Travel Vaccines and Advice for Botswana
Botswana is often considered one of the best places in the world to experience and be close to the wild of Africa. With many options of different safari locations and game reserves, nature-lovers flock to Botswana to experience wildlife.
The capital city of Botswana, Gaborone, is the largest city in the country and considered one of the fastest growing cities in Africa. It holds four American-style malls, cinemas, hotels, golf-courses and night clubs.
Botswana’s other major cities include Francistown, Molepolole, and Selebi-Phikwe.
Do I Need Vaccines for Botswana?
Yes, some vaccines are recommended or required for Botswana. The CDC and WHO recommend the following vaccinations for Botswana: hepatitis A, hepatitis B, typhoid, yellow fever, rabies, meningitis, polio, measles, mumps and rubella (MMR), Tdap (tetanus, diphtheria and pertussis), chickenpox, shingles, pneumonia and influenza.
COVID-19 vaccination is recommended for travel to all regions, both foreign and domestic. Check with your local Passport Health clinic if immunization is offered in your area.
See the bullets below to learn more about some of these key immunizations:
- COVID-19 –
Airborne & Direct Contact –
Recommended for all unvaccinated individuals who qualify for vaccination - Hepatitis A –
Food & Water –
Recommended for most travelers - Hepatitis B –
Blood & Body Fluids –
Recommended for travelers to most regions. - Typhoid –
Food & Water –
Recommended for travelers
to most regions. - Yellow Fever –
Mosquito –
Required if traveling from a country with risk of yellow fever transmission. - Rabies –
Saliva of Infected Animals –
High risk country. Vaccine recommended for long-term travelers and those who may come in contact with animals. - Measles Mumps Rubella (MMR) –
Various Vectors –
Given to anyone unvaccinated and/or born after 1957. One time adult booster recommended. - TDAP (Tetanus, Diphtheria & Pertussis) –
Wounds & Airborne –
Only one adult booster of pertussis required. - Chickenpox –
Direct Contact & Airborne –
Given to those unvaccinated that did not have chickenpox. - Shingles –
Direct Contact –
Vaccine can still be given if you have had shingles. - Pneumonia –
Airborne –
Two vaccines given separately. All 65+ or immunocompromised should receive both. - Influenza –
Airborne –
Vaccine components change annually. - Meningitis –
Airborne & Direct Contact –
Given to anyone unvaccinated or at an increased risk, especially students. - Polio –
Food & Water –
Considered a routine vaccination for most travel itineraries. Single adult booster recommended.
See the tables below for more information:
Recommended Travel Vaccinations for Botswana |
||
| VACCINE | HOW DISEASE SPREADS | DETAILS |
|---|---|---|
| COVID-19 | Airborne & Direct Contact | Recommended for all unvaccinated individuals who qualify for vaccination |
| Hepatitis A | Food & Water | Recommended for most travelers |
| Hepatitis B | Blood & Body Fluids | Recommended for travelers to most regions. |
| Typhoid | Food & Water | Recommended for travelers to most regions. |
| Yellow Fever | Mosquito | Required if traveling from a country with risk of yellow fever transmission. |
| Rabies | Saliva of Infected Animals | High risk country. Vaccine recommended for long-term travelers and those who may come in contact with animals. |
Routine Vaccinations for Botswana |
||
| VACCINE | HOW DISEASE SPREADS | DETAILS |
|---|---|---|
| Measles Mumps Rubella (MMR) | Various Vectors | Given to anyone unvaccinated and/or born after 1957. One time adult booster recommended. |
| TDAP (Tetanus, Diphtheria & Pertussis) | Wounds & Airborne | Only one adult booster of pertussis required. |
| Chickenpox | Direct Contact & Airborne | Given to those unvaccinated that did not have chickenpox. |
| Shingles | Direct Contact | Vaccine can still be given if you have had shingles. |
| Pneumonia | Airborne | Two vaccines given separately. All 65+ or immunocompromised should receive both. |
| Influenza | Airborne | Vaccine components change annually. |
| Meningitis | Airborne & Direct Contact | Given to anyone unvaccinated or at an increased risk, especially students. |
| Polio | Food & Water | Considered a routine vaccination for most travel itineraries. Single adult booster recommended. |
The risk of contracting malaria is considered low. But, it is prevalent in the northern regions of Botswana. Check with a travel medicine specialist to see if antimalarials are right for you.
Typhoid vaccination is recommended for most travelers to Botswana. Individuals visiting friends or family or going to rural areas are at a higher risk and should receive immunization.
Traveler’s diarrhea is a serious risk to individuals visiting Botswana. Make sure you bring a traveler’s diarrhea kit as part of your travel preparations.
Private medical facilities, emergency rooms and trained doctors are available in Gaborone. But, services are hard to find elsewhere. You must pay for your health care upfront.
To find out more about these vaccines, see our vaccinations page. Ready to travel safely? Book your appointment either call or book online now.
Do I Need a Visa or Passport for Botswana?
A passport with at least six months validity is required to enter Botswana. U.S. citizens are allowed stays of up to 90 total days within a 12-month period without a visa.
If a U.S. citizen has a temporary travel document or passport, they must have a visa to enter. Without one, individuals will face fines and delays.
As of October 1, 2016, minors traveling to Botswana must have a certified copy of their birth certificate as well as their passport.
Botswana Entry Requirements |
||
| Do I Need A… | For My Trip to Botswana? | |
|---|---|---|
| Passport |  |
|
| Tourist Visa | ||
| Business Visa | ||
| Vaccinations | |
|
Sources: Embassy of Botswana and U.S. State Department
What Is the Climate Like in Botswana?
Botswana’s climate is semi-arid. It is hot and dry for the majority of the year. But, there is a rainy season in the summer months (November-March). Rain is erratic and unpredictable and is usually short-lived and heavy. January and February are peak months for rainfall.
Summer days are hot and winter nights are cold.
Best visiting months are from April to October for weather and game-viewing.
How Safe Is Botswana?
Botswana is considered one of the safest countries in Africa, but crime still occurs.
Petty crime is common in Botswana and hotels are not free from physical activity. Muggings by knife-point are reported to the police. Crimes are even reported in game park and nature reserves.
Try to avoid driving 4×4’s as they are more prone to carjackings.
Do not walk alone at night and avoid high-crime areas such as Gaborone Dam and Kgale Hill.
Safaris in Botswana
Avoid mosquitoes and other bugs
Insect-borne disease are a
threat throughout the world.
Keep the bugs away with
Passport Health’s repellent options!
The majority of tourists come to Botswana for its access to close-encounters of African wildlife. On safari, you can get up-close to giraffes, elephants, lions, hippos, and zebras.
There are 45 safari camps in the Botswana wilderness, offering different experiences for tourists.
Some safaris are traditional rustic camps, which usually offer a more intimate experience with the animals. Others offer luxurious accommodations where you can swim in a heated swimming pool next to elephants.
It’s important to keep in mind that you will not see animals every moment of your safari trip. It’s important to be flexible and patient to see the wildlife you are hoping for.
What Should I Take to Botswana?
Here are some essential items to consider for your trip to Botswana:
- Choose clothing in neutral colors and wear lightweight clothing to ward off mosquitoes. Pack shorts and tee shirts for the day and bring a fleece jacket for the cold nights.
- Insect repellent to repel mosquitoes and ticks
- Sunscreen and salt tablets to prevent heat exhaustion
- If you’re planning to go on safari bring batteries, film or memory cards, and water purification tablets along with your standard camping gear. These items may be hard to find out in the bush. Also, a headlamp can be practical and helpful when setting up for camp.
- Common first-aid kit items can be hard to find in Botswana. Be sure to bring a med-kit with you as part of your travel preparations.
U.S. Embassy in Botswana
All Americans visiting Botswana should register online with the U.S. Department of State before departure. This will inform the office of your travel plans within the country and will allow them to reach out in the case of an emergency or evacuation.
The U.S. Embassy in Botswana is located in Gaborone:
U.S. Embassy Gaborone
Embassy Drive
Government Enclave
Gaborone, Botswana
Telephone: (+267) 395-3982
Emergency After-Hours Telephone: +(267) 395-7111
Visit the Embassy to Botswana website before departure to confirm correct contact details for the office.
If you have any questions about traveling to Botswana or are wondering what shots you may need for your trip, schedule an appointment with your local Passport Health travel medicine clinic. Call us at or book online now and protect yourself today.
Customer Reviews
Passport Health – Travel Vaccines for Botswana
“This was our first time using Passport Health. We are going to South Africa and Botswana and needed our vaccinations for the trip. Passport Health’s service was first rate . The nurse answered all of our questions, provided us with a comprehensive binder full of information specific to where we were traveling, and discussed all of the required vaccinations. We felt free to talk with her about the recommend shots without feeling pressured. She provided the information, gave her thoughts and let us make the decision. We got what we thought we really needed for the trip and liked the fact that we can go back and get other vaccinations for up to a year without paying for another office visit. I highly recommend Passport Health!”
“I was very pleased with the great detail with which the nurse explained me each of the vaccinations that I require for my traveling in Botswana, side effects and precautions.”
“My husband and I are going to Botswana, Zimbabwe, and South Africa in a few weeks. Our primary physician recommended visiting with Passport Health to ensure we had the most accurate information on immunizations. We spent approximately 1 hour with Passport Health, and it was very informative. We even left with a booklet of helpful information/suggestions.”
“Very impressed with the knowledge and recommendations of the required shots/pills I needed for my travel to Botswana.”
“The two times I went to Passport Health and was seen by the same nurse and she couldn’t have been nicer. She went above and beyond for me, answering my emails, calling to answer questions in between appointments, and most recently, stayed late at work on a Friday night because I was stuck in traffic. Everyone at Passport health was accommodating and helpful and I will definitely use the service again. Thank you, for easing my concerns as I prepared for my trip to Botswana! Your calm demeanor and warm personality really made me feel comfortable. Thank you!”
“I was just advised of a trip I am making to Botswana. I was able to make an appointment quickly and arrived the following day. I wasn’t sure what to expect, but the RN was incredible! She was thorough, pleasant, and for one who HATES shots, she made it easy and as painless as could be for having nearly 6 of them! I would highly recommend the service and more importantly, the RN herself made the visit. She was a comforting, informative lady who was enjoyed her job and the people she assists! Thank you!”
“The information provided was very good. The Botswana travel document is excellent.”
“I had to get a whole bunch of immunizations to get my dream vacation to South Africa, Botswana and Zambia going and Passport Health had all the information readily available as well as all the vaccines. They followed up in a timely manner so that I stayed on schedule for subsequent vaccines. The only issue is that they kept mixing up the office s on my email confirmation, but a pleasant phone call straightened things out….”
“The service is excellent. I got an appointment the day I called (Today) and received a full briefing of what Vaccinations I should get and how to protect myself while in Botswana. The only reason I rated Good over Excellent is there was only 1 person working in the office and her appointments were backed up. Not her fault as again, she was excellent. There should be at least 1 other person in the office.”
“I was the first patient in of the day, and I felt really welcomed by the nurse. He provided a wonderful experience, and I am really comfortable with my upcoming trip to Botswana. I would most certainly come back to this office, and would definitely recommend them.”
On This Page:
Do I Need Vaccines for Botswana?
Is There Cholera in Botswana?
Do I Need a Visa or Passport for Botswana?
What Is the Climate Like in Botswana?
How Safe Is Botswana?
Safaris in Botswana
What Should I Take to Botswana?
U.S. Embassy in Botswana
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