Visas are not required by nationals of the UK, Ireland and USA. However a passport with at least 6 months validity is essential. As visa requirements change you are advised to check with the Botswana High Commission before travelling. Their telephone number is 020 7499 0031.
As of May 2017 all visitors are required to pay a tourist levy of US$30 per person to enter the country.
If travelling into Botswana via Zambia (Livingstone being the usual start point) you may need to purchase a Zambian visa. Currently these cost US$50 cash per person and can be purchased on arrival. It’s also worth noting that if you travel on to Livingstone and are using Johannesburg as a hub for your flights you will need to obtain a yellow fever certificate to enter South Africa.
As of December 2012 all children under 16 years of age are required to carry (or their parents are required to carry) copies of both their passports and their unabridged birth certificates for arrival and departure from Botswana. As of November 2016, the policy has changed so that, in the event that one parent is not travelling with the child, the other parent's affidavit consenting to such travel should also be presented. However, an affidavit will not be required if the father's name does not appear on the child's birth certificate.
If you are travelling to Botswana via South Africa you may need a South African transit visa. These need to be purchased in advance. UK citizens do not currently need a transit visa but many other nationals including US and some EU citizens do need a transit visa.
If you are spending any time in South Africa you must have 2 blank passport pages opposite each other to enter the country.
We recommend you double check visa requirements before travel as requirements can change.