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      Botswana

      Latest update: - Authors: Mieke Croughs, Ula Maniewski

      This page contains the main health risks for travellers and general recommendations. Travel conditions are different for everyone and each patient's health condition varies. Discuss your trip during a travel consultation with your doctor or in a travel clinic, preferably six to eight weeks before departure.

      Read also the information on security, healthcare and other practical aspects on the FPS Foreign Affairs website.

      Important health risks

      Malaria

      The malaria risk is:

      • high whole year round in:
        • northern part of the provinces Ngamiland and Chobe including Victoria falls and northern parts of the national parks Chobe and Sibuyu
      • seasonal in the remaining northern half of the country north of Francistown including:
        • the Okavango-Delta
        • the southern parts of the national parks of Chobe and Sibuyu, 
        • the national parks Moremi, Makgadikgadi Pans and Nxai Pan
        • the cities Maun, Pits and Tutume
        • the lakes Nwetwe and Sua  
        • from September to May, the malaria risk is high. We recommend the use of mosquito-repellent measures from dusk till morning, in combination with the use of malaria tablets.
        • from June to August, the malaria risk is moderate. We recommend the use of mosquito-repellent measures from dusk till morning. For people with an increased risk, we sometimes recommend preventive malaria tablets.
      • Moderate in some regions in the west of the country including the cities Francistown and Bobonong. We recommend the use of mosquito-repellent measures from dusk till morning. For people with an increased risk, we sometimes recommend preventive malaria tablets.
      • low in the areas in the southern half of the country. We recommend the use of mosquito-repellent measures from dusk till morning.

      There is no risk of malaria in Tsabong. 

      In case of fever during or after your journey, get tested for malaria as soon as possible.

      Tick-borne disease

      Ticks can transmit diseases such as African tick bite fever.

      Rabies

      Dogs and other mammals can be infected with rabies.

      Schistosomiasis

      There is a risk of infection with schistosomiasis when swimming or bathing in lakes and rivers.

      Other possible infections

      Other frequent health risks while travelling

      Read these tips before you leave.

      Vaccinations

      Hepatitis A

      Recommended

      Hepatitis A vaccination is recommended for all travellers.

      Update of basic vaccinations

      Recommended

      Polio

      Recommended

      A single booster of polio vaccination is recommended for all travellers to Asia or Africa aged 16 years or older.

      Other vaccinations

      Recommended for some travellers

      Discuss with your doctor whether one of the following vaccinations is recommended for you:

      Yellow fever

      Mandatory for some travellers

      Yellow fever vaccination is not necessary if you are travelling from Belgium.  

      Vaccination is exceptionally compulsory if you have been in certain countries in the past six days.
      This vaccination must be administered at least ten days prior to arrival by an official yellow fever vaccination centre and must be registered in an International Certificate of Vaccination and Prophylaxis.

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