There are hospitals in Gaborone, Francistown, Kanye, Molepolole, Mochudi, Maun, Serowe, Mahalapye, Lobatse, Selebi-Phikwe, Ramotswa, Jwaneng and Orapa and in smaller towns. However, bottlenecks in medical and drug supply are to be expected. Health care and medicines are free in state hospitals. Taking out travel health insurance with repatriation insurance is strongly recommended. An individual first-aid kit should be taken with you and protected according to the temperatures on the way. There are pharmacies in all major cities. Check indexdotcom for more information.
Notes vaccinations
[1] A vaccination certificate against yellow fever is required for travelers who plan to enter the country within 6 days of staying in an infected area designated by the WHO and who are over one year old. Excluded are travelers who have not left the transit area in the infected areas. [2] Preventative antimalarial medication is required year-round in the northern half of the country. There is an increased risk of malaria from November to May/June in the northern parts of the country in the Boteti, Chobe, Ngamiland, Okavango and Tutume regions. The predominant more dangerous species Plasmodium falciparum (90%) is said to be resistant to chloroquine. There is a medium risk from July to October in the districts of Boteti, Chobe, Kasane, Ngamiland, Okavango and Tutume. The southern half of the country and Gaborone are malaria free. [3] Nationwide there is an increased risk of infection for various infectious diseases (e.g. hepatitis A, typhus, bacterial dysentery, amoebic dysentery, lambliasis, worm diseases), which are transmitted through contaminated food or drinks. Water should generally either be boiled or otherwise sterilized before it is used for drinking, brushing teeth and making ice cubes, or it should be bought packaged. When buying packaged water, you should make sure that the original packaging has not been opened. Unpasteurized milk should be boiled. Only mix dry and canned milk with sterile water. Dairy products made from unboiled milk should not be consumed. Meat and fish dishes should only be well cooked and served hot. Eating raw salads and mayonnaise should be avoided. Vegetables should be boiled and fruits should be peeled. Warnings are given against eating and buying food from cheap street restaurants and markets.
Other risks
Schistosomiasis pathogens occur primarily along the Okavango. Swimming and wading in inland waters should therefore be avoided. Well-maintained swimming pools with chlorinated water are harmless.UV radiation is very high at high altitudes (1000 m above sea level) and can damage the skin. Sun protection through skin-covering clothing and sunscreen (SPF > 20) is therefore absolutely necessary. Nationwide there is an increased risk of infection for hepatitis A, hepatitis B is highly endemic. A hepatitis A and B vaccination is generally recommended. Botswana is one of the countries with a very high HIV/AIDS incidence. unprotected sex, unclean syringes or needles and blood transfusions can pose a significant health risk. Epidemic outbreaks of meningococcal meningitis do occur. In order to protect themselves, those travelers who are planning a long-term stay, have close contact with the local population and travel mainly in the dry season should be vaccinated. Sleeping sickness occurs sporadically in the Okavango swamps. Careful mosquito protection measures are recommended. Rabies occurs nationwide. Carriers include dogs, cats, forest animals and bats. Vaccination is recommended for backpackers, children, occupational risk groups and for longer stays. Get medical attention as soon as possible if you are bitten. Botswana is one of the countries with the highest incidence of anthrax.
Money
Currency
1 Pula = 100 Thebes. Currency code: P, BWP (ISO code). Banknotes come in denominations of 200, 100, 50, 20, 10, 5, 2 and 1 pula; Coins in denominations of 5, 2 and 1 Pula and 50, 25, 10 and 5 Thebes. Gold and silver coins were minted for the 10th Independence Day, which are also legal tender.
Credit cards
Major credit cards such as Eurocard, Mastercard, Visa, American Express and Diners Club are accepted by most hotels, shops, safari operators and restaurants across the country. However, shops and petrol stations in remote areas only accept cash. Details from the issuer of the relevant credit card.
ATMs
Bank cards With the credit card with the Maestro symbol and pin number, money can be withdrawn at ATMs. A maximum amount of €100-500 can usually be withdrawn per day and days. The Girocard (formerly ec card) with the Cirrus, Plus or Maestro symbol is accepted worldwide. It can be used at ATMs with the Cirrus, Plus or Maestro symbol in major cities. To be on the safe side, travelers should always have an alternative source of money such as cash. Further information from banks and credit institutes. Attention: Travelers who want to pay with their bank customer card abroad and withdraw money, should find out from their bank about the possibility of using their card before they travel. Larger cities have sufficient ATMs, but the ATMs can run out of money in the last few days of the month.
Travelers cheques
Traveller’s checks are no longer available in Germany and Switzerland and are hardly available in Austria. Travelers checks can be cashed at two bureaux de change (American Express Foreign Exchange) in Botswana in Gaborone.
Bank opening hours
Mon-Fri 09.00-15.30, Sat 08.00-11.00.
Foreign exchange regulations
Unlimited import of local currency and foreign currency, obligation to declare (also for travelers cheques). The export of foreign currencies is permitted up to the amount declared. Export of national currency up to 50 p.
Currency Exchange
It is advisable to exchange money upon arrival at the airport or in a bank in the capital, as there are few places to exchange money outside of the larger cities.
