LGBTQ+ Safety Notice — RECENTLY DECRIMINALISED

Legal but with limited protections — social attitudes vary

Local law: Decriminalised 2019 by High Court. One of the more progressive in southern Africa.

Safety guidance for visitors →

Do not disclose your orientation to hotel staff, drivers, or guides.
Avoid public displays of affection of any kind.
Stay at international-chain hotels (Hilton, Marriott, Hyatt) — they rarely interrogate guest arrangements.
Register with your embassy on arrival — consular help may be limited.
Share a daily check-in with someone trusted abroad.
Listings on this page are provided for harm reduction and informed travel decisions — not a recommendation to visit.

🆘 Who to contact if in trouble →

Global emergency resources (always available):

Rainbow Railroad — emergency relocation for LGBTQ+ people facing persecution. Confidential intake form.
OutRight International — global LGBTQ+ human rights advocacy + emergency referrals.
ILGA World — global legal-status map + regional contacts.
UNHCR — refugee status if persecuted; recognised LGBTQ+ as protection ground.

Embassy emergency lines:

🇺🇸 US: travel.state.gov — find embassy + 24/7 line
🇬🇧 UK: gov.uk/world
🇨🇦 Canada: travel.gc.ca — Emergency Watch & Response Centre +1 613 996 8885
🇪🇺 EU: europa.eu — any EU embassy can help EU citizens
🇮🇱 Israel: gov.il/foreign-affairs — Citizen Assistance Centre +972 2 530 3155

If detained: do not sign any document you do not understand. Request your embassy and a lawyer immediately. Do not consent to phone searches without legal advice.

🇧🇼

Africa

Gay Botswana

LGBTQ+ Travel Guide & City Directory

Gaborone BWP 10:28 GMT+02:00 Use Caution for LGBTQ+

✓ Same-sex relations legal ✗ Same-Sex Marriage ✗ Pride Events ⚖️ Same-sex relations decriminalized by High Court in 2019; Supreme Court upheld the ruling in 2021 despite government appeal. No marriage, civil union, or anti-discrimination recognition. Landmark ruling makes Botswana a reference point for African LGBTQ+ rights litigation.

LGBTQ+ Cities in Botswana

1 City Guide

13 Venues

Gaborone

270,000 residents Read Guide →

Gay Map of Botswana

Sponsored · Kiwi We may earn a commission

🎟️ Browse all Botswana tours → GetYourGuide Sponsored

Gay Botswana on YouTube

Botswana - Gay and lesbian travel - Exclusively Pride

Know a great LGBTQ+ venue in Botswana?

Help the community — add bars, saunas, hotels, and more for free. Listings are reviewed within 48 hours.

+ Add a Venue Add Mega Event

Frequently asked questions about LGBTQ+ travel in Botswana

Same-sex relations are legal in Botswana, but social attitudes vary and public displays of affection can attract negative attention. Major cities and international tourist areas are usually more welcoming than smaller towns and rural areas.

No — same-sex marriage is not currently recognised in Botswana. Same-sex relations decriminalized by High Court in 2019; Supreme Court upheld the ruling in 2021 despite government appeal. No marriage, civil union, or anti-discrimination recognition. Landmark ruling makes Botswana a reference point for African LGBTQ+ rights litigation.

The cities listed on this page have the most active LGBTQ+ scenes in Botswana — typically the capital and the largest tourist cities. Each city page lists verified LGBTQ+ venues.

Many hotels in tourist areas of Botswana welcome LGBTQ+ guests without explicit marketing. International chains in central districts are the safest choice; smaller boutique hotels vary. See each city page for verified LGBTQ+-friendly options.

Stay in the Loop

Get the latest LGBTQ+ events and venue openings in your inbox.

Already a subscriber? Unsubscribe