Botswana is Africa's premier safari destination, home to the stunning Okavango Delta and massive elephant herds in Chobe National Park. This landlocked Southern African nation offers pristine wilderness, diverse wildlife, and a commitment to conservation tourism.
- Public
- Limited and unreliable outside Gaborone; combis are the main option but serve locals primarily
- Taxi
- Available in cities; Uber and Bolt work well in Gaborone; negotiated taxis elsewhere
- Rental
- Excellent for freedom and safari access; 4x4 essential for national parks and remote areas
- Walking
- Practical in Gaborone CBD and malls; heat and distances limit walking for most sightseeing
Transport at a glance
Airport transfers
Getting from the airport to your accommodation.
- Taxi
- $20-30 fixed rate to Gaborone city center (30 minutes)
- Taxi Info
- Taxis available at all airports; negotiate price before departure or use Uber/Bolt in Gaborone only
- Shuttle
- $15-25 hotel shuttle from Gaborone airport
- Shuttle Info
- Most Gaborone hotels offer shuttle services; book 24-48 hours in advance
- Bus
- No direct bus service from airport to city center
- Bus Info
- Combis run nearby but not directly to airport terminals; not recommended with luggage
- Private
- $60-80 private transfer Gaborone airport to city or hotels
- Private Info
- Pre-book through hotel or services like Transfer Botswana for guaranteed reliable service
Local transport
Getting around the city.
Bus
Combis (minibuses) cover most Gaborone routes for P5-10 ($0.35-0.70) per trip. Catch them at designated stops around the CBD and malls. Irregular schedules but very frequent during peak hours.
Alternatives
Uber and Bolt available in Gaborone only; metered taxis negotiated by fare; walking practical in CBD and mall areas; cycling not recommended due to heat and traffic
Taxis & rideshare
What to expect from taxis and apps.
- Regular
- Metered taxis rare; negotiate fare before departure. Base fare around P30 ($2.20) then P10-15/km. City ride typically P50-120 ($3.50-9)
- Apps
- Uber, Bolt, Likkie (local app), Zebra Cabs
- App Names
- Uber, Bolt
- Typical Fare
- $8-15 average city ride in Gaborone via Uber or Bolt
Intercity travel
Getting between cities and regions.
Bus
Seabelo Coaches operates comfortable air-conditioned buses: Gaborone-Maun $14-20, Gaborone-Francistown $8-12, Gaborone-Kasane $22-29
Shared
Shared combis depart from bus ranks in major cities when full. Gaborone-Francistown P100 ($7), cramped but very cheap
Flights
Air Botswana (domestic) and Airlink operate scheduled routes. Gaborone-Maun $150-250 one way. Charter flights widely used for remote lodge access from $200-500 one way
Private
Self-drive rental car from $40-60/day standard, $80-150/day 4x4. Hire car services with driver available from $150-200/day for airport transfers and city touring
Transportation details
Full breakdown of how to get around.
Airports
Sir Seretse Khama International Airport
From centre: 15 km north of Gaborone
Options: Hotel shuttle - $15-25; Taxi - $20-30 to city center; Rental car - from $40/day; Uber/Bolt - $15-25
Maun International Airport
From centre: 5 km from Maun town center
Options: Hotel shuttle - $10-20; Taxi - $10-15 to town; Rental car - from $50/day (4x4 recommended); Lodge transfers - included with safari bookings
Kasane International Airport
From centre: 5 km from Kasane town
Options: Hotel shuttle - $10-15; Taxi - $10-15 to town; Lodge transfers - typically included; Rental car - from $45/day
Francistown Airport
From centre: 5 km from city center
Options: Taxi - $8-12 to city; Hotel shuttle - $10-15; Rental car - from $35/day
Useful apps
Download before you arrive.
Uber
Best ride-hailing app in Gaborone; reliable, with transparent pricing. Only available in the capital.
Bolt
Alternative to Uber in Gaborone; often slightly cheaper. Not available in other Botswana towns.
Google Maps
Works for navigation in Gaborone and major roads; unreliable on sand tracks in national parks where paper maps and GPS devices are recommended.
Transport tips
Travel smarter, not harder.
A 4x4 rental vehicle is the single best investment for exploring Botswana's national parks; standard cars cannot access most park roads
Fuel up whenever you see a petrol station in remote areas — gaps of 150-200km between stations exist on some routes
Never drive after dark outside major towns due to wildlife on roads — elephants and large antelope cause fatal accidents regularly
Book car rentals 3-6 months ahead for peak safari season (July-October) when 4x4 vehicles are in extremely high demand
Domestic flights between Gaborone, Maun, and Kasane save enormous amounts of time versus road travel