Editing Transport in Botswana

{{Update|date=August 2023}}{{Short description|none}} <!-- This short description is INTENTIONALLY "none" - please see WP:SDNONE before you consider changing it! -->[[File:Flag of Botswana.svg|thumb|Flag of Botswana]]
'''Transportation in Botswana''' is provided by an extensive network of railways, highways, ferry services and air routes that criss-cross the country.<ref>{{Cite journal|last=Mupimpila|first=C|date=2010-09-30|title=Internalising the Externalities of Public Transport in Botswana|journal=Botswana Journal of Economics|volume=5|issue=7|doi=10.4314/boje.v5i7.60307|issn=1810-0163|doi-access=free}}</ref> 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.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Transportation and Economic Development in Botswana: A Case Study |url=https://onlinepubs.trb.org/Onlinepubs/trr/1990/1274/1274-023.pdf |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20221009/https://onlinepubs.trb.org/Onlinepubs/trr/1990/1274/1274-023.pdf |archive-date=2022-10-09 |url-status=live}}</ref>

== Rail transport ==
{{Main|Rail transport in Botswana}}Rail services are provided by [[Botswana Railways]], with most routes radiating from [[Gaborone]]. Botswana has the [[List of countries by rail transport network size|93rd longest railway network in the world]] at 888 km, it is [[Rail usage statistics by country|one of the busiest railways]] in Africa. The track gauge is 1,067 mm (3 ft 6 in) ([[cape gauge]]). Botswana is an associate member of the [[International Union of Railways]] (UIC).[[File:BR Express Interior 1.jpg|thumb|The new chairs of BR Express]]

=== Regional trains (BR Express) ===
Botswana Railways run 2 nightly passenger trains, one from [[Lobatse]] to [[Francistown]], and the other from Francistown to Lobatse, with stops in [[Gaborone]], [[Mahalapye]], [[Palapye]], and [[Serule]]. The passenger train is termed the "BR Express" ([[Botswana Railways]]). Passenger services were suspended from 2009 to 2016, with the exception of an international link to Zimbabwe from Francistown.[[File:BR Express Interior.jpg|thumb]]

=== Commuter/suburban trains ===
In Botswana, the ([[Botswana Railways]]) "BR Express" has a commuter train between [[Lobatse]] and [[Gaborone]]. The train departs to [[Lobatse]] at 0530hrs and arrives at [[Gaborone]] at 0649hrs. This train returns to [[Lobatse]] in the evening, departing in [[Gaborone]] at 1800hrs. Arrival time at [[Lobatse]] is 1934hrs. The train stops at [[Otse]], [[Ramotswa]], and Commerce Park Halt. 

=== BR Express Sleeping & Dining Department ===
[[File:BR Express Dining Department.jpg|thumb|BR Express Dining Department]]
From the beginning, the BR decided to operate its own [[sleeping cars]], thus building bigger-sized berths and more comfortable surroundings. Providing and operating their cars allowed better control of the services and revenue. While the food was served to passengers, the profits were never result of serving the food. 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. 

=== Stations ===
{{Main|Railway stations in Botswana}}

=== Freight trains ===
[[File:Botswana Rail Express train3.jpg|thumb|Freight Train of Botswana]]
Over half of BRs freight traffic is in coal, grain and [[intermodal freight]], and it also ships automotive parts and assembled automobiles, sulphur, fertilizers, other chemicals, soda ash, forest products and other types of the commodities.

=== Locomotives ===
[[File:BR Express 1.jpg|thumb|BR Express Train from [[Gaborone]] to [[Francistown]]]]

[[File:BR Express 2.jpg|thumb]]
'''Diesel locomotives'''

As of March 2009:
* 8 General Electric UM 22C diesel-electric locomotive, 1982.
* 20 General Motors Model GT22LC-2 diesel-electric locomotive, 1986.
* 10 General Electric UI5C diesel-electric locomotive, 1990.
* 8 new gt142aces were delivered in the end of 2017.

=== Network ===
[[File:Botswana rail network map.svg|thumb|Botswana rail network]]
*total: 888&nbsp;km (since 2015){{CN|date=May 2022}}
*number of stations: 13
*standard gauge: 1,067&nbsp;mm (3&nbsp;ft 6 in) [[cape gauge]].

=== Railway links with adjacent countries ===
'''Existing'''
* [[Transport in South Africa|South Africa]] (same gauge)

* [[Transport in Zimbabwe|Zimbabwe]] (same gauge)
==== Currently under construction ====
* [[Transport in Zambia|Zambia]] - being built at [[Kazungula Bridge]] in [[Kazungula]].

==== Proposed ====
* [[Transport in Namibia|Namibia]] 
* [[Transport in Mozambique|Mozambique]]

== Road transport ==
{{Main|Roads in Botswana}}

=== Vehicle population ===
* Botswana had 584,000 locally registered vehicles at the end of June 2019<ref>{{cite web |title=Vehicle population nears 600,000 |url=https://www.mmegi.bw/index.php?aid=83310&dir=2019/november/01 |website=MmegiOnline | date=November 2019 |publisher=Mmegi |access-date=1 November 2019}}</ref> - more than double the number compared to 10 years prior. This equates to around 250 vehicles per 1,000 people in the country.
* 30,583 vehicles were registered in the first 6 months of 2019.
* Secondhand imports from Asia and the UK are a significant source of vehicles in Botswana.
[[File:Bus for mass travel.jpg|thumb|Bus on the A1l]]
[[File:Cargo Trucking.jpg|thumb|Cargo Trucking o the A3]]

=== A-roads ===
A-roads are highways and other major roads.
{| class="wikitable mw-collapsible mw-collapsed"
|'''Road'''
|'''Connections'''
|-
|[[A1 road (Botswana)|A1]]
|Zimbabwe (A7) - Ramokgwebane (B315) - Tshesebe (B311) - Francistown (A3, B162) - Dikabeya (B151) - Serule (A15) - Palapye (A14, B140) - Mahalapye (B145, B147) - Pilane (B130) - Gaborone (A10, A12) - Ramotswa (A11, B111) - Otse (B105) - Lobatse (A2) - Ramatlabama (B202) - South Africa (R503)
|-
|[[A2 road (Botswana)|A2]]
|Namibia (B6) - Charleshill (B214) - A3 (south of Ghanzi) - Morwamosu (B102) - Sekoma (A20) - Kanye (A10, B105, B202) - Lobatse (A1) - South Africa (N4)
|-
|[[A3 road (Botswana)|A3]]
|A2 - Ghanzi - Sehithwa (A35) - Maun (B334) - Matopi (B300) - Nata (A33) - Dukwe (A32) - Sebina (A31) - Francistown (A30, A1)
|-
|[[A10 road (Botswana)|A10]]
|Gaborone (A1, A12) - Thamaga (B111) - Mosopa - Kanye (A2, B105, B202)
|-
|[[A11 road (Botswana)|A11]]
|A1 - Ramotswa
|-
|[[A12 road (Botswana)|A12]]
|Molepolole (B102, B111, B112) - Metsimotlhaba (B122) - Gaborone (A1) - South Africa (R49)
|-
|[[A14 road (Botswana)|A14]]
|Orapa (A30, B300) - Serowe (B145) - Palapye (A1, B140)
|-
|[[A15 road (Botswana)|A15]]
|Serule (A1) - Selebi Phikwe (B157, B150)
|-
|[[A20 road (Botswana)|A20]]
|Sekoma (A2) - Khakhea (B205) - Tshabong (B210, B211)
|-
|[[A30 road (Botswana)|A30]]
|Orapa (A14, B300) - Francistown (A3)
|-
|[[A31 road (Botswana)|A31]]
|Tutume - Sebina (A3)
|-
|[[A32 road (Botswana)|A32]]
|Sowa - Dukwe (A3)
|-
|[[A33 road (Botswana)|A33]]
|Namibia (B6) - Muchenje - Kasane - Pandamatenga (B333) - Nata (A3)
|-
|[[A35 road (Botswana)|A35]]
|Namibia - Shakawe - Sehithwa (A3)
|}

=== B-roads ===
B-roads are smaller distributor roads.
{| class="wikitable mw-collapsible mw-collapsed"
|'''Road'''
|'''Connections'''
|-
|B102
|Morwamosu (A2) - Molepolole (A12, B111, B112)
|-
|B105
|Kanye (A2, A10, B202) - Otse (A1)
|-
|B111
|Molepolole (A12, B102, B112) - Thamaga (A10) - Ramotswa (A1, A11)
|-
|B112
|Shoshong (B145) - Molepolole (A12, B102, B111)
|-
|B122
|Lentsweletau (B123) - Metsimotlhaba (A12)
|-
|B123
|Lentsweletau (B122) - east
|-
|B130
|Pilane (A1) - Mochudi - Sikwane (B135) - South Africa
|-
|B135
|Malolwane - Sikwane (B130)
|-
|B140
|Palapye (A1, A14) - Sherwood (B141) - South Africa (Grobler's Bridge, N11)
|-
|B141
|Machaneng (B147, B148) - Sherwood (B140)
|-
|B145
|Serowe (A14) - Shoshong (B112) - Mahalapye (A1, B147)
|-
|B147
|Mahalapye (A1, B145) - Machaneng (B141, B148)
|-
|B148
|B140 - Machaneng (B141, B147)
|-
|B150
|Selebi Phikwe (A15) - Sefophe (B150) - Tsetsebjwe
|-
|B151
|Dikabeya (A1) - Sefophe (B151) - Bobonong (B155) - Kobojango
|-
|B155
|Bobonong (B150) - Molalatau
|-
|B157
|Mmadinare - Selebi Phikwe (A15)
|-
|B162
|Francistown (A1, A3) - Matsiloje
|-
|B202
|Kanye (A2, A10, B105) - Ramatlabama (A1)
|-
|B205
|A2 - Khakhea (A20) - south
|-
|B210
|Tshabong (A20, B211) - South Africa (R380)
|-
|B211
|South Africa - Bokspits - Tshabong (A20, B210)
|-
|B214
|Charleshill (A2) - Ncojane
|-
|B300
|Matopi (A3) - Rakops - Orapa (A14, A30)
|-
|B311
|Masunga (B316) - Tshesebe (A1)
|-
|B315
|Zwenshambe (B316) - Moroka - Ramokgwebane (A1)
|-
|B316
|Zwenshambe (B315) - Masunga (B311)
|-
|B333
|A33 - Pandamatenga - Zimbabwe
|-
|B334
|Shorobe - Maun (A3)
|}

=== Motorways ===
Motorways in [[Botswana]] have a set of restrictions, which prohibit certain traffic from using the road. The following classes of traffic are not allowed on Botswana motorways:
* Learner drivers
* Slow vehicles (i.e., not capable of reaching 60&nbsp;km/h on a level road)
* Invalid carriages (lightweight three-wheeled vehicles)
* Pedestrians
* Pedal-cycles ([[bicycles]], etc.)
* Vehicles under 50cc (e.g. [[mopeds]])
* Tractors
* Animals

Rules for driving on motorways include the following:
* The keep-left rule applies unless overtaking
* No stopping at any time
* No reversing 
* No hitchhiking
* Only vehicles that travel faster than 80&nbsp;km/h may use the outside lane
* No driving on the hard-shoulder

The general [[motorway]] speed limit is 120&nbsp;km/h.<ref>{{Cite journal |date=2016-04-27 |title=ROADS AND RAILWAYS: Botswana |journal=Africa Research Bulletin: Economic, Financial and Technical Series |volume=53 |issue=3 |pages=21217C–21219A |doi=10.1111/j.1467-6346.2016.07003.x |issn=0001-9852}}</ref>

=== Road signs ===
[[File:SACU road sign W208.svg|thumb|right|60px|Botswana's old "caution curves" sign]]
[[File:SADC road sign W209.svg|thumb|right|65px|New sign]]
Traditionally, [[road signs in Botswana]] used blue backgrounds rather than the yellow, white, or orange that the rest of the world uses on traffic [[warning sign]]s. In the early 2010s, officials announced plans to begin phasing out the distinctive blue signs in favour of more typical signs in order to be more in line with the neighbouring [[Southern African Development Community]] member states.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://72.167.255.126/index.php?sid=1&aid=821&dir=2011/December/Wednesday21|archive-url=https://archive.today/20121129021003/http://72.167.255.126/index.php?sid=1&aid=821&dir=2011/December/Wednesday21|url-status=dead|archive-date=November 29, 2012|title=Old road signs are being phased out|author="Mmegi Online" staff writer Maranyane Ngwanaamotho|date=Dec 21, 2011|access-date=Oct 5, 2012}}</ref>

=== Interchanges ===
==== Existing ====
* '''Kenneth Nkhwa Interchange''' at the junction of [[A1 highway (Botswana)|A1]] / Blue Jacket Street and [[A3 road (Botswana)|A3]] in [[Francistown]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.dailynews.gov.bw |title=Hello spaghetti, bye bye traffic circles|newspaper=Botswana Daily News|last=Ketumile|first=Kesentse|date=Jan 25, 2016|access-date=Oct 4, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161014043241/http://www.dailynews.gov.bw/|archive-date=2016-10-14|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite news | url = https://www.facebook.com/The | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20201109035301/http://www.facebook.com/The | url-status = dead | archive-date = November 9, 2020 | title = Francistown Spaghetti Junction Opens for Public Use | newspaper = The Midweek Sun | date = Dec 16, 2016 | access-date = Oct 4, 2017 }}</ref>
* '''Boatle Interchange''' in '''Boatle'''.

==== Under construction ====
The Government of Botswana is building three interchanges along '''K.T Motsete Drive (''Western Bypass'')''' in [[Gaborone]]. This project started in August 2019, and deadline date is set 2022.

=== Longest bridges ===
The [[Kazungula Bridge]] in [[Kazungula]]<ref>{{Cite news |date=28 October 2018 |title=Kazungula Bridge to be completed |url=https://www.znbc.co.zm/kazungula-bridge-to-be-completed/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181104001801/https://www.znbc.co.zm/kazungula-bridge-to-be-completed/ |archive-date=2018-11-04 |access-date=17 November 2018 |work=ZNBC |language=en-US}}</ref> and the [[Okavango River Bridge]] (constructed 2022) in Mohembo are the two longest bridges.

=== Roadway links with adjacent countries ===
==== Existing ====
* Namibia by [[Trans-Kalahari Corridor]].
* South Africa by [[A1 highway (Botswana)]], [[A2 highway (Botswana)]], [[A11 road (Botswana)]] and '''A12 highway (Botswana)'''.
* Zambia by [[A33 road (Botswana)]].
* Zimbabwe by [[A1 highway (Botswana)]].

== Mass transit by road ==
=== Taxicabs ===
In most parts of Botswana, there are many taxicabs of various colours and styles. Botswana has no limitation in taxicab design, so each taxicab company adopts its own design.

=== Minibus taxis ===
[[File:Public transport in Gaborone.jpg|thumb|Combi (Minibus taxi)]]

Minibus taxis, also known as C''ombi'', are the predominant form of transport for people in urban areas of Botswana. Most of them are found within cities, towns, major villages, and even the least populated areas.

They also have their own minibus station within a particular area; only transporting people within that specific area using different and unique routes. This is due to their availability and affordability to the public.

Most minibus taxis do not have a specific departure time that is allocated by the state and most of them have 15-seaters. The minibuses are owned and operated by many individual minibus owners.

=== Coach bus ===
Coach buses are used for longer-distance services within and outside Botswana. These are normally operated by private companies and are the only buses that have departure times allocated by the Ministry of Transport. Coach buses have multiple departures, routes, and stations all over Botswana.

== Water transport ==
[[File:Border crossing (ferry) from Botswana to Zambia - panoramio.jpg|thumb|Border crossing (ferry) from Botswana to Zambia]]{{Further|List of rivers of Botswana}}

=== Ferries ===
The [[Kazungula Ferry]] was a [[pontoon (boat)|pontoon]] ferry that crossed the {{convert|400|m|ft|adj=mid|-wide}} [[Zambezi River]] between [[Botswana]] and [[Zambia]].

=== Tour boats ===
{{Incomplete|Tour boats|date=August 2023}}

== Aviation ==
[[File:Aeropuerto Internacional Sir Seretse Khama de Gaborone, Botswana.jpg|thumb|Sir Seretse Khama International Airport in Gaborone, Botswana]]
{{Further|List of airports in Botswana}}
In 2004 there were an estimated 85 airports, 10 of which (as of 2005), were paved. The country's main international airport is [[Sir Seretse Khama International Airport]] in [[Gaborone]]. The government-owned [[Air Botswana]] operates scheduled flights to [[Francistown]], [[Gaborone]], [[Maun, Botswana|Maun]], and [[Selebi-Phikwe]]. There is international service to [[Johannesburg, South Africa]]; [[Mbabane|Mbabane, Eswatini]]; and [[Harare, Zimbabwe]]. A new international airport near Gaborone was opened in 1984. Air passengers arriving to and departing from Botswana during 2003 totalled about 183,000.[[File:Maun Airport.jpg|thumb|Maun International Airport]]
=== International airports ===
Botswana has 4 international airports. 

* [[Sir Seretse Khama International Airport]] in [[Gaborone]].
* [[Francistown Airport]] in [[Francistown]].

[[File:Kasane Airport (2919).jpg|Kasane International Airport|alt=Kasane International Airport |thumb]]
* [[Kasane Airport]] in [[Kasane]].

* [[Maun Airport]] in [[Maun, Botswana|Maun]].

==== Proposed airports ====
* "Mophane International Airport" is planned in [[Palapye]] Sub-District near Moremi village.

== Pedestrian elevated walkways ==
[[File:Gaborone, Station bridge 2.jpg|alt=Gaborone's Pedestrian Elevated Walkway|thumb|Gaborone's Pedestrian Elevated Walkway]]Botswana has many pedestrian elevated walkways at different places.

== Water pipelines ==
[[File:Botswana NSC and Extension.svg|thumb|Botswana NSC and extension]]{{Relevance inline|discuss=|date=August 2023|reason=is a pipeline 'Transport'?}}

=== Under construction ===
==== North-South Carrier ====
{{Further|North-South Carrier}}

NSC is a pipeline in Botswana that carries raw water, south for a distance of {{convert|360|km}} to the capital city of [[Gaborone]]. It was done in phases. However, phase 1 was completed in 2000.

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 {{convert|500|to|520|km}} to the total pipeline length.

==== Lesotho-Botswana Water Transport ====
The Lesotho-Botswana Water Transfer is an ongoing project which is expected to provide two hundred million cubic meters per year to transfer water to the south-eastern parts of Botswana.

The scheme involves the supply of water to [[Gaborone]] from [[Lesotho]] via a {{convert|600|to|700|km}} pipeline.

The project commenced on the 1 August 2018 and is set for completion in June 2020.

=== Proposed ===
==== Sea water desalination project ====
The Government of Botswana intends to sign the Sea Water Desalination Project from Namibia. The project is at a tendering stage.

== Border posts ==
[[File:Pandamatenga Border Post Sign by Meraj Chhaya.jpg|thumb|Pandamatenga Border Post Sign]]
* Bokspits Border Post
* Kazungula Border Post
* Ramatlabama Border Post
* Ramokgwebana Border Post
* Mamuno Border Post
* Pandamatenga Border Post
[[File:Elephant swimming, Botswana.jpg|thumb|BW Tour boats]]

== See also ==
* [[Botswana]]
* [[Sprint Couriers]]

== References ==
{{Reflist}}

{{CIA World Factbook}}

== External links ==
{{Commons category|Transport in Botswana}}
* [https://www.un.org/Depts/Cartographic/map/profile/botswana.pdf UN Map of Botswana]
* [https://archive.today/20130419130545/http://www.airbotswana.co.uk/ Air Botswana UK - The national airline of Botswana]

{{Economy of Botswana}}
{{Africa in topic|Transport in}}
{{Botswana topics}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Transport In Botswana}}
[[Category:Transport in Botswana| ]]