South African Airways to launch twice-daily flights between Johannesburg and Gaborone from November 2025!

South African Airways (SAA) has announced the introduction of a new twice-daily flight service between OR Tambo International Airport (JNB) in Johannesburg and Sir Seretse Khama International Airport (GBE) in Gaborone, starting 04 November 2025. Bookings for this route are now open.
The new service strengthens SAA’s regional network in Southern Africa, offering greater convenience and seamless connectivity for both business and leisure travellers.

Flight Schedule: Johannesburg > Gaborone > Johannesburg:

• Morning Service
• Johannesburg > Gaborone: Departs 06:50, arrives 07:45
• Gaborone > Johannesburg: Departs 08:25, arrives 09:25
• Afternoon Service
• Johannesburg > Gaborone: Departs 16:25, arrives 17:20
• Gaborone > Johannesburg: Departs 18:00, arrives 19:00

With two daily return flights, seven days a week, SAA aims to meet growing demand for direct travel between South Africa and Botswana, enhancing regional trade, tourism, and corporate travel opportunities.

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Botswana: Leopard spotted near Sir Seretse Khama International Airport in Gaborone!

The Department of Wildlife and National Parks (DWNP) in Botswana, operating under the Ministry of Environment and Tourism, has issued an urgent public advisory following the confirmed sighting of a leopard in the vicinity of Sir Seretse Khama International Airport (GBE) in Gaborone, Botswana's capital city.
Sir Seretse Khama International Airport is located about 15 km north of Gaborone's city center, serving as the main gateway for international and domestic flights into Botswana. The surrounding area includes bushland and semi-rural spaces, making occasional wildlife encounters possible.

Authorities are urging residents, airport staff, and people working or living nearby to remain alert, avoid unnecessary movement in bushy areas, and never attempt to approach or provoke the animal, as leopards are dangerous predators capable of attacking without warning.

The DWNP, together with the Botswana Police Service, is actively monitoring the situation around the airport perimeter. Members of the public are encouraged to immediately report any leopard sightings or signs of the animal to the nearest Wildlife office by calling +267 396 0712/4, or contact the Botswana Police emergency line at 999.
This incident is a reminder that wildlife can occasionally roam near urban areas in Botswana, especially in regions close to natural habitats. The authorities stress the importance of maintaining a safe distance and reporting wildlife encounters promptly to ensure both public safety and the protection of the animal.

 

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Wildlife warning: Crocodile sighting at Gaborone Dam near Gaborone!

The Botswana Department of Wildlife and National Parks has issued a public safety alert following a recent crocodile sighting at Gaborone Dam, located just south of Gaborone. Residents and visitors are strongly advised to remain vigilant, especially those engaging in activities such as fishing, picnicking, or drawing water near the dam.
Authorities have emphasized the importance of avoiding close contact with the water, as the presence of a crocodile poses a serious risk to human safety. Parents are specifically urged to keep children away from the water’s edge and prevent them from playing in or near the dam.
The Department of Wildlife and National Parks is currently monitoring the area closely. Anyone who spots the animal or observes suspicious wildlife activity is encouraged to report it immediately to the nearest Wildlife Office or call 3960712 / 3960714, or Police Emergency Services at 999.

Gaborone Dam is the largest man-made reservoir in Botswana, serving as the main water source for Gaborone, the nation’s capital, and nearby towns. Constructed on the Notwane River, the dam is essential for municipal water supply, especially during Botswana’s long dry seasons.
While primarily a water supply facility, Gaborone Dam is also a spot for limited recreational use, including:

• Fishing (permit required)
• Bird watching
• Scenic viewing for picnics and leisure

Swimming and motorized water sports are generally not allowed, as the dam is used for drinking water.

South Africa: Airlink to launch direct flights between Cape Town and Gaborone!

South African regional and domestic airline Airlink is set to introduce direct flights between Cape Town International Airport (CPT)  in Cape Town and Sir Seretse Khama International Airport (GBE) in Gaborone, Botswana. Flights on the route will operate on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays departing Cape Town at 10:50 and arriving in Gaborone at 13:00. The return service leaves Gaborone at 13:45 and lands in Cape Town at 16:00. Airlink operates the route with its modern 44-seat Embraer E140 Regional Jets. The new service between Cape Town and Gaborone is set to commence on 01 April 2025.

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Botswana: Air Botswana launches flights to two regional destinations!

According the booking system on Air Botswana's website, flights to Durban in South Africa and Windhoek in Namibia are set to be launched next month. Direct flights between Sir Seretse Khama International Airport (GBE) in Gaborone and King Shaka International Airport (DUR) in Durban will commence on 01 December 2024, while a direct service between Gaborone and Hosea Kutako International Airport (WDH) in Windhoek will be introduced on 04 December 2024. Both direct services will be operated three times a week on Sundays, Wednesdays and Fridays.

• Gaborone 07:30 > 08:50 Windhoek on Sundays & Fridays
• Gaborone 12:00 > 13:20 Windhoek on Wednesdays
• Windhoek 09:35 > 10:55 Gaborone on Sundays & Fridays
• Windhoek 14:25 > 15:45 Gaborone on Wednesdays

• Gaborone 11:40 > 13:10 Durban on Sundays & Fridays
• Gaborone 07:30 > 09:00 Durban on Wednesdays
• Durban 13:55 > 15:25 Gaborone on Sundays & Fridays
• Durban 09:45 > 11:15 Gaborone on Wednesdays

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South Africa: Airlink to introduce flights between Cape Town and Gaborone! [update #2]

update (28 August 2024): Airlink has announced that it is proceeding with its plans to launch direct flights between Cape Town International Airport (CPT) in Cape Town and Sir Seretse Khama International Airport (GBE) in Gaborone from 01 April 2025. This follows confirmation by the Botswana and South African regulatory authorities that all of the necessary approvals are in place to allow Airlink to serve the route.

update (15 August 2024): The Civil Aviation Authority of Botswana (CAAB) has confirmed that South African regional carrier Airlink has not been granted authorization to operate flights between Cape Town International Airport (CPT) in Cape Town and Sir Seretse Khama International Airport (GBE) in Gaborone, Botswana. Airlink has therefor withdrawn sales for its direct service between the two cities. The CAAB has also instructed Airlink to remove all advertisements of the new service with immediate effect and has fined the ailine for marketing and selling flights without approval.
In the meantime, Roger Foster, CEO/MD at Airlink, has apologised for prematurely announcing the route. The process of getting the Cape Town <> Gaborone route included in Airlink's valid foreign operators permit to provide air services between South Africa and Botswana is still being finalised. Airlink customers who already booked tickets for direct flights between Cape Town and Gaborone will be re-routed via OR Tambo International Airport (JNB) in Johannesburg. We'll keep you posted!

South African regional and domestic airline Airlink has announced the introduction of direct flights between Cape Town International Airport (CPT) in Cape Town and Sir Seretse Khama International Airport (GBE) in Gaborone, Botswana. Flights on the route will operate on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays departing Cape Town at 10:50 and arriving in Gaborone at 13:00. The return service leaves Gaborone at 13:45 and lands in Cape Townn at 16:00. Airlink operates the route with its modern 44-seat Embraer E140 Regional Jets. The new service between Cape Town and Gaborone is set to commence on 01 April 2025. 

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Botswana: Air Botswana resumes flights to Zambia & Zimbabwe!

Botswana's state-owned national flag carrier, Air Botswana, resumes scheduled flights between Sir Seretse Khama International Airport (GBE) in Gaborone, Robert Gabriel Mugabe International Airport (HRE) in Harare and Kenneth Kaunda International Airport (LUN) in Lusaka today (06 May 2022). The airline initially operates two weekly direct flights on Fridays and Sundays and is planning to increase frequencies to three weekly flights as demand builds up. Air Botswana deploys its Embraer 170 jet to service the route.

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Air Botswana to resume flights to Cape Town, Lusaka and Harare!

Botswana's flag carrier, Air Botswana, is set to re-introduce scheduled flights to Cape Town, Lusaka and Harare. Effective 01 April 2021, the airline will operate two weekly return flights from Sir Seretse Khama International Airport (GBE) in Gaborone to Cape Town International Airport (CPT) in Cape Town as well as from Gaborone to Kenneth Kaunda International Airport (LUN) in Lusaka and Robert G. Mugabe International Airport (HRE) in Harare.

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Air Botswana to resume flights to Cape Town, Harare & Lusaka! [update]

update (14 December 2020): Air Botswana increases flights between Gaborone and Johannesburg to 12 flights a week from today!

update (14 December 2020): Air Botswana will operate two weekly flights on Fridays and Sundays between Gaborone and Cape Town as well as two weekly fligths on Thursdays and Sundays between Gaborone, Harare and Lusaka (Thr: Gaborone > Lusaka > Harare > Gaborone; Sun: Gaborone > Harare > Lusaka > Gaborone).

Botswana's flag carrier, Air Botswana, is set to re-introduce regional services in Southern Africa. The airline, which already relaunched flights between Sir Seretse Khama International Airport (GBE) in Gaborone and OR Tambo International Airport (JNB) in Johannesburg on 10 November 2020, is set to recommence flights to Cape Town International Airport (CPT) in Cape Town, Kenneth Kaunda International Airport (LUN) in Lusaka and RG Mugabe International Airport (HRE) in Harare. Return flights from Gaborone to Lusaka and Harare will be relaunched on 17 December 2020, while Air Botswana will resume flights between Gaborone and Cape Town on 18 December 2020.

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Botswana: Ethiopian Airlines has resumed flights to Gaborone!

Ethiopia's flag carrier, Ethiopian Airlines, has resumed flights to Botswana on 14 November 2020. The airline operates two weekly flights on Saturdays and Tuesdays between Addis Ababa Bole International Airport (ADD) in Addis Ababa and Sir Seretse Khama International Airport (GBE) in Gaborone via Victoria Falls Airport (VFA) in Victoria Falls in Zimbabwe (ADD > GBE only). Ethiopian Airlines suspended flights to Gaborone on 29 March 2020 due to the coronavirus pandemic.

• Addis Ababa 08:35 > 12:15 Victoria Falls 13:00 > 14:15 Gaborone
• Gaborone 15:00 > 21:30 Addis Ababa

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South Africa: Airlink is set to resume flights to Botswana!

South African privately-owned regional carrier Airlink is set to resume flights to Botswana. Following the relaxation of international travel restrictions in the country, the airline will re-introduce scheduled flights between OR Tambo International Airport (JNB) in Johannesburg and Sir Seretse Khama International Airport (GBE) in Gaborone from 16 November 2020. Flights to Maun Airport (MUB) in Maun and Kasane International Airport (BBK) in Kasane are planned to resume on 30 November 2020. We'll keep you posted!

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Coronavirus pandemic: Botswana's capital Gaborone placed under lockdown for 14 days! [update]

update (14 August 2020): According to Botswana's Minister of Health and Wellness, Dr Lemogang Kwape, the Greater Gaborone lockdown has been lifted with effect from midnight on 13 August 2020.

The Government of Botswana has placed the Greater Gaborone Zone under lockdown since 30 July 2020 for a minimum of two weeks to enable containment efforts to take hold.
Only "essential services" are allowed to operate, but only at 25% capacity. Movement within the Greater Gaborone Zone is permitted, except for those holding a "movement permit". Those holding interzonal movement permits to the Greater Gaborone Zone are allowed to return, while those who are in the Greater Gaborone Zone will not be allowed to leave without an "essential services" permit. The public is urged to to observe all Covid-19 protocols.
The decision to place Botswana's capital Gaborone under lockdown was taken due to 30 new positive cases of Covid-19 in the last 24 hours in the Greater Gaborone Zone.
As of 30 July 2020, Botswana has registered 170 confirmed COVID-19 local cases and two deaths.

The Government of Botswana has demarcated the country into nine Covid-19 zones in May 2020 as a measure to better contain the spread of the coronavirus. The COVID-19 zones are:

1. Greater Gaborone zone - towns, villages and settlements from Dibete to Ramatlabama, including the city of Gaborone and its periphery, Lobatse as well as Kanye, Molepolole and surrounding areas.
2. Greater Francistown zone - area from Ramokgwebana to Gojwane gate, stretching also to Dukwi and Mokubilo.
3. Greater Palapye zone - area from Dibete to Martin's Drift and Sefhophe gate, including the major villages of Serowe, Mahalapye and Palapye.
4. Boteti zone - from Makoba to Makalamabedi
5. Maun zone - the whole of Ngamiland
6. Chobe zone -  Chobe district up to Dukwi and Zoroga gate.
7. Kgalagadi zone - area from Jwaneng to the Kgalagadi North and South constituencies
8. Ghanzi zone
9. Greater Phikwe zone

Survey: The most expensive cities in Southern and East Africa 2020!

Global transportation service Hoppa has released its report into the most expensive vs cheapest destinations for 2020. The annual survey is taking a look at 100 destinations worldwide to find out which holiday destinations are most affordable and which are exorbitantly pricey. Criteria include average hotel prices per night, taxi fares, and meals for two, along with the cost of unexpected medical costs and average currency exchange rates. Flight prices were excluded. According to Hoppa's findings, Grand Cayman (a British territory) ranked as the most expensive location in the world, where costs total £459.58 per day, while Antalya in Turkey is the cheapest destination with a total cost of £63.79 per day. Seven cities from Southern and East Africa also made the list. Johannesburg in South Africa ranked as the 60th most expensive city in the world and the most expensive city in Southern and East Africa, costing international travellers £134.37 on average. Kampala (GBP130.11) in Uganda is the second most expensive city in the region and the 66th most expensive city in the world, followed by Dar es Salaam (GBP112.96 | #3, #78). According to the survey, Cape Town in South Africa is only the 5th most expensive city in Southern and East Africa and the 81th most expensive city in the world.

Photo by Keenan Constance on Unsplash

The most expensive cities in Southern and East Africa 2020:

1. (60) Johannesburg, South Africa - GBP134.37 (4th cheapest cocktails in the world - GBP3.47)
2. (66) Kampala, Uganda - GBP130.11 (cheapest beer in the world - GBP0.88)
3. (78) Dar es Salaam, Tanzania - GBP112.96 (2nd cheapest beer in the world - GBP0.95)
4. (80) Gaborone, Botswana - GBP111.31 (7th cheapest beer in the world - GBP1.20)
5. (81) Cape Town, South Africa - 110.12 (3rd chapest cocktails in the world - GBP3.43)
6. (82) Port Louis, Mauritius - 108.72 (5th cheapest hotel rates in the world - approx. GBP26.00)
7. (98) Nairobi, Kenya - GBP75.23 (cheapest hotel rates in the world - approx. GBP17.50)

South Africa: SA Express to increase its regional flights!

State-owned South African carrier, SA Express, has got the approval by the International Air Services Council (IASC) to offer services to Botswana, Zimbabwe and Angola. In the near future, the airline will add seven new return flights between Cape Town International Airport (CPT) in Cape Town and Sir Seretse Khama International Airport (GBE) in Gaborone in Botswana and will introduce seven return flights between OR Tambo International Airport (JNB) in Johannesburg and Joshua Mqabuko Nkomo International Airport (GBE) in Bulawayo in Zimbabwe as well as three return flights between Johannesburg and Quatro de Fevereiro International Airport (LAD) in Luanda in Angola.

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Qatar Airways to launch flights to Gaborone (Botswana)! [update]

update (14 November 2019): Qatar Airways will launch its inaugural flight to Gaborone on 15 December 2019.

The state-owned flag carrier of Qatar, Qatar Airways, is set to launch a new service between Hamad International Airport (DOH) in Doha and Sir Seretse Khama International Airport (GBE) in Gaborone via OR Tambo International Airport (JNB) in Johannesburg. Effective 27 October 2019, the airline will operate three weekly return flights on Sundays, Wednesdays and Fridays on board an Airbus A350-900 aircraft. Gaborone will be the airline's first destination in the African country.

• Doha 06:55 > 14:50 Johannesburg 15:55 > 16:50 Gaborone
• Gaborone 18:35 > 19:30 Johannesburg 20:40 > 06:35+1 Doha

Air Botswana resumes direct flights between Cape Town & Gaborone!

Botswana's flag carrier, Air Botswana, is set to resume direct flights between Sir Seretse Khama International Airport (GBE) in Gaborone and Cape Town International Airport (CPT) in Cape Town on 01 March 2019. The airline will operate three weekly flights on Wednesdays, Fridays and Sundays onboard its new Embraer ERJ170 aircraft, which has a seating capacity  of 70 passengers and dual class configuration.
Until February 2018, Air Botswana operated scheduled flights between Gaborone and Cape Town through a lease agreement with CemAir. The South Arican carrier was temporarily grounded by the South African Civil Aviation Authority (SACAA) earlier the same month, so that Air Botswana had to suspend the service and did not renew the lease agreement.

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Ethiopian Airlines to launch flights to Livingstone!

Ethiopia's flag carrier, Ethiopian Airlines, is set to introduce flights to Livingstone in Zambia on 17 June 2019. The airline will operate three weekly flights between Bole International Airport (ADD) in Addis Ababa and Harry Mwanga Nkumbula International Airport (LVI) in Livingstone, Zambia, via Sir Seretse Khama International Airport (GBE) in Gaborone, Botswana, on board a Boeing 737 Max 8 aircraft.

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Air Botswana to improve its domestic connectivity and to expand its regional network!

Botswana's flag carrier, Air Botswana, is set to improve its domestic connectivity and to expand its regional network.  Domestically, the airline will introduce a connection between Francistown and Kasane which will shortly be followed by a new service between Francistown and Maun. Regionally, Air Botswana will recommence direct operations between Gaborone and Cape Town. Later in 2019, the airline will also re-introduce scheduled flights between Kasane and Johannesburg. Air Botswana will also recommence flights from Gaborone to Harare and Lusaka. This will be a triangular operation starting off from Gaborone to Harare and onwards to Lusaka. All new routes will all be implemented in the first quarter of the 2019/20 financial year.

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Botswana: Air Botswana to resume flights to Harare & Lusaka! [update]

update (03 May 2019): Air Botswana has rescheduled the launch of flights to Harare and Lusaka. The airline will launch the service on 02 July 2019.

update (20 February 2019): According to a press release by Air Botswana, the airline airline will not operate two seperate flight from Gaborone to Harare and from Gaborone to Lusaka. The airline will instead offer a triangular operation starting off from Gaborone to Harare and onwards to Lusaka.

Botswana's flag carrier, Air Botswana, is set to resume scheduled direct flights between Sir Seretse Khama International Airport (GBE) in Gaborone and Robert Gabriel Mugabe International Airport (HRE) in Harare as well as between Gaborone and Kenneth Kaunda International Airport (LUN) in Lusaka. Flights will commence on 02 April 2019 and will be operated on Tuesdays and Saturdays. Air Botswana suspended flights operations between Gaborone and Lusaka as well as between Gaborone and Harare in 2016 due to a route rationalisation exercise in order to reduce operational costs on non-profitable routes.

Book your flight to Harare & Lusaka today! Days of operation are Tuesday and Saturday. Flights commence April 2nd 2019! pic.twitter.com/hI0yoD4mUE

— Fly Air Botswana (@AirBotswana) February 19, 2019

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Air Botswana resumed flights between Gaborone <> Cape Town! [update]

update (28 February 2019): Air Botswana resumes flights between Gaborone <> Cape Town on 01 March 2019.

Botswana's flag carrier, Air Botswana, has resumed direct flights between Sir Seretse Khama International Airport (GBE) in Gaborone and Cape Town International Airport (CPT) in Cape Town. The airline operates three weekly flights on Wednesdays, Fridays and Sundays onboard its new Embraer ERJ170 aircraft. Until February 2018, Air Botswana operated scheduled flights between Gaborone and Cape Town through a lease agreement with CemAir. The South Arican carrier was temporarily grounded by the South African Civil Aviation Authority (SACAA) earlier the same month, so that Air Botswana had to suspend the service and did not renew the lease agreement.

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