Getting Around Botswana

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It is cheaper to rent vehicles from local companies than the big international rental companies. If you do decide to do this (I did), please ask what provisions are made for breakdowns and accidents. Botswana has lots of haphazard wildlife who are quite easily big enough to destroy your vehicle. They will run in and across the road or just sit there staring at you. You should also carry a mobile telephone. Other wise – you may be there for a while!

Kazungula Ferry Border Post is open from 06:00 - 18:00 hours. For more information, visit http://www.botswana-tourism.gov.bw/entry_req/border_posts.html

What you won't read on the provided website is how to deal with the people at the border. See my Zambia page for a detailed description that will get you through the chaos intact and with most of your money. THIS IS ESSENTIAL if you are heading into Zambia from Botswana! So, I wanted to put a note on it here.

On the ferry, you have to park close together. Only the driver can be in the car. All passengers have to get out before the car gets on the ferry. Be careful parking behind or in front of trucks, as they may roll backward or forward before they start moving. Leave some space, and when you get ready to drive off, keep your hand ready on the horn.

The city of Mamuno is the closest city to the border with Namibia on this route, and is called the Trans Kalahari Border Post. It is open from 07:00 - 24:00 hours. Visit http://www.botswana-tourism.gov.bw/entry_req/border_posts.html for more information.

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air and road communications between Botswana and neighbouring states are good . Most international flights are via johanesburg in south Africa, harare in Zimbabwe or Lusaka in Zambia.
There is a number of passenger transport companies in Botswana which offer services throughout the country. Some of them are Motlogelwa, JNG, Mahube and Seabelo Express. They offer daily routes from Gaborone to: Selebi-Phikwe, Palapye, Mahalapye, Serowe, Francistown, Ghanzi, Tshabong, Hukuntsi, Orapa, Lobatse, Maun, Kasane, Ramotswa, and other routes.
Hiring a vehicle, especially 4W-D, will allow you the freedom to explore some of Botswana's most beautiful wilderness areas. To hire a vehicle in Botswana, you must be in possession of a valid International Drivers license, or a home drivers license as long as the details are in English (one may use their home drivers license for a period of 6 months). There are a few rent-a-car companies in Botswana such as: AVIS (tel. 353-745), Budget rent-a-car (tel. 302-030), Imperial car rentals www.imperialcarrental.co.za (tel. 307-233)

The best way to get to Chobe National Park is via an excursion from your hotel in Victoria Falls. The park is about 2 hours from Vic Falls. To get to Vic Falls, we flew from London to Johannsburgh, South Africa and then to Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe. We then booked a van to take us from Zimbabwe to the Zambia side where we stayed on the Victoria Falls National Park at the Royal Livingstone. We were able to book transportation and the excursions through the Hotels.

Your game drives will be in heavy, HEAVY duty off-road vehicles. Don't try this at home! As we tore offroad to find a herd of water buffalo at Sandibe, Steve gave my hand a squeeze and said "This is FUN!"

You might notice the rifle on the dash -- our guide at Sandibe, Boyce is one of very few guides licensed to carry a firearm in Botswana. We felt totally safe in his charge, but it is a reminder that we really are just visiting the WILD African bush.

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You cannot say that you visited the Okavango delta if you didn't experience it from the water side in the mokoro - the traditional means of transport in the Delta. Mokoro is a long dung out canoe-type boat. It used to be made of ebony or sausage tree known for its straight and long trunk. Since the mokoro lasts just five years and the trees take about 100 years to grow, nowadays the modern version of mokoro made of fibre glass is taking over. The crew consists of one man (or woman) equipped with a pole usually forked at the end. He propels the boat standing in the stern and punting it through the shallow waters. Two tourists and some limited luggage can be taken on one boat. The seats are usually made of matresses and the journey is quite comfortable unless it lasts too long. Most polers we met speak at least some English and they willingly tell you about flora and fauna you can spot on the way.

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If you want to drive around and see the beauty of Botswana, get a very very early start. You should never drive at night. You can find the following in the road –day or night: Elephants, dogs, goats, people, ostriches, boars, mules, cows, giant moths, horses, metal gates and vultures. This is challenging in broad daylight. None of the things listed are considerate enough to wear anything reflective or have any lights with them. At night you also get giant moths (pictured) that will turn your car windscreen into a mass of dark goo that you have to scrape off in order to see out. I even saw a dead cow that had been hit by a large truck on a dark road the one time I found it necessary to drive in the dark.

It’s just not worth it.