Chobe National Park

Malaria & Safety

229 Chobe Safaris

Expert

By Anthony Ham

Anthony is the author of the Botswana & Namibia Lonely Planet guide.

Safety

Botswana, and Chobe National Park in particular, is safe to visit in our opinion.

Flying from lodge to lodge is a very safe way to travel, but Botswana is a popular and safe self-drive destination as well. Most self-drive visitors stay in Kasane, which is easy to reach. Visitors driving to Savuti, or especially Linyanti, should check the road conditions before heading off.

It is always worth checking the current travel advisories (see the ‘Safety & Security – Botswana’ link below).

Malaria & Vaccinations

Your travel clinic or local doctor will give you advice on appropriate vaccinations for visiting Botswana. Chobe lies in a high-risk malaria zone, so it is advisable to take antimalarial medication. Extra safety measures that should be adhered to are using insect repellent (containing at least 30% DEET) and covering up in the evening. The malaria risk is highest in the rainy season.

Malaria & Vaccinations – Botswana

Wildlife Viewing

Incidents with animals are extremely rare. There is nothing to worry about as long as you listen to the safety briefing at your lodge check-ins.

When on an organized safari, listen carefully to the instructions given by your guide, and when on a self-drive safari, familiarize yourself with the park rules.

For more information, please read the ‘Wildlife Viewing Safety Precautions’ below.