Guide to Driving In Botswana - Drive Safe in Botswana

With our Drive Smart guide you're fully prepared to hire a car in Botswana and stay safe on unfamiliar roads.

URBAN SPEED LIMIT

30 kph

urban
More info  

RURAL SPEED LIMIT

60-100 kph

rural
More info  

motorway speed limit

120 kph

speed limit
More info  

Drink Drive Limit

 80mg

drink and drive limit
More info  
urban
You drive in Botswana on the Left side  
urban
The currency in Botswana is BWP
urban
To rent a car is  18 years and to drive is 18 years of age
urban
Current fuel price in Botswana 1.03 €/Ltr

Driving Laws in Botswana

Driving in Botswana
Pocket guide to driving in Botswana
Profile:
Botswana
Gaborone
BWP
Driving in Botswana
SPEED: (kph)
30
60-100
120
Speed limit in Botswana
Holiday:
Rush hour in Botswana
Cameras:
NO
YES
Speed cameras in Botswana
FUEL:
1.03
1.15
EUR/Litre
Fuel prices in Botswana
See World Fuel Prices for full statistics
MIN AGE:
18
18
Min driving age in Botswana
DRINK:
80mg
Blood alcohol content
Drink driving in Botswana
EMERGENCY:
911
Emergency phone number in Botswana
DOCUMENT:
Driving documents in Botswana
PHONES:
No
Hands free only
Mobile phone driving in Botswana
SEATBELTS:
Yes
Yes
Seat belt in Botswana
See here for current child seats law in Botswana

Are there any special requirements for driving or hiring a car in Botswana?

Driving in Botswana can present a unique set of challenges, however it’s not to be dismissed. Landlocked by Namibia to the west, Zimbabwe to the east and South Africa to the south, major roads from Windhoek, Bulawayo and Pretoria into Gaborone and Maun are in very good condition and well maintained. That’s not to say they are in as good a condition as highways you might found in other parts of the world, but they are certainly better than the minor roads around the towns and villages. If you are straying off the main roads in Botswana or through the national parks, you’ll require a 4x4 or off road vehicle. Luckily, renting a 4x4 in is relatively inexpensive and widely available from Gaborone Airport where you’ll find rentals available from well known international rental agents as well as local 4x4 specialists.

A1 Botswana

Driving at night should be avoided unless absolutely necessary, the roads are poorly lit (if at all outside of the cities) and stray livestock and wildlife often stray onto the roads, the size of such wildlife and livestock is likely to result in a major collision that could prove very dangerous.

Rules of the road

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Emergency Services Numbers

Police Police: 911

Police Fire: 911

Police Ambulance: 911

Notes:

DieselUnleaded
Feb , 2024

€ 1.15

€ 1.03

Jan , 2024

€ 1.15

€ 1.02

Dec , 2023

€ 1.16

€ 1.03

Nov , 2023

€ 1.18

€ 1.11

Parking Information

Parking regulations

You are generally allowed to park on the road side in Botswana, parking is available in the cities and you would follow local signage for restrictions / cost.
 
Paid parking
Parking tariff’s will be signed in dedicated car parks.
 
Enforcement
Parking fines will be issued where necessary, if your parked car is causing an obstruction, it is likely to be towed away. In this situation you are advised to contact the police for further information stating the cars registration number. If your rental car has been towed, you should also contact the rental agent.

Disabled parking
Disabled parking may be marked out in dedicated parking bays, however there are no special provisions for disabled parking on the streets.

Emergency Information

Emergency Information

Police Police: 911

Police Fire: 911

Police Ambulance: 911

The emergency services can be accessed by dialling 911.

What to do in an emergency

You should call the emergency service in Botswana and await assistance. If you have been involved in a car accident you should wait for the police to attend. If you have had an accident in a rental car, you should also contact the rental agent for further information.
 
  • The British Embassy is at: British High Commission Building,, Queens Rd, Gaborone, Botswana (+267 395 3602)
  • The US Embassy in at: Government Enclave, Embassy Dr, (off Khama Crescent, Gaborone, Botswana (+267 395 3982)

Handy Guides

World Driving Guides

Road Signs

Handy Phrases

The official language of Botswana is English.

Botswana Fuel Price History

DieselUnleaded
Feb , 2024

€ 1.15

€ 1.03

Jan , 2024

€ 1.15

€ 1.02

Dec , 2023

€ 1.16

€ 1.03

Nov , 2023

€ 1.18

€ 1.11

Oct , 2023

€ 1.15

€ 1.10

Sep , 2023

€ 1.13

€ 1.09

Aug , 2023

€ 0.94

€ 0.98

Jul , 2023

€ 0.94

€ 0.98

Jun , 2023

€ 1.11

€ 1.00

May , 2023

€ 1.11

€ 1.00

Apr , 2023

€ 1.13

€ 1.02

Mar , 2023

€ 1.15

€ 1.04

Month, YearDiesel €/ltrUnleaded €/ltr
Feb , 2024 1.15 1.03
Jan , 2024 1.15 1.02
Dec , 2023 1.16 1.03
Nov , 2023 1.18 1.11
Oct , 2023 1.15 1.10
Sep , 2023 1.13 1.09
Aug , 2023 0.94 0.98
Jul , 2023 0.94 0.98
Jun , 2023 1.11 1.00
May , 2023 1.11 1.00
Apr , 2023 1.13 1.02
Mar , 2023 1.15 1.04
botswana flag

Hiring a Car in Botswana

With our Drive Smart guide you're fully prepared to hire a car in Botswana and stay safe on unfamiliar roads.
Kellie Hodge
Posted by Kellie Hodge
About the Author -

Travel writer, customer service guru, Kellie knows the ins and outs of car rental and always happy to share her knowledge on our blog. Favourite country to visit: Spain.

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