Sub Saharan Africa

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

• Health
• Natural disasters
• General
 

Travel Summary

• There are confirmed human cases of the A (H1N1) virus (Swine Flu) in Botswana.  On arrival at ports of entry, including the main airports of Maun, Gaborone, Kasane and Francistown, travellers are required to complete a swine flu health form to enable the authorities to assess risk.  The World Health Organisation (WHO) has raised its Pandemic Threat Alert Phase to Level 6. The WHO website has further details. Check swine flu for further information.
  
  
• Wildlife and livestock on roads make driving hazardous.  Avoid driving at night.
  
  
• You should be aware of an increasing incidence of violent crime.
  
  
• You should carry some form of identification with you at all times.  A photocopy of your passport is sufficient.
  
  
• Most visits to Botswana trouble-free.  You should be aware of an increasing incidence of violent crime.  See the Crime section of this advice for more details.
  
  
• Around 5,000 British tourists visit Botswana every year (Source: Botswana Department of Tourism). 11 British nationals required consular assistance in Botswana in the period 01 April 2008 – 31 March 2009 for the following types of incident; deaths (6 cases); hospitalisations (0 cases); and arrests, for a variety of offences (3 cases). During this period assistance was also requested with regard to lost or stolen passports (29 cases).
  
  
• 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.
  
  
• We recommend that you obtain comprehensive 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 the General (Insurance) section of this advice and travel insurance for more details.