Botswana
🏛️ Capital: Gaborone
👥 Population: 2.5 million
💬 Language: English
💰 Currency: Botswana Pula (BWP)
✈️ Reasons to travel: Okavango Delta, Chobe safaris, Kalahari Desert, rich wildlife, pristine wilderness
📈 High Season: June to October
📉 Low Season: December to March
☀️ The warmest month: October
❄️ The coldest month: July
🌧 The rainiest month: January
Safety
Travelers should check government safety advisories before any trip to avoid dangerous situations. These sources offer reliable updates on security risks, health alerts, and local laws.
Check out the travel advisory from at least one of these government websites:
Average safety level:
Exercise increased caution
Try our travel preparation app for free, and get an overview of safety, entry requirements, local laws, contacts for hospitals, and more.
Health
Sanitation and drinking water:
Score: 20/100
Rank: 158th/180
These are based on indicators such as types of facilities and sewage systems in households, water sources, water treatments, etc. The higher the score the safer the drinking water and sanitation (based on the Environmental Performance Index from Yale University).
A lower score may suggest a higher risk of food-borne illnesses like traveler’s diarrhea.
Vaccine-preventable infectious diseases in Botswana:
- Dengue fever
- Hepatitis A
- Hepatitis B
- Meningococcal meningitis
- Rabies
- Tuberculosis
- Typhoid fever
Infectious diseases in Botswana with no vaccine currently available:
- African sleeping sickness
- African Tick-bite fever
- Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever
- Cutaneous larva migrans
- Malaria
- Rift Valley fever
- Schistosoma
- West Nile virus
Yellow fever certificate requirements:
A vaccination certificate is required upon entry if arriving from a country at risk, or after transiting for more than 12 hours at a country at risk.
Would you like to learn more about Botswana?
Use our app to find important information about relevant vaccines, what medication to pack, and how to address risks at your destination, so you can enjoy your travel to the fullest.
We’ve connected data from hundreds of scientific publications with the most recent recommendations from the world’s top authorities, including the WHO, the American CDC, and the UK’s NHS, to help you get the best preparation for the trip possible.
Try MyGlobdoc now! Botswana is already available there.
Botswana FAQ
Is it safe to travel to Botswana in terms of health risks?
Yes, Botswana is a safe and popular safari destination, but travelers should be aware of certain health risks. Malaria is present in northern regions, while foodborne illness and dehydration are common across the country. Medical care is good in Gaborone but limited in rural and safari areas.
What vaccinations do I need before traveling to Botswana?
Recommended vaccines include hepatitis A, typhoid, and tetanus. Depending on your activities, hepatitis B and rabies may also be advised, especially for extended rural stays or wildlife encounters. A yellow fever certificate is required only if you are arriving from a yellow fever-endemic country. MyGlobdoc can help you build a vaccination plan tailored to your route.
Are there any common diseases in Botswana that travelers should know about?
Yes. Malaria occurs in northern regions like the Okavango Delta and Chobe. Foodborne illnesses such as hepatitis A, typhoid, and traveler’s diarrhea are also common. HIV prevalence is high in Botswana, so safe practices are important.
How can I avoid food poisoning or traveler’s diarrhea in Botswana?
Eat freshly cooked meals from reputable lodges or restaurants. Avoid unwashed produce, undercooked meat, and tap water. Drink bottled or purified water, and carry hand sanitizer for regular use.
Is malaria a risk in Botswana, and do I need anti-malarial pills?
Yes, malaria is a risk in northern Botswana, particularly during the rainy season (November–April). Popular safari areas such as the Okavango Delta and Chobe National Park are affected. MyGlobdoc can assess your itinerary to help decide on anti-malarial medication.
What mosquito-borne illnesses are present in Botswana?
Malaria is the main mosquito-borne disease in northern Botswana. Dengue, Zika, and chikungunya are not major risks here. To prevent malaria, use DEET-based repellents, wear long sleeves, and sleep under insecticide-treated mosquito nets.
Do I need travel health insurance for Botswana?
Yes, travel health insurance is essential. Private medical care in Gaborone and Francistown is good, but rural areas have limited facilities. Insurance that covers medical evacuation is strongly recommended, especially for safari travelers.
What should be in a travel medical kit for Botswana?
Pack anti-malarial medication, insect repellent, sunscreen, oral rehydration salts, anti-diarrheal tablets, pain relievers, adhesive bandages, and prescription medicines. For safaris, add blister care and a small first aid kit. MyGlobdoc can provide a customized checklist for your travel profile.
How can I stay healthy while backpacking through Botswana?
Stay hydrated in the hot climate, use mosquito protection in northern regions, and eat food from clean sources. During safaris or overland travel, follow guides’ safety instructions and avoid unsafe water sources. Carry a compact medical kit for common issues.
Is Botswana safe for pregnant travelers or travelers with chronic illness?
Pregnant travelers should avoid malaria zones and take strict mosquito precautions. Travelers with chronic illnesses should consider long distances between healthcare facilities outside cities. Always bring sufficient medication, a doctor’s note, and travel insurance covering pre-existing conditions.
What should I do if I get sick in Botswana?
For minor health issues, pharmacies and clinics are available in towns. For serious conditions, seek care in private hospitals in Gaborone or Francistown, or prepare for evacuation to South Africa if necessary. Always carry your insurance details and emergency contacts.
What travel health documents or certificates are required for Botswana?
A yellow fever vaccination certificate is required only if arriving from or transiting through a yellow fever endemic country. Otherwise, no special health documents are needed. Always check the latest entry and health requirements before traveling.
Sources
Map generated with https://www.mapchart.net/index.html
Orthographic map by original map : L’Américain, South Sudan : Flappiefh thanks to the perlshaper script. – Own work, Public Domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=9095901 / CC-BY-SA-3.0 edited in Canva
Travel safety map obtained under the latest Creative Commons Attribution licence – CC BY 4.0 from https://www.smartraveller.gov.au/destinations/africa/botswana
https://datatopics.worldbank.org/world-development-indicators/
Block, S., Emerson, J. W., Esty, D. C., de Sherbinin, A., Wendling, Z. A., et al. (2024). 2024 Environmental Performance Index. New Haven, CT: Yale Center for Environmental Law & Policy. https://epi.yale.edu
Disclaimer:
The information provided on this page is for general informational and educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice. Always consult your physician or other qualified healthcare provider with any health problem. The use or reliance on any information provided on this page is solely at your own risk.
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