Botswana - Essential Travel Info
Health and Safety - Essential Information - printer friendly version
Malaria is present in Botswana, predominately in the northern parts of the country, including the Okavango Delta, so take malaria precautions. We recommend you visit your GP at least six weeks prior to departure to ensure all of your inoculations are up to date and you are properly prepared to visit Botswana.
Take care of what you eat and drink, as dysentery, typhoid, hepatitis and chlorea all occur in Botswana. Bottled water should be used for drinking, filtered water is usually available on safari and is perfectly safe to drink, all the precautions that you would normally take when traveling in less developed countries are a must, do not buy food from street vendors and avoid ice made from unpurified water in your drinks.
The major and most underestimated health risk is the heat. Sun block is essential, with sun glasses and a wide brimmed hat recommended, especially during the early part of your holiday to avoid sunburn. Dehydration is also a very real risk, so drink plenty of fluids when on safari.
As in any major city of the world when traveling, reasonable precautions are required, do not show off expensive camera equipment or jewelry, or display large amounts of currency.
Visas
You require a passport valid for at least 6 months after your return, at present tourist visas are not required by nationals of the European Union, Australia, New Zealand, USA and Canada.
Money
The currency is the Botswana Pula. It is quite difficult to get hold of the Pula in the UK, so we recommend you get US dollars which are widely accepted. ATM's are available to withdraw money in Botswana, but only in populated areas - major towns and cities. Credit Cards are accepted at some hotels and lodges, but not all and there is often a considerable surcharge of over 5% per transaction.
Electricity
220v - sockets take either two-pin round plugs, or three-pin round plugs.
