Pharmacies in the main towns in Botswana generally have very good supplies of medicines, but away from these you will find very little. If you're venturing deep into the wilds, then you should take with you anything that you expect to need. If you are on an organised trip, an overland truck, or staying at hotels, lodges or safari camps, then you will not need much, as these establishments normally have comprehensive emergency kits. In that case, just a small personal medical kit might include:

• antihistamine tablets
• antiseptic
• aspirins or paracetamol
• blister plasters (if you plan any serious walking)
• condoms and contraceptive pills
• insect repellent
• lipsalve (ideally containing a sunscreen)
• malaria prophylaxis
• Micropore tape (for closing small cuts – and invaluable for blisters)
• moisturising cream
• sticking plaster (a roll is more versatile than pre-shaped plasters)
• sunscreen

However, if you are likely to end up in very remote situations, then you should also consider taking the following – and know how to use them:
• burn dressings (burns are a common problem for campers)
• injection swabs, sterile needles and syringes
• lint, sterile bandage and safety pins
• oral rehydration sachets
• Steristrips or butterfly closures
• strong painkiller (eg: codeine phosphate – also useful for bad diarrhoea)
• tweezers (perhaps those on a Swiss army knife)
• water purification equipment (2% tincture of iodine with dropper is ideal)
• several different malaria treatment courses and a broad-spectrum antibiotic – plus a good medical manual.

If you wear glasses, bring a spare pair. Similarly those who wear contact lenses should bring spare ones, also a pair of glasses in case the dust proves too much for the lenses. If you take regular medication (including contraceptive pills) then bring a large supply with you – much easier than hunting for your usual brand in Botswana. Equally, it's worth having a dental check-up before you go, as you could be several painful days from the nearest dentist.

Hospitals, dentists and pharmacies in Botswana

Should you need one, Botswana's main hospitals are good and will treat you first and ask for money later. However, with comprehensive medical insurance as part of your travel cover, it is probably better go to one of the private clinics. The main ones are in Maun and Francistown, and these are capable of serious surgery and a good quality of care.

If you've a serious problem, then MediRescue (MRI) organise medical evacuations from anywhere, and can be contacted by dialling 911 from a normal 'land line', or as follows:

Maun Tel: 6861831; mobile: 713 04426

Francistown Tel: 203666; mobile: 713 04425

Gaborone Tel: 301610 (this is certainly manned 24 hours per day)

MediRescue do insure individual travellers, but many lodges are members, covering you whilst you are staying there; it may be that your insurers overseas would ultimately pick up the MediRescue bills if their services were needed.

Pharmacies in the main towns stock a good range of medicine, though often not in familiar brands. Bring with you a repeat prescription for anything you may lose or run out of.