From the airport to the city centre Botswana
From Europe, there are no direct flights to Botswana. No matter which airline you fly, you will almost inevitably stop in Johannesburg, South Africa. From the bordering states, you can fly to Gaborone, as well as Maun, Francistown, and Kasane. Botswana also has numerous airports and airfields, some of which are privately owned, for reaching lodges and remote areas. For internal flights in high season, which are often fully booked, remember to book a week in advance. For those with a larger budget, it is also possible to hire a private plane to reach your destination. The Sir Seretse Khama International Airport is located 15 km from the center of the capital, Gaborone. If your hotel does not provide a transfer, you can take a cab for about 150 BWP. It takes about half an hour to get there.
Public transport Botswana
It is possible to reach Gaborone by bus from Johannesburg, with the company Intercape (www.intercape.co.za), which offers a daily connection between the two capitals. The journey takes about 7 hours and costs about 320 rand per ticket. In Botswana, all the major cities have a bus station and a reliable bus service that provides connections between them, but their comfort is rudimentary. That said, it is a good option for those on a budget. For timetables, it is advisable to inquire at the bus station the day before. It is better to come well before the departure time to find a seat, because the buses often take more passengers than there are seats. Count on at least 30 minutes in advance. Although not overcrowded as in other African countries, buses can be quite crowded and have little air conditioning. It can therefore be hot. Minibuses serve the small towns around the main cities. You can easily find your way by asking at the bus station. This very popular means of transportation is obviously inexpensive. For example, it costs about 170 pulas to travel from Gaborone to Francistown, and not much more to travel from Francistown to Maun or Kasane. To get around the capital locally, white minibuses run throughout the city, each with a well-defined route but no fixed schedule. They are numbered according to the route they travel. You can either pick them up at the official stops, or with a wave of the hand, you can stop them on the way when they are not full. Ask to be dropped off wherever it suits you along the way. The fare for a trip is about 5 BWP.
Bike, scooters & co Botswana
Motorcyclists are welcome in Botswana as long as they stay on paved roads. Indeed, it is forbidden to cross the reserves on two-wheelers. Travelers who plan to visit the country on foot or by bicycle are well advised to prepare their trip carefully if they wish to leave the paved roads. Hitchhiking is possible, but not widely practiced, as it is not an easy way to get around here. The traveler can, however, find a lift to Maun quite easily, from the towns of Kasane, Nata, Ghanzi or Francistown, and the travel time is generally shorter than the same by bus. It is probably for this reason that Botswanans waiting for the bus will hail a passing car. On this point, it is better to know that taking a hitchhiker can be punished with a fine. Indeed, it is an unfair competition for the bus companies, especially since it is normal for a hitchhiker to give a little money to the driver to thank him for the service rendered. However, it remains normal to stop for a pedestrian in difficulty. It is therefore an important emergency solution in case of need, but it is not recommended for single women.
With a driver Botswana
The cities of Gaborone, Francistown, Lobatse, Kasane and Maun have cab services. Some are licensed (blue number plates), others are not. Very few cabs are metered, but fares are reasonable and are calculated on a flat rate basis depending on the destination. It will cost even less if you share it with other occupants. The easiest way to find a cab is through your accommodation. Each hotel works with a network of cabs that are used to the address.
By car Botswana
You will find car rental agencies in the main cities of the country. When renting a car, check the condition of the vehicle, the deductibles to be paid in case of damage and the replacement time in case of a serious breakdown. The British code requires that you drive on the left side of the road. The speed limit is either 80 km/h or 120 km/h on national roads and 60 km/h in town. In reserves and national parks, it is forbidden to exceed 40 km/h, under penalty of disturbing the peace of the bush or running over an animal in passing. It is compulsory to wear a seatbelt and it is strongly advised not to drive at night because of the omnipresence of mammals, domestic or wild, on the road!
As far as road accidents are concerned, the laws are similar to those applied everywhere else in Southern Africa: following an accident, if some passengers are injured, one must call the emergency numbers. If the damage is only material, one will simply call the police to draw up a report. If the damage is minor, an exchange of names and addresses will do. If the accident is caused by a domestic animal, there are two possible scenarios: either the road is lined with a fence and the responsibility for the damage falls on the owner of the animal, who is not supposed to let his animals roam; or the roadside is without a fence and you are responsible for the repair costs.
In Botswana, gasoline and diesel are available in the major cities and along the main roads. However, in such a vast and sparsely populated country, you should keep an eye on your fuel gauge and on the map where the main refueling points are indicated. The reserves and national parks, on the other hand, are completely devoid of them.
