Meat and Fruits/Vegetables in Botswana

[James MacKay]

We came through the border on Sunday 9th April at Tlokweng ALL fruits and vegetables (uncooked) were being confiscated.

[Cecilh]

Were you going into or out of Bots?

[sandyba]

Hi Fellow Travellers,
At the end of June 2017, we will be travelling through Martins Drift BP and up to Kasane and then working our way back towards Gabs camping in Linyanti, Savuti, Moremi 3rd Bridge, Maun and Khubu Island.
QUESTION 1: As it appears that movement of meat and veg north to south is not allowed, can anyone advise whether there are any places in Savuti, Linyanti and Moremi 3rd Bridge where we can will be able to re-stock with fresh veg, meat, (and beer!).
QUESTION 2: Reading all the recent posts on this thread, it appears that the total ban on bringing in uncooked tomatoes and potatoes was lifted in Feb - but the latest post (in April) said that all fruit and veg going into Bots was confiscated. Does anyone have the latest situation?
We are travelling in a group of 4 vehicles with 8 adults and 8 kids and thus confiscation of meat/veg supplies at check points could involve a lot of food - expensive and problematic to replace. Any advice would be appreciated. thanks, Sandy

[lostprophet]

Out of our group we had some Tomatoes confiscated and I got moaned at for having dried apple, but they let me keep it.
This was middle of April.

[lekhubu943]

Hi Fellow Travellers,
At the end of June 2017, we will be travelling through Martins Drift BP and up to Kasane and then working our way back towards Gabs camping in Linyanti, Savuti, Moremi 3rd Bridge, Maun and Khubu Island.
QUESTION 1: As it appears that movement of meat and veg north to south is not allowed, can anyone advise whether there are any places in Savuti, Linyanti and Moremi 3rd Bridge where we can will be able to re-stock with fresh veg, meat, (and beer!).
QUESTION 2: Reading all the recent posts on this thread, it appears that the total ban on bringing in uncooked tomatoes and potatoes was lifted in Feb - but the latest post (in April) said that all fruit and veg going into Bots was confiscated. Does anyone have the latest situation?
We are travelling in a group of 4 vehicles with 8 adults and 8 kids and thus confiscation of meat/veg supplies at check points could involve a lot of food - expensive and problematic to replace. Any advice would be appreciated. thanks, Sandy

1. I don't see the problem. You are going in the correct direction travel from Martinsdrift to Kasane (just don't be tempted to travel via Selebi-Phikwe). Then when you turn south from Kasane for the leg through Savuti and Moremi, the first vet fence you will find is the Buffalo fence south of Moremi South Gate. Just make sure that all your red meat is used by then and stock up again in Maun. But you will not be able to take red meat from Maun to Kubu island. Makalamedi will take it.
2. Buy veg and tomatoes in Botswana. You should easily find in Kasane there are several shops.

[sandyba]

1. I don't see the problem. You are going in the correct direction travel from martinsdrift to kasane (just don't be tempted to travel via selebi-phikwe). Then when you turn south from kasane for the leg through savuti and moremi, the first vet fence you will find is the buffalo fence south of moremi south gate. Just make sure that all your red meat is used by then and stock up again in maun. But you will not be able to take red meat from maun to kubu island. Makalamedi will take it.
2. Buy veg and tomatoes in botswana. You should easily find in kasane there are several shops.

thanks very much for the feedback - much appreciated.

[Lizette Swart]

Hi SandyB,

Have a look here: http://www.botswanatourism.co.bw/importation-goods

Botswana does not allow certain fruits and veg (most of what we use everyday, this means no citrus fruits, no mangoes, water melon, tomatoes, guavas, cashew nuts, papayas, peppers, bananas, marula or wild monkey orange) from other countries into Botswana, - as far as I know, this is a permanent situation (since 2012, to prevent spread of fruit fly), and does not change depending on outbreaks of a disease like foot-and-mouth disease. They should only check your vehicle for fruit and veg when crossing over the border, and not at the vet fences as well - but you never know what happens on the day.

The import of red meat depends on outbreaks of F&M disease in SA - so from time to time there may be an outbreak in SA, and SA meat is not allowed into Botswana - at the moment it appears to be allowed (I'm going early June, will let you know if I have issues). Meat from countries north and east of Botswana, is not allowed into Botswana as F&MD is a permanent occurrance in those countries. You cannot bring meat in from the Caprivi Strip (now Kavango/Zambesi region), into Botswana, but I am not sure about meat from central Namibia, coming in through Charles Hill or Dobe, etc.

If there is an outbreak of avian flu in a country, poultry products from that country may also not be allowed into Botswana.

Having said all that - there is an excellent Superspar in Serowe, a good Spar and Choppies in Kasane, an excellent Spar with a Woolies right next door, as well as Butcher Boys (order beforehand) in Maun. On the way to Kubu, about 60km outside Maun on the A3, there is a veterinary control point. I am not sure if you are allowed to take meat from west to east at this point - going towards Maun I was told by the official at the gate I could not bring meat back with me, when I returned (with an empty fridge I may add), the fridge and vehicle was not even checked for any produce - maybe someone has some advice on this one? However, there is also a very good Spar Lethlakane, so no problem unless you are travelling via Gweta to Kubu, where I believe there is a good butcher (in Gweta) but I have never tried to find it - will stop there in June.

And I forgot to mention - meat is far cheaper in Botswana, and usually of the same or better quality if you buy at a reputable provider!

Safe travels.

Regards

Lizette

[sandyba]

Hi SandyB,

Have a look here: http://www.botswanatourism.co.bw/importation-goods

Botswana does not allow certain fruits and veg (most of what we use everyday, this means no citrus fruits, no mangoes, water melon, tomatoes, guavas, cashew nuts, papayas, peppers, bananas, marula or wild monkey orange) from other countries into Botswana, - as far as I know, this is a permanent situation (since 2012, to prevent spread of fruit fly), and does not change depending on outbreaks of a disease like foot-and-mouth disease. They should only check your vehicle for fruit and veg when crossing over the border, and not at the vet fences as well - but you never know what happens on the day.

The import of red meat depends on outbreaks of F&M disease in SA - so from time to time there may be an outbreak in SA, and SA meat is not allowed into Botswana - at the moment it appears to be allowed (I'm going early June, will let you know if I have issues). Meat from countries north and east of Botswana, is not allowed into Botswana as F&MD is a permanent occurrance in those countries. You cannot bring meat in from the Caprivi Strip (now Kavango/Zambesi region), into Botswana, but I am not sure about meat from central Namibia, coming in through Charles Hill or Dobe, etc.

If there is an outbreak of avian flu in a country, poultry products from that country may also not be allowed into Botswana.

Having said all that - there is an excellent Superspar in Serowe, a good Spar and Choppies in Kasane, an excellent Spar with a Woolies right next door, as well as Butcher Boys (order beforehand) in Maun. On the way to Kubu, about 60km outside Maun on the A3, there is a veterinary control point. I am not sure if you are allowed to take meat from west to east at this point - going towards Maun I was told by the official at the gate I could not bring meat back with me, when I returned (with an empty fridge I may add), the fridge and vehicle was not even checked for any produce - maybe someone has some advice on this one? However, there is also a very good Spar Lethlakane, so no problem unless you are travelling via Gweta to Kubu, where I believe there is a good butcher (in Gweta) but I have never tried to find it - will stop there in June.

And I forgot to mention - meat is far cheaper in Botswana, and usually of the same or better quality if you buy at a reputable provider!

Safe travels.

Regards

Lizette

Hi Lizette,
Thanks for the update. Very useful. A couple of queries.
1) In your list of prohibited fruit and veg you didn't say whether potatoes were allowed into Bots from SA or not. can you clarify?
2) you mention that you would be travelling in Bots in early June and would be able to give us an update when you return. Are you back and if so, any new info on the meat/veg situation?
thanks, Sandy

[Lizette Swart]

Hi Sandy,

Apologies, I am going in the second half of June - leaving on the 16th.

Below are posters I found at a border post when the restrictions started. They don't mention potatoes, but one never know what happens on the day!



Regards

Lizette

[Painted Dog]

At the end of July We Travelling north on the A2 via kang and then Ghanzi to the pan handle ngepi camp all things being equal I trust that is regarded as a south to north journey and that the stretch from Ghanzi to sehitwa where there is a vet fence just after kuke is not regarded as a west to east journey, that would be unfortunate as we not planning to go past Maun!

[taraleegoosen]

The outbreak of Avian Flu in SA is causing concern with clients bringing in poultry products at the moment (eggs included!). Just to keep in mind.

[ThomTom]

The outbreak of Avian Flu in SA is causing concern with clients bringing in poultry products at the moment (eggs included!). Just to keep in mind.

Stokpoort, a week ago, was specifically quistioned on eggs and chicken. We took all our SA meat cooked , frozen and packed.

- chicken curry, ox tail, mince

Easy meals then with the above.

Rest we buy there! Botswana beef is more flavorful, beefy, they do not have a large feed lot industry, it's also cheaper than in SA.


So, do your shopping there!

[Brooksie]

Thanks for the insight, much appreciated. Hope all he same rules still apply?

[Uys Snyders]

What is the latest on taking meat into Botswana?

[lekhubu943]

Uys, beef is fine.

Chicken due to avian flu, definitely not.

[James MacKay]

This week Tuesday people were having fresh vegetables confiscated at tlokweng

[Uys Snyders]

Thanks. Christa what about bacon, lamb and pre-cooked pork ribs?

[James MacKay]

Pre cooked meat is no problem, bacon I don't know, lamb shouldn't be a problem

[Stan Weakley]

At present all meat from hooved animals fine including bacon.

[taki]

Just got back from Botswana. Most vet controls didn't check at all, border at Tshabong asked about raw poultry products and we kept topping up our supplies with locally bought produce (were a bit off the beaten track so took cooked meat and reheated on the braai).

Tightest controls were at vet fence between Pandamatenga and Nata where the official took it upon herself to rummage through our fridge and was not impressed when we snatched back our tomatoes and ate them in front of her (our friends tomatoes and cucumber probably ended up on her dinner table). She did however leave other vegetables such as carrots, cabbage as well as frozen chicken we'd purchased in Kasane.

It appears to be largely left to the discretion of the border/vet fence officials.