Is Botswana or Tanzania cheaper?

Tanzania is the cheaper of the two: roughly $65–130+/day in Botswana versus $35–130+/day in Tanzania.

When is the best time to visit Botswana vs Tanzania?

Botswana is at its best in May–October; Tanzania peaks in June–September, January, February.

Is Botswana or Tanzania better in August?

Neither has a clear edge in August — they score the same that month. Botswana has the edge in March, April, May, October, November, Tanzania in January, February, and both are at their best in June, July, August, September.

How long do you need in Botswana vs Tanzania?

Plan 1–2 weeks for Botswana and 2–3 for Tanzania.

Should I choose Botswana or Tanzania?

Pick Botswana if you want somewhere more off-the-beaten-path. Pick Tanzania if you want somewhere cheaper across the board. Both deliver on nature, adventure, so on those either works.

Botswana vs Tanzania

Two strong destinations, different in important ways. Here's the side-by-side, then a verdict on which suits which traveler.

Sub-Saharan Africa

Botswana

The most exclusive safari in Africa, built around a flooded desert.

Best time to visit

January: fine
February: avoid
March: fine
April: fine
May: peak
June: peak
July: peak
August: peak
September: peak
October: peak
November: fine
December: fine

Peak Fine Avoid

Sub-Saharan Africa

Tanzania

Serengeti, a volcanic crater full of animals, Kilimanjaro, and Zanzibar — in one country.

Best time to visit

January: peak
February: peak
March: avoid
April: avoid
May: avoid
June: peak
July: peak
August: peak
September: peak
October: fine
November: avoid
December: fine

Peak Fine Avoid

Read our full guides about Botswana and Tanzania.

Side by side

Emphasised where they differ. Muted rows are much the same either way.

	Botswana	Tanzania
Best time	May–October	June–September, January, February
Climate	warm	warm
Budget	Mid-range – Premium · $65–130+/day	Budget – Premium · $35–130+/day
Trip length	1–2 wks	2–3 wks
Visa	Visa-free for most Western passports (90 days). Verify before travel.	Visa required for most passports; available on arrival or as an e-visa. Verify before travel.
Currency	BWP (Pula).	TZS (Tanzanian Shilling). USD common for tours.
Language	English (official) and Setswana.	Swahili and English.
Tap water	Bottled or filtered in camps.	Stick to bottled or filtered water.
Safety	Very safe from crime; the real risks are the wildlife and self-driving in remote areas.	Parks are safe with a guide; ordinary city caution in Arusha and Dar es Salaam.

General guidance — visas, safety, and health change, so check your government's travel advisory and the official sources before you go.

Botswana or Tanzania, month by month

Which of the two is the better bet for each month of the year, scored on how well the season suits each place.

Which to choose

Choose Botswana if:

You want somewhere more off-the-beaten-path.

Choose Tanzania if:

You want somewhere cheaper across the board.

Both deliver on nature, adventure — so on those dimensions either works.

Common questions

Is Botswana or Tanzania cheaper?: Tanzania is the cheaper of the two: roughly $65–130+/day in Botswana versus $35–130+/day in Tanzania.
When is the best time to visit Botswana vs Tanzania?: Botswana is at its best in May–October; Tanzania peaks in June–September, January, February.
Is Botswana or Tanzania better in August?: Neither has a clear edge in August — they score the same that month. Botswana has the edge in March, April, May, October, November, Tanzania in January, February, and both are at their best in June, July, August, September.
How long do you need in Botswana vs Tanzania?: Plan 1–2 weeks for Botswana and 2–3 for Tanzania.
Should I choose Botswana or Tanzania?: Pick Botswana if you want somewhere more off-the-beaten-path. Pick Tanzania if you want somewhere cheaper across the board. Both deliver on nature, adventure, so on those either works.