Sub Saharan Africa

• Travel Summary
• Safety and security
• Local laws and customs
• Entry requirements

• Health
• Natural disasters
• General
 

• A country-wide strike by some public sector employees of the Government of Botswana, which had been ongoing since 18 April 2011, was suspended on 12 June 2011. During this period, there were several incidences of violence in towns and villages, including Gaborone, Molepolole and Mochudi. Police used tear gas and rubber bullets. Whilst the strike is officially over, negotiations between the employer and the unions remain ongoing. You should monitor local news coverage and avoid large demonstrations.
  
  
• Wildlife and livestock on roads make driving hazardous. Avoid driving at night.
  

• You should carry some form of identification with you at all times. A photocopy of your passport is sufficient.
  
  
• Whilst most visits to Botswana are trouble-free, you should be aware of an increasing incidence of violent crime. See Safety and Security - Crime.
  
  
• Around 19,000 British tourists visit Botswana every year (source: Botswana Department of Tourism). See General - Consular Assistance Statistics.
  
  
• There is a low threat from terrorism. But you should be aware of the global risk of indiscriminate terrorist attacks which could be in public areas, including those frequented by expatriates and foreign travellers.
  
  
• You should take out travel and medical insurance before travelling. You should check any exclusions and that your policy covers you for all the activities you want to undertake. See General - Insurance.
  

Safety and Security - Terrorism
There is a low threat from terrorism. But you should be aware of the global risk of indiscriminate terrorist attacks which could be in public areas, including those frequented by expatriates and foreign travellers.

See our terrorism abroad page.

Safety and Security - Crime
Attacks on tourists are rare, but petty and violent crime is increasing, particularly in the major towns of Gaborone, Francistown and Maun. House burglaries, often by armed gangs, are also increasing. There have been some cases of car jacking, particularly of four by four vehicles. If you are attacked, do not resist. Theft from parked cars does occur. Take sensible precautions. Safeguard valuables and cash. Deposit them in hotel safes, where practical. Keep copies of important documents, including passports, in a separate place to the documents themselves.

There have been isolated incidences of room break-ins and robbery from lodges in the Chobe area, in particular river fronting lodges. You should make sure you lock your room when you can and secure valuables including your passport.

There have been incidences of rape and other sexual offences. Given the high level of HIV/AIDS in the country, you should seek immediate medical advice if you are sexually assaulted or otherwise injured. Women, in particular, should not walk alone at night. For more general information see rape and sexual assault abroad.

See our victims of crime abroad page.

Safety and Security - Local Travel - Zimbabwe
You should avoid areas where War Veterans are active or where incidents of violence are taking place. There have been a number of serious and violent incidents in rural areas and it is dangerous for farmers or agricultural workers to visit former properties or other agricultural areas. We advise against travel by journalists intending to carry out any reporting or official photography without the proper accreditation. The situation remains unpredictable and there are isolated incidents of violence across the country: it could deteriorate further, without warning.

Safety and Security - Local Travel - Botswana
A country-wide strike by some public sector employees of the Government of Botswana, which had been ongoing since 18 April 2011, was suspended on 12 June 2011. During this period, there were several incidences of violence in towns and villages, including Gaborone, Molepolole and Mochudi. Police used tear gas and rubber bullets. Whilst the strike is officially over, negotiations between the employer and the unions remain ongoing. You should monitor local news coverage and avoid large demonstrations.

Game reserves and other tourist areas are generally secure, but you should be alert to unpredictable behaviour by wild animals. You should follow park regulations and wardens' advice. You should not bathe in rivers and lakes, because of the dangers from both wildlife and water-borne diseases.

If you intend travelling to remote areas plan your trip with care, make transport and accommodation arrangements in advance and seek local advice on what precautions to take. Vehicles should be stocked with emergency supplies (including water and fuel) and be properly prepared for off-road driving conditions. In very remote areas it is advisable to either travel with more than one vehicle or with a satellite phone in case of breakdown.

In major towns taxis are generally safe to take. You should agree a price before setting off.

Safety and Security - Local Travel - Road Travel
UK and International driving licences are acceptable in Botswana for up to 90 days. If you intend to stay longer you should apply for a Botswana licence.

Botswana has good tarmac roads over most of the country but you should be careful when driving off-road. The standard of driving is lower than in the UK and many drivers ignore road safety rules. Dangerous driving, including speeding (the maximum speed limit is 120kph) and drink driving, cause frequent serious, and often fatal, accidents.

Driving, particularly outside the major urban areas, can be dangerous as wildlife and stray livestock can pose a serious hazard. This is a particular risk at night and caution should be taken if driving outside major towns at night.

For more general information see driving abroad.

Safety and Security - Local Travel - Air Travel
The EU has published a list of air carriers that are subject to an operating ban or restrictions within the community. You should check the following link to see whether this will affect your travel - European Commission Transport - Air.

For more general information see airline security.

Safety and Security - Political situation
Botswana Country Profile

Drug taking and smuggling is an offence.  The punishments can be severe.

Taking photographs or using video equipment near military and government installations is prohibited.  Always ask permission before taking photographs of people in Botswana.

Homosexuality is illegal in Botswana.

You should carry some form of identification with you at all times. 

A photocopy of your passport is sufficient.

See our your trip page.

Entry Requirements - Visas
British nationals do not require visas to enter Botswana and can stay a maximum of 90 days. Overstaying can cause delays on departure. If you wish to extend your stay, you should seek an extension from the Department of Immigration. For further information on entry requirements contact the Botswana High Commission, London.

Entry Requirements - Passport Validity
You must hold a valid passport to enter Botswana. Your passport must be valid for a minimum period of six months from the date of entry into Botswana.

Entry Requirements - South Africa 
British nationals do not need visas for South Africa. But if you are planning to enter South Africa before or after you visit Botswana you should be aware that, while South African authorities state officially that only one blank passport page is required for entry some officials are insisting on two blank pages resulting in visitors being refused entry and being sent back to the UK. We advise that you have two blank pages in your passport on arrival in South Africa. See the Travel Advice for South Africa on the FCO website.

Entry Requirements - Travelling with children
Single parents or other adults travelling alone with children should be aware that some countries require documentary evidence of parental responsibility before allowing lone parents to enter the country or, in some cases, before permitting the children to leave the country. For further information on exactly what will be required at immigration, please contact the Botswana High Commission, London.

Health care in Botswana is good in the major towns, but medical facilities and communications are limited in rural areas. For serious medical treatment, medical evacuation to the UK or South Africa may be necessary. Private hospitals will not treat patients unless you can pay and health care may be expensive. Outpatients must pay cash before receiving treatment. You will only be accepted as an emergency patient if you have full insurance cover.

Malaria is common in the northern parts of Botswana, particularly during the rainy season (October-April). During the current rainy season, there have been cases of malaria as far south as Botswana’s capital, Gaborone. You should take precautions to avoid being bitten by mosquitoes wherever you are in Botswana.

If you suffer from acute diarrhoea and vomiting during a visit to Botswana you should seek immediate medical attention.

There are occasional outbreaks of anthrax amongst wild animals. You should seek advice locally from park officials and not touch dead animals or carcasses. If you suspect that you have come into contact with anthrax you should seek urgent medical advice.

If you intend to camp or walk in the bush you should be aware of the risk of tick bites.

In the 2010 Report on the Global AIDS Epidemic the UNAIDS/WHO Working Group estimated that around 300,000 adults aged 15 or over in Botswana were living with HIV; the prevalence percentage was estimated at around 24.8% of the adult population compared to the prevalence percentage in adults in the UK of around 0.2%. You should exercise normal precautions to avoid exposure to HIV/AIDS. See our HIV and AIDS page.

You should seek medical advice before travelling to Botswana and ensure that all appropriate vaccinations are up-to-date. For further information on vaccination requirements, health outbreaks and general disease protection and prevention you should visit the websites of the National Travel Health Network and Centre (NaTHNaC) and NHS Scotland’s Fit for Travel or call NHS Direct on 0845 46 47.

See our travel health page.

General - Insurance
You should take out comprehensive travel and medical insurance before travelling, including cover for medical evacuation. You should check any exclusions, and that your policy covers you for all the activities you want to undertake. See our travel insurance page.

If things do go wrong when you are overseas then see our how we can help page.

General - Registration
You should register with our LOCATE service to tell us when and where you are travelling abroad or where you live abroad so our consular and crisis staff can provide better assistance to you in an emergency.

General - Money
Travellers' cheques are accepted at banks, hotels and the airport. ATMs are available in the major towns, but most only accept Visa cards. Most ATMs do not accept Maestro cards. Major credit cards are accepted at many shops and restaurants.

You cannot exchange Scottish or Northern Irish bank notes in Botswana.

General - Consular Assistance Statistics
Around 19,000 British tourists visit Botswana every year (source: Botswana Department of Tourism). Ten British nationals required consular assistance in Botswana in the period 01 April 2010 - 31 March 2011 for the following type of incident: one hospitalisation, three deaths; one hospitalisation; and four arrests.