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Field Guide

Botswana flag

Field guide

Botswana

Africa • Southern AfricaGaboroneBotswana pula (BWP) · P

BW, Republic of Botswana, Lefatshe la Botswana

Updated December 21, 2025 at 10:17 PM · Sources

Names & aliases
BotswanaRepublic of BotswanaBWLefatshe la Botswana
Quick facts
CapitalGaboroneCurrencyBotswana pula (BWP) · PLanguagesEnglish, TswanaPopulation2,359,609Area582,000 km²Calling code+267Driving sideLeft-hand
Climate (capital proxy)

No data source connected

Timezones
UTC+02:00
IANA zones (1)
  • Africa/Gaborone2 cams

Pre-trip intel

Safety & entry

Safety & entry

No data source connected

Safety highlights

No summary available.

Needs review

No bullet notes stored.

Entry & docs

No summary available.

No bullet notes stored.

Source: Wikivoyage

On the ground

Getting around & connectivity

Getting around & connectivity
Source: Wikivoyage

Getting around

Trains from South Africa have been withdrawn since 1999. For domestic train service, see #Get around.

  • Trains from South Africa have been withdrawn since 1999. For domestic train service, see #Get around.
Source: Wikivoyage

Wi-Fi, SIMs & staying online

Botswana's country code is +267 which was allocated to the country by the International Telecommunications Union in the late 1960s, Fixed line numbers in Botswana are seven digits long in a closed telephone numbering plan, with the…

  • Botswana's country code is +267 which was allocated to the country by the International Telecommunications Union in the late 1960s, Fixed line numbers in Botswana are seven digits long in a closed telephone numbering plan, with the geographical area being indicated by the first two or three digits, meaning that there are no area codes.
Source: Wikivoyage

Local wisdom

Etiquette, tipping & staying well

Etiquette & respect

No summary available.

No bullet notes stored.

Source: Wikivoyage

Tipping guidance

No summary available.

Needs review

No bullet notes stored.

Source: Wikivoyage

Health & wellness

Generally speaking, medical care in Botswana is quite good compared to other African countries. Botswana has a universal healthcare system and the vast majority of people live within five kilometers of a healthcare facility.

  • Generally speaking, medical care in Botswana is quite good compared to other African countries. Botswana has a universal healthcare system and the vast majority of people live within five kilometers of a healthcare facility. Cities like Gaborone have wonderful hospitals, but quality healthcare is non-existent in rural areas.
  • In case of an emergency and you want to be assisted quickly, it is best to find a private hospital rather than a government hospital, though this might cost you. If it's a small emergency that doesn't need medical attention quickly, it is best to go to a government owned hospital/clinic.
  • If you run out of your prescription pills/medicines and you have a form of proof that you need them, be it a letter from your doctor or your prescription bill, you can go to the nearest pharmacy (dubbed chemist by locals) and present your proof to the Pharmacist so they can assist. The fee depends on the pills/medicine you need.
  • Perhaps the biggest health danger is HIV/AIDS. Botswana has been experiencing one of the most severe HIV/AIDS epidemics in the world. As of 2022, the country's HIV/AIDS prevalence rate among adults is at 22.2%, which is the third highest HIV/AIDS prevalence rate in the world. Take the necessary precautions, including not sharing needles and never having unprotected sex. If you form a serious relationship with a local, you both should consider getting an HIV test before taking things further.
  • The northern part of Botswana, including Chobe National Park and the Okavango Delta is in a malaria zone, so it is advisable to take the relevant precautions. Seek medical advice before travelling to these areas; vaccines such as typhoid and hepatitis A+B (if not already immune) are usually recommended. Oral vaccines are also suggested for prevention of diarrhea and cholera.
Source: Wikivoyage

Scams & street smarts

People in Botswana are very friendly and the crime rate is low. Nevertheless, crime has been on the rise over the past several years, so always be aware of your surroundings.

  • People in Botswana are very friendly and the crime rate is low. Nevertheless, crime has been on the rise over the past several years, so always be aware of your surroundings. Basic common sense will keep you safe from the predatory wildlife in rural areas. Botswana is one of the safest countries in Africa, no civil war, less corruption, more human rights, no natural disasters e.g. earthquakes or tsunamis.
Source: Wikivoyage

Practicalities

Money & essentials

Money & essentials
Botswana pula (BWP) · PGDP/cap $7,695.753Inflation 2.8%Plugs & voltage

Highlights

Top places

Top places
Source: Wikivoyage
1or ''Gabs''2Maun3Chobe National Park4Okavango Delta

Cams

Cams in this country

Cams in this country
Source: Webcam DB aggregates(prisma://webcams)
2MISC: 1 · WILDLIFE: 1

Plan

Plan your trip

Reference

Country reference data

Reference
ISOBWTLD.bwBorders4Translations26Google MapsOpenStreetMap
Show full reference data

Identifiers

ISO Alpha-2BWCCA3BWACCN3072CIOCBOTFIFABOTTLD.bw

Borders

NAMZAFZMBZWE

Demonyms

Motswana / Motswana; Botswanais / Botswanaise

Botswana coat of arms
Translations (26)
ara بوتسواناbre Botswanaces Botswanacym Botswanadeu Botswanaest Botswanafin Botswanafra Botswanahrv Bocvanahun Botswanaind Botswanaita Botswanajpn ボツワナkor 보츠와나nld Botswanaper بوتسواناpol Botswanapor Botswanarus Ботсванаslk Botswanaspa Botswanasrp Боцванаswe Botswanatur Botsvanaurd بوٹسواناzho 博茨瓦纳

Sources

Attribution & provenance

Show provenance (9/10 sources OK)

REST Countries

December 21, 2025 at 10:17 PM · HTTP 200

OK

Source ID: restCountries

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U.S. Department of State

December 21, 2025 at 10:17 PM · HTTP 200

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Source ID: stateDeptAdvisory

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Open-Meteo Climate

December 21, 2025 at 10:17 PM · HTTP 429

Error

Source ID: openMeteoClimate

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Wikivoyage

December 21, 2025 at 10:17 PM · HTTP 200

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Source ID: wikivoyage

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World Bank GDP per capita

December 21, 2025 at 10:17 PM · HTTP 200

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Source ID: worldBank:NY.GDP.PCAP.CD

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World Bank GDP PPP per capita

December 21, 2025 at 10:17 PM · HTTP 200

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Source ID: worldBank:NY.GDP.PCAP.PP.CD

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World Bank Inflation (CPI)

December 21, 2025 at 10:17 PM · HTTP 200

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Source ID: worldBank:FP.CPI.TOTL.ZG

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WorldStandards (plugs)

December 21, 2025 at 10:17 PM · HTTP 200

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Source ID: powerPlugs

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Site provides only human-readable tables; linking instead of parsing.

Webcam DB aggregates

December 21, 2025 at 10:17 PM

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Source ID: webcamDb

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Affiliate hub config

December 21, 2025 at 10:17 PM

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Source ID: affiliateHub

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Contains information from Wikivoyage, available under CC BY-SA 3.0.