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 large malls with cinemas, hotels, golf-courses and night clubs.
Botswana’s other major cities include Francistown, Molepolole, and Selebi-Phikwe.
On This Page:
Do I Need Vaccines for 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?
Canadian Embassy in Botswana
Do I Need Vaccines for Botswana?
Yes, some vaccines are recommended or required for Botswana. The PHAC 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.
See the bullets below to learn more about some of these key immunizations:
- Hepatitis A –
Food & Water –
Recommended for most travellers - Hepatitis B –
Blood & Body Fluids –
Recommended for travellers to most regions. - Typhoid –
Food & Water –
Recommended for travellers
to most regions. - Yellow Fever –
Mosquito –
Required if travelling from a country with risk of yellow fever transmission. - Rabies –
Saliva of Infected Animals –
High risk country. Vaccine recommended for long-term travellers 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 seperately. 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Hepatitis A | Food & Water | Recommended for most travellers |
| Hepatitis B | Blood & Body Fluids | Recommended for travellers to most regions. |
| Typhoid | Food & Water | Recommended for travellers to most regions. |
| Yellow Fever | Mosquito | Required if travelling from a country with risk of yellow fever transmission. |
| Rabies | Saliva of Infected Animals | High risk country. Vaccine recommended for long-term travellers 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 seperately. 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.
Traveller’s diarrhea is a serious risk to individuals visiting Botswana. Make sure you bring a traveller’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.
Customer Reviews
Passport Health – Travel Vaccines for Botswana
“Showed up early before the appointment time but was allowed in the consultation room once the previous appointment was finished. The nurse was kind and nice as she went through all the diseases found in Botswana. Also, she recommended which vaccinations I should take. Once I decided on the vaccinations, she thoroughly explained how to take them and even offered to email me a medication schedule. Very friendly service and I highly recommend Passport Health to anyone who needs travel medicine and doesn’t travel often.”
“Excellent service! The staff is extremely knowledgeable, friendly and helpful. Would recommend this service to all travellers to Botswana.”
“I attended the clinic with my husband. The nurse and her colleague were polite, informative, knowledgeable about Botswana, honest and respectful of our questions and challenges (we had already researched on our own and were pretty sure of what we needed). An easy, pleasant visit- and the shots could barely be felt!”
“The nurse at Passport Health was very friendly and professional. She was very knowledgeable and yet I didn’t feel like she was pressuring me to purchase anything. The whole experience was efficient and met all of my needs for Botswana.”
Do I Need a Visa or Passport for Botswana
A passport with at least six months validity is required to enter Botswana. Canadian citizens are allowed stays of up to 90 total days within a 12-month period without a visa.
If a Canadian 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 travelling 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 Canadian Travel and Tourism
Visit the Canadian Travel and Tourism website for more information on entry and exit requirements.
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 knifepoint are reported to the police. Crimes are even reported in game park and nature reserves.
Try to avoid driving 4x4s as they are more prone to car-jackings.
Do not walk alone at night and avoid high-crime areas such as Gaborone Dam and Kgale Hill.
Safaris in Botswana
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 mosquitos. Pack shorts and tee shirts for the day and bring a fleece jacket for the cold nights.
- Insect repellent to repel mosquitos 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 medkit with you as part of your travel preparations.
Canadian Embassy in Botswana
The Consulate of Canada in Botswana is located in Gaborone:
Consulate of Canada in Botswana
9th floor, iTowers North,
Lot 54368 Gaborone, Botswana
Telephone: +267 3160 926 / +267 3160 946
If you have any questions about travelling 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.
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