Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
worth having. For both types of insurance, the excess liability is about P5000 for a 2WD
and P9000 for a 4WD. If you're only going for a short period of time, it may be worth tak-
ing out the Super Collision Waiver, which covers absolutely everything, albeit at a price.
ROAD CONDITIONS
With the upgrading of the road between Kasane and Nata, good sealed roads link most
major population centres. The most notable exception is the direct route between Kasane
and Maun - a horribly corrugated gravel track. The road from Maun to Shakawe past the
Okavango Panhandle is generally reasonable but beware of potholes.
Tracks with sand, mud, gravel and rocks (and sometimes all four) - but normally ac-
cessible by 2WD except during exceptional rains - connect most villages and cross a few
national parks.
Most other 'roads' are poorly defined - and badly mapped - tracks that should only be
attempted by 4WD. In the worst of the wet season (December to February), 4WDs should
carry a winch on some tracks (eg through Chobe or Moremi National Parks). A compass
or, better, Global Positioning System (GPS) equipment with the Tracks4Africa maps
loaded, is essential for driving by 4WD around the salt pans of the Kalahari or northern
Botswana at any time.
ROAD RULES
To drive a car in Botswana, you must be at least 18 years old. Like most other Southern
African countries, traffic keeps to the left side of the road. The national speed limit is
60km/h up to 120km/h on sealed roads; when passing through towns and villages, assume
a speed limit of 60km/h, even in the absence of any signs. Mobile police units routinely
set up speed cameras along major roads, particularly between Gaborone and Francistown
- on-the-spot fines operate on a sliding scale, but can go as high as P500 if you're 30km/h
over the limit and you'll be expected to pay on the spot. On gravel roads, limits are set at
60km/h to 80km/h, while it's 40km/h in all national parks and reserves.
Other road rules to be aware of:
» Sitting on the roof of a moving vehicle is illegal.
» Wearing seat belts (where installed) is compulsory in the front (but not back) seats.
» Drink-driving is also against the law, and your insurance policy will be invalid if you
have an accident while drunk.
» Driving without a licence is a serious offence.
» If you have an accident causing injury, it must be reported to the authorities within 48
hours. If vehicles have sustained only minor damage and there are no injuries - and all
