on your routine vaccinations. Which vaccinations you need will depend on a number of factors including your destination, whether you will be spending time in rural areas, the season of the year you are traveling, your age, health status, and previous immunizations.
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Recipes

Featured Dish

Mageu (Thick Sorghum Drink)

Beverage

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History

Historical Eras

  1. Pre-colonial Era

    200 BCE – 1885

    San (Bushmen) hunter-gatherers inhabited the region for millennia before Bantu-speaking Tswana peoples migrated into the area, establishing herding and farming communities under tribal chieftainships. In the early 19th century, the Mfecane — the upheavals driven by Zulu expansion — displaced and reshaped Batswana communities. Tensions with Boer settlers from the Transvaal in the 1870s and 1880s prompted Batswana chiefs to seek British protection.

  2. Bechuanaland Protectorate

    1885 – 1966

    Britain formally declared Bechuanaland a protectorate in 1885, administering the northern territory directly from a seat of government in Mafikeng. Advisory councils for Africans and Europeans were established in 1920, and proclamations in 1934 regularized tribal governance. Despite pressure from South Africa to absorb the territory, Bechuanaland's inhabitants successfully resisted inclusion in the Union of South Africa, preserving a path toward independent nationhood.

  3. Independence & Nation-Building

    1966 – 1980

    Botswana gained independence on 30 September 1966, with Seretse Khama — founder of the Bechuanaland Democratic Party and heir to the Bamangwato chieftainship — elected as the country's first president. The discovery of diamonds at Orapa in 1967 transformed the economic outlook of one of the world's poorest nations. Khama established democratic institutions, a nonracial constitution, and a foreign policy of principled opposition to apartheid South Africa, serving until his death in office in 1980.

  4. Consolidation & Growth

    1980 – 1999

    Vice President Ketumile Masire assumed the presidency after Khama's death and guided Botswana through sustained diamond-led economic expansion, earning it one of the world's highest GDP growth rates. The Botswana Defence Force, established in 1977, was strengthened as regional instability persisted. Multiparty elections held in 1984, 1989, and 1994 reinforced the country's reputation for stable, civilian democratic governance on a continent marked by coups and conflict.

  5. Modern Botswana

    1999 – present

    President Festus Mogae, who took office in 1998 and was elected in his own right in 1999, oversaw Botswana's response to a devastating HIV/AIDS epidemic — one of the world's worst — through a landmark antiretroviral treatment program. Diamond revenues funded expanded public services, though global demand fluctuations exposed economic vulnerability, prompting efforts to diversify into tourism and conservation. Landmark court victories for the San people in 2006 highlighted ongoing tensions over indigenous land rights and resource access.

Overview

The Batswana, a term also used to denote all citizens of Botswana, refers to the country’s major ethnic group (the "Tswana" in South Africa), which came into the area from South Africa during the Zulu wars of the early 1800s. Prior to European contact, the Batswana lived as herders and farmers under tribal rule.

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Timeline of Key Events

  1. 1867

    European gold prospectors arrive, mining begins.

    European gold prospectors arrive, mining begins.

  2. 1885

    British proclaim a protectorate called Bechuanaland.

    British proclaim a protectorate called Bechuanaland.

  3. 1959

    Copper mines are established.

    Copper mines are established.

  4. 1960

    Bechuanaland People’s Party (BPP) is established.

    Bechuanaland People’s Party (BPP) is established.

  5. 1962

    Seretse Khama founds Bechuanaland Democratic Party (BDP)

    Seretse Khama founds Bechuanaland Democratic Party (BDP), later to become Botswana Democratic Party.

  6. 1966

    Bechuanaland is granted independence and becomes Republic of Botswana.

    Bechuanaland is granted independence and becomes Republic of Botswana with Seretse Khama as president.

  7. 1966

    Joins the United Nations.

    Joins the United Nations.

View full timeline (14 events)
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Interesting Facts

  • When a child loses a tooth they throw their tooth on the roof and say “Mr. Moon, Mr. Moon, please bring me a new tooth.”

  • African elephants are different from Indian elephants. They are larger, and both male and female have tusks.

  • San (The San are the original inhabitants of the land and have been living there for as long as 50,000 years) gatherers carry water in ostrich eggs.

  • Diamonds were discovered in Botswana in 1967. It took 4 years for mining to start.

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Geography and Environment

Terrain
predominantly flat to gently rolling tableland; Kalahari Desert in southwest
Climate
Most of its area is an inhospitable semi-desert known as the Kalahari. Even the most arable sections of eastern Botswana are subject to periodic drought and unpredictable rains. Botswana straddles the Tropic of Capricorn and has an average elevation of 3,300 feet. Daily high temperatures during the hottest month, January, average in the upper 90’s to over 100 degrees Fahrenheit. Winter daytime temperatures generally reach 70 degrees, but with little cloud cover and no humidity to hold warmth in the air, they plummet to 30 or 40 degrees Fahrenheit at night.
Natural Hazards
periodic droughts; seasonal August winds blow from the west, carrying sand and dust across the country, which can obscure visibility
Current Environmental Issues
overgrazing; desertification; limited fresh water resources
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People & Demographics

Religion

Languages Spoken

English (official), Setswana

  • English

Population

Population
2,630,438
Population in Major Urban Areas
GABORONE (capital) 202,000
Nationality Noun
Motswana (singular), Batswana (plural)
Ethnic Groups
Tswana (or Setswana) 79%, Kalanga 11%, Basarwa 3%, other (including Kgalagadi and white) 7%
Language Note
English is the official language while Setswana is considered the national language. Tjikalanga is commonly spoken in northeastern Botswana.

Education

Literacy Definition
Age 15 and over can read and write

Health Information

Life Expectancy at Birth
Life expectancy at birth in Botswana has undergone a dramatic and well-documented transformation over the past two decades, reflecting both the devastating impact of the HIV/AIDS epidemic and the country's subsequent, determined public health response. In the early 2000s, Botswana was among the hardest-hit nations in the world by HIV/AIDS, and life expectancy plummeted to approximately 49 years — one of the lowest figures ever recorded for the country. At the peak of the crisis, the epidemic threatened to reverse an entire generation of development gains. Beginning in the mid-2000s, Botswana launched one of Africa's most ambitious antiretroviral treatment (ART) programs, providing free HIV/AIDS medication to its citizens. This initiative, combined with expanded access to healthcare, improved maternal and child health services, and rising national income from diamond revenues, produced a remarkable recovery. By the early 2010s, life expectancy had climbed back into the mid-60s, and the upward trend has largely continued. As of the most recent available data, life expectancy at birth in Botswana stands at approximately 65 to 66 years overall, with some variation between male and female populations. Women in Botswana generally outlive men, a pattern consistent with global trends. Male life expectancy is typically a few years lower, reflecting higher rates of occupational risk, road traffic accidents, and, historically, higher HIV prevalence among certain demographic groups. While these figures represent a significant improvement from the crisis years, Botswana still faces ongoing challenges. HIV/AIDS remains prevalent, with the country carrying one of the highest adult HIV prevalence rates in the world — estimated at roughly 20 to 21 percent of adults aged 15 to 49. Non-communicable diseases such as cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and cancer are also increasingly contributing to mortality as the population ages and urbanization accelerates. Despite these challenges, Botswana's experience serves as a notable example of how targeted public health investment, government commitment, and international cooperation can dramatically alter a population's health trajectory over a relatively short period of time.
Major Infectious Diseases — degree of risk
High
Infant Mortality Rate
Botswana has made notable progress in reducing infant mortality over recent decades, though the rate remains relatively elevated compared to high-income nations. As of the most recent available data, Botswana's infant mortality rate stands at approximately 26 to 28 deaths per 1,000 live births. This figure represents the number of infants who die before reaching one year of age for every 1,000 children born alive in a given year. The country's infant mortality rate has declined significantly since the early 2000s, when the HIV/AIDS epidemic was at its peak and infant deaths were substantially higher. At that time, rates exceeded 50 deaths per 1,000 live births. The improvement since then reflects major investments in public health infrastructure, including the widespread rollout of antiretroviral therapy (ART), expanded access to prevention of mother-to-child transmission (PMTCT) programs, and improved antenatal care services. Key factors that continue to influence infant mortality in Botswana include neonatal complications, respiratory infections, diarrheal diseases, and the residual effects of HIV/AIDS transmission from mother to child. Rural communities face greater challenges due to limited access to healthcare facilities, trained medical personnel, and essential medicines. Urban centers such as Gaborone and Francistown generally report better health outcomes owing to more robust infrastructure. Botswana's government, in partnership with international organizations including UNICEF and the World Health Organization, has implemented programs targeting neonatal health, immunization coverage, and maternal nutrition. Vaccination rates for diseases such as measles, polio, and diphtheria have remained relatively high, contributing to the downward trend in infant deaths. Despite these gains, Botswana still faces challenges in closing the gap with countries that have achieved infant mortality rates in the single digits. Continued investment in rural healthcare access, skilled birth attendance, and early childhood nutrition programs will be essential to sustaining and accelerating this progress in the years ahead.

Life Expectancy

Life Expectancy at Birth
Life expectancy at birth in Botswana has undergone a dramatic and well-documented transformation over the past two decades, reflecting both the devastating impact of the HIV/AIDS epidemic and the country's subsequent, determined public health response. In the early 2000s, Botswana was among the hardest-hit nations in the world by HIV/AIDS, and life expectancy plummeted to approximately 49 years — one of the lowest figures ever recorded for the country. At the peak of the crisis, the epidemic threatened to reverse an entire generation of development gains. Beginning in the mid-2000s, Botswana launched one of Africa's most ambitious antiretroviral treatment (ART) programs, providing free HIV/AIDS medication to its citizens. This initiative, combined with expanded access to healthcare, improved maternal and child health services, and rising national income from diamond revenues, produced a remarkable recovery. By the early 2010s, life expectancy had climbed back into the mid-60s, and the upward trend has largely continued. As of the most recent available data, life expectancy at birth in Botswana stands at approximately 65 to 66 years overall, with some variation between male and female populations. Women in Botswana generally outlive men, a pattern consistent with global trends. Male life expectancy is typically a few years lower, reflecting higher rates of occupational risk, road traffic accidents, and, historically, higher HIV prevalence among certain demographic groups. While these figures represent a significant improvement from the crisis years, Botswana still faces ongoing challenges. HIV/AIDS remains prevalent, with the country carrying one of the highest adult HIV prevalence rates in the world — estimated at roughly 20 to 21 percent of adults aged 15 to 49. Non-communicable diseases such as cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and cancer are also increasingly contributing to mortality as the population ages and urbanization accelerates. Despite these challenges, Botswana's experience serves as a notable example of how targeted public health investment, government commitment, and international cooperation can dramatically alter a population's health trajectory over a relatively short period of time.
Infant Mortality Rate
Botswana has made notable progress in reducing infant mortality over recent decades, though the rate remains relatively elevated compared to high-income nations. As of the most recent available data, Botswana's infant mortality rate stands at approximately 26 to 28 deaths per 1,000 live births. This figure represents the number of infants who die before reaching one year of age for every 1,000 children born alive in a given year. The country's infant mortality rate has declined significantly since the early 2000s, when the HIV/AIDS epidemic was at its peak and infant deaths were substantially higher. At that time, rates exceeded 50 deaths per 1,000 live births. The improvement since then reflects major investments in public health infrastructure, including the widespread rollout of antiretroviral therapy (ART), expanded access to prevention of mother-to-child transmission (PMTCT) programs, and improved antenatal care services. Key factors that continue to influence infant mortality in Botswana include neonatal complications, respiratory infections, diarrheal diseases, and the residual effects of HIV/AIDS transmission from mother to child. Rural communities face greater challenges due to limited access to healthcare facilities, trained medical personnel, and essential medicines. Urban centers such as Gaborone and Francistown generally report better health outcomes owing to more robust infrastructure. Botswana's government, in partnership with international organizations including UNICEF and the World Health Organization, has implemented programs targeting neonatal health, immunization coverage, and maternal nutrition. Vaccination rates for diseases such as measles, polio, and diphtheria have remained relatively high, contributing to the downward trend in infant deaths. Despite these gains, Botswana still faces challenges in closing the gap with countries that have achieved infant mortality rates in the single digits. Continued investment in rural healthcare access, skilled birth attendance, and early childhood nutrition programs will be essential to sustaining and accelerating this progress in the years ahead.
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Government & Politics

Country Identity

Country Name
Botswana
Full Country Name
Republic of Botswana
Local - Long
Republic of Botswana
Local - Short
Botswana
Former Name
Bechuanaland

Government Structure

Government Type
parliamentary republic
Legal System
based on Roman-Dutch law and local customary law; judicial review limited to matters of interpretation; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction
Executive Branch
chief of state: President Duma BOKO (since 1 November 2024); note - the president is both the chief of state and head of government head of government: President Duma BOKO (since 1 November 2024); note - the president is both the chief of state and head of government cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the president elections: president indirectly elected by the National Assembly for a five-year term; election last held on 30 October 2024 (next to be held in 2029); vice president appointed by the president election results: Duma BOKO elected president following his Umbrella for Democratic Change coalition's victory in the general election, ending the Botswana Democratic Party's nearly six decades in power
Legislative Branch
Botswana's Parliament is bicameral, consisting of the Ntlo ya Dikgosi (formerly known as the House of Chiefs) and the National Assembly. The Ntlo ya Dikgosi is a largely advisory body comprising 33 members, including chiefs of principal tribes, elected sub-chiefs, and nominated members, and serves primarily to advise Parliament on matters related to customary law and tribal affairs. The National Assembly consists of 65 seats, with 63 members directly elected by popular vote in single-member constituencies and 2 appointed by the majority party; members serve five-year terms. Elections: National Assembly elections were last held on 30 October 2024. Election results: percent of vote by party — UDC 45.6%, BDP 19.9%, BPF 9.0%, AP 8.5%, other parties sharing remaining votes; seats by party — UDC 36, BDP 4, BPF 5, AP 4, other 14. The 2024 elections marked a historic shift, as the Botswana Democratic Party, which had governed the country since independence in 1966, was defeated for the first time, with Duma Boko of the Umbrella for Democratic Change being sworn in as the new President.
Judicial Branch
High Court; Court of Appeal; Magistrates' Courts (one in each district)
Suffrage
18 years of age; universal
Constitution
March 1965, effective 30 September 1966
Independence
30 September 1966 (from UK)
National Holiday
Independence Day (Botswana Day), 30 September (1966)

Capital City

Capital Name
Gaborone
Capital - geographic coordinate
24 38 S, 25 54 E
Capital Time Difference
UTC+2 (7 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time)

named after GABORONE (ca. 1825-1931), a revered kgosi (chief) of the Tlokwa tribe, part of the larger Tswana ethnic group

Military

Branches: Botswana Defense Force (BDF): Ground Forces Command, Air Wing Command, Defense Logistics Command, Special Forces Group

Embassy / Diplomatic Mission

The U.S. Embassy Gaborone is located on Embassy Drive in the Government Enclave.

Mailing address: P.O. Box 90, Gaborone, Botswana

Telephone: 267 395-3982

After-hours Emergency Telephone: 267 395-7111

Fax 267 318-0232

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Economy

Botswana has maintained one of the world's most impressive long-term economic growth records since independence in 1966.

Snapshot

Currency Name and Code
Pula (BWP)
GDP — official exchange rate
$9,046,000,000 (USD)
GDP Real Growth Rate
4.3%
Gini Index
63
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News & Weather

Current Weather

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Latest News

News via Google News

Climate Overview

Most of its area is an inhospitable semi-desert known as the Kalahari. Even the most arable sections of eastern Botswana are subject to periodic drought and unpredictable rains. Botswana straddles the Tropic of Capricorn and has an average elevation of 3,300 feet. Daily high temperatures during the hottest month, January, average in the upper 90's to over 100°F. Winter daytime temperatures generally reach 70 degrees, but with little cloud cover and no humidity to hold warmth in the air, they plummet to 30 or 40°F at night.

Videos

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the population of Botswana?
The population of Botswana is approximately 2.6M.
How do people greet each other in Botswana?
Formal verbal greetings are common, with a right-handed handshake while supporting your right elbow with your left hand, especially with acquaintances, elders, or people of higher social status. Do: Shake with the right hand while supporting your elbow with the left hand As an elder or someone approaching, greet first among Setswana speakers Greeting customs vary by ethnic group — among the Kalanga, the younger person always greets first
What are the dining customs in Botswana?
Sharing is central to meals, with most families eating from common bowls or plates, though each person has their own cup. Do: Leave a little food behind to show the meal was filling Expect to eat with the family if you arrive at mealtime, and often help prepare the meal Don't: Don't share drinks — each person has their own cup Don't smell food before eating it, as this implies something is wrong with it Bogobe, a sorghum, maize, or millet porridge, is a staple — soured and soft for breakfast, thickened for later meals Phane worms dried in hot ashes are a delicacy in the northeast Leftovers may be kept for later or given to departing guests
What etiquette should travelers know in Botswana?
Community is at the heart of Tswana life, and cleanliness and neatness are valued throughout the country. Do: Value contributions that benefit the community Welcome unannounced visitors, especially relatives, offering water or a drink first Working family members are expected to support relatives without jobs and to house traveling relatives
What should I wear in Botswana?
Western dress is common; despite the heat, urban men wear business suits with ties and women wear dresses or blouses. Rural women often wear a wrap over their dresses to protect them from dirt Married women cover their heads with a kerchief Both sexes typically have very short hair
What gestures should I be aware of in Botswana?
Public displays of affection are inappropriate, and respect for elders in conversation is shown by looking toward the ground. Don't: Don't show affection publicly Several different gestures are used to communicate 'No thank you' Look toward the ground to show respect to elders during conversation
What is family life like in Botswana?
High unemployment and the search for work often keep families separated, so women remain primarily responsible for the family and often run home-based businesses. Married couples may work far apart from one another When a couple becomes engaged, the two families negotiate the bogadi (bride price)
What do people do for recreation in Botswana?
A popular traditional game is 'stalking,' where blindfolded children play a hunter chasing a springbok to sharpen listening skills and reflexes. Stalking is played by eight or more players and needs only two blindfolds A hunter and a springbok are blindfolded, spun, and placed in a circle for timed rounds
What is the capital of Botswana?
Gaborone is the capital and largest city of Botswana. Located in the southeastern corner of the country near the border with South Africa, it serves as the political, economic, and administrative center of the nation. Gaborone grew rapidly after independence in 1966 and has since developed into a modern urban hub, housing the offices of government, major financial institutions, and a significant share of the country's commercial activity.
Where is Botswana located?
Botswana is a landlocked country situated in Southern Africa, lying largely within the Kalahari Basin. It occupies a broad, flat interior plateau that forms part of the African interior plateau system. The country lies entirely south of the equator and is one of the larger nations in the subregion, bordered by major river systems such as the Okavango and the Limpopo. Its position at the heart of southern Africa has shaped both its ecology and its historical trade and migration patterns.
What countries border Botswana?
Botswana shares borders with four countries. South Africa lies to the south and southeast, Namibia to the west and north, Zimbabwe to the northeast, and Zambia to the north, where the four countries meet at a narrow point near the Kazungula crossing — one of the smallest quadripoint borders in the world. These boundaries, largely inherited from the colonial era, cut across ethnic and ecological zones shared by communities on both sides.
What religion is practiced in Botswana?
Indigenous beliefs are practiced by a substantial majority of the population, accounting for approximately 85 percent of religious affiliation, while Christianity accounts for roughly 15 percent. Traditional Tswana spiritual practices are deeply interwoven with community life, governance, and concepts of ancestral authority. In many cases, indigenous and Christian practices coexist or overlap within individual families and communities, reflecting the layered religious history brought by both precolonial traditions and later missionary activity.
What is the currency of Botswana?
The currency of Botswana is the Pula, with the ISO code BWP. Introduced at independence, the Pula — a word meaning "rain" in Setswana, reflecting the profound value of water in a largely arid country — replaced the South African rand. The currency is subdivided into 100 thebe. Botswana's economy, underpinned by substantial diamond revenues, has given the Pula relative stability compared to many other currencies in sub-Saharan Africa.
What language is spoken in Botswana?
English and Setswana are the official languages of Botswana. Setswana, a Bantu language of the Niger-Congo family, is the mother tongue of the majority Tswana people and serves as the principal language of daily communication, commerce, and cultural expression across the country. English functions as the language of government, formal education, and business. Minority languages including Kalanga, Sekgalagadi, and the click languages of the San people — the country's oldest inhabitants, with roots stretching back some 50,000 years — are also spoken.
What is the geography of Botswana like?
Botswana covers approximately 581,730 square kilometers, making it roughly the size of France. The terrain is dominated by the Kalahari Desert, a vast semi-arid sandy savanna that covers more than 70 percent of the country. Despite its desert classification, the Kalahari supports diverse wildlife and seasonal vegetation. The Okavango Delta in the northwest is a globally significant inland river delta and UNESCO World Heritage Site, forming one of Africa's largest and most biodiverse wetland ecosystems in the heart of an otherwise dry landscape.
What is Botswana known for?
Botswana is internationally recognized for several distinct achievements and features. It is the world's leading producer of diamonds by value, and revenues from gem mining transformed it from one of Africa's poorest nations at independence to one of its most prosperous within a generation. The Okavango Delta draws wildlife tourism centered on large elephant populations — African elephants, notably larger than their Asian counterparts, roam here in significant numbers. Botswana also holds an unfortunate distinction as having one of the world's highest rates of HIV/AIDS infection, alongside one of the continent's most ambitious public health responses to the epidemic.

Last reviewed 2026

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