Budget for four costs, not one: the campsite fee, park entry for each day you drive in, a vehicle fee, and fuel. Campsite fees are set by each operator and published figures disagree, so we do not quote them. Park fees are reported at BWP 270 per non-resident adult per day for Chobe and Moremi and BWP 115 for a foreign-registered vehicle, but a 2026 increase has been in discussion, so confirm at the gate. The cheapest way to camp near Chobe is to sleep outside the park: at Lorato it is $20 per person per night booked direct, with children aged 0 to 12 at half price.
Key facts
- Four costs to count: campsite fee, park entry per day, vehicle fee per day, fuel.
- Park fees (reported, checked 23 October 2026): BWP 270 per non-resident adult per day in Chobe and Moremi, BWP 115 for a foreign-registered vehicle under 3,500 kg. An increase was proposed in February 2026 and later reported as postponed.
- Operator campsite rates: not quoted here. Published figures conflict. Ask for the current rate in writing.
- Lorato: $20 per person per night direct, children aged 0 to 12 half price, tent hire $55 for two including the camping fee, 10% off longer stays and groups of 5 or more in all seasons for now.
- Cash: there are no ATMs near Lorato. Shell fuel is 1 km away.
What a night in Botswana really costs
Camping prices in Botswana are easy to misread because the campsite fee is rarely the whole bill. For a self-drive trip, count these four things.
| Cost | What to know | Where to confirm |
|---|---|---|
| Campsite fee | Set by each operator and changed over time. Published figures for the same site often disagree, so we do not quote them. Ask whether the rate is per person, per site or per vehicle, and whether any levy is added | The operator, in writing |
| Park entry | Reported at BWP 270 per non-resident adult per day in Chobe and Moremi. You pay for each day you are inside, including the days you sleep in a park campsite | The park gate, or the Department of Wildlife and National Parks (DWNP) |
| Vehicle fee | Reported at BWP 115 per day for a foreign-registered vehicle under 3,500 kg. Trailers and heavier vehicles cost more | The park gate |
| Fuel | Distances are long, so fuel is a real part of the budget. Fill up when you can on remote routes | Fuel stations on your route |
Park and vehicle figures come from secondary guides that cite the DWNP tariff. We found no official current fee schedule online. In February 2026 the Botswana Daily News reported a proposed rise in park entry for non-residents (from P380 to P500, in a general fee proposal), and a May 2026 report said the increase was delayed by two years. Sources disagree on what applies now, so treat the numbers as a guide and confirm at the gate. Checked 23 October 2026.
The practical point: the more days you spend inside a park, the more the daily park and vehicle fees outweigh the campsite fee. To see Chobe on a budget, sleeping outside and paying park fees only on the days you drive in is usually cheaper than sleeping inside. Our guide to Chobe National Park campsites sets the two side by side.
Public, private and community sites compared
Botswana campsites fall into a few groups. We do not give nightly rates for them because we could not verify current figures from official sources. Use the table to know what to ask.
| Type | Examples | What to ask before you go |
|---|---|---|
| Park campsites (booked through private operators) | Ihaha, Savuti and Linyanti in Chobe National Park | Nightly rate, any levy, park fees on top, and how far ahead it fills. They are unfenced and reached on park tracks, so budget for fuel |
| Private campsites and lodge campsites | Campsites in Kasane and Kazungula, and outside the park at Muchenje | Per person or per site, power and hot water, and whether tent hire is offered. See camping in Kasane and Kazungula |
| Community and sanctuary campsites | Sites run by trusts or sanctuaries along the main routes | Any entry fee on top of the camping fee, how to pay, and opening hours. Rates quoted online are often old |
Checked 23 October 2026. A traveller listing on iOverlander showed one private lodge campsite near Savuti at a few hundred pula per person per night, with a lower rate when booked online. It is an undated user report, so we do not rely on it. Ask each campsite for its current price.
The cheapest ways to camp
- Sleep outside the park and drive in. You pay park entry and the vehicle fee only for the days you enter. Lorato is 6.8 km from the Ngoma Gate (per Booking.com). See the Ngoma Gate day drive for how a day trip works.
- Travel in a group. A pitch at Lorato takes up to 6 people and 3 vehicles, so a group shares the pitch and the fuel. Groups of 5 or more get 10% off in all seasons for now.
- Bring children. Children aged 0 to 12 pay half price at Lorato.
- Travel outside high season. High season at Lorato is April to October. The 10% discount applies in every season for now, so the saving from travelling outside high season is mainly lower demand and easier availability. The weather and roads in the wetter months are covered in our green season guide.
- Use your own tent if you have one. Hire is handy if you are flying in or travelling light. See tent hire near Chobe.
- Book direct. Our direct price is $20 per person per night and the Booking.com price is higher, so booking direct is cheaper. See how to book a campsite near Chobe.
A night at Lorato, in numbers
Lorato is a camping area in Muchenje, Chobe District, not a lodge. It has 7 pitches, each with solar power points, a green grass campsite, hot water and clean ablutions. Check-in is at any time and check-out is by 11:00. These are the figures.
| Who | Cost per night |
|---|---|
| 1 adult, own tent | $20 |
| 2 adults, own tent | $40 |
| 2 adults and 2 children aged 0 to 12, own tent | $60 (children at half price, $10 each) |
| 2 people in a hire tent | $55 for the tent, including the camping fee |
| Group of 5 or more, or a longer stay | 10% off. The number of nights that counts as a longer stay is still to be confirmed, so ask when you book |
The 10% discount applies in all seasons for now. Payment is by Tab in advance or on arrival, or by cash, card or EFT on arrival. A 50% deposit applies, and cancellation is free up to 7 days before arrival, after which the first night is charged. Website bookings are confirmed instantly. We sell drinks only, with no food.
If you are crossing from Namibia, read campsite near the Ngoma border for the route and why the first night after the border is often best spent here.
What cheap does not cover
- Food. Lorato sells drinks only. Shop in Kasane or before the border, and see what food you can bring from Namibia.
- Cash. There are no ATMs near Lorato. Shell fuel is 1 km away. Carry enough cash for park gates and small purchases.
- Park fees. Our price covers the campsite only. Park entry and a vehicle fee apply on any day you drive in.
- Wildlife at the tent. A fenced site is calmer. If you want wildlife walking through camp at night, the unfenced park campsites are the choice, at a higher total cost.
- Remote routes. Tracks such as the one to Savuti take longer and need planning. See Kasane to Savuti before you budget for them.
For the wider picture, start with our Botswana camping guide or self-drive camping at Chobe.
Frequently asked questions
How much does camping cost in Botswana?
It depends on where you sleep. Operators set their own nightly rates and published figures disagree, so ask each campsite for the current price. Add park entry (reported at BWP 270 per non-resident adult per day in Chobe and Moremi), a vehicle fee (BWP 115 reported) and fuel. At Lorato near Chobe it is $20 per person per night booked direct.
What is the cheapest way to camp near Chobe?
Sleep outside the park and pay park fees only for the days you drive in. At Lorato that is $20 per person per night direct, children aged 0 to 12 half price, and 10% off longer stays and groups of 5 or more in all seasons for now.
Do I pay park fees if I camp outside the park?
Only for the days you drive into a park. Lorato's price covers the campsite, not park entry.
Is Lorato cheaper if I book direct?
Yes. Our direct price is $20 per person per night and the Booking.com price is higher, so booking direct by WhatsApp or on our website is cheaper.
Can I hire a tent instead of carrying one?
Yes. Lorato has 7 hire tents at $55 per night including the camping fee, each sleeping 2.
Is there a discount for children?
Yes. Children aged 0 to 12 pay half price at Lorato.
When is the 10% discount valid?
It applies to longer stays and groups of 5 or more, in all seasons for now. The number of nights that counts as a longer stay is still to be confirmed, so ask when you book.
Can I pay by card at Botswana campsites?
It varies by site, so ask. At Lorato you can pay by Tab in advance or on arrival, or by cash, card or EFT on arrival. There are no ATMs near Lorato, so carry cash for park gates and small purchases.
Is wild camping a cheap option in Botswana?
We cannot confirm the rules for every area, and we do not recommend it. A cheap campsite outside the park is the safer choice.
More guides for your route
Sources
Checked 23 October 2026. Rules, hours and fees change, so confirm with the official source before you travel.
- Botswana Daily News: proposed park fee increase (24 February 2026)
- Gabz FM: fee hike delayed by two years (May 2026)
- SafariFind: Botswana national park fees and availability 2026 (secondary)
- Tourism Update: Botswana increases park and licence fees (2022)
- SKL Group of Camps: Savuti campsite
- Visit Chobe Park: camping in Chobe, operators and booking
- Booking.com: Lorato listing (distance to Ngoma Gate)