Transport in Botswana

Transportation in Botswana is provided by an extensive network of railways, highways, ferry services and air routes that criss-cross the country.

[1] The transport sector in Botswana played an important role in economic growth following its independence in 1966.

The country discovered natural resources which allowed it to finance the development of infrastructure, and policy ensured that the transport sector grew at an affordable pace commensurate with demands for services.

From the beginning, the BR decided to operate its own sleeping cars, thus building bigger-sized berths and more comfortable surroundings.

Those who could afford to travel great distances expected better facilities, and favorable opinions from the overall experience would attract others to Botswana and the BR's trains.

[5] The Government of Botswana is building three interchanges along K.T Motsete Drive (Western Bypass) in Gaborone.

Minibus taxis, also known as Combi, are the predominant form of transport for people in urban areas of Botswana.

These are normally operated by private companies and are the only buses that have departure times allocated by the Ministry of Transport.

The government-owned Air Botswana operates scheduled flights to Francistown, Gaborone, Maun, and Selebi-Phikwe.

NSC is a pipeline in Botswana that carries raw water, south for a distance of 360 kilometres (220 mi) to the capital city of Gaborone.

Phase 2 of the NSC, still under construction, will duplicate the pipeline to carry water from the Dikgatlhong Dam, which was completed in 2012.

A proposed extension to deliver water from the Zambezi would add another 500 to 520 kilometres (310 to 320 mi) to the total pipeline length.