Gaborone Getting there & around

Getting around

Packed white combis, recognisable by their blue numberplates, circulate according to set routes and cost US$0.50. They pick up and drop off only at designated lay-bys marked ‘bus/taxi stop’. The main city loop passes all the main shopping centres except the new Riverwalk Mall and the Kgale Centre Mall, which are on the Tlokweng and Kgale routes, respectively.

Taxis, which can also be easily identified by their blue numberplates, are surprisingly difficult to come by in Gabs. Very few cruise the streets looking for fares, and most are parked either in front of the train station or on Botswana Rd. If you manage to get a hold of one, fares (negotiable) are generally US$3 to US$5 per trip around the city. Note that taxis rarely turn up at the airport, though there are courtesy minibuses operated by the top-end hotels for their guests. If there’s space, nonguests may talk the driver into a lift, but you’ll have to pay about US$8.