Road trip Johannesburg to Gaborone

[babyfacek]

Can anyone assist me. Planning a road trip to Gaborone Botswana from Johannesburg. i have never been there. What road is best to use and border as well? How many tollgates are there on the way and any additional costs at the border post? Any information would be appreciated.

 

[Frikkenator]

Quite easy, take Malibongwe out past Harties, then get on the N4, head through to Zeerust, at the FNB in Zeerust turn right (R49), follow the road until you hit the border post (Kopfontein Border Post), after the border continue straight and reach Gaborone in 15mins.

EDIT: Refuel at Zeerust.

Whole trip takes about 3-4 hours depending on traffic and speed.

DO NOT drive the part between Zeerust and Gaborone after dark. Lots of animals and donkeys.
DO NOT exceed the speed limits (sometimes 60kmph) between Zeerust and Gaborone.

There is a tollgate at Schweizer Reneke, not sure about the fees, and one other one also not sure about the fees.

The SA border is quite a breeze, just make sure your car and driver's licence is up to date. Remember to get a border letter from your bank if the car is financed.

The Botswana border can be a bit chaotic depending on the traffic. You have to pay to take your car accross, one permit for the visit, another for insurance if I recall correctly. The insurance one is valid for 3 months, all and all I think it comes to less than R500. You can pay by cheque/credit card.

ANOTHER EDIT: Take as many black pens as you have people, will make filling out the border slips a lot easier and quicker.

You need an address you're going to be staying at in Botswana.

When you go through the border on the way there, grab another slip for the return so you can fill this out before you reach the border on your way out.

Source: I've done this many times.

 

[genetic]

I'm off to Botswana for two weeks next week to shoot a television program. Can't wait.

 

[drkev]

We drove from Gabarone to Johannesburg, used the Skilpadshek border post.

If all your paperwork is in order it will be a fairly painless crossing. One point to note is that the Zeerust tollgate is one of the most expensive in SA (apparently). The road is good though, easy driving the whole way.

 

[genetic]

We drove from Gabarone to Johannesburg, used the Skilpadshek border post.

If all your paperwork is in order it will be a fairly painless crossing. One point to note is that the Zeerust tollgate is one of the most expensive in SA (apparently). The road is good though, easy driving the whole way.

The Zeerust toll was only R76 when I used it last in 2011.

 

[blahdihel]

There is a tollgate at Schweizer Reneke, not sure about the fees, and one other one also not sure about the fees.

Uhmm... I think you meant Swartruggens.

 

[Frikkenator]

Uhmm... I think you meant Swartruggens.

Dammit, you're right

 

[MickeyD]

After turning right at FNB in Zeerust, please stop off at the 2SSB army base, take a few photos and post them here. <nostalgia>

 

[babyfacek]

Thank you so much for the detailed information. It did help.

Quite easy, take Malibongwe out past Harties, then get on the N4, head through to Zeerust, at the FNB in Zeerust turn right (R49), follow the road until you hit the border post (Kopfontein Border Post), after the border continue straight and reach Gaborone in 15mins.

EDIT: Refuel at Zeerust.

Whole trip takes about 3-4 hours depending on traffic and speed.

DO NOT drive the part between Zeerust and Gaborone after dark. Lots of animals and donkeys.
DO NOT exceed the speed limits (sometimes 60kmph) between Zeerust and Gaborone.

There is a tollgate at Schweizer Reneke, not sure about the fees, and one other one also not sure about the fees.

The SA border is quite a breeze, just make sure your car and driver's licence is up to date. Remember to get a border letter from your bank if the car is financed.

The Botswana border can be a bit chaotic depending on the traffic. You have to pay to take your car accross, one permit for the visit, another for insurance if I recall correctly. The insurance one is valid for 3 months, all and all I think it comes to less than R500. You can pay by cheque/credit card.

ANOTHER EDIT: Take as many black pens as you have people, will make filling out the border slips a lot easier and quicker.

You need an address you're going to be staying at in Botswana.

When you go through the border on the way there, grab another slip for the return so you can fill this out before you reach the border on your way out.

Source: I've done this many times.

 

[Pitbull]

Quite easy, take Malibongwe out past Harties, then get on the N4, head through to Zeerust, at the FNB in Zeerust turn right (R49), follow the road until you hit the border post (Kopfontein Border Post), after the border continue straight and reach Gaborone in 15mins.

EDIT: Refuel at Zeerust.

Whole trip takes about 3-4 hours depending on traffic and speed.

DO NOT drive the part between Zeerust and Gaborone after dark. Lots of animals and donkeys.
DO NOT exceed the speed limits (sometimes 60kmph) between Zeerust and Gaborone.

There is a tollgate at Schweizer Reneke, not sure about the fees, and one other one also not sure about the fees.

The SA border is quite a breeze, just make sure your car and driver's licence is up to date. Remember to get a border letter from your bank if the car is financed.

The Botswana border can be a bit chaotic depending on the traffic. You have to pay to take your car accross, one permit for the visit, another for insurance if I recall correctly. The insurance one is valid for 3 months, all and all I think it comes to less than R500. You can pay by cheque/credit card.

ANOTHER EDIT: Take as many black pens as you have people, will make filling out the border slips a lot easier and quicker.

You need an address you're going to be staying at in Botswana.

When you go through the border on the way there, grab another slip for the return so you can fill this out before you reach the border on your way out.

Source: I've done this many times.

Just to add. The Botswana vehicles drive insanely wreckless. From around Swartruggens, keep your eyes on the road, they over take even if you are approaching you have to go into the yellow lane or you will hit them head on. Happens often driving to the farm outside Zeerust. The toll gate just before Zeerust if you don't know the back routes is around R 75.00 per vehicle last time I checked.

Appart from the info above I can't fault anything appart from fueling in Zeerust. I would rather fill up in Botswana (Cheaper). If you leave Johannesburg on a full tank you will make Gaborone in one trip no need to fill up.

I can't stress this enough, be very awake traveling the N4 in Northwest as those cars with the Botswana plates don't give a damn.

 

[babyfacek]

Awesome! thank you all, I will update you when I get back. Cant wait.