Africa
Can you drink tap water in Botswana?
Boil itFilter or boil
Can you drink the tap water in Botswana?
Tap water is treated, but filter or boil it. Town tap water is treated and locals drink it, but supply cuts and old pipes vary; lodges provide filtered water. Never drink from rivers.
Key facts
- Safely managed drinking water: 63% of people (2024, WHO/UNICEF JMP).
Tap water by place in Botswana
| Place | Verdict | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Maun | Filter or boil | Town water is treated but varies; lodges use filtered water. Drink bottled or filtered and never drink from the river. |
| Kasane | Filter or boil | Town water is treated, but lodges use filtered water. Drink bottled or filtered and avoid river water. |
| Gaborone | Filter or boil | Treated tap water is generally drunk by locals, but cuts and old pipes vary. Visitors should filter or buy bottled. |
Tap water by place
Sources
- World Bank: safely managed drinking water
- US State Department travel advisory
- UK FCDO travel advice: Botswana
- Botswana Tourism Organisation
- Speedtest Global Index: Botswana
- World Bank open data
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