Is Ebola Affecting Travel to Botswana? Latest Guidance for Safari Travellers

There are currently no reported Ebola cases in Botswana. However, following recent Ebola outbreaks in parts of Central and East Africa, Botswana has introduced precautionary health screening measures at all points of entry.

The measures announced by the government are precautionary and there is currently no indication of any disruption to tourism or safari travel within the country. The current outbreaks are in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and Uganda, both located considerably further north of Botswana.

Botswana’s Response: Precautionary Screening Measures

In a public notice issued on 28 May 2026, Botswana’s Ministry of Health confirmed that intensified screening protocols are now in place at airports and land borders. These measures include:

• Temperature and symptom screening for arriving travellers
• Travel history questionnaires, particularly for recent travel to affected regions
• Health declaration forms for air passengers
• Isolation and referral procedures for anyone presenting symptoms consistent with Ebola

The Ministry stated that these steps are intended to support early detection and prevent the importation of the virus into Botswana.

This is a measured and proactive response from Botswana’s health authorities and reflects the country’s generally cautious approach to public health and border management.

Is Ebola Affecting Travel to Botswana?

At present, no.

Botswana does not border either the DRC or Uganda — the countries currently affected — and is located considerably further south. Travel between the affected regions and Botswana is not part of typical safari tourism routes.

There are currently:

• No Ebola outbreaks in Botswana
• No restrictions affecting tourism operations
• No indication that planned safari itineraries are being disrupted

Travellers should expect only some additional screening procedures on arrival, particularly at international airports.

Understanding Ebola Transmission

It is also important to understand how Ebola spreads.

Ebola is not spread through casual day-to-day contact in the same way as respiratory viruses such as influenza or COVID-19, rather than being an airborne virus. Transmission requires direct contact with the bodily fluids of a symptomatic infected person or contaminated materials.

This is one of the reasons health authorities place such strong emphasis on:

• Screening
• Contact tracing
• Monitoring
• Isolation procedures

Public health systems are generally well-practised in responding quickly to suspected cases and limiting wider transmission.

What This Means for Safari Travellers

For most travellers visiting Botswana, these measures are unlikely to have any meaningful impact on their safari experience beyond possible arrival screening or health questionnaires.

Botswana remains one of Africa’s safest and most stable safari destinations, with tourism continuing to operate normally across the country.

As always, we continue to monitor official travel and health guidance closely and will share any significant updates should the situation change.

At this stage there is no reason to expect any impact on travel to Botswana.