The answer to this question depends on which country you are a citizen of. Visitors to Botswana from most Commonwealth countries (including the UK, Ireland and Canada) and most EU countries, as well as Norway, Switzerland, Israel, South Africa and the United States, need only a valid passport. On arrival, your passport will be stamped with a 30-day Botswana visa. Extensions are available for up to three months. Applications for visas valid for longer than three months must be made directly to the Immigration & Passport Control Office in Gabarone before your departure to Botswana (see contact details, below).
Generally speaking, if you are a citizen of an African, Middle Eastern, or Asian country you will need a visa to enter Botswana, but there are several exceptions so please refer to the following lists:
For those on a safari that combines Botswana with a trip to Zambia to view the Victoria Falls, tourist visas are available at the Botswana-Zambia border. For itineraries that combine Botswana with Namibia, a visa for the latter is not required by citizens of the UK, Ireland, Canada, the US, Australia and New Zealand.
For further information, contact the
Botswanan High Commission in London, 6 Stratford Place, London W1C 1AY
Tel: (+44) 20 7499 0031
bohico@govbw.com
Visa enquiries in Botswana are handled by the Immigration & Passport Control Office, cnr Molepole Rd & Nelson Mandela Dr, PO Box 942, Gabarone.
Please note visa requirements do vary on a regular basis; this page is for advice only and all requirements should be checked with the relevant Embassy.