Health, Safety and Malaria in Botswana

When on safari in Botswana you are in one of the most pristine wildlife areas in the world, where nature still rules supreme. We are guests in the home of the animals; and they must always be respected.

Here are some safety tips to keep in mind when on safari in Botswana:

• Always stay in the vehicle and only get out when allowed at designated stops. Do not hang out of the vehicle or climb onto the roof of the vehicle.
• If you are on a self-drive safari, pay attention to the animals’ behaviours. Do not disturb them and always keep a safe distance.
• This is particularly true when encountering a herd of elephants. Splitting a herd of elephants, especially the females from their young, can make them very agitated.
• If you are on a guided safari, remember your guide is a trained professional. Always follow the advice given by your guide for you own safety and that of the animals.
• If you are camping, never leave food in your tent as it may attract wildlife.

We also have some additional safety advice for walking safaris in Botswana:

• Do not make too much noise, as you may startle the animals.
• Avoid wearing any bright and colourful clothing.
• Rather skip the perfume when in the bush, the smell might irritate the animals.
• Always stay close to the group and keep to the guide’s pace when walking.

Minimising the risk of mosquito bites

The northern section of Botswana is considered a moderate malaria risk area. So if you are traveling to this region, be sure to consult your doctor, travel clinic or tropical institute for more detailed information regarding prophylaxis and their possible side-effects. There are however also things which you can do to minimise the risk of getting stung by mosquitos in general (because that never is fun anyway):

• Wear long sleeved shirts, long trousers, and closed shoes in the evenings.
• Put on insect repellent for the hours when mosquitos are most active.
• Spray your room or tent with mosquito spray before going to dinner and making sure all the window and doors are closed (and the lights are off).
• Make use of the mosquito netting around your bed if provided by your accommodation.

There are a couple of vaccinations which you might want to consider renewing before travelling to Botswana. They are fairly common and recommended by the CDC and WHO. They include tetanus, hepatitis A and B and polio. We once again advise you to speak to your doctor, travel clinic or tropical institute for more information.

Also keep in mind, the custom officials of Botswana will require proof of a yellow fever vaccination should you be arriving from a country with risk of yellow fever.