Before You Leave
DOCUMENTS / PASSPORTS:
- U.S. citizens currently do not require a visa for entry into Botswana for visits less than 90 days in length.
- Your passport must be valid for at least 6 months after your travel ends.
CUSTOMS: The following goods may be imported into Botswana by passengers over 16 years of age without incurring customs duty: 400 cigarettes, 50 cigars and 250 grams of tobacco; 1 liter of spirits and 2 liters of wine; 50 ml of perfume and 250 ml of toilet water per person; gifts up to a value of R500 per person.
INNOCULATIONS: Typhoid, tetanus and polio inoculations are recommended but not mandatory. Yellow fever inoculations are not required for entry, unless you enter after visiting an "infected" region, but that regulation can change at any moment. However, whether or not your travel plans include traveling to or from an African country that is infected with yellow fever or is located in areas where yellow fever transmission has occurred (endemic areas), the easiest and safest thing to do is to get a yellow fever vaccination and a signed yellow fever certificate, which you should carry with your passport. After immunization, an International Certificate of Vaccination is issued. It becomes valid 10 days after vaccination to meet entry and exit requirements for all countries. The Certificate is good for 10 years. You must take the Certificate with you.
Consult your doctor for a prescription for a malaria suppressant at least two weeks prior to departure as tablets should be taken a week before you depart, as well as during and after trip. The best prevention is to avoid mosquito bites. Wear long slacks and long sleeved shirts, use mosquito nets, and a repellent with 30% DEET, Skin So Soft, or oil of citronella. Malaria symptoms can appear as few as 8 days after exposure or a year later. Do not be misled by flu-like symptoms of chills and fever. Since some U.S. doctors are unfamiliar with malaria, insist upon a blood test. Delays in treatment can have serious consequences. For further information, check out the CDC's web page on malaria prevention at http://www.cdc.gov/travel/ malariadrugs.htm.
Please consult your physician, local health authority or the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's hotline for international travelers at 877-FYI-TRIP (877-394-8747) or via their web site at http://www.cdc.gov/travel for any additional health precautions. For outbreaks of infectious diseases abroad consult the World Health Organization's web site at http://www.who.int/en/. Further health information for travelers is available at http://www.who.int/iht.
FOOD AND WATER: Food, even in remote tented camps, is carefully prepared, and the local produce is refreshing. Generally, water throughout Southern Africa is safe to drink directly from the tap. Bottled water is readily available, so please do not allow yourself to become dehydrated. In remote areas water is usually boiled or bottled and is safe to drink but not from the tap. It is very important that you drink plenty of water especially during the warmer months. It is generally recommended that guests drink at least 2 to 3 liters (4 to 6 pints) of water per day to limit the effects of dehydration. This excludes tea, coffee and alcoholic beverages, which act as diuretics and actually contributes to dehydration.
IN SHAPE: To enjoy your trip to the fullest, you should be in good physical and mental health. Your safari will not include strenuous activity. Your biggest workout may be at the buffet table at dinner! It is an easy climb into the safari vehicles and boats (although getting into a mokoro may take some coordination) and your game drives allow you to sit back and take in the view around you. Rough roads and driving "off road" in game reserves and parks may bounce you around so you should be prepared. Walking safaris (when available) are given at a decent pace in order to closely examine the flora and fauna of the area.
HEALTH ABROAD: Your program includes some of the most exciting and awe-inspiring areas of the world, yet they may not always conform to US health standards. You will receive information on optional health insurance coverage and we highly recommend you register for this coverage. There is sometimes a concern of contracting more serious illnesses while traveling, such as AIDS/HIV. As travelers come to Africa for the animals, the sun and the chance to learn about the environment and culture, they very rarely use this opportunity to engage in unsafe behavior. You can remain healthy and not increase your risk factor by abstaining from unsafe sexual activity, not coming in contact with bodily fluids of others and not sharing needles or razors. You cannot contract AIDS through casual contact, handshakes, insect bites, toilets, swimming pools, food or water.
HIGHS AND LOWS: Botswana offers a small diversity of altitudes. People with respiratory problems may be affected by the air pollution of the larger cities, although the local government has taken recent steps to curb emissions.
ALTITUDE CHART:
Location |
Altitude (feet) |
3330 |
|
| Kasane | 2326 |
3000 |
|
3300 |