A car in Botswana lets you travel from Gaborone to the pans around Sua and the wilderness of the Kalahari at your own rhythm. Long, straight roads cut through open savannah and big sky landscapes.
Self drive routes towards Maun, the Okavango fringes and Chobe region give flexibility around lodge stays and game drives. You can pause in small towns and viewpoints that group tours often miss.
At a glance
Drives onLeft
Motorway tollCheck locally
CurrencyBotswana Pula (BWP)
Min. rental age21 years
Good to know before you drive
The essentials for a smooth, ticket-free trip.
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Speed limits
Town50 km/h
Open road90 km/h
Motorway130 km/h
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Parking
Paid short-stay zones in city centres — buy a ticket and display it.
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Alcohol limit
Typically 0.05% blood-alcohol limit; lower for new drivers.
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Vignette / tolls
Check whether a motorway vignette or tolls apply — many rentals include one.
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What drivers say about Botswana
★★★★★★4.5
★★★★★5
"I travelled with a friend across Botswana and bookingcar made it so easy. Car was ready on time, clean and reliable, with clear instructions for cross-border rules. Staff were friendly and the pickup and drop-off both took just a few minutes."
N
Naledi Gaorekwe
Botswana
★★★★★5
"Our family trip was smooth with Bookingcar, good car and service."
K
Kabelo Mosarwa
Botswana
★★★★★5
"We booked as a couple and were very happy with the service from Booking car. The car was spotless, fuel efficient and perfect for game drives and town driving. Collection and return were quick, with helpful staff at the counter."
For Botswana, it is wise to book at least 3–6 weeks before your trip, especially for peak periods such as school holidays, Christmas and the dry safari season (roughly June to October). In Maun, Kasane and Gaborone, 4x4 vehicles and automatic cars often sell out early, so early booking gives you better choice, availability and prices.
In Botswana, the deposit is usually held on your card as a pre-authorisation and released after the car is checked in. Most banks release the funds within 3–10 working days, though some international cards can take up to 14 days. If you chose a deal with no deposit, only unpaid fines, fuel or damage would later be charged to your card.
The excess is the maximum amount you pay towards damage or theft before the insurer covers the rest. In Botswana it typically ranges from about BWP 5,000 to BWP 25,000, higher for 4x4s. If the repair cost is below your excess, you pay the full amount. You can usually reduce the excess, sometimes close to zero, by purchasing additional protection when booking.
Many Botswana suppliers require a credit card in the main driver’s name for the deposit. However, some partners offer no-deposit or no-credit-card deals where a debit card is accepted or the deposit is reduced. These options are more limited, often tied to specific vehicle groups, ages and insurance packages, so always check the payment terms on the offer before confirming.
Typical daily prices in Botswana vary by season, vehicle type and location. As a rough guide, a small city car in Gaborone might start from around BWP 400–600 per day, while SUVs and 4x4s for safari routes often cost BWP 1,000–2,000 per day. Rates usually include standard insurance with an excess and a set kilometre allowance or unlimited kilometres, depending on the offer.
Bookingcar lets you compare prices from multiple car hire companies in Botswana in one search, so you can quickly see which offers provide the best value. You can filter by vehicle type, mileage, fuel policy and insurance options, then choose the deal that fits your budget. Our role is to simplify price comparison, helping you secure a competitively priced rental.
If you return your car late in Botswana, most companies will charge an extra fee. This is usually calculated as an additional hourly rate, and if you are several hours overdue, it may be counted as a full extra rental day at the current tariff. Unauthorised late returns can also affect your insurance cover, so contact the rental office as soon as you know you will be delayed.
Standard limits in Botswana (unless signs state otherwise) are:
Urban areas: around 60 km/h
Rural roads: generally 80 km/h
Main highways / open roads: up to 120 km/h
Always follow posted signs, as limits may be lower near schools, villages, roadworks or in wildlife areas, where animals can cross unexpectedly and enforcement is stricter.
Traffic fines in Botswana are normally paid on the spot or at a police station and can be substantial. Typical penalties include:
Speeding: escalating fines depending on how far over the limit you are
Dangerous or careless driving: higher fines and possible court appearance
Drink-driving: heavy fines, licence suspension and possible imprisonment
Unpaid fines may later be charged by the rental company, plus an administrative fee.
Botswana’s legal blood alcohol limit is generally 0.08% (0.8 g/l). Enforcement can be strict, particularly on main routes and near towns. Penalties for exceeding the limit include heavy fines, a possible criminal record, suspension of your licence and even imprisonment in serious cases. For safety and to avoid complications with your car hire insurance, it is best not to drink at all if you are driving.
Fuel prices in Botswana are regulated and adjusted from time to time. As a broad indication, unleaded petrol and diesel often fall in the region of about BWP 13–17 per litre, depending on the current government price and global oil costs. Remote areas can have fewer stations, so plan fuel stops carefully, especially on long routes to parks or border posts.
At present, Botswana does not operate a traditional motorway toll system or vignettes for private cars. Most main roads are free to use, though border crossings and certain infrastructure, such as some bridges or ferries, may involve separate fees. These charges are usually paid on the spot and are not included in your rental price, so keep some cash in Botswana pula handy when travelling.
