Botswana travel guide for U.S. travelers

Facts last checked October 27, 2026 against the official sources listed at the end of this page. Rules, fees and advisories change; confirm with the official source before you book. Not a government website.

Botswana's best-known safari areas are in the north: the Okavango Delta, an inland delta of channels and islands, the adjoining Moremi Game Reserve, and Chobe National Park near Kasane. Many visitors arrive through Johannesburg and fly on to Maun or Kasane, then reach camps by light aircraft. This guide covers the rules and safety points to plan around.

Entry requirements

Your permitted stay is written on your entry stamp by the immigration officer and may be shorter than 90 days. Check it before you leave the desk.

Temporary passports: if you get an emergency or limited-validity passport, for example after a lost passport, you need a Botswana visa before you travel. See our urgent passport guide for the full range of fast options, which may avoid this problem.

Traveling with children

The State Department lists Botswana's requirements for minors:

• A certified copy of the child's unabridged birth certificate (one that lists both parents).
• A valid passport with at least one blank page per entry.
• A parental consent form from any parent who is not traveling with the child.

If you connect through Johannesburg or Cape Town, South Africa also requires an unabridged birth certificate, a consent form from any absent parent, and two blank passport pages per entry. See our South Africa guide and confirm details with the Embassy of Botswana before you go.

Safety

Botswana is at Level 2: Exercise Increased Caution because of crime (advisory dated June 17, 2026).

In towns, the State Department reports that theft of money and property is common, along with home invasions, smash-and-grab thefts from cars at intersections and in mall parking lots, phone theft, and muggings. Hotels and lodges are not immune. It advises:

• Avoid walking alone, particularly at night.
• Take care near Kgale Hill in Gaborone, a popular hike with frequent criminal incidents.
• If confronted, comply; resistance can lead to serious injury.
• Avoid crowds and demonstrations.

Arriving via South Africa. The State Department warns of serious, continuing baggage pilferage at OR Tambo (Johannesburg) and Cape Town airports. It suggests wrapping bags at the airport, keeping valuables and prescription medicines out of checked luggage, and making an inventory of checked items. If you stay overnight in Johannesburg, be alert when leaving the airport: foreigners have been victims of "follow home" robberies.

Tourism regulation. The State Department says Botswana's tourism industry is unevenly regulated: many operators provide top-quality equipment and facilities, but safety inspections are inconsistent and hazards are not always marked. Ask operators about their licensing, safety procedures and how they would evacuate an injured guest.

Planning a safari

Where to go. For a first trip, most itineraries combine:

• The Okavango Delta and Moremi: water-based activities (often in mokoro dugout canoes, depending on water levels) and game drives.
• Chobe National Park: known for its riverfront near Kasane, with boat cruises and game drives. Kasane is also close to Victoria Falls, which lies across the border in Zimbabwe and Zambia; check entry rules for those countries separately.
• The Kalahari: dry-country reserves with a very different landscape.

Timing. Water in the Okavango comes from rain that falls far upstream in Angola, so the delta's flood arrives months after the rainy season and water levels vary year to year. Many camps describe the dry winter months as peak game viewing and price their rooms accordingly. We could not verify a precise, official flood calendar, so ask your operator what water levels and activities to expect for your dates.

Park fees. Fees for national parks and reserves are set by the Department of Wildlife and National Parks. We could not confirm current rates from an official source, so ask your operator for an itemized breakdown showing what is included.

Light aircraft. Fly-in safaris usually require soft-sided bags and enforce weight limits. Ask for the exact limit, including camera gear.

Our safari planning guide covers seasons, styles and operator checks across Kenya, Tanzania, South Africa and Botswana.

Wildlife laws: do not buy souvenirs made from animals

Botswana strictly enforces its wildlife-trade laws, often with spot checks on roads and at airports. According to the State Department:

• Possessing or removing any animal or animal trophy (any horn, ivory, tooth, tusk, bone, claw, hoof, hide, skin, hair, feather, egg or other durable part) without a government permit is illegal.
• Anyone leaving with a trophy must have a receipt from a licensed store.
• Ivory and rhino horn products cannot be taken out of the country under any circumstances.
• Elephant hair jewelry needs a license from the Department of Wildlife and National Parks.
• Penalties include up to five years in prison and substantial fines, and unwitting U.S. citizens have been prosecuted.

Remember that the U.S. also restricts importing wildlife products. The safest souvenir rule is simple: nothing made from an animal.

Driving

• Drive on the left.
• The State Department says a valid international driver's license and vehicle registration documents are required, and drivers should carry them.
• Rural roads can be in poor condition, traffic lights and streetlamps often fail, and opposing traffic frequently runs red lights.
• Long two-lane highways without shoulders or lights, free-roaming livestock, high speeds and drunk driving make fatal accidents frequent, especially on weekends and month-end paydays. Avoid driving at night.
• Self-driving into parks usually needs a fully equipped 4x4 and experience; most first-time visitors book a guided safari.
• Taxis arranged through hotels or at the airport are generally safe, according to the State Department.

Health

• Malaria: CDC lists risk in northern districts, including Chobe and the Okavango Delta, but not Gaborone. CDC recommends repellent, treated bed nets and protective clothing, and prescription medicine for certain areas.
• Medical care: adequate facilities exist in Gaborone and other major cities, but rural care may be below U.S. standards. Hospitals usually require advance payment or proof of adequate insurance before admitting a patient, and patients pay all costs of transfers between hospitals. The State Department strongly recommends medical evacuation insurance, which matters most in remote camps far from any hospital.
• Yellow fever proof is needed only if you arrive from an endemic country.

Practical tips

• Money: there are no currency restrictions. Ask camps how they take payment for extras and tips.
• Plugs: check plug types on IEC World Plugs.
• Laws: Botswana's courts decriminalized consensual same-sex relations in 2021.

Emergency contacts

The U.S. Embassy is on Embassy Drive, Government Enclave, Gaborone. Enroll in STEP before you travel.