Safest cities in Botswana
2 cities with 100k+ population · data updated 2026-09-04
What official travel advice warns about
Terrorism
- Terrorism in BotswanaAlthough there’s no recent history of terrorism in Botswana, attacks cannot be ruled out.
Crime
- Protecting yourself and your belongingsCriminals may target cars waiting at traffic lights. To reduce the risk of attack:
- Sexual assaultBotswana has a high number of sexual assaults. While foreign visitors are unlikely to be targeted, women should take care when walking and avoid walking alone at night.
Laws and cultural differences
- Personal IDAlways carry some identification. A copy of the photo page in your passport is usually enough as long as you can produce the original if required.
- Illegal drugs and prison sentencesDrug taking and trafficking are illegal. If you’re convicted of a drug-related offence, you can get a fine of up to 500,000 pulas (about £30,000) or a prison sentence of up to 25 years, or both. Prison conditions are generally poor.
- Using cameras in secure areasIt is illegal to take photographs or use video equipment near military and government installations. Always ask permission before photographing people in Botswana.
- LGBT+ travellersAlthough same-sex sexual activity is no longer prohibited by law, public attitudes are less tolerant than in the UK and displaying affection in public may attract negative attention.
- Wildlife, animal products and souvenirsIt’s illegal to buy, sell, kill or capture any protected wild animal or trade its parts. If you’re caught hunting, buying or trafficking these goods you will be prosecuted. If you’re convicted, sentences can be severe.
Outdoor activities and adventure tourism
- If you travel to remote areas, make transport and accommodation arrangements in advance and seek local security advice. Take emergency supplies, including water and fuel, and be prepared for off-road driving conditions. In very remote areas, travel in convoy or with a satellite phone in case of breakdown.
Transport risks
- Road travelYou can use a UK photocard driving licence to drive in Botswana. If you still have a paper driving licence, you may need to update it to a photocard licence or get the 1949 version of the international driving permit (IDP) as well.
- Driving conditionsBotswana has good tarmac roads covering most of the country, but driving outside the major urban areas can be dangerous due to stray wildlife and livestock. This is a particular risk at night, so take extra care if you’re driving after dark.
- TaxisTo reduce risk of crime when using taxis, look for licensed taxis with blue plate numbers. Cabs run by a recognised taxi company will usually have branding and can be pre-booked.
Extreme weather and natural disasters
- FloodingBotswana’s rainy season, runs from November to March, bringing heavy rainfalls and risk of flash flooding. Road conditions throughout the country may be unsafe. Follow the advice of Botswana’s Meteorological Services and from the local authorities at Ministry of Environment and Tourism.
Headings and opening lines from the UK FCDO “Safety and security” travel advice for Botswana, updated 2026-06-01 (Open Government Licence v3.0). Read the full advice on gov.uk →
Country figures
- Homicide rate
- 12.98 /100k2023
- Income inequality
- Gini 54.92015
- Human development
- HDI 0.7312023
- Income
- $19,960/yrGNI per capita PPP
- Road deaths
- 26.4 /100kWHO, 2019
- Political stability
- 84/100WGI, 2024 · higher = more stable
- Rule of law
- 62/100WGI, 2024
- Corruption perceptions
- 58/100Transparency Intl, 2025 · higher = cleaner
- Natural-hazard risk
- 2.9/10EU INFORM, 2026 · higher = riskier
- Women, Peace & Security
- 0.66GIWPS, 2025 · 0-1, higher = better
- Air quality
- 13.2 µg/m³PM2.5, 2023 · WHO guideline is 5
- Safe drinking water
- 63%of population, 2024 · WHO/UNICEF JMP
- Healthcare capacity
- 0.4 doctors /1k2.4 hospital beds per 1,000
- Malaria
- 0 /1k at riskWHO, 2024 · endemic countries only
Natural hazards
- Drought
- 5.0/10EU INFORM, 2026 · higher = riskier
- Flood
- 3.6/10EU INFORM, 2026 · higher = riskier
Hazard types scoring under 1 out of 10 are not listed.
Same-sex sexual activity is legal in Botswana (as of 2025).
How Botswana compares
| Measure | Botswana | World median | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Homicide rate | 13 /100k | 2.4 /100k | +11 /100k — better for World median |
| Income inequality (Gini) | 54.9 | 35.2 | +19.7 — better for World median |
| Human development (HDI) | 0.731 | 0.763 | −0.032 — better for World median |
| Road deaths | 26.4 /100k | 15.4 /100k | +11.0 /100k — better for World median |
| Rule of law | 62/100 | 52/100 | +10/100 — better for Botswana |
| Corruption perceptions | 58/100 | 39/100 | +19/100 — better for Botswana |
| Air quality (PM2.5) | 13.2 µg/m³ | 19.7 µg/m³ | −6.5 µg/m³ — better for Botswana |
| Natural-hazard risk | 2.9/10 | 3.8/10 | −0.9/10 — better for Botswana |
| Measure | Botswana | Africa median | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Homicide rate | 13 /100k | 4.4 /100k | +8.6 /100k — better for Africa median |
| Income inequality (Gini) | 54.9 | 38.3 | +16.6 — better for Africa median |
| Human development (HDI) | 0.731 | 0.560 | +0.171 — better for Botswana |
| Road deaths | 26.4 /100k | 28.2 /100k | −1.8 /100k — better for Botswana |
| Rule of law | 62/100 | 42/100 | +20/100 — better for Botswana |
| Corruption perceptions | 58/100 | 30/100 | +28/100 — better for Botswana |
| Air quality (PM2.5) | 13.2 µg/m³ | 27.7 µg/m³ | −14.5 µg/m³ — better for Botswana |
| Natural-hazard risk | 2.9/10 | 5.3/10 | −2.4/10 — better for Botswana |
Medians, not means, so one extreme country cannot drag the reference value. Each row compares only the countries that have a published figure for that measure, and differences are plain arithmetic between stored values.
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