Botswana
Getting around Botswana: trains, buses, driving and domestic flights
For the safari circuit, fly: light aircraft link Maun, Kasane and the Delta camps in 20–60 minutes (US$200–450 a seat). Self-drive 4x4 suits Moremi, Chobe and the Kalahari if you book campsites ahead. Buses and trains only connect towns and never reach the parks.
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GuideBotswana
Key facts
- Best for camps
- Light aircraft from Maun or Kasane, 20–60 min per hop, US$200–450 per seat
- Best for parks
- 4x4 self-drive, US$120–250 a day with camping kit; campsites must be pre-booked
- Best for towns
- Bus, e.g. Maun–Kasane about 8 h, P150–250
- Domestic flights
- Gaborone–Maun about 1.5 h, US$150–300; limited frequency
- Railcheck
- Passenger service on the Gaborone–Francistown line; no rail link to Maun, Kasane or the parks
- Luggage on light aircraftcheck
- Soft bags only, usually 20 kg total
- Road transfer to Victoria Falls
- Kasane–Victoria Falls 1–1.5 h, US$40–60 per person, plus border time
- Park gate hours
- About 06:00–18:30, varies by month; be at camp before closing
Which mode fits your trip
Match the mode to the trip you booked, not to the map. Camps inside the Delta, Linyanti and most of Chobe are reached by air; the parks you can drive yourself are Moremi, Chobe, Makgadikgadi and the Central Kalahari. Town-to-town travel is a separate problem solved by bus, combi or domestic flight.
| Mode | Typical time | 2026 estimate | Use it for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Light aircraft | 20–60 min per hop | US$200–450 per seat | Delta, Linyanti and Chobe camps |
| 4x4 self-drive | Maun–Khwai 3–4 h | US$120–250 a day with camping kit | Moremi, Chobe, Makgadikgadi, CKGR |
| Mobile safari | Multi-day | US$250–600 per person per day | Guided camping in Moremi and Chobe |
| Road transfer | Kasane–Victoria Falls 1–1.5 h | US$40–60 per person | The link to Victoria Falls |
| Domestic flight | Gaborone–Maun about 1.5 h | US$150–300 | Maun, Kasane and Gaborone |
| Bus | Maun–Kasane about 8 h | P150–250 | Cheap town-to-town travel |
Prices are 2026 estimates; camp and charter rates are usually quoted per person and change with season.
Step by step
Book the air links with your camp or operator first. Scheduled and charter flights between Maun, Kasane and the airstrips are arranged as part of a camp booking, and seats are shared, so departure times shift with other guests. Keep a night in Maun or Kasane before and after if you are connecting to an international flight.
If you self-drive, reserve campsites before anything else. Gates refuse entry without a booking, and the popular sites in Moremi and Chobe sell out months ahead. A 4x4 with high clearance and two spare tyres is the minimum for sand; fuel up in Maun or Kasane, carry water and do not drive after dark.
For towns, buses and combis run between Gaborone, Francistown, Maun and Kasane, and the passenger train serves the eastern Gaborone–Francistown corridor. Neither reaches any park gate, so plan a transfer or a rental car for the last stretch. Domestic flights are the fast option but run on limited frequencies, so leave slack before a camp transfer.
Cross-border trips to Victoria Falls are usually done as a road transfer from Kasane, 1–1.5 hours plus border time at Kazungula. Check whether your operator handles the paperwork or you do it yourself.
Notes and traps
Light aircraft luggage is the most common surprise: soft bags only, usually 20 kg total per person, and no hard cases. Repack before you fly.
Self-drive in sand is a skill. If you have not driven deep sand before, take a guided mobile safari instead of learning on a rented vehicle in the Delta.
Do not plan to reach a park by bus. Local buses stop in towns; from there you need a transfer, a rental or a charter.
Park gates close around 18:30, varying by month, and you must be at your campsite before closing. Plan the day's driving around that, not around the map distance.
Fuel, cash and phone signal thin out fast outside Maun, Kasane and Gaborone. Fill up and carry pula before you leave town.
FAQ
Sources and checked date
Questions people ask
What is the best way to get around Botswana?
For the safari circuit, light aircraft: 20–60 minutes per hop between Maun, Kasane and the camps, US$200–450 a seat, booked by your operator. For Moremi, Chobe and the Kalahari, a 4x4 self-drive or a mobile safari. Buses and trains only cover towns.
Do I need a car in Botswana?
Only if you plan to drive yourself through Moremi, Chobe, Makgadikgadi or the Central Kalahari. Camps in the Delta and Linyanti are reached by light aircraft, and town-to-town travel works by bus, combi or domestic flight.
Are there rail or bus passes for Botswana?
No national rail or bus pass is sold for tourists. Bus fares are paid per trip, typically P150–250 for Maun–Kasane, and passenger rail runs on the Gaborone–Francistown line only. Neither reaches the parks.
How much luggage can I take on a light aircraft in Botswana?
Usually 20 kg total per person in soft bags, with no hard cases. This is set by the operator and applies to every seat, including charter flights between camps. Repack before the flight.
Can I get to Victoria Falls from Botswana without flying?
Yes. Road transfers run from Kasane to Victoria Falls in 1–1.5 hours, US$40–60 per person, plus border time at Kazungula. Many safari itineraries add the falls as a two-night bookend.
Is it safe to drive in Botswana at night?
No. Animals on the road and unlit sections make night driving risky, and park gates close around 18:30. Plan to reach your campsite or town before dark.
Deep dive
Every source; changeable facts are marked check
Sources
- officialBotswana Tourism Organisation
- officialAir Botswana
- officialDepartment of Wildlife and National Parks, Botswana
- secondaryWikivoyage – Botswana