Malaria in Botswana

03 Apr 2025

On 25 March 2025, Botswana's Ministry of Health reported a significant increase in malaria cases, related to recent heavy rains. This outbreak, which began in Okavango, has spread to several other districts including Boteti, Chobe, Ghanzi, Ngami and Tutume. There have also been reports of cases in non-endemic areas, including Francistown, Gaborone, Mahalapye and Serowe.

Until further notice, if you are at increased risk of catching or developing severe malaria and you will be travelling to the districts mentioned above within the areas marked 'low to no risk' on the malaria map, you should talk to a travel health professional to find out if you should take tablets to prevent malaria.

Advice for travellers

Malaria is a potentially severe infection that is transmitted to humans by mosquito bites.

If you are travelling to Botswana, you should:

• understand your risk of malaria, given the current increase in cases
• know how to protect yourself against mosquito bites during your trip
• make an appointment with a travel health professional to find out if you should take tablets to prevent malaria.

If you develop a high temperature (fever) during your trip, or if you have recently returned from a country where malaria is a risk, you should seek medical advice as soon as possible and tell the doctor about your recent travel history.

See the fitfortravel malaria section and Botswana country page for further information.