Botswana Covid19 Requirements

Update: 25th January 2022  11:30am

At the beginning of December, the Botswana Government announced that over and above the standard negative test for entry, proof of vaccination is now required for entry into Botswana. Thus far, the ruling does not appear to have been implemented. Clarity is still needed for those who legitimately cannot get the vaccine (i.e. age, medical reasons) as well as when this will take effect. If one has been vaccinated, we recommend travelling with proof of vaccination (full dose) regardless. Currently authorities are only requesting the standard negative RT-PCR test result, taken within 72 hours, and the rapid antigen tests on arrival. So far, the regulations stated before are in effect.

These are the details that we are aware of regarding travel to Botswana, during Covid-19. We will update this page with any amendments that we become aware of.

Highlights

• All scheduled and non-scheduled international flights to major Airports are open, i.e. Gaborone, Kasane and Maun airports.
• Land borders are open between Botswana and South Africa, Namibia and Zambia. The Kazungula Bridge is now open connecting Botswana with Zambia.
• All passengers coming into Botswana need to present a negative SARS CoV-2 PCR test result in hard copy. The test should be conducted within the previous 72 hours.
• Entry screening will be conducted at all ports of entry. All travellers will need to take a Covid-19 Rapid Test (free of charge) on arrival.
• Restaurants will operate at half capacity, with a maximum of 50 people (excluding staff) at any given time.

Upon Arrival

Travellers arriving in Botswana will need to meet the following:
• Present a valid 72-hour negative COVID-19 Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) result from the time of testing.
• All travellers will be required to undergo a cost-free COVID-19 rapid test to gain entry into Botswana. If the test is positive or you show COVID-19 symptoms, you may need to undergo 14 days isolation or quarantine at your own expense.
• Travellers not meeting the above requirements will not be allowed entry into Botswana.
• For all Safari Air flights departing Maun or Kasane destined to lodges in the Okavango Delta, Makgadikgadi or Chobe, etc., a valid 72-hour negative COVID-19 PCR certificate OR a valid 72-hour negative RAPID Antigen test is required to board the flight into the camps.

Travellers arriving into Namibia (Chobe Princess, Zambezi Queen, Ichingo Lodge, Chobe Savanna Lodge) will need to meet the following:
• Present a valid negative COVID-19 Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) test result no older than 72 hours from time of arrival in Namibia.
• Relevant temperature checks at ports of entry.
• From 15 January 2022, all travellers entering Namibia are required to have their results uploaded on the Trusted Travel System (TTS): https://trustedtravel.panabios.org/ . After uploading the test results, the system will generate a code which should be written down or saved to a mobile device to show the Port Health Officers, as they will use this code to access and verify they results.
• Also, if coming from a country that is not registered with the TTS, then travellers can use the GHS. The instructions are the same for both.

• Children below the age of 5 years will not be required to produce a PCR test.
• Travellers are to adhere to WHO COVID-19 standard practices at all times, such as maintaining social distancing, wearing a mask in public and practicing personal hygiene.

While In Botswana or Namibia

• The wearing of masks in public places, physical distancing and sanitising are mandatory.

On Departure

• Guests departing Botswana and Namibia (returning to Botswana) will be required to present a Negative COVID-19 Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) result no older than 72 hours.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does one have to go into mandatory quarantine on arrival?
This is a requirement if your Rapid Test comes out positive on arrival. Otherwise, you only have to go into isolation if you are tested positive whilst in Botswana.

Can one get a PCR test done in Botswana?
Yes, PCR tests are available at Lancet, Pharma Group, Sidilega Hospital, National Health Laboratory, MRI Clinics and Diagnofirm Labs in Gaborone. In Maun, MRI Clinic, CT Diagnostics Laboratory and Diagnofirm Labs carry out PCR testing. In Kasane, the Weigh Bridge Clinic and Diagnofirm Labs does PCR tests. Some of the hotels/lodges and even safari camps in areas like the Okavango Delta can arrange PCR tests for their clients. Testing has a 24 hour turn around time.

Botswana is registered with the Trusted Travel Initiative Platform, so it is recommended that testing be done with registered laboratories which include Lancet (Gaborone), National Health Laboratory (Gaborone), Diagnofirm Labs (Gaborone, Maun and Kasane) and CT Diagnostics Lab (Maun).

How much does a PCR test cost?
The average price for a PCR test is $100. However, those arranged through remote safari camps can run up to $450 in order to fly the testing administrator into and out of the area.

What will happen if a traveller gets infected while in the country?
They are required to go into an isolation centre for 14 days. This will be at the traveller's own expense.

Does Botswana have a high rate of Corona virus infections?
The death rate attributed to the corona virus in Botswana is about 0.1% of the population as of the date of this article.

Is there a curfew in Botswana?
There is no curfew in Botswana.

Flight Schedule to Botswana

International Flights to Gaborone
• Air Botswana – flies Johannesburg to Gaborone twice daily, and Cape Town on Fridays and Sundays.
• SA Airlink – flies Johannesburg every Monday to Friday, and an afternoon one Sunday to Friday.
• Ethiopian Airlines – Scheduled flights are currently cancelled.

International Flights to Maun
• SA Airlink – flies Johannesburg to Maun daily.
• SA Airlink – flies Cape Town to Maun on Saturdays.

International Flights to Kasane
• SA Airlink – flies Johannesburg to Kasane on Tuesdays and Thursdays.
• MackAir –  flies between Victoria Falls and Kasane daily.

Domestic Flights
• Air Botswana – flies Maun to Gaborone Monday to Thursday.
• Air Botswana –  flies Maun to Kasane on Tuesdays, Thursdays, Fridays and Sundays.

Here's information on Zambia's Covid-19 Updates

Here's information on Zimbabwe's Covid-19 Updates

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