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.
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.