Botswana

Recommended Vaccinations For Botswana

For Most Travellers

Hepatitis A Vaccine

There is a significant risk of infection with hepatitis A in this country, therefore, the vaccination is recommended.

Hepatitis B Vaccine

There is a significant risk of infection with hepatitis B in this country, therefore, the vaccination is recommended.

For Some Travellers

Rabies Vaccine

Vaccination against rabies is recommended for travellers involved in outdoor activities (e.g., campers, hikers, bikers, adventure travellers, and cavers) who may have direct contact with rabid dogs, bats, and other mammals. Those with occupational risks (such as veterinarians, wildlife professionals, researchers) and long-term travellers and expatriates are at higher risk and should be vaccinated.

Typhoid Fever Vaccine

There is a risk of exposure to typhoid fever in this country through the consumption of unsafe food and water. Since exposure to unsafe sources is variable within this country, the vaccination against typhoid fever is generally recommended, especially when visiting smaller cities, rural areas, or staying with friends and family.

Yellow Fever Vaccine

There is no risk of acquiring yellow fever in Botswana. However, a yellow fever vaccination certificate is required from travellers over 1 year of age arriving from or having passed through countries with risk of yellow fever transmission and for travellers having transited more than 12 hours through the airport of a country with risk of yellow fever transmission.

Cholera Vaccine

The U.K. NaTHNaC recommends the oral cholera vaccine for some travellers whose activities or medical history put them at increased risk, travelling to areas of active cholera transmission. These risk factors include: aid workers; those going to areas of cholera outbreaks who have limited access to potable water and medical care; travellers for whom the vaccination would be considered potentially beneficial, such as chronic medical conditions. The U.S. CDC recommends the cholera vaccine for travellers who are 18-64 years of age and who plan to travel to areas of active cholera transmission. CDC notes that most travellers do not travel to areas of active cholera transmission, and that safe food and water practices can prevent many cholera infections.

Recommended Medications For Botswana

For Some Travellers

Anti-malarial Drugs

Recommended anti-malaria medication includes atovaquone-proguanil, doxycycline or mefloquine. Anti-malaria drug resistance for chloroquine is present.

Diseases To Be Aware of for Botswana

For Most Travellers

Hepatitis A

There is a risk of hepatitis A exposure through contaminated food or water.

Hepatitis B

There is a risk for acquiring hepatitis B in this country.

Dengue Fever

There is a risk of exposure to dengue fever virus in this country.

Cholera

Cholera does occur in this country.

Chikungunya Fever

There is a risk of exposure to chikungunya virus in this country.

For Some Travellers

Malaria

Malaria risk exists from November to May/June in the northern parts of the country, specifically in Bobirwa, Boteti, Chobe, Ngamiland, Okavango, and Tutume districts/sub-districts.

African Tick Bite Fever

Sporadic cases of this disease are reported in this country.

Typhoid Fever

Unvaccinated people can become infected through contaminated food and water in Botswana, especially when visiting smaller cities, villages, or rural areas and staying with friends and relatives.

Schistosomiasis

Schistosomiasis is found in Botswana. It is acquired through contact with fresh, unchlorinated water, such as lakes, ponds, or rivers, when swimming, bathing or rafting. Well-chlorinated swimming pools or salt water in oceans or seas will not put travellers at risk for this disease.

Rabies

Rabies occurs in Botswana. Travellers involved in outdoor activities (e.g., campers, hikers, bikers, adventure travellers, and cavers) may have direct contact with rabid dogs, bats, and other mammals. Those with occupational risks (such as veterinarians, wildlife professionals, researchers) and long-term travellers and expatriates are at higher risk.

Tuberculosis

Tuberculosis occurs in Botswana. Travellers to this country are at risk for tuberculosis if visiting sick friends or family, working in the health care field, or having close prolonged contact with the general population.

Yellow Fever

There is no risk of acquiring yellow fever in Botswana. However, a yellow fever vaccination certificate is required from travellers over 1 year of age arriving from or having passed through countries with risk of yellow fever transmission and for travellers having transited more than 12 hours through the airport of a country with risk of yellow fever transmission.

Safety & Security in Botswana

Personal Safety

Botswana ranks as the third most peaceful country in Africa according to the 2024 Global Peace Index. Crimes of opportunity such as theft of money, personal property, and mobile phones are common across the country. Violent crime is increasing, particularly in major cities of Gaborone, Francistown, and Maun. Potentially violent incidents include home invasions, break-ins, smash and grab thefts from vehicles at traffic lights and in shopping mall parking lots, cell phone thefts, and muggings, which are routinely reported to police. Restaurants have been targeted during peak hours. While attacks on tourists remain rare, crime can occur in game parks, nature reserves, and remote areas frequented by visitors. Hotels and lodges are not immune from criminal activity. Isolated room break-ins and thefts have been reported at lodges in the Chobe area, particularly those along river fronts. Exercise particular caution at Gaborone Dam and Kgale Hill in the capital due to higher crime rates. Police response times may be longer than expected, and police services may vary throughout the country. The terrorism threat level in Botswana is relatively low, with no recent history of terrorist attacks. However, the country has acknowledged heightened security challenges including terrorism, cybercrime, human trafficking, drug distribution, and transnational organized crime. Botswana deployed troops to Mozambique to fight Islamic insurgents, creating potential vulnerabilities.

Extreme Violence

Botswana has minimal risks of terrorist attacks or interstate conflict. The terror threat level is relatively low, with no recent history of terrorist attacks in the country. However, the government is developing a national security strategy amid emerging global security challenges. Botswana has faced heightened terrorism concerns after sending troops to fight Islamic insurgents in Mozambique since July 2021, with five soldiers lost including one during combat. The country recognizes emerging threats from cybercrime, terrorism, poaching, human trafficking, drug distribution, money laundering, and transnational organized crime that continue to threaten sovereignty and territorial integrity. Criminal networks involving Zimbabwean, South African, and Zambian gangs operate in the country, and some are well armed with military skills. Organized criminal activity includes Russian and Asian criminal networks attracted to natural resources, wildlife, and drugs. Armed robberies and violent crimes spilling over from South Africa have been reported. Hold-ups and robberies of restaurants during peak hours by armed gangs are becoming more frequent, particularly in Francistown and Maun. Home invasions often involve armed gangs. Sexual assault rates are high in Botswana, though foreign visitors are unlikely to be targeted. Incidents in the Chobe area have included hotel and lodge room break-ins leading to rape and other sexual offences. The death penalty may be imposed for serious crimes including murder and treason, and physical punishment may result from serious assaults.

Political Unrest

Botswana is one of the most stable democracies in Africa with the longest continuous multi-party democracy on the continent. The country has a generally positive human rights record and is recognized as politically stable. In October 2024, the Botswana Democratic Party suffered a historic defeat after ruling since independence in 1966, with the Umbrella for Democratic Change opposition coalition winning power peacefully. Elections are considered free and fair by observers. Public demonstrations are rare and seldom turn violent, though the threat of political violence is considered low. However, freedom of assembly requires citizens to seek police permission to hold demonstrations, and police have sometimes denied requests. In September 2024, demonstrators clashed with police while protesting a proposed constitutional amendment that would have granted the president sweeping powers. Police used force and some protesters were beaten and injured, though the draft bill ultimately did not pass. In 2011, police used tear gas and rubber bullets on protesters. In June 2022, police used force to disperse angry residents protesting a ritual killing. The political consensus of the country remains stable overall. Avoid areas where demonstrations and large gatherings are taking place. Political rallies and protests can turn violent. Anti-corruption protests have occurred, with youth-led demonstrations urging prosecution of former officials accused of corruption. It is illegal to photograph or use video equipment near military and government installations.

Areas To Avoid

Most violent crime is centered in the major cities of Gaborone, Francistown, and Maun. Gaborone, as the capital and most populated area, has the highest level of crime in the country. Exercise additional caution at Gaborone Dam and Kgale Hill in Gaborone due to frequent criminal incidents. Maun is the tourist capital and gateway to the Okavango Delta, where criminals take advantage of tourists unfamiliar with surroundings. However, crime in the Okavango Delta itself is low. Francistown is the second largest city and has had a particular crime rate increase in recent years. Crime occurs throughout the country, especially in border areas with South Africa, Zimbabwe, and Namibia. Zimbabwean, South African, and Zambian criminal gangs have been known to target unsuspecting tourists on isolated roads, though this is very uncommon. Isolated incidents have been reported in the Chobe area where tourists have had hotel and lodge rooms broken into at night, particularly at river-fronting lodges. Crime is also reported in game parks, nature reserves, and remote areas frequented by tourists. The Okavango Delta, Maun, Kasane, and the Kalahari Desert have lower crime rates compared to the eastern corridor where population is higher. Take care when entering from South Africa as baggage pilferage is a continuing problem at OR Tambo Johannesburg and Cape Town International Airports. Remote desert areas require use of reputable guides and four-wheel drive vehicles with emergency provisions. In very remote areas, travel in convoy or with a satellite phone in case of breakdown. Avoid the State House, the official presidential residence in Gaborone, especially at night.