Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
of little use to the traveller as most of Botswana's tourist attractions lie off the beaten
track.
COMBI
Combis, recognisable by their blue number plates, circulate according to set routes around
major towns; ie Gaborone, Kasane, Ghanzi, Molepolole, Mahalapye, Palapye, Francis-
town, Selebi-Phikwe, Lobatse and Kanye. They are very frequent, inexpensive and gener-
ally reliable. However, they aren't terribly safe (most drive too fast), especially on long
journeys, and they only serve the major towns. They can also be crowded.
TAXI
Licensed taxis are also recognisable by their blue number plates. They rarely bother
hanging around the airports at Gaborone, Francistown, Kasane and Maun, so the only reli-
able transport from the airport is usually a courtesy bus operated by a top-end hotel or
lodge. These are free for guests, but anyone else can normally negotiate a fare with the
bus driver. Taxis are always available
to
the airports, however.
It is not normal for taxis to cruise the streets for fares - even in Gaborone. If you need
one, telephone a taxi company to arrange a pick-up or go to a taxi stand (usually near the
bus or train stations). Some taxi companies include Speedy Cabs (
Click here
)
and Final
Bravo Cabs (
Click here
)
. Fares for taxis are negotiable, but fares for occasional shared
taxis are fixed. Taxis can be chartered - about P300 to P400 per day, although this is ne-
gotiable depending on how far you want to go.
TRAIN
The Botswana Railways system no longer takes passengers. In case passenger services do
resume, services are likely to be limited to one line running along eastern Botswana from
Ramokgwebana on the Zimbabwean border to Ramatlabama on the South African border.
