I understand that in order to enter Botswana a covid PCR test is required 72 hrs before departure. As a lot of flights from the US require an overnight in South Africa does Botswana consider 72 hours from leaving the US for this purpose or will I need to get another covid test in order to enter Botswana. If so, it means likely my August trip will need to be cancelled unless vaccinations are accepted as an alternative.

Hi Dwugson,

There is conflicting information out there online. The rule is that the PCR test must be administered (swab in nose) <72 hours before you appear in front of the immigrations official on arrival in Maun for your safari. This is doable but will mean you need to be tested sometime after roughly 8am the day before you leave for Africa on a timeline like this. In this example, you fly Delta/KLM via Amsterdam and Airlink for JNB-MUB:

Day 1, 8am EST/3pm Maun. Get test any time AFTER this.
Day 2, Depart USA.
Day 3 Arrive Johannesburg at 10:05pm local time.
Day 4 Fly Airlink JNB-MUB arriving at 1:40pm local time. You have 1h20m to spare!

I am doing the above route in April when I go on safari. Katie Gomer, our Africa Product Manager, is going on her honeymoon in 2 weeks using this route.

Craig Beal - owner - Travel Beyond

Mine is made more complicated by the fact my flight will be to Mashatu and an overnight in JNB can't be avoided. At the moment scheduled to leave the evening Day 1 ( and hoping that by then a same day PCR test is available in my area). Coming from the NYC area. Get into J'berg evening Day 2 and then a charter into Mashatu the next morning. Even with the most rapid testing, given the time change which I assume won't be taken into account at the Botswana border, think I have to take another test in JNB.. Hope that by August this will be modified or at least some concession for those of us who've been fortunate enough to be vaccinated. Otherwise I won't get back to Botswana this year. Hope that the Botswana Gov take the usual need to connect in JNB into consideration - maybe five days from a covid test if transiting in ZA might be more appropriate.

To be fair I don't think that your journey is any more complicated than the timeline Craig put up. As long as you can get a 24 turnaround test at home, taken after ~8 am (local time) on the day before your flight, you'll have until ~3 pm (local time) on the day of your Mashatu transfer to get to the Botswana border at Pont Drift. If you can't get a 24 hour turnaround test in the USA by August, there are also testing facilities at JNB OR Tambo (NHLS Mobile Laboratory) who will guarantee 'same day' or 4-6 hour service if paid for. I have read the current price is ZAR1500, so about US$100 (in your example you would take the test in the evening and pick up the results first thing the morning of your Mashatu transfer). Given you are spending >$1000 pppn at your lodges I really don't understand the comment about cancelling the whole trip for something that should be a reasonably easy thing to sort out.

Thanks Konagirl - my itinerary is very similar to Craigs. I booked a non stop leaving the evening, arriving JNB the following evening and on to Mashatu the next morning. HOwever there's nowhere near me that does same day covid testing and the logistics are somewhat complicated by the fact that my husband has severe mobility issues which, under the best conditions, complicates any transfers. Just hoping that easier covid testing will be available by then. I understand that there'll probably be fly in testing available in Mashatu for our return. I agree that the costs of the test is trivial compared to that of the trip!

Also, if you read the South African news there is a significant shortage of PCR testing equipment and even the airport tests have been taking three to four times the guaranteed time. My other option is to spend the whole trip in South Africa and revisit a couple of my favourite sites.

So, am hoping that testing is more available for travel in the US by then and possibly vaccination will alleviate some of the issues.

As with all international travel, check TIMATIC. There is nothing conflicting at all.

I cut & pasted the testing requirements for the two jurisdictions, but OP should carefully review the entirety of the TIMATIC display because I have presumed that he is a US national and that his departure is from the US. Note that there are also other requirements for the test and that it is equally important to have a printed copy when the law requires one.

1. South Africa:

Passengers entering or transiting through South Africa must
have a medical certificate with a negative Coronavirus
(COVID-19) PCR test result issued at most 72 hours before
departure from the first embarkation point.

2. Botswana

Passengers must have a printed medical certificate with a
negative Coronavirus (COVID-19) PCR test result issued at
most 72 hours before arrival. The certificate must be in
English.

Thanks Often1. Have already reviewed the rules but a lot will now depend what borders are open for entering Botswana - the one I'm intending to use might not be feasible.
Also, at the moment, in addition to the Covid PCR test Botswana is doing a rapid test (20mins) on all arrivals at the point of entry - this is from my contact in South Africa.

SafariCraig has been invaluable in giving me up to date information about testing sites in the CT/NY area. The best one seems to be Rapid Test center which does a four hour PCR with travel letter for $400. Well worth it for peace of mind, it means that travel into Botswana is easier without the need for a second test in Covid.

Craig owns Travel Beyond and certainly is incredibly knowledgeable and helpful if you need any trip planning or ideas for Botswana travel (and South Africa). His suggestions have really made things much easier! Thanks again!

Thanks Dwugson! Enjoy your trip.

ok so in a pickle. On route to sa, and due to flight changes only have 24 hours between when we arrive and when we fly to Zimbabwe. I was planning on taking COVID test at Jnb on arrival but is that not a good plan? Do they turn it around that quick, do they email it to you. Also flying out of lanseria

Safari Craig probably has more up to date information but I understand the testing site at JNB is relatively efficient. As test results are getting more rapid I would suggest taking two tests in the US before departure, the first the day before you leave which gets you into South Africa and then one the day you leave which should still be valid for Zimbabwe. If you're leaving the US late in the day you can even take one the day you leave and have the results before flying, they'll still be valid for Zimbabwe. If there's any delay getting the results before flying you'll have them when you arrive in time for your next flight and have the earlier test results for your initial flight.

I arrive in the evening and leave for Botswana the next morning so am taking my test the afternoon before I leave - the results will still be valid for my onward trip. My local hospital has a four hour turn around time so I have my internist prescribe the test and avoid the charges associated with 'the test for travel' places.

Ok, arrived today, and we all got the nasal pcr at Jnb mobile clinic. Took at 10am and received results less than 3 hours later. I did ask her to speed it up if possible.

a couple of things to note: Cost is now R850. Despite being told at testing we had to collect the results that eve or the next morning, we called once we received a text and they had no issues emailing them.
our collection person said we had to have a SA mobile number. Not sure that is true but gave her one since we had one available.

Thanks for the update. Nice to know that the testing in JNB is efficient. Have an amazing time!