CONTENT|CONTENU

TRAVEL REPORT
Botswana

1. RECENT UPDATES

Sections 4 (yellow fever), 6 (malaria and measles), and 7 (cholera) have been updated.

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2. WARNINGS AND RECOMMENDATIONS

There is no Official Warning for this country.

Botswana

Exercise normal security precautions

Exercise high degree of caution

Avoid non-essential travel

Avoid all travel

You are advised to exercise normal safety precautions in the country.

Botswana is politically and economically stable, with no recent violent civil disturbances. Most Canadian visitors to Botswana do not experience problems.

OFFICIAL REGISTRATION RECOMMENDATION: We offer a registration service for all Canadians travelling or living abroad. This service is provided so that we can contact and assist you in an emergency abroad, such as a natural disaster or civil unrest, or inform you of a family emergency at home. Registration can be done on-line or by contacting a Canadian government office abroad. For more information, see our FAQs on Registration of Canadians Abroad.

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3. SAFETY AND SECURITY

The decision to travel is the sole responsibility of the traveller. The traveller is also responsible for his or her own personal safety. The purpose of this Travel Report is to provide Canadians with up-to-date information to enable them to make well-informed decisions.

Crime

Pickpocketing, thefts, and “smash and grab’’ robberies are on the rise in the country. Travellers should not show signs of affluence and should remain aware of their surroundings. They should also avoid walking alone after dark.

Carry a photocopy of your passport with you at all times, and keep your original document in safekeeping facilities. It is also advisable to leave a photocopy of your travel documents with a relative or a friend at home.

Wild Animals

Wild animals can pose risks. Observe all local or park regulations and instructions given by tour guides. Potentially dangerous areas may lack fences and warning signs. Do not swim in rivers or lakes as wildlife attacks are possible.

General Safety Information

In case of an emergency, dial 999 for police, 998 for fire, and 997 for ambulance services.

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4. ENTRY/EXIT REQUIREMENTS

It is the sole prerogative of each country or region to determine who is allowed to enter. All countries or regions have special requirements for persons intending to reside for extended periods (usually more than 90 days) or who plan to work, study, or engage in non-tourist activities. To obtain information on specific entry requirements, contact the nearest diplomatic or consular office of the destination(s) to be visited. Violations of entry and exit requirements may result in serious penalties.

The following information on entry and exit requirements has been obtained from the Botswana authorities. However, these requirements are subject to change at any time. It is the traveller’s responsibility to check with the High Commission for the Republic of Botswana and its consulate for up-to-date information.

A valid Canadian passport is required for Canadians intending to visit Botswana. The passport must be valid for at least six months beyond the date of your expected departure from Botswana.

Tourist Visa: Not required (for stays up to 90 days)
Business Visa: Not required (for stays up to 90 days)
Student Visa: Not required (for stays up to 90 days)

Canadians who stay in the country for more than 90 days should request an extension.

A yellow fever vaccination certificate may be required of travellers arriving from infected areas.

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A Certificate of Canadian Citizenship is not a travel document. A Canadian passport is the only reliable and universally accepted travel and identification document available to Canadians for the purpose of international travel. Canadian citizens returning to Canada who present other documents, such as a Certificate of Canadian Citizenship, birth certificate, provincial driver’s licence, or foreign passport, instead of a Canadian passport, may face delays or be denied boarding by transport companies.

Selling, altering, or allowing another person to use your passport is a criminal offence. It could lead to the laying of charges and imprisonment if convicted. It could also lead to the denial of future passport services.

Special and diplomatic passport holders should verify all visa requirements for this and other destinations, as they may differ from those that apply to regular passport holders.

Any adult travelling with children may be required to show evidence of parental/custodial and/or access rights. Foreign and Canadian authorities may also require evidence that the adult has the consent of the parents, legal guardian, and/or the court to travel with the children. Some countries or regions may not permit children to enter or, in some cases, leave the country or region without proper documentation such as a letter of consent or a court order.

Although same-sex marriages are legal in Canada, many countries or regions do not recognize them. Attempting to enter as a same-sex married couple may result in refusal by local officials. For more information, contact the foreign government office accredited to Canada.

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5. CANADIAN GOVERNMENT CONTACTS

You can obtain consular assistance and further consular information at the following address:

Botswana - GABORONE, Consulate of Canada
Address: Mokolwane House, Fairgrounds, Gaborone, Botswana
Postal Address: P.O. Box 2111 , Gaborone, Botswana,
Tel.: (267) 3904411
Fax: (267) 3904411
E-Mail: canada.consul@info.bw

The Consulate is open between 09.30 a.m. and 12.30 p.m. on Tuesday and Thursday only.

The Embassy of Canada in Harare, Zimbabwe, is accredited to and has consular responsibility for Botswana. The address is as follows:

Zimbabwe - HARARE, Embassy of Canada
Address: 45 Baines Avenue, Harare, Zimbabwe
Postal Address: P.O. Box 1430, Harare, Zimbabwe,
Tel.: 263 (4) 252-181, 252-182, 252-183, 252-184, or 252-185
Fax: 263 (4) 252-186 or 252-187
E-Mail: Hrare-cs@international.gc.ca
Internet: http://www.zimbabwe.gc.ca

For emergency assistance after hours, call the Embassy of Canada in Harare, Zimbabwe, listen to the full recorded message, and follow the instructions. You may also make a collect call to the Emergency Operations Centre in Ottawa at 613-996-8885.

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6. TRAVEL HEALTH

The Public Health Agency of Canada and the World Health Organization (WHO) report on disease outbreaks that occur throughout the world. For the latest travel health advisories and related information, visit the Public Health Agency of Canada’s Travel Health Web site.

Malaria is a serious and occasionally fatal disease. It is caused by a parasite which is spread to humans by infected mosquitoes. There is no vaccine available against malaria. Travellers can reduce their risk by following the Public Health Agency of Canada’s recommendations.

The Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC) recommends that travellers get vaccinated against the measles, a highly contagious disease

The Public Health Agency of Canada strongly recommends that your travel plans include contacting a travel medicine clinic or physician six to eight weeks before departure. Based on your individual risk assessment, a health care professional can determine your need for immunizations and/or preventive medication and advise you on precautions to avoid disease. Travellers are reminded to ensure that their routine (childhood) immunizations (e.g., tetanus, diphtheria, polio, and measles) are up to date.

Standards of medical care may differ from those in Canada. Treatment may be expensive, and payment in advance may be required. Travellers are advised to arrange for medical insurance prior to departure. Prescription medications should be kept in the original container and packed in carry-on luggage.

The Public Health Agency of Canada also recommends that travellers who become sick or feel unwell on their return to Canada seek a medical assessment with their personal physician. Travellers should inform their physician that they have been travelling or living outside of Canada.

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7. ADDITIONAL HEALTH INFORMATION

A severe nationwide cholera outbreak affected neighbouring Zimbabwe in 2008-2009. Thousands of deaths have been associated with this outbreak. Cases were also reported in neighbouring countries.

Outside major centres, medical facilities and supplies are limited. Serious cases must be evacuated to South Africa, which can be expensive.

It is not advisable to swim in lakes or rivers due to the presence of water-borne diseases.

Consumption of untreated water and water-based foods greatly increases the chances of illness. While tap water in Gaborone and Francistown is safe to drink, it is not recommended in rural areas. Travellers should drink only bottled water, peel all fruits and vegetables, and avoid undercooked meat, dairy products, and most food sold in the streets.

As the level of HIV/AIDS infection in Botswana is high, you should be cautious about activities involving the transmission of bodily fluids.

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8. LAWS AND CUSTOMS

You are subject to local laws. A serious violation may lead to a jail or death sentence. The sentence will be served in local prisons.

Canadians arrested or detained have the right to contact the responsible Canadian government office (embassy, high commission, etc.) listed in Section 5 above. Arresting officials have a responsibility to assist you in doing so. Canadian consular officials can provide a list of local lawyers upon request.

The procedures required in legal proceedings or police investigations may be different from the procedures in force in the Canadian legal system. Canadians wishing to undertake such proceedings can expect to face long delays and additional efforts in order to resolve their case. The Government of Canada cannot intervene in ongoing legal proceedings in other countries or regions, unless requested to do so by local authorities. Such requests are rare.

Animal “Trophies’’

Botswana law strictly regulates the sale, possession, or removal of animal "trophies." Any animal, dead or alive, or trophy from an animal such as a horn, tooth, tusk, bone, claw, hoof, hide, skin, hair, feather, egg, or other durable portion of an animal, whether it has been processed or not, cannot be owned or removed from the country without a government permit or a receipt from a licensed shop. All souvenirs are subject to the National Trophy Law, and travellers must present a receipt from a licensed store upon departure. It is strictly prohibited to remove elephant hair, ivory, and rhinoceros horn products.

Dual Nationality

Dual nationality is not recognized in Botswana. This may limit the ability of Canadian officials to provide consular services. Canadians should travel using their Canadian passport and present themselves as Canadian citizens to foreign authorities at all times. The Department publishes a booklet entitled Dual Citizenship: What Travellers Should Know specifically targeted at Canadians with dual nationality.

Illegal and/or Restricted Activities

Persons convicted of unlawful dealing or possession of illegal drugs such as cannabis (known locally as motokwane or dagga) are subject to harsh punishments.

Prior permission is required to import firearms and munitions.

Possession of pornographic material is illegal.

Homosexual activity is illegal.

It is prohibited to take photographs of military and government installations. Always ask permission before photographing individuals.

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9. TRAVEL AND CURRENCY

Road Travel

Traffic drives on the left. Road conditions are generally good in major towns, but overland travel outside major centres can be dangerous. Driving standards, high speed limits, long stretches of highway, and poor lighting pose hazards, particularly at night. A reliable private roadside assistance service called Medical Rescue International is available (tel.: 390-1601).

Pedestrians and roaming animals pose a hazard on rural roadways, particularly in the Okavango Delta.

Desert conditions in remote areas are harsh. Travel to these areas should not be undertaken without a guide and a four-wheel-drive vehicle equipped with provisions, fuel, and water.

Some hotels operate a minibus service between the airport and Gaborone. You should verify whether your hotel provides this service and reserve the transfer in advance. Vehicles can be rented at the airport in Gaborone. In major towns, taxis are generally safe, but the fare should be determined before departure.

An International Driving Permit (IDP) is recommended.

Rail and Air Travel

Domestic air and rail services are available.

See our FAQ on transportation in order to verify if national airlines meet safety standards.

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The currency is the pula (P). There are no import or export restrictions on foreign currency, provided it is declared on arrival. A maximum of P1,000 in cash can be carried into or out of the country. Credit cards are not widely accepted. Many hotels and lodges accept major foreign currencies and traveller's cheques, but a high surcharge may be applied. Automated banking machines in Botswana work well, are reliable, and are easily accessible country wide.

Canadian currency and traveller's cheques are not widely accepted worldwide. Check with your bank for information on automated banking machine (ABM) services outside Canada. You can also check the VISA ATM locator page or the MasterCard ATM locator page for the addresses of ABMs around the world. Verify with your financial institution whether your bank card can be used with ABMs abroad. Some countries use chip and/or personal identification number (PIN) technology for credit cards. Check with your bank to find out if your credit card will be accepted abroad. Credit cards and debit cards should be used with caution due to the potential for fraud and other criminal activity. ABMs should be used during business hours inside a bank, supermarket, or large commercial building. Leave copies of your card numbers with a family member in case of emergency.

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10. NATURAL DISASTERS AND CLIMATE

There are two seasons in Botswana: summer (September to April), with frequent rains and thunderstorms, and winter (May to August), with cold and dry days and nights.

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11. ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Returning to Canada

Traveller's Checklist

Health and Travel Insurance: Do not rely on your provincial health plan to cover all expenses if you get sick or are injured while abroad. It may cover nothing or only a portion of the costs. Understand the terms of your supplementary insurance policy. Some credit cards offer their holders health and travel insurance. Do not assume the card alone provides adequate coverage. Carry details of your insurance with you. Also, tell your travel agent, a friend or relative, and/or travelling companion how to contact your insurer. Get a detailed invoice from the doctor or hospital before you return to Canada. Always submit original receipts for any medical services or prescriptions received abroad. Most insurance companies will not accept copies or faxes.

Cancelling a scheduled trip abroad could cost you money. Before cancelling a scheduled trip, you should discuss the matter with your travel agent, your travel insurer, or the airline. The decision to travel is the sole responsibility of the traveller.

Adoption: Provincial and territorial authorities in Canada are responsible for authorizing international adoptions. If you are thinking of adopting a child abroad, you must first obtain information about the adoption regulations of the province or territory in which the child will reside. While adoption is a provincial/territorial responsibility, Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC) is responsible for allowing an adopted child entry into Canada. Entry can be refused if the child does not hold the appropriate immigrant visa. A visa may be denied, even if the adoption has already been completed. For more information contact CIC at 1 888 242-2100 (in Canada only), check the CIC Web site or contact your provincial or territorial government.

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12. ANNEX

N/A

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