Pet import requirements for Botswana

Botswana at a glance

The detail

Clearance at Botswana may in volve a broker or a destination agent depending on whether the animal travels as manifested cargo or with the owner. Botswana is a landlocked country in the center of Southern Africa. Build extra buffer for Africa And Middle East connections; live-animal acceptance windows are shorter than passenger connections.

Import requirements

Not less than 3 months. Pets under 3 months old are permitted to enter if proof can be provided that the mother was vaccinated against at least one month but not more than 12 months prior to giving birth, and there have been no outbreaks of rabies in the area where the puppy or kitten is entering from.

• Owners contact details.
• Pet vaccination records.
• Health Certificate
• Animal/Wildlife Import Permit for those who import
• Certified Copy of National Identity Card (Omang)
• Certified Copy of Passport
• Physical Examination of Animal before import and export

Movement of dogs and cats within SADC region

Since dogs and cats normally travel with their owners often at short notice to allow fulfilment of an elaborate import and export documentation system, A few member states of Southern African Development Community (SADC) went into an agreement to develop and harmonize pet travel conditions that will facilitate pet travel within the member states. This arrangement does not require a veterinary import permit from the country of destination before a health certificate can be issued. Dogs and cats may be imported into Botswana from the following countries or exported out of Botswana to the following countries within (SADC):

Country of Origin or Destination

• Lesotho

• Namibia

• Zimbabwe

• Malawi

• South Africa

• Swaziland

Before visiting your Veterinary Official

Please check that the dogs and or cats have a:

• valid rabies immunization record;

• or in the case of kittens and puppies under 3 months old, the mother (dam) was vaccinated against at least one month but not more than 12 months prior to giving birth, and

• there are no movement restrictions for rabies control in your area.

The certifying of ficial veterinarian in your district will require to examine the animals before issuing a "Veterinary Certificate of Identity, Rabies Vaccination and Movement Permit for Dogs and Cats" to satisfy the mselves on the health status and fitness to travel. This certificate must accompany the animals whilst travelling as it also serves as a movement permit within Botswana.

What about other SADC Member States?

To move dogs and cats to other SADC Member States not listed above requires the owners to apply for a veterinary import permit from the respective country before the of ficial veterinarian in Botswana can issue a veterinary health certificate to move the animals out of Botswana. This will apply to all other countries in the rest of the world and the reverse will also apply if dogs and cats are to be moved into Botswana.

What if I have to travel through other countries?

It is the responsibility of the owner/ agent or custodian of the animals to seek in transit permit for such countries. Permits office may assist in providing contact details of the authorities to seek for in transit permits.

Travelling by air Pets may be transported unaccompanied as cargo by air. Various pet travel agencies exists in cluding airlines that may be contacted for further details.

Are other pets such as ferrets, gerbils and guine pigs covered under this arrangement?

No.

How long does it take for the certificate to be issued?

The certificate for movement is issued on immediately on presentation if all the above requirements are met. The service is provided between 0730 - 1245 and 1345 - 1630 on weekdays.

There is no service during weekends and public holidays.

Identification and microchip

Identification is mandatory. Pets should have visible tags with pets and owners’ in formation. Microchip is not mandatory but highly recommended.

Rabies and vaccinations

For primary rabies vaccinations in animals over 3 months of age, Rabies vaccination should be between 30 days and 12 months prior to entry.

For puppies travelling under their mother’s certificate, the dam must have been vaccinated against rabies at least one (1) month but not more than twelve (12) months prior to parturition.

Up to date vaccination and rabies records needed.

Dogs: rabies, distemper, hepatitis, Leptospirosis, Parvovirus, and Parainfluenza.

Cats: Rabies, feline panleukopenia, viral rhinotracheitis, calicivirus, and leukemia.

Tests and treatments

Titer Test not required to enter Botswana. Up to date vaccination and rabies records needed.

NONE, if transiting through South Africa - full compliance to South African entry requirements must be met. (See South Africa entry requirements)

Not Required but General endo and ecto parasites control/treatment is highly recommended.

Health certificate and permits

All pets entering Botswana must have an International Health Certificate issued by a licensed veterinarian in the origin country and endorsed by the country-of-origin governing authority. Health Certificate should be completed as close to the departure date as possible not more than 7 days before entry. Health Certificate must say:

• I have today examined the animal(s) described on this certificate and found them to

be free from clinical signs of communicable disease or any other disease affecting the

species.

• The animal(s) originates from a premises free from movement restrictions imposed for

rabies control.

• The animal(s) are either current on rabies vaccinations at the time of export to

the Republic of Botswana, or the animal(s) are under three (3) months of age and their dams were current on rabies vaccinations at the time of their birth.

Example Health Certificate

Botswana requires an application for import of pets. Visitor should apply far ahead of visit for permit. The permit is valid for 6 months.

Application

Department of Wildlife and National Parks

Plot 50380 Moedi House, Fairgrounds

Gaborone

Botswana

Tel. (+267) 3971405

Fax. (+267) 3180775

Email: dwnp@gov.bw

Website

Opening Hours: 07:30 to 12:45 and 12:45 to 16:30, Monday to Friday, except on Public Holidays.

A special dispensation/agreement exists for the importation/exportation of Dogs and Cats among several SADC member states. These countries in clude:

Botswana/Lesotho/Namibia/Malawi/South Africa/Zimbabwe and Swaziland. Pursuant to this agreement an import permit is not required to bring a Dog/Cat into Botswana, the importer needs to only apply for a an export certificate from the relevant member country.

Restrictions and banned breeds

Botswana does not publish a list of banned breeds. However, owners are responsible for pets’ behavior.

Customs, agents, and airports

Pets must enter Botswana through the Sir Seretse Khama International Airport near Gaborone.

Dogs and Cats can arrive in the cabin, as checked baggage, or air cargo.

All pets must be free of evidence of diseases communicable to humans when examined at entry point.

Botswana is a member of the African Union, the Southern African Development Community, the Commonwealth of Nations, and the United Nations.

Export notes

• Owners contact details.
• pet vaccination records.
• Health Certificate
• Animal/Wildlife Export Permit for those who import
• Certified Copy of National Identity Card (Omang)
• Certified Copy of Passport
• Physical Examination of Animal before import and export

Other pets / CITES / extra rules

Depending on type of pet other than cat and dogs. Mostly endangered such as Parrots, others.

Veterinary in spection prior to certification of import. for Examination to declare mandatory text requirement and medically fit to travel

Official contacts

Department of Wildlife and National Parks

Plot 50380 Moedi House, Fairgrounds

Gaborone, Botswana

Tel. (+267) 3971405

Fax. (+267) 3180775

Email: dwnp@gov.bw

Website

Opening Hours: 07:30 to 12:45 and 12:45 to 16:30, Monday to Friday, except on Public Holidays.

Ministry of Agriculture

Private Bag 003

Gaborone, Botswana

Tel: +267 368-9000

[Website](http://www.gov.bw/en/Ministries--Authorities/Ministries/Ministry of Agriculture-MOA/)

Email: moa@gov.bw

Contact:

Ms. Janet H. Mudongo

Tel: +267 533-0396

Fax: +267 533-2317

Current as of February 2025

Disclaimer

Import rules change without much warning. Confirm every vaccine date, test, permit, and crate routing with the destination veterinary authority before you travel. This page is a planning brief for Furry Freight customers, last checked against the IPATA country profile dated 2025-02-24.

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