Getting to Gaborone and Around by Taxi, Car and Combi

Gaborone sits in south-eastern Botswana close to the South African border, acting both as the administrative gateway to the country and as a convenient stop on overland routes between Johannesburg and the Kalahari or Okavango Delta. Once you arrive, having access to wheels makes a big difference in a city built for driving.

Arriving by air at Sir Seretse Khama International Airport (GBE)

Sir Seretse Khama International Airport (GBE) lies about 15 kilometres north of the Central Business District along the A1 corridor past Airport Junction. Direct regional flights link Gaborone with Johannesburg (OR Tambo, under an hour in the air) and Addis Ababa, while Air Botswana domestic services connect the capital with Maun (for the Okavango Delta), Kasane (for Chobe National Park) and Francistown. Most mid-range and upscale hotels in Gaborone run complimentary or pre-arranged airport transfer shuttles if you send your flight number ahead. Otherwise, major international car-hire desks operate inside the arrivals hall, and official metered or fixed-zone airport taxis wait outside the terminal building.

Overland road borders and intercity buses

Because Gaborone lies within twenty-five kilometres of South Africa's North West Province, driving or catching a cross-border coach from Johannesburg or Pretoria (roughly five to six hours depending on border queues) is straightforward. Three paved border posts serve the capital area: Tlokweng Gate (Kopfontein) just twenty minutes east of central Gaborone, Pioneer Gate (Skilpadshek) east of Lobatse along the Trans-Kalahari corridor, and the smaller Ramotswa Bridge (Swartkopfontein) crossing to the south-east. If driving a hired vehicle across from South Africa, ensure your rental company issues a cross-border permit letter and carry cash for Botswana road user fees at the gate.

Getting around: hire cars, blue-plate taxis and combis

Public transport in Gaborone consists of two colour-coded road systems alongside private taxis:

• Hire car (most flexible): driving is on the left, main dual carriageways and traffic circles are well paved, and parking at malls, museums and Mokolodi Nature Reserve is ample. Watch for goats or cattle near peri-urban roads after dusk.
• Private / app-dispatched taxis: far more practical for visitors than shared vans; ask your hotel reception to call a trusted local driver or agree the fare before setting off.
• White-and-blue minibuses (combis) and shared taxis: follow fixed numbered routes between the central Bus Rank, Broadhurst, Tlokweng and Game City for a few Pula in cash. Compare convenient bases in where to stay in Gaborone.