Botswana
Airports in Botswana: which one to fly into
Fly into Maun (MUB) if the Okavango Delta, Moremi or Khwai is your trip; fly into Kasane (BBK) for Chobe and Victoria Falls; use Gaborone (GBE) only if the capital is the point. Most safari itineraries start at Maun or Kasane, not Gaborone.
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- Field checked
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- Plan calculated
- Worked out by Voykit from its own data (times, distances, budgets). A calculation, not a measurement.
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GuideBotswana
Key facts
- Best for Delta
- Maun (MUB) — light aircraft to camps
- Best for Chobe
- Kasane (BBK) — road transfer to Victoria Falls 1–1.5 h
- Capital
- Gaborone (GBE) — far from the main safari areas
- Domestic hopcheck
- Gaborone – Maun about 1.5 h, US$150–300 (2026 estimate)
- Light aircraft sector
- US$200–450 per seat, 20–60 min
- Bag limit on light aircraft
- Soft bags, usually 20 kg total
- Entry rulescheck
- Check current visa and passport rules before booking
Details
Botswana's safari map decides your airport. Maun sits at the southern edge of the Okavango Delta and is the base for light aircraft into Delta, Moremi and Khwai camps. Kasane sits on the Chobe River in the north-east, minutes from Chobe National Park and 1–1.5 h by road from Victoria Falls. Gaborone is the capital and the country's main international gateway, but it is a long way from both safari regions, so it rarely makes sense unless you have business there or want to see the south-east.
International connections are limited. South African Airways and Airlink link Gaborone, Maun and Kasane to Johannesburg and Cape Town; Air Botswana runs the domestic triangle between Gaborone, Maun and Kasane. From the US or UK, the usual pattern is one flight to Johannesburg or Cape Town, then a regional hop to Maun or Kasane. Some travellers fly into Victoria Falls (Zimbabwe) or Kasane and cross by road. Check schedules and baggage rules with the airline before you commit, because regional aircraft are small.
Once you land, transfers are short. Maun airport is about 10 minutes from town; Kasane airport is a few minutes from the centre and the Chobe gate. Most safari operators meet you at the airport and move you straight to a light aircraft or a 4x4. If you are self-driving, collect your vehicle in Maun or Kasane rather than Gaborone.
| Airport | Code | Best for | Transfer |
|---|---|---|---|
| Maun | MUB | Okavango Delta, Moremi, Khwai | About 10 min to town; light aircraft to camps |
| Kasane | BBK | Chobe, Victoria Falls | A few minutes to town; road transfer to the falls 1–1.5 h |
| Sir Seretse Khama International (Gaborone) | GBE | Capital, business, south-east | About 20–30 min to the city centre (check) |
Summary table
Use this to pick your arrival point before you book flights. Costs are 2026 estimates and change with season and demand.
| Decision | Choose | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Delta, Moremi or Khwai | Maun (MUB) | Light aircraft to camps; 20–60 min per sector, US$200–450 per seat |
| Chobe and Victoria Falls | Kasane (BBK) | Closest gate; road transfer to the falls 1–1.5 h, US$40–60 per person |
| Capital or business | Gaborone (GBE) | Main international gateway; far from safari areas |
| Tight connection to a camp | Maun or Kasane | Domestic flights are limited; leave slack before transfers |
| Self-drive | Maun or Kasane | Collect the 4x4 near the parks, not in Gaborone |
Tips
Book regional flights with slack. Domestic and regional services are limited in frequency, and a delayed hop can cost you a camp transfer. If your operator books a light aircraft seat, confirm the meeting point and the soft-bag weight limit before you pack.
Pack for small aircraft: soft bags, usually 20 kg total, and no hard cases. Keep medication, documents and a change of clothes in your hand luggage, because your main bag may travel on a different sector.
Check entry and health rules for your passport before booking, and carry proof of onward travel. Travel insurance that covers light aircraft and remote-area evacuation is worth arranging early; see the insurance page for what to look for.
- Confirm the soft-bag weight limit before packing.
- Leave at least a few hours between an international arrival and a camp transfer.
- Carry a printed copy of your itinerary; mobile coverage is patchy outside towns.
- Stock up on cash in Maun or Kasane; ATMs are limited outside towns.
FAQ
Questions people ask
Which airport should I fly into for Botswana?
Maun (MUB) for the Okavango Delta, Moremi and Khwai; Kasane (BBK) for Chobe and Victoria Falls; Gaborone (GBE) only if the capital is your destination. Most safari trips start at Maun or Kasane.
How do I get from the airport to the city in Botswana?
Maun airport is about 10 minutes from town and Kasane a few minutes from the centre. Safari operators usually meet you and transfer you to a light aircraft or 4x4. Taxis and pre-booked transfers cover the rest.
Which airlines fly to Botswana from the US and UK?
There are no direct flights from the US or UK. The usual route is one flight to Johannesburg or Cape Town, then a regional hop to Maun, Kasane or Gaborone with carriers such as Airlink, South African Airways or Air Botswana. Check schedules before booking.
Deep dive
Every source; changeable facts are marked check
Sources
- officialBotswana Tourism Organisation
- officialAir Botswana
- officialAirlink
- officialSir Seretse Khama International Airport
- secondaryWikivoyage – Botswana