Botswana Transportation

  A passenger getting off of our boat to...
by mikelisaanna
 
  • A passenger getting off of our boat to Botswana
      A passenger getting off of our boat to...
    by mikelisaanna
  • Our van in Botswana
      Our van in Botswana
    by mikelisaanna
  •   Transportation
    by DAO
  •   Transportation
    by DAO
  •   Transportation
    by DAO
 
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SEAT BELT LAW

by DAO

Seat belt use in cars is mandatory by law in Botswana. The Tourist Board explains this as use of seat belts being proof of no-fault insurance. I am not sure of their logic, but you really should have a belt on at all times. The Police are almost never seen on the roads so the chances of a fine are virtually nil. The important thing is that you will have to apply the brakes sharply for things like wild animals, children, debris in the road and unmarked gates across the road. I hit one of these gates one evening and it did some serious damage to my car. I skidded over 200 feet before I hit it. Please buckle up!

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HAVE A GOOD BREAKDOWN SERVICE

by DAO

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!

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Kazungala Ferry Border Botswana-Zambia

by John195123

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.htmlWhat 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.

Mamuno-Trans Kalahari Botswana-Namibia

by John195123

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.

move around Botswana!

by kiberenge

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...

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Getting there though Jo'burg

by GuapitoinMiami

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.

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THIS is offroading!

by Radiomom

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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Mokoro

by magor65

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...

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DO NOT DRIVE AT NIGHT !

by DAO

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.

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Night driving

by smirnofforiginal

What can I say? Unless you have to DON'T DO IT! And, try to get to accommodation before the sun goes down. It goes down very fast and then - good luck in the pitch dark trying to find your way... it is no fun especially when you are having to avoid the grey shapes that jump out at you - these can be people (possibly drunk), donkeys, goats, elpehants... The lights on other vehicles may not work properly, there are pot holes and one road through the bush can look extraordinarily like another road through the bush. There may not be signs and, if there are, they may not be at the right height your your headlights to beam on them.We drove to accommodation just outide of Kasane one evening. Our journey had taken far longer than anticipated and, despite racing against the sun, it set and Botswana was cloaked in total darkness. At one point I thought we would never find our way. I had a torch...

Getting Around Botswana

Top 3 Hotels in Botswana

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19 Hotels in Botswana
 
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Reviews and photos of Botswana attractions posted by real travelers and locals. The best tips for Botswana sightseeing.

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Transportation: Cities in Botswana
  1. Gaborone Transportation
  2. Kasane Transportation
  3. Chobe National Park Transportation
  4. Maun Transportation
  5. Kang Transportation

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Popular Regions in Botswana

South-East District Transportation  Ghanzi District Transportation 

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Questions and Answers

annsnook profile photo

Q:  Hi, want to do this trip last week in March/1st week April, should we get good weather or is it a bit too early for the Okavanga... 

CatherineReichardt profile photo

A: Hi Chanes are that you'll see far fewer animals if it has flooded, as when the water is scarce, the animals congregate around the little water that's around. Once the... 

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