How much does a trip to Okavango & Chobe cost from South Africa?
About R68 640 for 7 days, solo
Or R49 740 each for two people sharing a room. Saving for a trip a year from now means about R5 720 a month.
Estimates from Johannesburg, booked 3 to 6 months ahead, including a 20% buffer and the visa fee. Prices checked Sep 2026.
Join the waitlistThe Okavango Delta's floodplains by mokoro and light aircraft, and Chobe's elephant herds: some of Africa's finest wildlife, 90 minutes' flight from Johannesburg.
Cost by trip length and style (solo)
| Length | Tourist | Blend | Niche |
|---|---|---|---|
| 5 days | R54 000 | R44 280 | R34 890 |
| 7 days | R68 640 | R56 376 | R43 902 |
| 14 days | R119 880 | R98 712 | R75 444 |
Tourist covers the famous sights. Niche swaps them for places locals love, usually with cheaper stays but more travel between them. Blend mixes both. Two people sharing pay less each, because the room is split.
Where the money goes (7 days, Tourist, solo)
| Return flight from Johannesburg | R7 500 |
|---|---|
| Accommodation, 7 nights | R31 500 |
| Food, local transport and activities | R11 200 |
| Getting around (transfers, internal travel) | R7 000 |
| 20% buffer for surprises | R11 440 |
| Visa and entry fees | None |
| Total | R68 640 |
Visa for South Africans
No visa needed No. South African passport holders don't need a visa for Botswana.
Nothing to arrange.
Reconfirm before you book. This rule relies on secondary sources or changed recently. Check the official source.
When to go
| Best time | Jun–Oct (dry season, peak game) |
|---|---|
| Cheapest time | Nov–Apr (green season) |
| Currency | Botswana pula (P); lodges quote in US dollars |
Book 6 to 12 months ahead for June to October camps; the green season is cheaper and great for birds.
Know before you go
| Getting there | About 1.5 hours direct from Johannesburg to Maun or Kasane (Airlink). |
|---|---|
| Health | Malaria area in the north: get prophylaxis advice. |
| Money | Pula for local shops; lodges quote and bill in US dollars. |
A 7-day plan that mixes both
- Day 1 Arrive, check in and find dinner nearby
- Day 2 Scenic flight over the Okavango Delta
- Day 3 Meerkats and quad bikes on the Makgadikgadi Pans
- Day 4 Mokoro trip through the channels
- Day 5 Baines' Baobabs in Nxai Pan
- Day 6 Game drives in Moremi Game Reserve
- Day 7 Final morning, then fly home
The classics
- Scenic flight over the Okavango Delta
- Mokoro trip through the channels
- Game drives in Moremi Game Reserve
- Chobe River sunset cruise
- Chobe game drive for elephants
- A night at a fly-in delta camp
- Guided walking safari
- Stargazing at camp
Where locals go
- Meerkats and quad bikes on the Makgadikgadi Pans
- Baines' Baobabs in Nxai Pan
- Tsodilo Hills rock art
- Self-drive and camp in Moremi (4x4 experience needed)
- Photographic boat safari on the Chobe
- Maun's local restaurants and craft shops
- Khwai community concession
- Kubu Island at sunrise
Hidden gems near Okavango & Chobe
Makgadikgadi Pans
Salt pans the size of Portugal: meerkats, quad bikes and a night sleeping under the stars.
About R4 000 extra to get there
Tsodilo Hills
A UNESCO site with thousands of San rock paintings, a long drive north-west of Maun.
About R3 000 extra to get there
Ready to book?
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Quick answers
How much does a trip to Okavango & Chobe cost from South Africa?
About R68 640 per person for 7 days travelling solo, or R49 740 each for two people sharing a room, booked 3 to 6 months ahead. That includes return flights from Johannesburg, mid-range accommodation, daily spending, the visa fee and a 20% buffer. These are estimates checked in Sep 2026.
Do South Africans need a visa for Botswana?
No. South African passport holders don't need a visa for Botswana. Nothing to arrange.
When is the best time to visit Okavango & Chobe?
The best time is Jun–Oct (dry season, peak game). The cheapest time is usually Nov–Apr (green season).
How long is the flight from Johannesburg?
About 1.5 hours direct from Johannesburg to Maun or Kasane (Airlink).
Sources
Checked Sep 2026.