Moving to Botswana from Namibia

moving to

What to Expect

Considering a move from Namibia to Botswana? Here's how the two countries compare on cost, climate, safety, and more.

If you moved from Namibia to Botswana.

Get free moving quotes to Botswana

We've teamed up with a vetted network of international movers to help MyLifeElsewhere readers plan their move with confidence. Tell us about your move and get up to 5 free, no-obligation quotes in under 2 minutes.

  • ✅ Up to 5 quotes from screened movers
  • ✅ Licensed and insured providers only
  • ✅ 100% free — you choose who contacts you

Who Else Is Making This Move?

What the data shows about people moving from Namibia to Botswana.

Living there in 2020
988 ↑ 7% vs 2015

people born in Namibia live in Botswana · UN DESA

Who's moving to Botswana?

Top countries of origin for Botswana's foreign-born residents.

Foreign-born population · UN DESA (2020)

Key Indicator Comparison

The numbers behind daily life in Botswana compared to Namibia.

Is it safe?

Homicide rate United Nations SDG Indicators, 2021

per 100,000 people per year

NA
12.4
BW
10.6
Road traffic deaths United Nations SDG Indicators, 2021

per 100,000 people per year

NA
22.0
BW
16.5

Botswana performs significantly better than Namibia across all safety metrics.

How's the healthcare?

Healthcare spending per person World Bank, 2023

annual government + private spending per person

NA
$1,068
BW
$1,310
Doctors per 10,000 people United Nations SDG Indicators, 2022

affects wait times and access to care

NA
5.4
BW
3.8

Namibia performs better than Botswana across all health & wellbeing metrics.

What about the environment?

Air pollution deaths United Nations SDG Indicators, 2019

deaths attributable to air pollution per 100k people

NA
43.0
BW
55.0
CO₂ emissions per capita World Bank, 2024

tonnes of CO₂ emitted per person per year

NA
1.2t
BW
2.7t

Namibia performs better than Botswana across all environment metrics.

Will I have good infrastructure?

Broadband per 100 people United Nations SDG Indicators, 2022

fixed broadband subscriptions — key for remote work

NA
3.9
BW
4.2
Water stress level United Nations SDG Indicators, 2021

higher means greater strain on freshwater supply

NA
0.9%
BW
2.4%

Botswana generally does better on infrastructure, though Namibia leads in water stress level.

What are the job prospects?

Unemployment rate The World Factbook, 2023

percentage of the labour force without work

NA
19.4%
BW
23.4%
GDP per capita The World Factbook, 2023

a broad measure of economic output per person

NA
$11,500
BW
$17,500

Botswana generally does better on employment & economy, though Namibia leads in unemployment rate.

Is it good for families?

Life expectancy The World Factbook, 2022

average years of life at birth

NA
66.5 yrs
BW
65.6 yrs
Infant mortality The World Factbook, 2022

deaths per 1,000 live births — lower is better

NA
29.4
BW
25.2

Namibia generally does better on family life, though Botswana leads in infant mortality.

Data: Inland Revenue Department, The World Factbook, United Nations SDG Indicators, World Bank

What's the Climate Like?

Monthly averages — select a city to compare.

Windhoek Rain: 14.5 in/yr (368 mm)
80° / 55°F

Avg. annual high / low

Gaborone Rain: 21.7 in/yr (552 mm)
83° / 56°F

Avg. annual high / low

Months Windhoek Gaborone
Jan–Mar 84°/63°F (29°/17°C) 88°/66°F (31°/19°C)
Apr–Jun 74°/50°F (23°/10°C) 77°/48°F (25°/9°C)
Jul–Sep 76°/49°F (24°/9°C) 79°/47°F (26°/8°C)
Oct–Dec 87°/61°F (30°/16°C) 89°/64°F (32°/18°C)
View all months
Month Windhoek Gaborone
Jan 87°/64°F (30.3°/17.7°C) 90°/67°F (32.5°/19.4°C)
Feb 84°/63°F (28.7°/17.0°C) 89°/67°F (31.5°/19.3°C)
Mar 81°/61°F (27.4°/15.9°C) 86°/63°F (30.2°/17.4°C)
Apr 78°/55°F (25.8°/12.9°C) 82°/56°F (27.8°/13.4°C)
May 74°/50°F (23.4°/9.8°C) 78°/47°F (25.4°/8.3°C)
Jun 69°/44°F (20.7°/6.9°C) 72°/40°F (22.5°/4.6°C)
Jul 70°/44°F (21.2°/6.9°C) 73°/40°F (22.8°/4.6°C)
Aug 75°/48°F (23.8°/8.9°C) 78°/46°F (25.7°/7.6°C)
Sep 82°/54°F (27.5°/12.4°C) 85°/54°F (29.6°/12.5°C)
Oct 85°/58°F (29.3°/14.7°C) 88°/61°F (31.0°/16.2°C)
Nov 86°/61°F (30.2°/16.2°C) 89°/64°F (31.5°/17.9°C)
Dec 89°/63°F (31.4°/17.2°C) 90°/66°F (32.3°/18.8°C)

Data: Namibia Meteorological Service Namibia Meteorological Service, Botswana Meteorological Services Botswana Meteorological Services

Visitor Visa Requirements

Short-stay tourist visa rules between Namibia and Botswana. To live, work, or study long-term in Botswana, you'll need a separate residence or work visa — check Botswana's immigration authority.

Namibia passport

Namibia passport holder visiting Botswana

Visa Free
Namibia passport holders can enter Botswana without a visa.
Botswana passport

Botswana passport holder visiting Namibia

Visa Free
Botswana passport holders can enter Namibia without a visa.

Data: Henley Passport Index. Check with the destination country's embassy for the most current requirements.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I work remotely from Botswana?

Connectivity is usually fine (Botswana: 4.2 fixed broadband per 100). What actually decides it is legal: does Botswana offer a digital nomad visa, will your employer permit overseas work, and where are you tax-resident?

Is Botswana safe for expats?

Botswana performs significantly better than Namibia across all safety metrics. The homicide rate in Botswana is 10.6 per 100,000 people, compared to 12.4 in Namibia.

How is healthcare in Botswana compared to Namibia?

Namibia performs better than Botswana across all health & wellbeing metrics. There are 3.8 doctors per 10,000 people in Botswana, compared to 5.4 in Namibia. Botswana scores 55 on the WHO universal health coverage index (Namibia: 63).

What's the weather like in Botswana compared to Namibia?

The average high temperature in Gaborone is 83°F, compared to 80°F in Windhoek. Gaborone receives around 21.7 in of rainfall per year, while Windhoek gets 14.5 in.

What language do they speak in Botswana?

The official languages in Botswana are English and Tswana. In Namibia, the official languages are Afrikaans, English, German, Herero, Khoekhoe, Kwangali, Lozi, Ndonga and Tswana.

Share this

At a Glance

NA BW
Population 2,727,409 2,384,246
Currency Namibian Dollar (NAD) Botswanan Pula (BWP)
Languages Afrikaans, English, German, Herero, Khoekhoe, Kwangali, Lozi, Ndonga, Tswana English, Tswana
Driving side Left Left
Calling code +264 +267
Time zones 1 1
Emergency number 10111 999