Overview
Botswana splits in two: the northern half carries malaria, with a high risk year-round in northern Ngamiland and Chobe and a seasonal risk across the Okavango Delta, Moremi and the Makgadikgadi pans. The southern half, Gaborone and the Central Kalahari included, stays low-risk. No vaccine is required to enter from Belgium; yellow fever is only asked for if you have been in certain countries in the six days before arrival.
Recommended vaccines
Malaria by region
In the north, bite protection and preventive tablets are advised; in the south bite protection is enough. If you develop a fever during or after the trip, get tested for malaria as soon as possible.
Malaria risk is regional, concentrated in the areas detailed below.
Northern Ngamiland and Chobe, including the north of Chobe National Park and Victoria Falls: high risk year-round, with bite protection and preventive tablets advised.
The rest of the northern half: the Okavango Delta, southern Chobe and the Sibuyu reserve, Moremi, the Makgadikgadi pans, Nxai Pan, Maun, Tutume and lakes Nwetwe and Sua. Seasonal risk from September to May, with tablets also advised June to August following an outbreak.
The southern half: the Central Kalahari, Bobonong, Francistown, Serowe, Molepolole and Gaborone. A low risk, where bite protection is enough.
Tsabong, in the far south-west.
Across the northern half the seasonal risk runs September to May; following an outbreak, tablets are also advised from June to August.
Other health risks
Prepare your trip
Leaving in under 2 weeks? Still book a clinic: a first hepatitis A dose already protects, and yellow fever needs at least 10 days. A travel clinic will prioritise what fits your timeline.
Frequently asked questions
Is any vaccine required for Botswana?
No vaccine is required if you arrive directly from Belgium. Yellow fever is only asked for if you come from (or transit through) a country where it circulates.
Is there a malaria risk?
Malaria: high risk depending on the region. Across the northern half the seasonal risk runs September to May; following an outbreak, tablets are also advised from June to August. In the north, bite protection and preventive tablets are advised; in the south bite protection is enough. If you develop a fever during or after the trip, get tested for malaria as soon as possible.
How far ahead of departure should I start?
Ideally 6 to 8 weeks before departure, to complete multi-dose schedules. Yellow fever, where it applies, must be given at least 10 days before arrival.
Our sources
Indicative information for a typical traveller, not medical advice. What you need depends on your itinerary, region, season and duration. See an approved travel clinic 6–8 weeks before departure: only they can give yellow fever and issue the certificate.