Is There an American Embassy in Botswana? 2026 Guide
Yes. The U.S. Embassy in Gaborone provides emergency consular assistance to American citizens in Botswana. This guide covers contact details, lost passports, STEP registration, visa information, and the current U.S. travel advisory.
Quick answer: Yes, the United States has an embassy in Botswana. The U.S. Embassy is in Gaborone at Embassy Drive, Government Enclave. American citizens who need emergency consular help can call (+267) 373-2222 or 395-3982 outside regular office hours. [1]
The embassy can provide emergency assistance to U.S. citizens, including help related to arrest, crime, death, international parental child abduction, passports, and emergency financial assistance. It cannot decide Botswana's immigration rules or issue a Botswana visa. Botswana's own authorities set entry requirements. [1][4]
Last checked September 2026. Always confirm with official sources before travelling. This is general information, not legal advice. Consular, immigration, security, and health requirements can change.
Is there an American embassy in Botswana?
Yes, there is a U.S. Embassy in Gaborone, Botswana. The embassy's official address is Embassy Drive, Government Enclave, Gaborone, Botswana. Its mailing address is P.O. Box 90, Gaborone, Botswana. [1]
The embassy's Consular Affairs Section is the main U.S. government contact for American citizens who need consular help while in Botswana. If your trip includes a safari, save the contact details before leaving Gaborone. Parts of Botswana are remote and can be difficult to reach during an emergency, according to the U.S. Department of State. [2]
What the U.S. Embassy can and cannot do
The embassy makes every effort to assist U.S. citizens in emergencies. Its published emergency information covers arrest of a U.S. citizen, death of a U.S. citizen, victims of crime, international parental child abduction, emergency financial assistance, and passport services. [1]
It cannot replace Botswana's police, courts, hospitals, immigration authorities, or tour operators. For example, the embassy does not set Botswana's visa policy. U.S. citizens should check Botswana's official immigration and embassy information for entry requirements. The Embassy of Botswana states that citizens of the United States do not require a visa to enter Botswana. [4]
Where is the U.S. Embassy in Botswana?
The U.S. Embassy in Botswana is at Embassy Drive, Government Enclave, Gaborone, Botswana. The postal address is P.O. Box 90, Gaborone, Botswana. [1] For planning time in the capital, SafariFind's guide to Gaborone tours, hotels and day trips may be useful.
| Contact | Details |
|---|---|
| Physical address | Embassy Drive, Government Enclave, Gaborone, Botswana [1] |
| Mailing address | P.O. Box 90, Gaborone, Botswana [1] |
| Consular information line | (+267) 373-2201 [1] |
| After-hours emergency, U.S. citizens only | (+267) 373-2222 or 395-3982 [1] |
| Consular fax | (+267) 318-0232 [1] |
| ConsularGaborone@state.gov [1] |
Contact details and opening hours
The embassy says emergency help is available during normal business hours, Monday through Friday from 08:00 to 17:00. Routine consular services are offered only during posted business hours. During those hours, you may call or go to the embassy, then tell the security guards that you need emergency consular services. [1]
For an emergency outside those hours, U.S. citizens should use (+267) 373-2222 or 395-3982. The official page also lists the U.S. Department of State's worldwide assistance numbers. From Botswana or another country outside the United States, call +1-202-501-4444. From the United States or Canada, call +1-888-407-4747. [1]
Do not assume that a routine passport, document, or appointment request will receive emergency treatment. The embassy specifically says that routine consular services are available only during normal posted hours. Contact the consular section before travelling to the embassy if your request is not urgent. [1]
Do U.S. citizens need a visa for Botswana?
No. The Embassy of Botswana states that citizens of the United States do not require a visa to enter Botswana. Check the official Botswana embassy or immigration information before departure because entry rules can change, and requirements may differ for travel purposes or documents not covered by the general visitor rule. [4]
The U.S. Embassy in Gaborone does not issue permission to enter Botswana. It is the United States' diplomatic mission, while Botswana's government controls admission to Botswana. If you have a question about a visa, permit, length of stay, or entry document, confirm the current rule with Botswana's official authorities. [4]
How to register your trip with the United States
American travellers can enrol in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program, known as STEP, before travelling to Botswana. The U.S. Department of State recommends STEP for Botswana and says enrolment helps the embassy or consulate send security updates and contact you or your emergency contact during an emergency. [2]
STEP is especially useful when your itinerary includes remote camps or several regions. Add your accommodation details, travel dates, local contact information, and an emergency contact, then update the record if your plans change. The State Department also recommends reviewing the Botswana Country Security Report and its International Travel Checklist. [2]
STEP does not replace travel insurance or a personal emergency plan. The State Department warns that much of Botswana is remote and difficult to reach, even during an emergency. Before a safari, keep your operator's phone number, transfer details, insurance information, and the embassy's emergency numbers somewhere you can access offline. [2]
You can also compare safari options before you travel through SafariFind's Botswana safari packages by season guide. Share the final itinerary with your emergency contact and keep a copy of it outside your phone.
Lost or stolen passport in Botswana: step by step
If you lose your passport in Botswana, you need a new passport before returning to the United States. The U.S. Department of State says travellers abroad should report a lost or stolen passport and apply for a replacement through the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate. [7]
- Report the loss or theft. Contact the U.S. Embassy in Gaborone as soon as you confirm that the passport is missing. Use the consular information line during office hours, or the after-hours emergency number if the situation is urgent. [1][7]
- Report theft to local authorities. If the passport was stolen, ask Botswana police about a police report. Keep the report if you receive one. The embassy can tell you what supporting documents it needs for your case. [1][7]
- Contact the consular section. Email ConsularGaborone@state.gov or call the embassy. Explain where you are, your travel date, and whether you need to travel urgently. [1][6]
- Prepare the application. The embassy's passport page says that a lost or stolen passport replacement requires an in-person application using Form DS-11 and Form DS-64. You should also follow the embassy's current instructions for photographs, identity documents, and payment. [6]
- Attend in person. The embassy says applicants for an emergency passport must appear at the embassy in person and provide evidence that immediate emergency travel is needed. [6]
- Replace the emergency passport later if necessary. The embassy says an emergency passport can facilitate immediate travel and can then be replaced with a full-validity passport after you return. It also says there is no charge for the full-validity replacement when the emergency passport is presented within one year of issuance. Confirm the current application process and fee with the embassy before attending. [6]
Do not wait until the day of your international departure. An emergency passport may solve the U.S. travel-document problem, but you must also confirm that Botswana and any transit country will accept the document for your planned route.
Arrest, medical emergencies and evacuation
If Botswana police arrest you, ask them to notify the U.S. Embassy. The embassy lists arrest of a U.S. citizen as an emergency consular matter. Contact the embassy as soon as possible and provide your location, the police station if known, and any case information you have. [1]
Consular staff can explain available consular assistance and may help you communicate with the U.S. government. They cannot act as your lawyer or control Botswana's criminal process. Ask the embassy for current guidance rather than relying on an old number or a third-party website. The official after-hours numbers are (+267) 373-2222 and 395-3982. [1]
For a medical emergency, seek immediate medical help locally and contact the embassy when you can. The embassy's emergency information page is intended for U.S. citizens who need consular assistance, but it does not publish a single Botswana-wide medical emergency number on the page used for this guide. Ask your lodge, safari operator, hotel, or insurer for the appropriate local medical contact. [1]
Medical evacuation is normally arranged through travel insurance, an assistance company, a medical provider, or a safari operator. Before leaving the United States, check whether your policy covers remote-area evacuation, hospital care, repatriation, and pre-existing conditions. The U.S. travel advisory warns that remote areas of Botswana can be difficult to reach during an emergency, so a policy that covers evacuation matters more than a policy that only covers routine treatment. [2]
If you are the victim of a crime, move to a safe place, contact Botswana police where appropriate, and notify the U.S. Embassy. The embassy lists victims of crime as a category of emergency assistance. It may also provide information about local resources, but it does not investigate crimes or replace local authorities. [1]
What is the current U.S. travel advice for Botswana?
The current U.S. Department of State travel advisory for Botswana is Level 2: Exercise increased caution, because of crime. [2]
The advisory says petty crime and crimes of opportunity, including theft of money and personal property, are common in Botswana. It recommends enrolling in STEP, reviewing the Botswana Country Security Report, making a contingency plan, and checking health guidance with a doctor before travelling. [2]
That advice does not mean that every safari route has the same risk. It does mean you should plan for practical problems. Keep valuables out of sight, use your operator's transfer arrangements, avoid carrying your only payment card separately from your passport, and leave a copy of important documents with someone at home. These are sensible precautions, especially when an itinerary moves away from Gaborone and reliable communications.
Review the live Botswana advisory on Travel.State.gov shortly before departure. Also check the U.S. Embassy in Botswana website for alerts, office closures, and updated contact instructions. The embassy's published numbers are the ones to save, not a number copied from a travel forum. [1][2]
Verification note: Last checked September 2026. Always confirm with official sources before travelling.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is there an American embassy in Botswana?
Yes. The U.S. Embassy is in Gaborone at Embassy Drive, Government Enclave. It provides emergency consular assistance to U.S. citizens in Botswana. [1]
Is there a U.S. embassy in Botswana?
Yes. The United States operates the U.S. Embassy in Gaborone. Its after-hours emergency numbers for U.S. citizens are (+267) 373-2222 and 395-3982. [1]
Where is the U.S. Embassy in Botswana?
The U.S. Embassy is at Embassy Drive, Government Enclave, Gaborone, Botswana. Its mailing address is P.O. Box 90, Gaborone. [1]
Do American citizens need a visa for Botswana?
No. The Embassy of Botswana states that U.S. citizens do not need a visa to enter Botswana. Confirm current entry rules with Botswana's official authorities before travelling. [4]
What is the U.S. Embassy emergency number in Botswana?
U.S. citizens can call (+267) 373-2222 or 395-3982 outside normal office hours. During office hours, the consular information line is (+267) 373-2201. [1]
What are the U.S. Embassy opening hours in Botswana?
The embassy's emergency information page lists normal business hours as Monday through Friday, 08:00 to 17:00. Routine consular services are offered only during posted business hours. [1]
What should I do if I lose my U.S. passport in Botswana?
Contact the U.S. Embassy in Gaborone, report the loss or theft, and apply in person for a replacement. The embassy says a lost or stolen passport application requires Form DS-11 and Form DS-64. [6][7]
Can the U.S. Embassy in Botswana pay my hotel or medical bills?
The embassy lists emergency financial assistance among its consular services, but the research does not state when assistance is approved or what costs it covers. Contact the embassy and your travel insurer, and confirm the current rules before relying on financial help. [1]
What is Botswana's current U.S. travel advisory level?
Botswana is currently Level 2, Exercise increased caution, because of crime. The State Department also warns that remote parts of Botswana can be difficult to reach during an emergency. [2]
Should I register my Botswana trip with the U.S. Embassy?
Yes. The State Department recommends enrolling in STEP, the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program. STEP can send security updates and help the embassy contact you or your emergency contact during an emergency. [2]
