Field guide
Botswana
BW, Republic of Botswana, Lefatshe la Botswana
Updated December 21, 2025 at 10:17 PM · Sources
Names & aliases
Pre-trip intel
Safety & entry
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Safety highlights
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Safety highlights
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Entry & docs
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Entry & docs
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On the ground
Getting around & connectivity
Getting around
Trains from South Africa have been withdrawn since 1999. For domestic train service, see #Get around.
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Trains from South Africa have been withdrawn since 1999.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- Trains from South Africa have been withdrawn since 1999.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.
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…
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.
Local wisdom
Etiquette, tipping & staying well
Etiquette & respect
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Etiquette & respect
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Tipping guidance
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Tipping guidance
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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.
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.
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.
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.
Practicalities
Money & essentials
Highlights
Top places
Cams
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Reference
Country reference data
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Identifiers
Borders
Demonyms
Motswana / Motswana; Botswanais / Botswanaise
Translations (26)
Sources
Attribution & provenance
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REST Countries
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REST Countries
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Source ID: restCountries
Visit sourceU.S. Department of State
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U.S. Department of State
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Source ID: stateDeptAdvisory
Visit sourceOpen-Meteo Climate
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Open-Meteo Climate
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Source ID: openMeteoClimate
Visit sourceWikivoyage
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Wikivoyage
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Source ID: wikivoyage
Visit sourceWorld Bank GDP per capita
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World Bank GDP per capita
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Source ID: worldBank:NY.GDP.PCAP.CD
Visit sourceWorld Bank GDP PPP per capita
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World Bank GDP PPP per capita
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Source ID: worldBank:NY.GDP.PCAP.PP.CD
Visit sourceWorld Bank Inflation (CPI)
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World Bank Inflation (CPI)
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Source ID: worldBank:FP.CPI.TOTL.ZG
Visit sourceWorldStandards (plugs)
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WorldStandards (plugs)
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Source ID: powerPlugs
Visit sourceSite provides only human-readable tables; linking instead of parsing.
Webcam DB aggregates
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Webcam DB aggregates
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Source ID: webcamDb
Visit sourceAffiliate hub config
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Affiliate hub config
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Source ID: affiliateHub
Visit sourceContains information from Wikivoyage, available under CC BY-SA 3.0.