Botswana
This page contains the main health risks for travellers and general recommendations. Travel conditions are different for everyone and each patient's health condition varies. Discuss your trip during a travel consultation with your doctor or in a travel clinic, preferably six to eight weeks before departure.
Read also the information on security, healthcare and other practical aspects on the FPS Foreign Affairs website.
Important health risks
Malaria
The malaria risk is:
- high whole year round in:
- the province Ngamiland, including northern half of Okavango-Delta risk
- the tip in the north between Namibia and Zimbabwe including Victoria falls and northern parts of the national parks Chobe and Sibuyu
We recommend the use of mosquito-repellent measures from dusk till morning, in combination with the use of malaria tablets.
- seasonal in the remaining northern half of the country north of Francistown including:
- the southern half of Okavango-Delta
- most parts of the national parks of Chobe and Sibuyu,
- the national parks Moremi, Makgadikgadi Pans and Nxai Pan
- the cities Maun, Pits and Tutume
- the lakes Nwetwe and Sua
- from September to May, the malaria risk is high. We recommend the use of mosquito-repellent measures from dusk till morning, in combination with the use of malaria tablets.
- from June to August, the malaria risk is low. We recommend the use of mosquito-repellent measures from dusk till morning.
- low in the areas in the southern half of the country. We recommend the use of mosquito-repellent measures from dusk till morning.
There is no risk of malaria in Gaborone and Tsabong.
In case of fever during or after your journey, get tested for malaria as soon as possible.
Tick-borne disease
Ticks can transmit diseases such as African tick bite fever.
Rabies
Dogs and other mammals can be infected with rabies.
Schistosomiasis
There is a risk of infection with schistosomiasis when swimming or bathing in lakes and rivers.
COVID-19
Take a look at the general preventive measures related to COVID-19.
- Carefully read the entry conditions and local measures of this country.
Other possible infections
Other frequent health risks while travelling
Read these tips before you leave.
Vaccinations
Hepatitis A
Hepatitis A vaccination is recommended for all travellers.
Update of basic vaccinations
Polio
A single booster of polio vaccination is recommended for all travellers to Asia or Africa aged 16 years or older.
Other vaccinations
Discuss with your doctor whether one of the following vaccinations is recommended for you:
Yellow fever vaccination is not necessary if you are travelling from Belgium.
Vaccination is exceptionally compulsory if you have been in certain countries in the past six days from the age of one year. This also applies to transit through an airport that takes more than twelve hours.
This vaccination must be administered at least ten days prior to arrival by an official yellow fever vaccination centre and must be registered in an International Certificate of Vaccination and Prophylaxis.