Entering Botswana by Train, car and bus

There is a rail line from South Africa which was suspended. Nonetheless, there is always potential for policy to change. So, always ask for the latest information just before you travel. There is also a rail link from Francistown in Botswana to Bulawayo in Zimbabwe. Again, please enquire on the status quo of this transport link prior to setting off.

There is a considerable number of entry points to Botswana by road. In the south at Gaborone, there is a road link to Johannesburg in South Africa. In the west, there is a road link with Namibia; in the north is a road connecting to Namibia, Zambia and Zimbabwe; and at Francistown in the east, there is a road connection to Harare, Zimbabwe’s political capital. All these roads are well maintained and are relatively convenient for driving on them.

There is a regular bus service from Johannesburg in South Africa to Gaborone in Botswana. This particular journey lasts for approximately six hours. There is also a bus service from Namibia via the Caprivi Strip, which can drop one off at Chobe National Park in Northern Botswana. There is also a bus service from Victoria Falls in Zimbabwe to Botswana. If you intend to use any of these services, please conduct adequate enquiries ahead of time, to understand the implications in terms of cost, time and convenience.

Overland trips are common among South African countries, including the Republic of South Africa, Zimbabwe, Botswana, Zambia and Namibia. It is common for visitors in one of these countries to travel to another by land.  Many of these overland trips are focused on visiting national parks in each of these countries. Many visitors who are interested in a dynamic and fun experience choose overland tours to visits neighbouring and highly interesting South African countries.