The southern African nation of Botswana offers a unique place to call home, with opportunities to experience vast wilderness, interact with wildlife and immerse yourself in authentic African culture. Here are some key things to know about living in Botswana.
Why Move to Botswana?
There are several reasons one might choose to move to Botswana. The number one reason is for work, particularly in fields relating to Botswana’s natural resources like diamonds, tourism and wildlife conservation. Botswana has a stable economy that is growing at a healthy pace, creating jobs.
For those seeking adventure, Botswana offers exceptional ecotourism opportunities with access to rare wildlife in the Okavango Delta, Chobe National Park and Kalahari Desert. Botswana also boasts vast, unspoiled wilderness that provides a sense of space and freedom.
The Batswana people are known for their friendliness and welcoming nature, making it easy to integrate into communities.
Overall, Botswana provides a unique African lifestyle amidst stunning natural beauty.
Living in Botswana: Pros and Cons
Living in Botswana has both advantages and drawbacks.
- Some of the pros include Botswana’s stable democracy and government, the friendly and family-oriented Batswana people, strong English language skills, excellent game viewing opportunities and access to vast wilderness areas.
- However, some cons to consider are infrastructure limitations including frequent power outages, limited employment options outside of government and diamonds, high poverty and income inequality levels.
- Concerns about health risks like malaria and HIV/AIDS, and limited amenities and shopping compared to other destinations.
As with anywhere, you must weigh the trade-offs based on your priorities and lifestyle.
The Cost of Living in Botswana: A Comprehensive Guide
The cost of living in Botswana is considered affordable compared to other Western nations, though income levels and salaries are also generally lower.
- Rent for a two- or three-bedroom house or apartment in Gaborone, the capital, ranges from around $300 to $1,500 per month depending on location and amenities.
- Utilities like water, electricity and internet average around $100 to $300 per month, with electricity costs highly variable.
- Groceries and household items are relatively inexpensive with staples like meat, produce and poultry costing less than in Europe or North America.
- Public transportation by taxi or bus is also affordable.
- International schools range from around $5,000 to $20,000 per year in tuition.
Overall, adequate incomes allow most expatriates to live comfortably though Botswana remains a lower cost destination.
Quality of Life in Botswana
Quality of life in Botswana is rated as medium by various indicators, ranking 111th out of 189 countries in the United Nations Human Development Index.
- For those with higher incomes, Botswana provides a relatively comfortable lifestyle with access to amenities in major cities, affordable household help and opportunities for leisure activities like game viewing and camping.
- Healthcare options have improved in recent years though advanced medical care requires travel abroad.
- Safety and security are generally good for foreigners and tourists, though petty crime does occur.
However, for many Batswana residents, quality of life remains lower due to gaps in infrastructure, limited job opportunities and lower incomes. The friendly, community-oriented culture and access to nature help enhance overall life satisfaction.
A Beginner’s Guide to Botswana Culture
Botswana’s culture has been shaped by its history as a collection of tribes, influx of European colonists and strong Christian influences.
- Today around 77% of residents identify as Christian with the remainder largely following indigenous beliefs.
- Tribal affiliations remain important with the main ethnic groups being Tswana, Kalanga and Basarwa. Setswana is the dominant language though English is widely spoken.
- Botswanan society places high value on community and family relationships with respect for elders and hospitality to guests.
- Traditional greeting involves shaking hands, saying “Dumelang” (hello) and inquiring about family welfare.
Though modernization and globalization have impacted culture, Botswana has managed to preserve much of its tribal heritage, traditions and spiritual customs.
Best Places to Live in Botswana
The main choices for where to live in Botswana are :
Gaborone, the capital and largest city, and tourist towns near national parks like Maun, Kasane and Kang. Gaborone offers the most job opportunities, amenities, shopping and expat community. However, the urban environment faces challenges of pollution, congestion and higher costs.
Towns like Maun near the Okavango Delta, Kasane near Chobe National Park and Kangwane near the Kalahari provide a more relaxed, natural lifestyle with proximity to wildlife and outdoor recreation.However, these areas have fewer employment prospects and limited amenities.
Overall, most expats choose Gaborone initially for ease of landing a job before relocating to a park town once established. Lifestyle preferences will also impact which region is most appealing.
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