Culture and Attractions
- Street Art
- Curio shops along President Avenue featuring local wood carvings
- Cooking Classes
- Informal lessons can be arranged through guesthouses for Seswaa preparation
- Art Galleries
- Flame Tree Gallery (Curios and local canvas paintings)
- Historic Buildings
- Commissioners Office (Colonial era architecture)
- Local Heritage
- The Seboba Cultural Village and Recreational Park
- Must-See Landmarks
- Chobe National Park Gate; The Baobab Tree Prison (Historical)
- Museums & Art Venues
- CARACAL Biodiversity Center (Educational wildlife display)
- Historical Sites
- Kazungula Bridge (Engineering landmark connecting four countries)
- Religious Sites
- St. Peters Catholic Church; Several local Pentecostal churches
- Annual Events
- Botswana Day (September 30th) celebrations; Chobe Agricultural Show
- Cultural Districts
- Kazungula Village for authentic local crafts and basket weaving
- Theater Venues
- Traditional dance performances often held at Mowana Safari Resort
- Local Markets
- Kasane Central Market for baskets and curios
- Music Scene
- Live acoustic sets at Coffee Buzz on special occasions
Nature and Outdoor Activities
- Nearby Nature Escapes
- Chobe Riverfront - World-famous for elephant herds
- National Parks Nearby
- Chobe National Park (immediate access); Victoria Falls (80km away)
- Cycling/Walking Paths
- Walking is discouraged at night due to wildlife; daytime path along the river is scenic
- Scenic Viewpoints
- The Plateau Lookout point for views of the Chobe floodplains
- Birdwatching Locations
- Chobe River boat cruises; over 450 species recorded
- Bonfire-Friendly Spots
- Thebe River Safaris campsite (Designated pits available)
Other Services and Amenities
- Parcel Delivery Service
- DHL (located at Kasane Airport); Botswana Post (Town center)
- Tech Repair Services
- Limited; small tech shops in the Choppies mall for basic phone repairs
- Table Tennis Spots
- Recreation room at Chobe Safari Lodge
- Language Classes
- Private Setswana tutors available (Approx. P150/hour)
- Libraries & Study Spots
- Kasane Public Library (beside the Post Office)
- Community Centers
- Kasane Community Hall
- Gaming Lounges
- None; most entertainment is outdoor/safari focused
- Casino & Gaming Halls
- No casinos in Kasane; closest are in Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe
Business
- Studio Purchase Price (City Center)
- Approx. P10,000 per m² (e.g., 40 m² = P400,000/$30,000)
- Studio Purchase Price (Outside City)
- Approx. P7,000 per m² (e.g., 40 m² = P280,000/$21,000)
- 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center)
- Approx. P9,500 per m² (e.g., 60 m² = P570,000/$42,000)
- 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City)
- Approx. P6,500 per m² (e.g., 60 m² = P390,000/$29,000)
- 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center)
- Approx. P9,000 per m² (e.g., 80 m² = P720,000/$53,000)
- 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City)
- Approx. P6,000 per m² (e.g., 80 m² = P480,000/$35,000)
- Corporate Tax
- 22% (Standard); 15% for manufacturing/IFSC companies
- Dividend Withholding Tax
- 10%
- Tax System
- Source-based tax system
- Highest Income Tax Bracket
- 25% (On income over P156,000)
- VAT
- 14%
- Controlled Foreign Company (CFC) Rules
- No specific CFC rules, but general anti-avoidance rules apply
- Property Tax
- No annual property tax, but urban 'Rates' apply to owners
- Property Transaction Tax
- 5% Transfer duty (Exemptions for citizens)
- Attractive Tax System for Digital Nomads
- No specific nomad visa; standard 90-day tourist entry applies for most
Essentials
- City
- Kasane, Chobe District, Botswana
- Population
- 9,500
- Internet Speed
- 10-20 Mbps (Fiber available at lodges; 4G is reliable on BTC/Mascom networks)
- Currency & Banking
- Botswana Pula (BWP). 1 USD ≈ 13.50 BWP, 1 EUR ≈ 14.60 BWP
- Tap Water
- Generally safe in town, but bottled water (P15 for 1.5L) is recommended for long-term stays
- Power
- 230V, 50Hz, 🔌 Type D (round three-pin) and Type G (UK style)
- SIM Card
- BTC (Botswana Telecommunications) or Mascom; P100 ($7) for 5GB data
- Banking for Expats
- First National Bank (FNB) Botswana, Absa, and Stanbic; Visa/Mastercard widely accepted
- Accommodation
- Riverfront lodges, guesthouses, and self-catering cottages like Elephant Trail Guesthouse
- Cashless Friendly
- Yes, cards accepted at supermarkets and major lodges; cash needed for local markets and taxis
- Short Term Rentals
- Airbnb options range from $40-$120 per night for private cottages
- Budget Accommodation
- Bananyana Backpackers (approx. $25/night for dorms or camping)
- Best Area to Stay for Tourists
- Chobe Riverfront (President Avenue) for easy park access and boat cruises
- Best Area to Stay for Digital Nomads
- Plateau area for cheaper residential rentals and quieter surroundings
Working and Networking
- Best Coworking Space
- None available; many nomads use the lounge at Chobe Marina Lodge (Day passes available)
- Best Cafe for Work
- Coffee Buzz (President Ave) - Good Wi-Fi, garden seating, and shaded area
- Networking Events
- Informal gatherings at the Old House pub; Chobe Tourism Association events
- Social Events for Expats
- Friday night sundowners at The Raft or Mowana Safari Resort
Transportation
- Best Taxi/Ride App
- No apps; local 'Combis' (white vans) or private hired taxis (approx. P40-P60 for town trips)
- Bike/Scooter Rental
- Not standard due to elephant presence in town; car rental via Avis at the airport
- Best Beach Nearby
- Inland city; closest 'beach' vibe is the sand banks of the Chobe River
- Top Regional Airline
- Air Botswana (Flights to Gaborone, Maun)
- Top International Airline
- Airlink (Flights to Johannesburg, South Africa)
- Highway Access
- A10 Highway connects to Kazungula (Zambia/Zimbabwe border) and A1 to Francistown
- Main Train/Transit Hub
- Kasane International Airport (BBK) and Kazungula Bridge for cross-border transit
- Public Transport Passes
- No formal pass system; pay local drivers P5-P10 per short route in cash
- Regional Travel
- Intercape or local buses to Gaborone; shared shuttles to Victoria Falls ($30-$50)
Health and Wellness
- Best Hospital
- Kasane Primary Hospital (Public); Casat Care Clinic (Private, President Avenue)
- Yoga & Wellness Centers
- Chobe Bakwena Lodge offers wellness treatments and occasional yoga sessions
- Gyms & Fitness Centers
- The Powerhouse Gym (Plateau area); approx. P450 per month
- Laundry Services
- Most guesthouses offer service for P80-P150 per load
Food and Drink
- Best Food Delivery App
- None; direct phone ordering with local restaurants like Pizza Plus
- Best Local Dish to Try
- Seswaa (pounded salted beef) served with Pap (maize porridge)
- Vegan/Vegetarian Options
- The Old House (Salads and Veggie Burgers); River View Lodge
- Best Dessert Spots
- Mowana Safari Resort patisserie counter for fresh cakes
- Affordable Shopping Spots
- Choppies Supermarket and Spar (located in the town center mall)
- E-commerce/Online Store
- No local giants; residents use Amazon with courier forwarding from South Africa
- Grocery Delivery
- Personal shoppers available via local Facebook groups; no formal app
- Bar/Nightlife Area
- The Old House or local 'shebeens' in the plateau for a more local vibe
- Local Brewery
- Okavango Brewing Company (though based in Maun, widely available in Kasane bars)
- Wine Bars
- Cresta Mowana Safari Resort Wine Cellar
- Street Food Stalls
- Small stalls near the Spar complex selling Magwinya (fat cakes) for P2
- Popular International Cuisine
- Hunter's Pub & Grill (Steaks/Burgers); Pizza Plus (Italian styles)