Botswana Food & Drinks
Food
The camps, hotels and lodges found throughout Botswana cater to overseas visitors and therefore serve high-quality international fare. However, one should not miss out on the traditional cuisine that Botswana has to offer. A large quantity of high-quality beef is raised in Botswana while lamb, mutton, free-range chicken and venison are also popular meat choices.
In more rural areas, sorghum is the most popular crop. It is often pounded into a meal before being mixed with either boiling water or sour milk. It is then made into a thin paste known as bogobe, which when sugar is added is very similar to porridge. When it is served for lunch or dinner, the consistency is more like mashed potato.
Seswaa or Chotlho is a very popular traditional meat dish. It is often reserved for special occasions. Prepared by men, seswaa involves beef, goat or lamb meat that is boiled in a three-legged iron pot with “just enough salt” until it is tender. The meat is then shredded or pounded and is served with pap (maize meal) or sorghum as an accompaniment.
Serobe is another traditional meal which consists of intestines as well as other inside parts of a goat, sheep or cow which are cooked until soft.
The more adventurous, remote areas in Botswana serve Mopane worm - a grub that looks similar to a caterpillar. The worm is cooked in hot ashes or can be boiled, dried or fried. They are sometimes cooked with onions, tomatoes and spices and are an important source of protein, calcium and iron for remote populations.
Drink
There are two distinct beers in Botswana, clear and opaque. Most visitors tend to drink the clear versions as they are similar to European lagers. Popular brands include South African beers like Castle and Lion. Opaque beer is a commercial version of a traditional beer which means it is a sour, porridge-like brew and is, therefore, an acquired taste. Most tourist bars do not offer it.
Soft drinks are readily available even if the selection isn’t always large. Water in main towns is usually purified and so it is generally fine to drink. While in camps or in the bush, water usually comes from bore-holes which are underground water sources. The majority are free of bugs and are therefore safe to drink from, however, if in doubt, simply ask guides or locals.
Botswana Travel Information
At Goway we believe that a well-informed traveller is a safer traveller. With this in mind, we have compiled an easy-to-navigate travel information section dedicated to Botswana.
Learn about the history and culture of Botswana, the must-try food and drink, and what to pack in your suitcase. Read about Botswana's nature and wildlife, weather and geography, and 'Country Quickfacts' compiled by our travel experts. Our globetrotting tips, as well as our visa and health information, will help ensure you're properly prepared for a safe and enjoyable trip. The only way you could possibly learn more is by embarking on your journey and discovering Botswana for yourself. Start exploring… book one of our Botswana tours today!
Extend Your Trip
After your African Safari, why not consider one of Goway's Europe tours or Egypt tours en route from Botswana or perhaps a stopover in Dubai on one of our United Arab Emirates tours
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