Funeral repatriation guidance

Repatriation from Botswana to the UK

Timeline, process, and documentation for bringing a loved one home from Botswana.

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14-21 days Typical timeline

8 days Best case

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Expected timelines

How long does repatriation from Botswana take?

Timelines depend on circumstances. Here is an honest guide to what to expect.

Best case

8 days

Natural death, documentation issued without delay, no post-mortem required.

Typical case

14-21 days

Standard repatriation from Botswana. Most families experience this timeline.

Complex case

25-35 days

Post-mortem, inquest, criminal investigation, or logistically difficult location.

Factors that can extend the timeline

Department of Forensic Pathology at Princess Marina Hospital in Gaborone conducts post-mortems for unnatural deaths in the south; northern cases (Maun, Kasane) require transfer or local hospital post-mortem
No Strasbourg Convention; full export permit process required through the Ministry of Health
Remote bush camp deaths in the Okavango Delta or Chobe require helicopter or charter aircraft evacuation to Maun before documentation begins; Okavango Delta has no road access
Botswana is landlocked; all routing is via Johannesburg (South Africa) or Nairobi (Kenya)

Documentation

Documents required for repatriation from Botswana

All of these must be obtained before air transport can take place.

The process

Overview of the repatriation process from Botswana

Route guides

Repatriation routes from Botswana

Bringing someone from Botswana to a country other than the UK? These route guides cover the documentation, timeline and process for each corridor.

Botswana to Ireland Botswana to South Africa Botswana to United Kingdom

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If your loved one has passed away in Botswana, please do not face this alone.

Reviewed by the Repatriate Service editorial team. Information sourced from UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) guidance, official embassy contacts, and professional repatriation experience. Updated July 2026.

Sources: FCDO gov.uk · Embassy contacts: Botswana · Frequently asked questions