Transport and Driving in Botswana

Transport and driving in Botswana can be challenging. Public transport in Botswana isn’t particularly reliable or widespread, especially outside of Gaborone or other big cities. 

For this reason, most expats living in Botswana opt to drive themselves around, while some hire a driver and a vehicle.

Public transport in Botswana

When moving to Botswana, you will find that your options for public transport are rather limited. Nevertheless, taxis, 'kombis' (minibuses), and coach buses are available.

Buses

Coach buses are one of the most popular transport options in Botswana for travelling between cities or even further afield to neighbouring countries. Various companies operate along the busiest bus routes, the biggest of which is Seabalo.

Buses are typically comfortable and often follow a schedule, regardless of whether they are full or not. Since bus schedules are not posted anywhere, you can find out about them at bus stations. 

Trains

Rail transport in Botswana is not as well-developed as the road networks. It is largely limited to freight trains. That said, Botswana Railways operates a passenger train known as the BR Express. 

This offers services connecting Lobatse, Gaborone, and Francistown. We advise that you check the Botswana Railways website and contact the relevant station for up-to-date schedules and information.

Useful links

• Seabelo Express
• Botswana Railways – BR Express

Taxis in Botswana

Within cities and towns, public transport mostly consists of 'kombis'. These are minivans or minibus taxis that seat 15 passengers. These minibus taxis travel along fixed routes and are easily hailed on the street.

Taxicabs are another common way of getting around. Getting a taxi in Botswana is generally a safe choice. That said, we advise that you agree on a price before beginning the journey. There are several taxicab companies, so there is no set design to identify them. Some ride-hailing applications like inDrive are thriving in Gaborone.

Useful links

• Gifa's Transport
• inDrive

Driving in Botswana

Most expats moving to Botswana opt to buy or rent a car and drive themselves around.

Road conditions in Botswana are better than in many other African countries, with roads in urban areas being particularly well maintained.

Despite many roads being in good condition, road safety still presents challenges. Particular difficulties include limited signage, erratic driving and animals on the road in rural areas. Directions are commonly given using landmarks, rather than street names and numbers.

Dirt roads in remote areas can be hazardous, particularly during the rainy season. Driving after dark on these routes is discouraged.

You should also note that various veterinary fences criss-cross Botswana to prevent the spread of cattle illnesses like foot-and-mouth disease. Travellers must hand over all meat products at the control points along these boundaries. Drivers may also have to clean their tyres and shoes on disinfectant mats. The thoroughness of the checks depends on whether there has been a recent outbreak of one of these diseases.

Driving licences for Botswana

New arrivals may drive on an international driver’s permit and their valid home country licence for up to three months. Thereafter, you have to get a local driving licence. In most cases, expats will not need to complete a driving test and will merely have to present their valid licences and residency permit to their nearest Department of Road Transport and Safety branch.

Useful links

• Botswana Ministry of Transport and Communications – Foreign Driving Licence Conversion

Air travel in Botswana

Botswana's main airport is Sir Seretse Khama International Airport in Gaborone. Smaller airports can be found in Francistown, Maun and Kasane. The national carrier is Air Botswana, which operates flights between South Africa, Zimbabwe, and Zambia and Botswana.