The +267 country code is for Botswana, a landlocked country in southern Africa bordered by South Africa, Namibia, Zimbabwe, and Zambia. If you see a call from +267 or need to reach someone in Gaborone or Francistown, here's what you need to know.
Botswana's phone system is simple. No trunk prefix, no confusing rules. Mobile numbers are 8 digits starting with 7. Landlines are 7 digits with a geographic area code. English is the official language, so you won't have a language barrier on business calls.
Quick answer: Dial +267 followed by the local number. Mobile numbers are 8 digits starting with 7. Landlines are 7 digits. No trunk prefix to drop. Botswana uses CAT time (UTC+2) year-round, no daylight saving.
How to call Botswana: quick reference
No trunk prefix. Add +267 (or your exit code + 267) before the local number and you're done.
| Calling from | Dialing format |
|---|---|
| South Africa | 00-267-[local number] |
| UK | 00-267-[local number] |
| US/Canada mobile | +267 [local number] |
| US/Canada landline | 011-267-[local number] |
| Zimbabwe | 00-267-[local number] |
| Namibia | 00-267-[local number] |
Understanding Botswana phone numbers
Botswana has two number lengths: 8 digits for mobile, 7 digits for landline. The first digit or two tell you the type and region.
Mobile numbers
All mobile numbers start with 7 and are 8 digits long:
- Domestic: 7X XXX XXX (8 digits)
- International: +267 7X XXX XXX
Mobile prefixes by carrier:
| Prefix | Carrier |
|---|---|
| 71, 74 (0-2, 5-7), 754, 755 | Mascom |
| 72, 74 (3-4, 8), 75 (0-3) | Orange Botswana |
| 76, 77 | beMobile (BTC) |
Landline numbers
Landlines are 7 digits. The first 1-2 digits indicate the region:
| Prefix | Region |
|---|---|
| 3 | Gaborone and surroundings |
| 2 | Francistown |
| 4 | Serowe, Palapye, Mahalapye |
| 5 | Selibe-Phikwe, Sowa |
| 6 | Maun, Kasane, Nata (northern tourism areas) |
No trunk prefix
Botswana has no trunk prefix. The number you dial locally is the same number you dial internationally, just add +267 in front. Simpler than South Africa where you need to drop a 0.
Mobile carriers in Botswana
Three operators, with Mascom and Orange controlling most of the market. Coverage is good in populated areas but thins out fast in the Kalahari and remote parts of the Okavango.
Mascom
Largest operator, majority-owned by South Africa's MTN Group. Has the best coverage, including along major roads between towns. Prefixes: 71, parts of 74 and 75.
Orange Botswana
Second largest. Formerly Vista Mobile, rebranded under France Telecom's Orange. Good coverage in cities, weaker in the west and northwest. Prefixes: 72, parts of 74 and 75.
beMobile
Subsidiary of the state-owned Botswana Telecommunications Corporation (BTC). Smallest mobile operator but has the landline infrastructure. Prefixes: 76, 77. Competitive pricing but coverage gaps outside urban areas.
Mascom numbers are slightly cheaper to call from abroad than Orange. The difference is small ($0.32/min vs $0.34/min at wholesale) but adds up on long calls.
Don't confuse +267 with nearby codes
Several southern African codes are close to Botswana's +267:
| Code | Country | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| +267 | Botswana | This article |
| +27 | South Africa | Southern neighbor. +27 not +267. |
| +264 | Namibia | Western neighbor |
| +263 | Zimbabwe | Eastern neighbor |
| +260 | Zambia | Meets Botswana at a single point (Kazungula) |
| +266 | Lesotho | One digit off from Botswana |
| +268 | Eswatini | One digit off from Botswana |
The biggest gotcha: South Africa is +27, Botswana is +267. If you dial +267 thinking it's South Africa with a longer code, you'll reach Botswana instead.
Time zone considerations
Botswana is on Central Africa Time (CAT), UTC+2, all year. No daylight saving. Same time zone as South Africa.
| Your location | Botswana time (CAT) | Difference |
|---|---|---|
| New York (EST) | UTC+2 | +7 hours |
| New York (EDT) | UTC+2 | +6 hours |
| London (GMT) | UTC+2 | +2 hours |
| London (BST) | UTC+2 | +1 hour |
| Johannesburg | UTC+2 | Same time zone |
Best times to call
From the UK, Botswana is 2 hours ahead in winter, 1 hour in summer. Business hours overlap well.
From the US East Coast, early morning (6-8 AM ET) catches Botswana in the early afternoon. By 3 PM ET it's already 10 PM in Botswana, too late for most calls.
Communication in Botswana
Business hours
Standard hours are 8 AM to 5 PM, Monday to Friday. Government offices often close at 4:30 PM. Banks close at 3:30 PM (1 PM on Saturdays). Unlike some African countries, there's no long midday break. Shops in malls stay open until 6-7 PM.
Language
English is the official language, used in government and business. If you're calling an office or company, English is what you'll get. Setswana is what most people speak day-to-day. You'll hear both on the phone depending on who picks up.
Network quality
Coverage is good along the A1 highway corridor (Gaborone to Francistown) and in towns. It drops off quickly in the Kalahari, the western reaches, and parts of the Okavango Delta. If you're calling someone on a safari in the delta, they may only have signal at the camp. 4G works in Gaborone and Francistown. VoIP calls are fine in urban areas.
The Botswana diaspora
Where Batswana live abroad
South Africa is the main destination. Johannesburg and Pretoria have large Batswana communities, mostly people who moved for university or work and stayed. The UK has a smaller but growing community, especially in London and the Midlands. The US, Australia, and Canada have Batswana professionals, many in healthcare and mining engineering. Botswana's population is only about 2.4 million, so the diaspora is small compared to larger African countries.
Why they call home
Most calls are to family. People stay in regular contact with parents and relatives in villages. Call volume goes up around Botswana Day (September 30), Christmas, and Easter. Batswana in South Africa tend to call weekly since there's no time difference and cross-border calls are cheap.
Dialing examples
Calling a Gaborone landline from South Africa
Landline number: 395 1234
From South Africa: 00 267 395 1234
Calling a Mascom mobile from the US
Mobile number: 71 234 567
From US mobile: +267 71 234 567
From US landline: 011 267 71 234 567
Calling a Maun lodge from the UK
Landline number: 686 1234
From UK: 00 267 686 1234
Calling an Orange mobile from Zimbabwe
Mobile number: 72 345 678
From Zimbabwe: 00 267 72 345 678
Common mistakes to avoid
Confusing +267 with +27
South Africa is +27. Botswana is +267. They look similar but go to different countries. If you're trying to call Johannesburg and your call lands in Gaborone, check whether you accidentally added a 6.
Expecting a trunk prefix
If you're used to calling South Africa (drop the 0) or the UK (drop the 0), you might instinctively try to remove a leading digit. Don't. Botswana has no trunk prefix. Dial the number exactly as given, just add +267.
Wrong number length
Mobiles are 8 digits, landlines are 7. If you're dialing 7 digits for a mobile or 8 for a landline, something is off. Check which type of number you have.
Calling someone in the Okavango or Kalahari
Mobile coverage outside towns is unreliable. If someone doesn't answer, it may not be that they're ignoring you. They may just not have signal. Try again during hours when they'd be in town or at a camp with coverage.
Prefer calling over WiFi? See our guide to the best apps for WiFi calling.
Frequently asked questions (FAQ)
What country uses +267?
Botswana, a landlocked country in southern Africa bordered by South Africa, Namibia, Zimbabwe, and Zambia.
How many digits are in a Botswana phone number?
Mobile numbers are 8 digits (starting with 7). Landlines are 7 digits. When calling from abroad, add +267 in front.
Does Botswana have a trunk prefix?
No. Dial the local number as-is and add +267 for international calls. No digits to drop or add.
What are the mobile carriers in Botswana?
Mascom (largest, MTN-owned), Orange Botswana, and beMobile (state-owned BTC subsidiary). All mobile numbers start with 7.
What time zone is Botswana in?
Central Africa Time (CAT), UTC+2 year-round. Same as South Africa. No daylight saving.
Do people in Botswana speak English?
Yes. English is the official language and used in business and government. Setswana is the national language spoken in everyday life. Business calls in English work fine.
CallSky.io lets you call Botswana and 180+ other countries with per-minute pricing. No subscriptions, no hidden fees. Try it out.