Traveling with an Amex - will I be able to use it widely in Botswanaor should I carry a backup Visa/Mastercard?
Don’t bother with Amex in Botswana. ATMs didn’t work, lodges didn’t accept it, and even car rentals refused it. Visa worked seamlessly everywhere, and Mastercard was fine too. Meals were about 100 BWP, but tours and safaris made daily spending 1,200-1,600 BWP. Amex was completely useless. For stress-free Botswana travel, Visa is the card you need.
Botswana was amazing, but my Amex card didn’t work once. ATMs from Barclays and Stanbic only allowed Visa removed link Restaurants in Gaborone and Maun refused Amex. I budgeted 1,200-1,500 BWP daily including safaris, meals, and transport. Visa was reliable everywhere, even at petrol stations. Amex had no role here. If you’re planning safaris in Botswana, carry Visa or Mastercard.
I tried using Amex in Botswana and failed almost everywhere. Safari lodges and hotels preferred Visa/Mastercard. ATMs also didn’t process Amex. Meals were cheap - 80-120 BWP for local food - but excursions and tours added up quickly. I spent about 1,000-1,400 BWP daily. My Visa card worked for all payments and withdrawals. Amex was useless. Don’t depend on it for Botswana.
Botswana safaris were incredible, but Amex wasn’t useful. ATMs in Gaborone and Maun didn’t recognize it, and lodges in the Okavango mostly wanted Visa. Meals were 100-150 BWP, and daily safari tours cost 800-1,000 BWP, so I budgeted 1,200-1,500 BWP per day. Visa worked without issue, Mastercard was fine too. Amex just didn’t fit in Botswana’s system. Always bring Visa for travel here.