ATM Fees in Botswana
Botswana Pula (BWP) • Updated April 2026
Botswana has a well-developed banking sector for Africa. ATMs are widely available in towns and cities. Safari lodges are often all-inclusive and may accept cards, but remote areas require cash.
Tips for Botswana
- • Standard Chartered and First National Bank are reliable
- • ATMs available in Gaborone, Maun, Kasane
- • Safari lodges usually all-inclusive - check payment options
- • USD accepted by many safari operators
- • Remote areas have no ATMs - plan ahead
Airport tips
- • Maun Airport (main safari hub) has Standard Chartered ATM
- • Gaborone Airport has multiple bank ATMs
- • Currency exchange available at airports
- • Safari transfers usually pre-arranged
Don't forget your home bank fees
The fees shown above are charged by local ATMs. Your home bank may also charge additional fees for international withdrawals (typically 1-3% + a flat fee). Check with your bank before traveling.
Estimated daily expenses
How much cash you might need per day in Botswana, per person.
Backpacker
Hostels, street food, public transport
BWP/day
≈ $46.42-99.48 USD
Mid-range
Hotels, restaurants, mix of transport
BWP/day
≈ $203-394 USD
Luxury
Premium hotels, fine dining, private transport
BWP/day
≈ $590-1,842 USD
Cash vs card acceptance
Where you'll need cash and where cards work in Botswana.
Credit card acceptance
Good in citiesCard acceptance is good in Gaborone and larger towns. Safari lodges vary - some are all-inclusive with card options, others require pre-payment. Cash needed for local purchases and tips.
Regional differences
- • Gaborone: Good card acceptance
- • Maun, Kasane: Tourist businesses accept cards
- • Safari lodges: Usually pre-paid or all-inclusive
- • Villages and remote areas: Cash only
You'll need cash for
- • Tips for safari guides and staff
- • Local markets
- • Fuel in remote areas
- • Small local shops
- • Village purchases
Cards usually accepted
- • Hotels in cities
- • Safari booking offices
- • Supermarkets (Choppies, Pick n Pay)
- • Restaurants in towns
- • Petrol stations in cities
💰 Cheapest banks for foreign cards
These banks charge the lowest fees for withdrawals with foreign cards.
| Bank | ATM Fee | Est. Cost | Branches | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Standard Chartered Botswana | 30 BWP | 0% | Visa/MC rate | ~2.30 USD | 25 | — |
| First National Bank Botswana | 35 BWP | 0% | Visa/MC rate | ~2.70 USD | 40 | — |
| Barclays Botswana (Absa) | 35 BWP | 0% | Visa/MC rate | ~2.70 USD | 35 | — |
| Stanbic Bank Botswana | 40 BWP | 0% | Visa/MC rate | ~3.10 USD | 20 | — |
📍 Most widely available ATMs
Sorted by number of ATM locations. More branches means easier access, but fees may be higher.
| Bank | ATM Fee | Est. Cost | Branches | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| First National Bank Botswana | 35 BWP | 0% | Visa/MC rate | ~2.70 USD | 40 | — |
| Barclays Botswana (Absa) | 35 BWP | 0% | Visa/MC rate | ~2.70 USD | 35 | — |
| Standard Chartered Botswana | 30 BWP | 0% | Visa/MC rate | ~2.30 USD | 25 | — |
| Stanbic Bank Botswana | 40 BWP | 0% | Visa/MC rate | ~3.10 USD | 20 | — |
🌐 ATM Alliance Benefits: If you bank with a member of these alliances, you may get reduced or waived ATM fees in Botswana:
View all ATM alliances →