April 17, 2003
COUNTRY
DESCRIPTION: Botswana is a southern African country with a
stable democratic government and a growing economy. Facilities for
tourism are widely available.
ENTRY/EXIT
REQUIREMENTS: A passport is required. U.S. citizens are
permitted stays up to 90 days without a visa. For additional information
on entry requirements, travelers may contact the Embassy of the Republic
of Botswana, 1531 – 1533 New Hampshire Ave, N.W., Washington, D.C.
20036, telephone (202) 244-4990/1, fax (202) 244-4164 or the Permanent
Mission of the Republic of Botswana to the United Nations, 103 E. 37th
St., New York, NY, telephone (212) 889-2277, fax(212) 725-5061. There
are also honorary consuls in Los Angeles, San Francisco and Houston.
Overseas inquiries should be made to the nearest Batswana Embassy or
Consulate.
In an effort to
prevent international child abduction, many governments have initiated
procedures at entry/exit points. These often include requiring
documentary evidence of relationship and permission for the child’s
travel from the parent(s) or legal guardian not present. Having such
documentation on hand, even if not required, may facilitate
entry/departure.
SAFETY AND
SECURITY: Civil unrest and disorder are rare.
CRIME: Violent
crime remains relatively infrequent in Botswana, but appears to be on
the rise in urban centers. Prudent security measures, such as house and
car alarms and immobilizers should be used to deter residential
burglaries and car theft. In addition, the rise of armed carjackings in
Botswana over the past two years warrants increased vigilance while
driving in urban areas, particularly after dark. Petty street crime and
crimes of opportunity, primarily the theft of money and personal
property, remain the most common forms of crime in Botswana. Visitors to
Gaborone, as to any major city, should avoid walking at night in
unfamiliar areas.
The loss or theft
abroad of a U.S. passport should be reported immediately to local police
and to the nearest U.S. Embassy or Consulate. The pamphlets "A
Safe Trip Abroad" and "Tips
for Travelers to Sub-Saharan Africa" provide useful information on
personal security while traveling abroad and on travel in the region in
general. Both are available by mail from the Superintendent of
Documents, U.S. Government Printing Office, Washington, D.C. 20402, via
the Internet at http://www.gpoaccess.gov/index.html, or via the Bureau
of Consular Affairs home page at http://travel.state.gov.
MEDICAL
FACILITIES: Medical facilities in Gaborone and Francistown are
adequate, but available facilities in other areas are limited. For
advanced care, Americans often choose to travel to South Africa. Most
prescription drugs are available.
MEDICAL
INSURANCE: The Department of State strongly urges Americans to
consult with their medical insurance company prior to traveling abroad
to confirm whether their policy applies overseas and whether it will
cover emergency expenses such as a medical evacuation. U.S. medical
insurance plans seldom cover health costs incurred outside the United
States unless supplemental coverage is purchased. Further, U.S. Medicare
and Medicaid programs do not provide payment for medical services
outside the United States. However, many travel agents and private
companies offer insurance plans that will cover health care expenses
incurred overseas including emergency services such as medical
evacuations.
When making a
decision regarding health insurance, Americans should consider that many
foreign doctors and hospitals require payment in cash prior to providing
service and that a medical evacuation to the United States may cost well
in excess of 50,000 U.S. dollars. Uninsured travelers who require
medical care overseas often face extreme difficulties, whereas travelers
who have purchased overseas medical insurance have found it to be
life?saving when a medical emergency has occurred. When consulting with
your insurer prior to your trip, please ascertain whether payment will
be made to the overseas healthcare provider or if you will be reimbursed
later for expenses that you incur. Some insurance policies also include
coverage for psychiatric treatment and for disposition of remains in the
event of death. Useful information on medical emergencies abroad,
including overseas insurance programs, is provided in the Department of
State's Bureau of Consular Affairs brochure, "Medical
Information for Americans Traveling Abroad," available via the
Bureau of Consular Affairs home page or autofax: (202) 647?3000.
OTHER
HEALTH INFORMATION: Information on vaccinations and other
health precautions may be obtained from the Centers for Disease Control
and Prevention's International Travelers Hotline at 1-877-FYI-TRIP
(877-394-8747), fax: 1-888-CDC-FAXX (1-888-232-3299), or via CDC's
Internet site at http://www.cdc.gov. For information about outbreaks of
infectious diseases abroad, consult the
World Health Organization’s website at http://www.who.int/en.
TRAFFIC
SAFETY AND ROAD CONDITIONS: While in a foreign country, U.S.
citizens may encounter road conditions that differ significantly from
those in the United States. The information below concerning Botswana is
provided for general reference only, and may not be totally accurate in
a particular location or circumstance:
Safety of Public
Transportation: Poor
Urban Road Conditions/Maintenance: Good
Rural Road Conditions/Maintenance: Fair
Availability of Roadside Assistance: Poor
Traffic circulates
on the left in Botswana, as elsewhere in the region. While the roads in
major population centers in Botswana are generally good, travel by
automobile outside of large towns may be dangerous. The combination of
long, tedious stretches of two-lane highways, high speed limits, and
poor lighting make driving at night on rural highways particularly
hazardous. Free-range domestic animals and large numbers of pedestrians
and hitchhikers in the roadways make fatal accidents a frequent
occurrence. There has also been a spate of carjackings in Gaborone,
requiring drivers to remain vigilant and aware of their surroundings at
all times while getting into and out of vehicles in the city.
For additional
general information about road safety, including links to foreign
government sites, see the Department of State, Bureau of Consular
Affairs home page at http://travel.state.gov/road_safety.html. For
specific information concerning Botswana driver’s permits, vehicle
inspection, road tax and mandatory insurance, contact the
Botswana national tourist
organization offices in New York via the Internet at http://www.botswanatourism.org.
AVIATION
SAFETY OVERSIGHT: As there is no direct commercial air service
by local carriers at present, or economic authority to operate such
service, between the U.S. and Botswana, the U.S. Federal Aviation
Administration (FAA) has not assessed Botswana’s Civil Aviation
Authority for compliance with international aviation safety standards.
For further
information, travelers may contact the Department of Transportation
within the U.S. at 1-800-322-7873, or visit the
FAA Internet home page
at http://www. www.faa.gov/avr/iasa. The U.S. Department of Defense
(DOD) separately assesses some foreign air carriers for suitability as
official providers of air services. For information regarding the DOD
policy on specific carriers, travelers may contact DOD at (618)
229-4801.
CRIMINAL
PENALTIES: While in a foreign country, a U.S. citizen is
subject to that country's laws and regulations, which sometimes differ
significantly from those in the United States and may not afford the
protections available to the individual under U.S. law. Penalties for
breaking the law can be more severe than in the United States for
similar offenses. Persons violating Botswana's laws, even unknowingly,
may be expelled, arrested or imprisoned. Penalties for possession, use,
or trafficking in illegal drugs in Botswana are strict and convicted
offenders can expect jail sentences and heavy fines. Botswana's laws
mandate harsh punishments for unlawful dealing and possession of
cannabis (known locally as motokwane or dagga). Botswana also has a
well-publicized policy of zero tolerance for corruption, and any
requests for the payment of bribes should be reported to the appropriate
authorities.
ANIMAL
TROPHIES: Botswana strictly enforces its laws controlling the
trade in animal products. The hunting of lions is explicitly prohibited
and leopards and elephants are covered under a strict quota regime.
Botswana's Wildlife Conservation and National Parks Act makes illegal
the possession or removal from Botswana, without a government permit, of
any living or dead animal or trophy from an animal. A trophy is any
horn, ivory, tooth, tusk, bone, claw, hoof, hide, skin, hair, feather,
egg, or other durable portion of an animal, whether the item has been
processed or not. Curio shops and vendors throughout the country sell
items such as animal skins, plain and decorated ostrich eggs and egg
shells, and carved bones or teeth of animals protected by this law. All
of the souvenirs, although widely sold, are subject to this Act.
Travelers departing the country with a trophy must have a receipt from a
store licensed to sell such items. Ivory and endangered rhinoceros horn
products obtained in Botswana may not be removed from the country under
any circumstances; elephant hair jewelry may be removed only with the
appropriate license from the Department of Wildlife and National Parks.
Trophies may not be taken from the wild without a permit. Violators are
subject to arrest and may face a penalty of up to five years
imprisonment and a substantial fine.
DANGERS
POSED BY WILD ANIMALS: Tourists should bear in mind that, even
in the most serene settings, the animals are wild and can pose a threat
to life and safety. Tourists should use common sense when approaching
wildlife, observe all local or park regulations, and heed all
instructions given by tour guides. In addition, tourists are advised
that potentially dangerous areas sometimes lack fences and warning
signs. Exercise appropriate caution in all unfamiliar surroundings.
CHILDREN'S
ISSUES:
For information
on international adoption of children and international parental child
abduction, please refer to our Internet site at http://travel.state.gov/children’s_issues.html
or telephone 1-888-407-4747.
REGISTRATION/EMBASSY LOCATION: Americans living in or visiting
Botswana are encouraged to register at the Consular section of the U.S.
Embassy and obtain updated information on travel and security within
Botswana. The U.S. Embassy is located in Gaborone on Embassy Drive,
Government Enclave. The mailing address is P.O. Box 90, Gaborone,
telephone (267) 395-3982; fax (267) 318-0232; email
consulargaboro@state.gov,
and the after-hours emergency telephone
(267) 395-7111.
