Moving to Botswana from Rwanda

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What to Expect

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

If you moved from Rwanda to Botswana. You’ll also switch from driving on the right to the left.

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Key Indicator Comparison

The numbers behind daily life in Botswana compared to Rwanda.

Is it safe?

Homicide rate United Nations SDG Indicators, 2021

per 100,000 people per year

RW
3.6
BW
10.6
Road traffic deaths United Nations SDG Indicators, 2021

per 100,000 people per year

RW
11.6
BW
16.5

Rwanda performs better than Botswana across all safety metrics.

How's the healthcare?

Healthcare spending per person World Bank, 2023

annual government + private spending per person

RW
$177
BW
$1,310
Doctors per 10,000 people United Nations SDG Indicators, 2022

affects wait times and access to care

RW
1.2
BW
3.8

Rwanda generally does better on health & wellbeing, though Botswana leads in doctors per 10,000 people.

What about the environment?

Air pollution deaths United Nations SDG Indicators, 2019

deaths attributable to air pollution per 100k people

RW
62.0
BW
55.0
CO₂ emissions per capita World Bank, 2024

tonnes of CO₂ emitted per person per year

RW
0.2t
BW
2.7t

Rwanda generally does better on environment, though Botswana leads in air pollution deaths.

Will I have good infrastructure?

Broadband per 100 people United Nations SDG Indicators, 2022

fixed broadband subscriptions — key for remote work

RW
0.3
BW
4.2
Water stress level United Nations SDG Indicators, 2021

higher means greater strain on freshwater supply

RW
20.2%
BW
2.4%

Botswana performs significantly better than Rwanda across all infrastructure metrics.

What are the job prospects?

Unemployment rate The World Factbook, 2023

percentage of the labour force without work

RW
14.9%
BW
23.4%
GDP per capita The World Factbook, 2023

a broad measure of economic output per person

RW
$3,000
BW
$17,500

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

Is it good for families?

Life expectancy The World Factbook, 2022

average years of life at birth

RW
65.8 yrs
BW
65.6 yrs
Infant mortality The World Factbook, 2022

deaths per 1,000 live births — lower is better

RW
26.4
BW
25.2

Botswana generally does better on family life, though Rwanda leads in life expectancy.

Data: Rwanda Revenue Authority, The World Factbook, United Nations SDG Indicators, World Bank

What's the Climate Like?

Monthly averages — select a city to compare.

Kigali Rain: 37.4 in/yr (951 mm)
80° / 60°F

Avg. annual high / low

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

Avg. annual high / low

Months Kigali Gaborone
Jan–Mar 80°/60°F (27°/16°C) 88°/66°F (31°/19°C)
Apr–Jun 79°/61°F (26°/16°C) 77°/48°F (25°/9°C)
Jul–Sep 82°/60°F (28°/16°C) 79°/47°F (26°/8°C)
Oct–Dec 80°/60°F (27°/16°C) 89°/64°F (32°/18°C)
View all months
Month Kigali Gaborone
Jan 80°/60°F (26.9°/15.6°C) 90°/67°F (32.5°/19.4°C)
Feb 81°/60°F (27.4°/15.8°C) 89°/67°F (31.5°/19.3°C)
Mar 80°/60°F (26.9°/15.7°C) 86°/63°F (30.2°/17.4°C)
Apr 79°/61°F (26.2°/16.1°C) 82°/56°F (27.8°/13.4°C)
May 79°/61°F (25.9°/16.2°C) 78°/47°F (25.4°/8.3°C)
Jun 80°/60°F (26.4°/15.3°C) 72°/40°F (22.5°/4.6°C)
Jul 81°/59°F (27.1°/15.0°C) 73°/40°F (22.8°/4.6°C)
Aug 82°/61°F (28.0°/16.0°C) 78°/46°F (25.7°/7.6°C)
Sep 83°/61°F (28.2°/16.0°C) 85°/54°F (29.6°/12.5°C)
Oct 81°/61°F (27.2°/15.9°C) 88°/61°F (31.0°/16.2°C)
Nov 79°/60°F (26.1°/15.5°C) 89°/64°F (31.5°/17.9°C)
Dec 80°/60°F (26.4°/15.6°C) 90°/66°F (32.3°/18.8°C)

Data: Rwanda Meteorology Agency Rwanda Meteorology Agency, Botswana Meteorological Services Botswana Meteorological Services

Visitor Visa Requirements

Short-stay tourist visa rules between Rwanda 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.

Rwanda passport

Rwanda passport holder visiting Botswana

Visa Online (e-Visa)
Rwanda passport holders need to apply for an e-Visa before travelling to Botswana.
Botswana passport

Botswana passport holder visiting Rwanda

Visa Free
Botswana passport holders can enter Rwanda 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?

Rwanda performs better than Botswana across all safety metrics. The homicide rate in Botswana is 10.6 per 100,000 people, compared to 3.6 in Rwanda.

How is healthcare in Botswana compared to Rwanda?

Rwanda generally does better on health & wellbeing, though Botswana leads in doctors per 10,000 people. There are 3.8 doctors per 10,000 people in Botswana, compared to 1.2 in Rwanda. Botswana scores 55 on the WHO universal health coverage index (Rwanda: 49).

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

The average high temperature in Gaborone is 83°F, compared to 80°F in Kigali. Gaborone receives around 21.7 in of rainfall per year, while Kigali gets 37.4 in.

What language do they speak in Botswana?

The official languages in Botswana are English and Tswana. In Rwanda, the official languages are English, French and Kinyarwanda.

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At a Glance

RW BW
Population 13,173,730 2,384,246
Currency Rwandan Franc (RWF) Botswanan Pula (BWP)
Languages English, French, Kinyarwanda English, Tswana
Driving side Right Left
Calling code +250 +267
Time zones 1 1
Emergency number 112 999