Bringing a pet to Botswana

Last reviewed October 2, 2026

Botswana requires an import permit, rabies vaccination, microchip, and official veterinary health certificate for all dogs, regardless of origin. There is no routine quarantine for properly documented pets, but paperwork is checked at the border. Dogs from high-risk rabies countries also need a FAVN or RFFIT titer test. Rules do not vary by origin for permit, vaccination, or microchip requirements.

Requirements for your pet

Showing requirements for a dog travelling from United States to Botswana.

Microchip

Required

ISO 11784/11785

Rabies vaccine

Required

From 12 weeks old, wait 30+ days before travel

Rabies titer test (FAVN)

Not required

Quarantine

None

Health certificate

Required

Official government veterinarian or accredited private veterinarian endorsed by the origin country's competent authority · valid 10 days before arrival

Import permit

Required

Minimum age: 3 months

Breed restrictions

Botswana does not have a nationwide breed ban for dogs. However, some airlines and transport carriers may refuse brachycephalic (flat-faced) breeds such as pugs, bulldogs, and boxers on certain routes due to respiratory risks. Check with your airline before booking.

Documents checklist

Import permit from Botswana Department of Veterinary Services
Rabies vaccination certificate (valid 30 days to 12 months before travel)
Official veterinary health certificate issued within 10 days of arrival
Microchip certificate or proof of ISO 11784/11785 microchip
Proof of origin (e.g., pet passport or export certificate)

Rough budget

Approximate costs: microchip ~$30-50, health certificate ~$100-200, import permit fee ~$20-50. No titer test required for this tier. Confirm current prices with a local vet and Botswana DVS.

Botswana requires an import permit for all dogs, including those from free-tier origins. The permit application typically takes 5-10 working days. Rabies vaccination must be at least 30 days old but not older than 12 months at the time of entry.

Apply / official dog import page

Microchip

Required

ISO 11784/11785

Rabies vaccine

Required

From 12 weeks old, wait 30+ days before travel

Rabies titer test (FAVN)

Not required

Quarantine

None

Health certificate

Required

Official government veterinarian or accredited private veterinarian endorsed by the origin country's competent authority · valid 10 days before arrival

Import permit

Required

Minimum age: 3 months

Breed restrictions

Documents checklist

Import permit from Botswana Department of Veterinary Services
Rabies vaccination certificate (valid 30 days to 12 months before travel)
Official veterinary health certificate issued within 10 days of arrival
Microchip certificate or proof of ISO 11784/11785 microchip
Proof of origin (e.g., pet passport or export certificate)

Rough budget

Approximate costs: microchip ~$30-50, health certificate ~$100-200, import permit fee ~$20-50. No titer test required for this tier. Confirm current prices with a local vet and Botswana DVS.

Requirements are identical to free-tier origins. Botswana does not distinguish between free and low-risk origins for dogs.

Apply / official dog import page

Microchip

Required

ISO 11784/11785

Rabies vaccine

Required

From 12 weeks old, wait 30+ days before travel

Rabies titer test (FAVN)

Required

Blood draw 90+ days before travel

Quarantine

None

Health certificate

Required

Official government veterinarian or accredited private veterinarian endorsed by the origin country's competent authority · valid 10 days before arrival

Import permit

Required

Minimum age: 3 months

Breed restrictions

Documents checklist

Import permit from Botswana Department of Veterinary Services
Rabies vaccination certificate (valid 30 days to 12 months before travel)
FAVN or RFFIT rabies titer test result (≥0.5 IU/ml, taken ≥90 days after vaccination)
Official veterinary health certificate issued within 10 days of arrival
Microchip certificate or proof of ISO 11784/11785 microchip
Proof of origin (e.g., export certificate)

Rough budget

Approximate costs: microchip ~$30-50, health certificate ~$100-200, import permit fee ~$20-50, FAVN titer test ~$100-250. Confirm current prices with a local vet and Botswana DVS.

Dogs from high-risk rabies countries must have a passing FAVN or RFFIT titer test from an approved laboratory. Botswana may require additional health checks or longer permit processing time. No quarantine is imposed if all documents are in order.

Apply / official dog import page

Frequently asked questions

Botswana does not publish a specific numeric limit for non-commercial pet dogs. In practice, a single traveller bringing more than 3-5 dogs may be treated as a commercial import, requiring additional veterinary inspections and possibly a commercial import permit. For 1-2 dogs, the standard non-commercial permit process applies. Confirm with Botswana's Department of Veterinary Services if you plan to bring more than 3 dogs.

Yes. Botswana requires an import permit for all dogs, regardless of origin country. Apply to the Department of Veterinary Services (DVS) in Gaborone at least 2-4 weeks before travel. The permit is typically valid for 30 days from issue. You must present the original permit at the border. The fee is around $20-50, but confirm current fees with DVS.

It depends on the origin country's rabies status. Dogs from high-risk rabies countries (e.g., most of Africa, Asia, Middle East, and parts of South America) must have a FAVN or RFFIT titer test showing ≥0.5 IU/ml, taken at least 90 days after rabies vaccination and within 12 months before travel. Dogs from low-risk or free origins do not need a titer test. Check Botswana's current list of high-risk countries or ask your vet.

No routine quarantine is imposed for dogs with complete and valid paperwork. If your dog arrives without a required permit, titer test, or health certificate, it may be detained, quarantined at your expense, or refused entry. Quarantine, if imposed, is typically at a government facility and can last until the animal's status is resolved — potentially weeks. Ensure all documents are correct before travel.

Your dog must be vaccinated against rabies at least 30 days before travel and not more than 12 months before travel. The vaccine must be an approved inactivated or recombinant rabies vaccine. Puppies must be at least 12 weeks old at the time of vaccination, so the minimum age for entry is 3 months (12 weeks + 30 days). A booster within the last 12 months is acceptable if the primary vaccination was earlier.

No. Botswana does not exempt emotional support animals or service dogs from its import requirements. All dogs, including service animals, must have an import permit, rabies vaccination, microchip, and health certificate. There is no separate fast-track or exemption. If you travel with a service dog, you must meet the same rules as any other pet dog.

You need an official veterinary health certificate issued within 10 days of arrival in Botswana. The certificate must be signed by a government veterinarian or an accredited private veterinarian endorsed by the origin country's competent authority (e.g., USDA APHIS for the US, DEFRA for the UK). It must state that the dog is free from infectious diseases, has been vaccinated against rabies, and is fit to travel. The certificate must accompany the dog and be presented at the border.

Showing requirements for a cat travelling from United States to Botswana.

Microchip

Required

ISO 11784/11785

Rabies vaccine

Required

From 12 weeks old, wait 21+ days before travel

Rabies titer test (FAVN)

Not required

Quarantine

None

Health certificate

Required

Official government veterinarian or accredited veterinarian authorized by the national authority (e.g., USDA APHIS-accredited veterinarian for US-origin cats) · valid 10 days before arrival

Import permit

Not required

Documents checklist

Rabies vaccination certificate showing vaccination at least 21 days before travel
Official veterinary health certificate issued within 10 days of arrival
Microchip certificate or proof of ISO 11784/11785 microchip

Rough budget

Approximate costs only: microchip ~$30–50, health certificate ~$100–200, rabies vaccination ~$20–50. No titer test, import permit, or quarantine fee applies for this tier. Confirm current prices with a local veterinarian and Botswana's Department of Veterinary Services.

For cats from rabies-free countries, Botswana requires a health certificate, proof of rabies vaccination, and ISO microchip. No import permit, titer test, or quarantine is required if documents are in order.

Apply / official cat import page

Microchip

Required

ISO 11784/11785

Rabies vaccine

Required

From 12 weeks old, wait 21+ days before travel

Rabies titer test (FAVN)

Not required

Quarantine

None

Health certificate

Required

Official government veterinarian or accredited veterinarian authorized by the national authority (e.g., USDA APHIS-accredited veterinarian for US-origin cats) · valid 10 days before arrival

Import permit

Not required

Documents checklist

Rabies vaccination certificate showing vaccination at least 21 days before travel
Official veterinary health certificate issued within 10 days of arrival
Microchip certificate or proof of ISO 11784/11785 microchip

Rough budget

Requirements match the rabies-free tier. No rabies titer test or import permit is required for cats from low-risk countries. The rabies vaccine must be current and given at least 21 days before travel.

Apply / official cat import page

Microchip

Required

ISO 11784/11785

Rabies vaccine

Required

From 12 weeks old, wait 21+ days before travel

Rabies titer test (FAVN)

Required

Blood draw 90+ days before travel

Quarantine

None

Health certificate

Required

Official government veterinarian or accredited veterinarian authorized by the national authority (e.g., USDA APHIS-accredited veterinarian for US-origin cats) · valid 10 days before arrival

Import permit

Required

Documents checklist

Import permit issued by Botswana's Department of Veterinary Services
Rabies vaccination certificate showing vaccination at least 21 days before travel
FAVN rabies titer test result (≥0.5 IU/ml) from an approved laboratory
Official veterinary health certificate issued within 10 days of arrival
Microchip certificate or proof of ISO 11784/11785 microchip

Rough budget

Approximate costs only: microchip ~$30–50, health certificate ~$100–200, rabies vaccination ~$20–50, FAVN titer test ~$100–250, import permit fee ~$50–100. No quarantine fee applies if all conditions are met. Confirm current prices with a local veterinarian and Botswana's Department of Veterinary Services.

Cats from high-risk rabies countries must have a valid import permit, a FAVN rabies titer test result of at least 0.5 IU/ml, and a health certificate. The titer test must be done at least 90 days before travel. Quarantine is not required if all conditions are met, but the cat may be inspected on arrival.

Apply / official cat import page

Frequently asked questions

Botswana does not publish a specific limit for non-commercial pet cats, but up to 5 cats per traveller are generally considered personal pets. Larger numbers may be treated as a commercial import and require additional permits and inspections. Confirm with Botswana's Department of Veterinary Services before travel.

No. Botswana does not exempt emotional support or service cats from standard import requirements. All cats must meet the same rabies vaccination, health certificate, and, if applicable, import permit and titer test rules.

Yes. Cats from high-risk rabies countries must have a FAVN rabies titer test result of at least 0.5 IU/ml. The test must be done at least 30 days after vaccination and at least 90 days before travel. This does not apply to cats from low-risk or rabies-free countries.

The official veterinary health certificate must be issued within 10 days of arrival in Botswana. It must be signed by a government veterinarian or an accredited veterinarian authorized by the national authority.

Yes. Cats must be identified with an ISO 11784/11785 compliant microchip. The microchip number must be recorded on the health certificate and vaccination records.

No quarantine is required for cats that meet all entry requirements: valid rabies vaccination, health certificate, and, for high-risk countries, import permit and titer test. However, cats may be inspected on arrival, and if documents are not in order, quarantine or refusal of entry may occur.

Kittens must be at least 3 months (12 weeks) old for rabies vaccination, and the vaccine must be administered at least 21 days before travel. Therefore, the minimum age for entry is 15 weeks (3 months plus 21 days).

Showing requirements for a ferret travelling from United States to Botswana.

Microchip

Required

ISO 11784/11785

Rabies vaccine

Required

From 12 weeks old, wait 21+ days before travel

Rabies titer test (FAVN)

Not required

Quarantine

None

Health certificate

Required

Official government veterinarian of the origin country, endorsed by the national veterinary authority · valid 10 days before arrival

Import permit

Required

Minimum age: 3 months

Documents checklist

Import permit issued by the Department of Veterinary Services (Botswana)
Rabies vaccination certificate showing vaccination at least 21 days before travel
Official veterinary health certificate issued within 10 days before arrival
Microchip certificate or proof of ISO 11784/11785 microchip
Proof of origin (e.g., pet passport or export certificate)

Rough budget

Approximate costs: microchip ~$30-50, health certificate ~$100-200, import permit fee ~BWP 200-500 (~$15-40). No titer test or quarantine is required for this tier. Confirm current prices with a local vet and the Botswana Department of Veterinary Services.

Ferrets are not listed as exempt species; an import permit is mandatory for all ferrets regardless of origin. A 21-day post-vaccination wait applies. No quarantine for ferrets from free-tier origins.

Apply / official ferret import page

Microchip

Required

ISO 11784/11785

Rabies vaccine

Required

From 12 weeks old, wait 21+ days before travel

Rabies titer test (FAVN)

Not required

Quarantine

None

Health certificate

Required

Official government veterinarian of the origin country, endorsed by the national veterinary authority · valid 10 days before arrival

Import permit

Required

Minimum age: 3 months

Documents checklist

Import permit issued by the Department of Veterinary Services (Botswana)
Rabies vaccination certificate showing vaccination at least 21 days before travel
Official veterinary health certificate issued within 10 days before arrival
Microchip certificate or proof of ISO 11784/11785 microchip
Proof of origin (e.g., pet passport or export certificate)

Rough budget

Same requirements as free-tier origins. No quarantine. Ferrets must be accompanied by a valid rabies vaccination certificate and health certificate.

Apply / official ferret import page

Microchip

Required

ISO 11784/11785

Rabies vaccine

Required

From 12 weeks old, wait 21+ days before travel

Rabies titer test (FAVN)

Required

Blood draw 90+ days before travel

Quarantine

None

Health certificate

Required

Official government veterinarian of the origin country, endorsed by the national veterinary authority · valid 10 days before arrival

Import permit

Required

Minimum age: 3 months

Documents checklist

Import permit issued by the Department of Veterinary Services (Botswana)
Rabies vaccination certificate showing vaccination at least 21 days before travel
FAVN/RFFIT rabies titer test result (≥0.5 IU/ml) from a WHO/World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH) approved laboratory
Official veterinary health certificate issued within 10 days before arrival
Microchip certificate or proof of ISO 11784/11785 microchip
Proof of origin (e.g., pet passport or export certificate)

Rough budget

Approximate costs: microchip ~$30-50, health certificate ~$100-200, FAVN titer test ~$100-250, import permit fee ~BWP 200-500 (~$15-40). No quarantine is required if all conditions are met. Confirm current prices with a local vet and the Botswana Department of Veterinary Services.

Ferrets from high-risk rabies countries must have a valid rabies titer test (FAVN) with a result of at least 0.5 IU/ml, taken at least 90 days before travel. No quarantine is required if all conditions are met. The import permit must be obtained before travel.

Apply / official ferret import page

Frequently asked questions

Botswana does not publish a specific limit for ferrets, but the general non-commercial pet import rules apply to a 'reasonable number' of pets (typically up to 5) accompanying a traveller. If you are bringing more than 5 ferrets, the shipment may be considered commercial and require additional veterinary import permits and compliance with commercial import regulations. Contact the Department of Veterinary Services in Gaborone for confirmation before travelling with multiple ferrets.

No. Botswana does not recognise emotional support animals or service animals as exempt from standard veterinary import requirements. All ferrets, regardless of their role, must have a valid import permit, rabies vaccination certificate, health certificate, and microchip. There is no waiver for service animals. You must comply with the same rules as any other pet ferret.

It depends on the origin country. If your ferret is travelling from a high-risk rabies country (e.g., most of Africa, Asia, Middle East, South America), a FAVN test showing at least 0.5 IU/ml is required, taken at least 90 days before travel. For low-risk or free origins (e.g., EU, USA, UK, Japan, Australia), no titer test is required. Always verify with the Botswana Department of Veterinary Services as rules can change.

No. Botswana does not require quarantine for ferrets that meet all entry requirements (valid import permit, rabies vaccination, health certificate, and titer test if applicable). Your ferret can enter directly without quarantine. However, if documents are incomplete or the animal shows signs of illness, veterinary officials may impose isolation at the owner's expense.

Ferrets must be at least 3 months (12 weeks) old at the time of rabies vaccination, and the rabies vaccine must be administered at least 21 days before travel. Therefore, the minimum age at import is 3 months plus 21 days, i.e., approximately 15 weeks. Some airlines also have their own minimum age requirements (often 8-12 weeks), so check with your carrier.

The official veterinary health certificate must be issued within 10 days before arrival in Botswana. It must be signed by an official government veterinarian of the origin country and endorsed by the national veterinary authority. The certificate must state that the ferret is healthy and free from infectious diseases.

You must apply to the Department of Veterinary Services (DVS) in Botswana for an import permit before travelling. The application typically requires details of the ferret (microchip number, rabies vaccination date, origin) and may take 5-10 working days to process. The permit is usually valid for a specific period (e.g., 30 days) and must accompany the animal. Apply early. Contact DVS at +267 395 0500 or visit their office in Gaborone.

Good to know

Botswana's Department of Veterinary Services (DVS) under the Ministry of Agriculture issues import permits for dogs. The permit is generally valid for 30 days from issue and must be obtained before travel. A rabies vaccination at least 30 days and not more than 12 months before travel is standard. Dogs from high-risk rabies countries must also have a FAVN or RFFIT titer test result of at least 0.5 IU/ml, taken at least 90 days after the rabies vaccination and within 12 months before travel. All documents should be original, and the veterinary health certificate must be issued within 10 days of arrival. Botswana does not have a routine quarantine station for pet dogs; quarantine is only imposed if paperwork is incomplete or the animal shows signs of disease.

Airline rules & connecting flights

Government import rules are only half the picture — your airline sets its own pet policy on top of them: whether your petcan fly in the cabin at all, size/weight limits for the carrier, breed embargoes (many airlines refuse brachycephalic breeds like bulldogs and pugs in cargo), and seasonal heat restrictions. Check your specific airline's pet policy before booking — see IATA's Traveler's Pet Corner .

If your flight has a layover, the transit country can have its own pet rules — sometimes these apply even if you never leave the airport. If you're transiting through another country on the way to Botswana, check that country's pet-entry/transit rules separately (search "pets" on this site for that country too).