Botswana

Be alert, particularly if you're out after dark.

Attacks on tourists are rare. But there's violent crime, residential break-ins and carjackings, particularly of 4WD vehicles.

Street crime is more common in urban centres.

Criminals have robbed travellers in the areas of Gaborone Dam and Kgale Hill in the capital, Gaborone. Exercise caution in these areas.

The HIV/AIDS infection rate is very high.

If you're sexually or otherwise assaulted, seek medical help straight away. See Health

Police resources are varied throughout Botswana.

Demonstrations and protests

Public protests and demonstrations can turn violent.

• monitor the news for planned or possible unrest
• avoid affected areas
• follow the advice of local authorities

More information:

• Demonstrations and civil unrest

Terrorism is a threat worldwide.

More information:

• Terrorism

Respect wildlife laws. Keep a safe and legal distance when watching wildlife.

Only use reputable guides or tour operators. Follow park regulations and wardens' advice.

Severe weather

Severe weather can affect your travel plans. Monitor local media for updates.

If you're visiting an area that has recently suffered severe weather:

• confirm your plans with your tour operator or travel provider
• check the condition of infrastructure and facilities with local tour operators and hotels

*This advice predates COVID-19 and the Australian Government's travel ban for all Australians.

Get comprehensive travel insurance before you leave. Your policy needs to cover all overseas medical costs, including medical evacuation and COVID-19 protocols. The Australian Government won't pay for these costs.

If you can't afford travel insurance, you can't afford to travel. This applies to everyone, no matter how healthy and fit you are.

If you're not insured, you may have to pay many 1000s of dollars up-front for medical care.

Confirm:

• what activities and care your policy covers
• that your insurance covers you for the whole time you'll be away

Consider your physical and mental health before you travel, especially if you have an existing medical condition.

See your doctor or travel clinic to:

• have a basic health check-up
• ask if your travel plans may affect your health
• plan any vaccinations you need

Do this at least 8 weeks before you leave.

More information:

• General health advice
• International travel and health

Not all medication available over the counter or by prescription in Australia is available in other countries. Some medication may be considered illegal or a controlled substance, even if prescribed by an Australian doctor.

If you plan to bring medication, check if it's legal in Botswana. Take enough legal medicine for your trip.

Keep medications in their original packaging with a clear label.

Carry a copy of your prescription or a letter from your doctor stating:

• what the medications are
• how much you'll take
• that it's for personal use

More information:

• Medication

COVID-19

COVID-19 is present in Botswana.

More information:

• Coronavirus (COVID-19) (Department of Health)
• Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) outbreak (WHO)
• Coronavirus (COVID-19) (Smartraveller)

Yellow fever

If you're travelling from a country where yellow fever is widespread you’ll need a valid yellow fever vaccination certificate to enter Botswana. This does not apply to a child aged under 1 year.

If you can't show proof of vaccination, authorities may not let you enter.

You can't get vaccinated when you arrive.

More information:

• Countries with a risk of yellow fever

HIV/AIDS

Botswana's rate of HIV/AIDS infection is very high. Take precautions before you do anything that puts you at risk of infection.

Swimming risks

Don't swim in lakes and rivers because of the possibility of:

• wildlife attacks
• catching waterborne diseases

Insect-borne diseases

Malaria occurs throughout Botswana. It's widespread in the north of the country, especially in the rainy season from November to March.

Other insect-borne diseases also occur. They include:

• filariasis

To protect yourself from insect-borne diseases:

• make sure your accommodation is insect-proof
• use insect repellent
• wear long, loose, light-coloured clothing

Consider taking medicine to prevent malaria if you travel north of Gaborone.

Other health risks

Waterborne, foodborne and other infectious diseases are widespread. This includes:

• cholera
• typhoid
• hepatitis
• rabies
• tuberculosis

Serious outbreaks sometimes occur. Some drug-resistant tuberculosis cases are reported in Botswana.

To protect yourself from illness:

• drink boiled water or bottled water with sealed lids
• avoid ice cubes
• avoid uncooked and undercooked food, such as salads

Don't swim in fresh water to avoid exposure to certain waterborne diseases, such as bilharzia (schistosomiasis).

Get urgent medical advice if you suspect food poisoning or if you have a fever or diarrhoea.

Medical facilities

Medical facilities outside urban areas are limited.

Public and private medical facilities ask you to confirm insurance cover or guarantee payment before treatment.

If you're seriously ill or injured, you could need treatment at a more suitable place. This is usually South Africa. Medical evacuation can be very expensive.

You're subject to all local laws and penalties, including those that may appear harsh by Australian standards. Research local laws before travelling.

If you're arrested or jailed, the Australian Government will do what it can to help you under our Consular Services Charter. But we can't get you out of trouble or out of jail.

If you're detained or arrested, the Botswana authorities may not automatically notify the Australian Government. Ask police or prison officials to contact the Australian High Commission in South Africa if you're arrested or detained.

Police resources are varied throughout Botswana.

Drugs

Penalties for drug offences are severe and include mandatory jail sentences. This includes offences involving marijuana (cannabis).

More information:

• Carrying or using drugs

Death penalty

Serious offences, including murder and treason, carry the death penalty.

Wildlife laws

Exporting elephant hair, ivory, and rhinoceros horn products is illegal.

If you want to export animal souvenirs or 'trophies' you need either:

• a government permit
• a receipt from a licensed store

You must not observe wildlife closer than the legal minimum distance.

Other crimes

Some crimes, such as serious assaults, attract physical punishment.

In Botswana it's illegal to:

• possess pornography
• take photos of military or government installations

Same-sex relationships were decriminalised in June 2019.  However, there are local sensitivities Avoid public displays of affection.

More information:

• Advice for LGBTI travellers

Some Australian criminal laws still apply when you're overseas. If you break these laws, you may face prosecution in Australia.

More information:

• Staying within the law

Botswana only recognises dual nationality up to the age of 21, where the citizen was also born in Botswana. Otherwise Botswana does not recognise dual nationality.

This limits the consular services we can give if you're arrested or detained.

More information:

• Dual nationals

*This advice predates COVID-19 and the Australian Government's travel ban for all Australians.

Visitor visas 

You dont need a visa if you're a tourist visiting for up to 90 days. If you're travelling with children you'll need extra documents. 

Botswana accepts Australian emergency passports. But, if you need to enter Botswana on an emergency passport, you'll need to apply for a visa before you go. You can't get one on arrival.

Apply at the nearest embassy or consulate of Botswana.

Entry and exit conditions can change at short notice. Contact the nearest embassy or consulate for details about visas, currency, customs and quarantine rules.

COVID-19

COVID-19 is present in Botswana. Botswana has suspended all international travel and closed its borders to prevent the spread of COVID-10.

If you can't or don't want to leave, follow the advice of local authorities, make arrangements for an extended stay and minimise your risk of exposure to COVID-19. Stay in touch with family and friends so they know you're safe and well. If you need urgent consular assistance call +61 2 6261 3305.

Ebola screening 

If you enter Botswana from Ebola-affected countries, you'll be screened for Ebola. You may be denied entry or quarantined on arrival. For more information, see Botswana Ministry of Health.

Yellow fever vaccination

You'll need a valid yellow fever vaccination certificate to enter Botswana if you arrive from a country where yellow fever is widespread.

More information:

• Countries with a risk of yellow fever (PDF 74KB)

Travel with children

Immigration regulations apply to children younger than 18 years.

All children travelling must have a passport and full birth certificate. The birth certificate must identify the child and parents.

You must show these documents on request.

Any parents who aren't travelling need to provide a legal document giving their consent for the child to travel.

The legal document must be less than 3 months old and include:

• full names, addresses, phone numbers, and passport details of the child and both parents, as listed on the birth certificate
• travel destinations of child and parent
• a certified copy of the passport of any non-travelling parent
• signatures of both parents

If you don't comply with these rules, you might be:

• deported on arrival
• stopped from boarding your plane

The nearest embassy or consulate of Botswana can tell you what you need to have on the document.

Travel via South Africa

South Africa has closed thirteen land border posts with Botswana. Travellers trying to enter Botswana from South Africa by road should refer to the travel advice for South Africa. 

Read the Travel section of the travel advice for South Africa for rules that apply if you're going to or from Botswana through South Africa.

South Africa has specific documentation rules for children and doesn't accept provisional travel documents. It also requires travellers to carry a yellow fever vaccination certificate.

Validity

Some countries won't let you enter unless your passport is valid for 6 months after you plan to leave that country. This can apply even if you're just transiting or stopping over.

Some foreign governments and airlines apply the rule inconsistently. Travellers can receive conflicting advice from different sources.

You can end up stranded if your passport is not valid for more than 6 months.

The Australian Government does not set these rules. Check your passport's expiry date before you travel. If you're not sure it'll be valid for long enough, consider getting a new passport.

Make sure your passport has 2 blank pages. If it doesn't, authorities may stop you when you try to leave.

Lost or stolen passport

Your passport is a valuable document. It's attractive to people who may try to use your identity to commit crimes.

Some people may try to trick you into giving them your passport. Always keep it in a safe place.

If your passport is lost or stolen, tell the Australian Government as soon as possible:

• In Australia, contact the Australian Passport Information Service.
• If you're overseas, contact the nearest Australian embassy or consulate.

The official currency of Botswana is the Pula (BWP).

You must declare any foreign currency over Pula 10,000 when you enter and leave Botswana.

Road travel

To drive in Botswana, you need both:

• a valid Australian driver's licence and
• an International Driving Permit (IDP)

You must get your IDP before leaving Australia.

Be careful driving from the airport into Gaborone at night.

Driving outside major urban areas in Botswana can be hazardous. This is mainly due to:

• poor road conditions
• local driving practices
• inadequate lighting

You’re four times more likely to be killed in a car accident in Botswana than in Australia.

Wild animals and livestock often stray onto roads and have right of way.

Batswana, the people of Botswana, take injuries or deaths of their cattle by motorists very seriously.

If you're driving long distances, carefully plan your trip because of the harsh environment and sparse population.

If you travel to remote desert areas, use a reputable guide. Take a 4WD vehicle with emergency provisions.

The condition of urban roads is mostly good.

More information:

• Driving or riding

Taxis

Only use authorised taxis. Negotiate the fare before you leave.

Air travel

DFAT doesn't provide information on the safety of individual commercial airlines or flight paths.

Check Botswana's air safety profile with the Aviation Safety Network.

More information:

• Air travel

Depending on what you need, contact your:

• family and friends
• travel agent
• insurance provider
• employer
• airline

Fire and rescue services

Call 998.

Medical emergencies

Call 997.

Police

Call 999 or the nearest police station.

Always get a police report when you report a crime.

Your insurer should have a 24-hour emergency number.

Contact your provider with any complaints about tourist services or products.

Read the Consular Services Charter for what the Australian Government can and can’t do to help you overseas.

Australia has an honorary consulate in Botswana. It provides limited consular and passport assistance.

You can get full consular and passport help from the Australian High Commission in South Africa.

Australian Consulate, Gaborone

Australian Consulate
Plot 50637, Block 10, Airport Road
(Next to Airport Junction Shopping Centre)
Gaborone, Botswana
Phone: (+ 267) 390 2996
Fax: (+ 267) 391 4293
Mobile: (+ 267) 7133 1550
Email: australia.consulate.botswana@gmail.com

You can get full consular help from the Australian High Commission in South Africa.

Australian High Commission, Pretoria

292 Orient Street
Arcadia
Pretoria, South Africa
Phone: +27 12 423 6000
Fax: +27 12 342 8442
Email pretoria.info@dfat.gov.au
Facebook: Australian High Commission in South Africa
Twitter: @AuHCSouthAfrica
Website: southafrica.embassy.gov.au

Check the High Commission website for details about opening hours and any temporary closures.

24-hour Consular Emergency Centre

In a consular emergency, if you can't contact an embassy, call the 24-hour Consular Emergency Centre on:

• +61 2 6261 3305 from overseas
• 1300 555 135 in Australia