Is It Safe to Travel to Botswana in 2026?
Botswana - Level 2: Exercise Increased Caution
Last updated: · Source: U.S. Department of State
Botswana, officially the Republic of Botswana, is a landlocked country in Southern Africa. Botswana is topographically flat, with approximately 70% of its territory being a part of the Kalahari Desert.
Is It Safe to Travel to Botswana in 2026?
Botswana is currently rated Level 2 — Exercise Increased Caution by the U.S. Department of State. Petty crime and crimes of opportunity, primarily the theft of money and personal property, are common in Botswana. Potentially violent crimes are also common, including home invasions, break-ins, muggings, and 'smash and grabs' from vehicles.
Key concerns cited in the advisory:
- crime
Traveler Impact
Solo travelers face a heightened risk of petty theft and violent crime, especially in urban areas and during nighttime activities.
Business travelers may encounter operational disruptions due to crime, but major cities offer reliable infrastructure and accommodations.
Families with children should be cautious of health risks and crime, particularly in urban settings, but can find suitable accommodations in tourist-friendly areas.
Remote workers can find reliable connectivity in urban areas, but should be cautious about personal safety and health risks in less populated regions.
Data on this page comes from the U.S. Department of State, the CDC, the World Bank Worldwide Governance Indicators, and Freedom House. All sources are updated regularly and cross-referenced to provide a composite safety picture for Botswana.
Regional Safety Breakdown
▶Level 2 — Exercise Increased Caution1 region
▶Botswana
Botswana has 1 distinct regions with varying advisory levels. Risk conditions differ significantly by area.
▶Safety and Stability Ratings
Threat Severity (0-10 scale)
Botswana has an overall threat severity of 3.3 out of 10. Crime risk is rated 6.0/10, terrorism risk 0.0/10, and kidnapping risk 0.0/10.
Governance Indicators (World Bank, percentile)
Political Stability▶
Measures the likelihood that the government will be destabilized or overthrown by unconstitutional or violent means, including politically-motivated violence and terrorism. Higher percentile means greater stability.
Rule of Law▶
Captures perceptions of the extent to which agents have confidence in and abide by the rules of society, including the quality of contract enforcement, property rights, the police, and the courts, as well as the likelihood of crime and violence.
Control of Corruption▶
Captures perceptions of the extent to which public power is exercised for private gain, including both petty and grand forms of corruption, as well as capture of the state by elites and private interests.
Government Effectiveness▶
Captures perceptions of the quality of public services, the quality of the civil service and the degree of its independence from political pressures, the quality of policy formulation and implementation, and the credibility of the government's commitment to such policies.
Regulatory Quality▶
Captures perceptions of the ability of the government to formulate and implement sound policies and regulations that permit and promote private sector development.
Voice & Accountability▶
Captures perceptions of the extent to which a country's citizens are able to participate in selecting their government, as well as freedom of expression, freedom of association, and a free media.
Data from World Bank Worldwide Governance Indicators (2023).
Freedom Status: Free — scored 72/100 by Freedom House (2024). View full freedom profile →
▶Entry Requirements and Health
Entry Information
Visa
Not required for U.S. citizens
Currency
Pula (BWP)
Language
English / Setswana
Notable restrictions:
- drug possession illegal including medical marijuana
- e-cigarettes prohibited
Vaccinations
Recommended:
⚠ Malaria Risk: moderate
Recommended medications: Atovaquone-proguanil, doxycycline, mefloquine, tafenoquine
Active health notices:
- watchGlobal Measles: Measles cases are rising in many countries around the world. All international travelers should be fully vaccinated against measles with the measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccine, according to CDC's measles vaccination recommendations for international travel.
Vaccination data sourced from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Consult a travel health professional before your trip.
Common Questions About Traveling to Botswana
▶What is the current travel advisory level for Botswana?
▶Is it safe to travel to Botswana right now?
▶Do I need a visa to visit Botswana?
▶What vaccines do I need for Botswana?
▶Is Botswana safe for solo travelers?
▶How bad is crime in Botswana?
More Botswana Data
Free — 72/100 on the Freedom House index.
Governance indicators including rule of law, corruption control, and regulatory quality.
View all 195 countries color-coded by advisory level.
Read the full advisory on travel.state.gov.
Access this data programmatically. Free tier available.
On-demand country risk PDFs from 6 government sources.