Moving to Botswana from United Kingdom

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What to Expect

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

If you moved from United Kingdom to Botswana. Expect a noticeable climate shift — Gaborone averages 83°F vs 60°F in London, making it significantly warmer.

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Who Else Is Making This Move?

What the data shows about people moving from United Kingdom to Botswana.

Living there in 2020
1,315 ↑ 7% vs 2015

people born in United Kingdom 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 United Kingdom.

Is it safe?

Homicide rate United Nations SDG Indicators, 2021

per 100,000 people per year

GB
1.0
BW
10.6
Road traffic deaths United Nations SDG Indicators, 2021

per 100,000 people per year

GB
2.4
BW
16.5

United Kingdom performs better than Botswana across all safety metrics.

How's the healthcare?

Healthcare spending per person World Bank, 2024

annual government + private spending per person

GB
$6,606
BW
$1,310
Doctors per 10,000 people United Nations SDG Indicators, 2022

affects wait times and access to care

GB
31.7
BW
3.8

United Kingdom generally does better on health & wellbeing, though Botswana leads in healthcare spending per person.

What about the environment?

Air pollution deaths United Nations SDG Indicators, 2019

deaths attributable to air pollution per 100k people

GB
13.0
BW
55.0
CO₂ emissions per capita World Bank, 2024

tonnes of CO₂ emitted per person per year

GB
4.2t
BW
2.7t

United Kingdom generally does better on environment, though Botswana leads in co₂ emissions per capita.

Will I have good infrastructure?

Broadband per 100 people United Nations SDG Indicators, 2022

fixed broadband subscriptions — key for remote work

GB
41.4
BW
4.2
Water stress level United Nations SDG Indicators, 2021

higher means greater strain on freshwater supply

GB
14.3%
BW
2.4%

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

What are the job prospects?

Unemployment rate The World Factbook, 2023

percentage of the labour force without work

GB
4.1%
BW
23.4%
GDP per capita The World Factbook, 2023

a broad measure of economic output per person

GB
$54,100
BW
$17,500

United Kingdom generally does better on employment & economy, though Botswana leads in top income tax rate.

Is it good for families?

Life expectancy The World Factbook, 2022

average years of life at birth

GB
81.9 yrs
BW
65.6 yrs
Infant mortality The World Factbook, 2022

deaths per 1,000 live births — lower is better

GB
3.8
BW
25.2

United Kingdom generally does better on family life, though Botswana leads in education spending.

Data: HM Revenue & Customs, The World Factbook, United Nations SDG Indicators, World Bank

What's the Climate Like?

Monthly averages — select a city to compare.

London Rain: 22.0 in/yr (558 mm)
60° / 46°F

Avg. annual high / low

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

Avg. annual high / low

Months London Gaborone
Jan–Mar 49°/38°F (9°/3°C) 88°/66°F (31°/19°C)
Apr–Jun 64°/48°F (18°/9°C) 77°/48°F (25°/9°C)
Jul–Sep 72°/56°F (22°/13°C) 79°/47°F (26°/8°C)
Oct–Dec 53°/43°F (12°/6°C) 89°/64°F (32°/18°C)
View all months
Month London Gaborone
Jan 47°/38°F (8.1°/3.1°C) 90°/67°F (32.5°/19.4°C)
Feb 47°/37°F (8.6°/2.7°C) 89°/67°F (31.5°/19.3°C)
Mar 53°/40°F (11.6°/4.6°C) 86°/63°F (30.2°/17.4°C)
Apr 58°/43°F (14.6°/5.9°C) 82°/56°F (27.8°/13.4°C)
May 65°/48°F (18.1°/8.9°C) 78°/47°F (25.4°/8.3°C)
Jun 70°/53°F (21.0°/11.8°C) 72°/40°F (22.5°/4.6°C)
Jul 74°/57°F (23.4°/13.7°C) 73°/40°F (22.8°/4.6°C)
Aug 74°/57°F (23.1°/13.8°C) 78°/46°F (25.7°/7.6°C)
Sep 68°/53°F (20.0°/11.4°C) 85°/54°F (29.6°/12.5°C)
Oct 60°/48°F (15.5°/8.8°C) 88°/61°F (31.0°/16.2°C)
Nov 52°/42°F (11.3°/5.8°C) 89°/64°F (31.5°/17.9°C)
Dec 47°/38°F (8.4°/3.4°C) 90°/66°F (32.3°/18.8°C)

Data: Met Office Met Office, Botswana Meteorological Services Botswana Meteorological Services

Visitor Visa Requirements

Short-stay tourist visa rules between United Kingdom 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.

United Kingdom passport

United Kingdom passport holder visiting Botswana

Visa Free
United Kingdom passport holders can enter Botswana without a visa.
Botswana passport

Botswana passport holder visiting United Kingdom

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

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?

United Kingdom performs better than Botswana across all safety metrics. The homicide rate in Botswana is 10.6 per 100,000 people, compared to 1.0 in United Kingdom.

How is healthcare in Botswana compared to United Kingdom?

United Kingdom generally does better on health & wellbeing, though Botswana leads in healthcare spending per person. There are 3.8 doctors per 10,000 people in Botswana, compared to 31.7 in United Kingdom. Botswana scores 55 on the WHO universal health coverage index (United Kingdom: 88).

What's the weather like in Botswana compared to United Kingdom?

The average high temperature in Gaborone is 83°F, compared to 60°F in London. Gaborone receives around 21.7 in of rainfall per year, while London gets 22.0 in.

What language do they speak in Botswana?

The official languages in Botswana are English and Tswana. In United Kingdom, the official language is English.

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At a Glance

GB BW
Population 67,791,400 2,384,246
Currency British Pound Sterling (£) Botswanan Pula (BWP)
Languages English English, Tswana
Driving side Left Left
Calling code +44 +267
Time zones 9 1
Emergency number 999 999