Study Abroad Programs in Botswana

Botswana sits at the southern tip of Africa, a landlocked country which is 70 percent desert. There are extensive wildlife, wetlands, and natural parks present in Botswana, leaving students studying in Botswana feeling as if they have stepped inside an issue of National Geographic. Gaining independence in 1966, Botswana is a young, strong democracy that is full of changes. It is the fastest growing and one of the most stable economies in Africa. Yet, groups of local Bushman and other Bantu groups still populate the country, offering students who choose to study abroad in Botswana a glimpse into what Botswanan life has been like for thousands of years.

Featured Provider of the Month

Discover who you are on the ultimate gap adventure! Sail the world!

with Seamester Study Abroad at Sea

Visit Website

17 Study Abroad Programs in Botswana

CIEE College Study Abroad

9.77

CIEE Community Public Health in Gaborone, Botswana

Your Community Public Health program in Gaborone lasts a full semester and is designed for students interested in biology, medicine, and community health. You will enroll in a combination of CIEE courses, host institution courses, and courses taught online through CIEE's global academic partner, ASU. Enhance your experience with co-curricular and extracurricular activities while immersing yourself in Botswana's culture. Live and learn in Gaborone! Gaborone is Botswana’s welcoming capital, known for its warm climate, peaceful atmosphere, and rich cultural traditions. The city offers access to vibrant markets, local music and art scenes, and nearby natural reserves like Mokolodi Nature Reserve. Whether you are majoring in public health, environmental science, business, communications, liberal arts, or African studies, Gaborone is the perfect place to study abroad.

See All 9 Programs

Visit Website View Program

Round River Conservation Studies

9.79

Botswana Conservation Program

Spend a semester living, studying, and conducting research with Round River in Botswana's Okavango Delta, home to some of the world's most abundant and diverse wildlife populations. Operating out of 4WD vehicles, the student research crews live in the bush and visit various field sites and communities. For much of the time, local community guides camp with us, giving daily opportunities for cross-cultural exchanges. Students conduct daily game counts with community guides. Afternoons at camp are spent working with the guides on data entry and covering coursework. This will allow you to experience Botswana and learn about conservation in ways the classroom cannot provide. The field-based nature of the program means that if you love the outdoors, seeing wildlife, and camping, and if you want to take part in real conservation projects, then this program is for you.

View Program

Natucate

9.67

Ranger Course in Africa: Become a Field Guide Level 1

Are you ready to embark on your ranger adventure and complete your Apprentice Field Guide training in 55 days? This former Field Guide Level 1 course offers expert guidance from seasoned leaders and covers essential basics of Southern Africa’s flora and fauna. The program emphasizes hands-on training in the wild, preparing you to conserve the African wilderness's beauty. You will master orientation and navigation techniques, including using constellations for positioning, handling a cross-country vehicle, and safely navigating rough terrain. You'll also gain skills in tracking, analyzing animal behavior, and identifying local wildlife and plant species. Experience nights under the stunning starry sky; gather around the campfire with fellow adventure seekers; and create unforgettable memories in the bush.

See All 7 Programs

View Program

A Guide to Studying Abroad in Botswana

Locations

The capital city, Gaborone, is located along the border of Botswana and South Africa and is by far the most popular city for studying abroad in Botswana. Born from the discovery of one of the richest diamond sources on Earth, Gaborone is a mid-sized city of nearly 300,000, located right where the blue tones of the Okavango River Delta meet the sands of the Kalahari Desert.

A tour of the city can include everything from game reserves filled with baboons, giraffes, elephants, and zebras to modern malls and restaurants. The city has excellent public transportation within as well as transport to connect you with the rest of Botswana. The divisions within the city can be a bit confusing when you first arrive, but will quickly become second nature after cruising through the streets in combis and talking to the locals.

Gaborone is the main base for the University of Botswana, which is Botswana’s first institute of higher education. The university has four campuses, two of which are in Gaborone. The National Stadium is located right next to campus and is typically filled with football matches.

Maun has a truly unique feel that is the result of a rough and tough “Wild West” location that is officially still a village becoming a popular tourist hub. Local tribesmen still bring their cattle to town for sale, tourists come from around the world, and huts stand next to skyscrapers. It has a slightly infamous and charming reputation for having more donkeys standing around town than people, but is also known as the “tourist capital” of Botswana.

Rural Areas. Perhaps the best location for studying abroad in Botswana is not one location at all. Rural areas are excellent locations for “getting off the grid” and gaining fieldwork experience in Rural Health Care, Wildlife Migration, and Environmental Research. The Chobe-Linyanti-Zambezi Wetland and the Okavango Delta draw scientists from around the globe.

Popular Providers

Latest Program Reviews

CIEE Study Abroad did a great job

May 28, 2025by: Renard S.Program: CIEE Community Public Health in Gaborone, Botswana

CIEE Study Abroad did a great job making a home away from home. The love, kindness, and continuous support allowed me to become vulnerable and open myself to find new waves and personalities of myself that I never thought I could become.

Made me feel at home

May 28, 2025by: Anja G.Program: CIEE Community Public Health in Gaborone, Botswana

I loved this program. It gave a great mix of opportunities where you will not only be learning in the classroom, but also within the community. I appreciated that I had the opportunity to talk with community members and give back whenever possible. Additionally, the staff and excursions really made me feel at home in Gabs.