Car hire in Gaborone, Botswana

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Choose from 10 pick-up spots

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There are 10 car hire providers in Gaborone. Check out the map below to find the most convenient pick-up spot.

The most popular car rental companies in Gaborone

Hiring a car in Gaborone: Fast facts

Here's everything you need to know to hit the road happy.
Most popular car hire companyHertz
Most popular carIntermediate/Standard, SUV
Average daily priceR 2,119
Best time to book1 week before

How to book the best car rental deals in Gaborone

We’re frequently named as the most trusted travel search site out there. We scan hundreds of trusted travel providers and put it all in one place, allowing you to instantly compare car hire rates and then book with no fees. Here's how to get the most out of your Gaborone car rental search.

How to find a cheap car hire deal in Gaborone

  • Pick up a cheap rental car in Gaborone for an average of R 2,119 a day and hit the road happy. We do the hard work for you by searching all the top providers, putting amazing deals at your fingertips.

  • Daily rental prices in Gaborone start from just R 637.

  • Planning an extended stay and want to go further than the usual stops? R 3,191 is the best rate for a weekly rental.

  • Book early to lock in the best price for a Gaborone car hire. As well as cheaper rates, you're more likely to find a car that fits your style or needs.

  • Grab your wheels from Hertz, Auto-Union or Avis. They're some of the most well-known providers in the city.

  • Whether you book with Hertz or another supplier, be sure to check the coverage on your Gaborone car hire. Some companies include a collision damage waiver (CDW), while others offer it as a paid extra.

  • Booking a one-way car hire can be your secret weapon for cheaper deals. Simply select 'Return car to a different location.' Providers often have to move vehicles from one site to another, which means you can bag some fantastic one-way prices on a car for rent in Gaborone.

  • Save money on fuel by choosing a vehicle that offers a 'Fair fuel policy.' You collect your ride with a full tank and bring it back full, so you're only paying for what you use.

  • Go wherever the road takes you by searching for rentals with 'Unlimited mileage.' Located under the 'Policies' filter, these rides let you go as far as you like with no extra cost.

Best value car hire options right now

  • You'll find the best deal with this company. Prices average R 1,655 a day.

  • Not far behind, this provider offers daily rates of around R 1,558.

  • The third option also keeps costs manageable. Expect to pay roughly R 1,697 a day for one of their rentals.

  • If you're still weighing up which wheels are right for you, consider something from the Intermediate rental category. It's the most widely booked type of car in Gaborone.

Flying to Gaborone? Think about an airport pick-up

Compare car hire types in Gaborone

  • Small: Whether you're zipping around the city or just planning a quick trip, this car category offers big value in a small package. Including mini and economy classes, you can look forward to good fuel efficiency and easy handling.

  • Medium: A solid choice when you want something that's easy to drive but with some added perks. This category covers compact and intermediate models that offer a little extra leg room compared to smaller cars.

  • Large: Offering a more comfortable ride and extra tech features, this Gaborone car hire category includes full-size cars. With larger back seats and ample storage space, they let you load up and transport everyone, and everything, with ease.

  • SUV: When wanderlust strikes, an SUV is ready to roll. It's your perfect road trip companion, ready for highways, country roads, and everything in between. These sports utility vehicles also deliver on space and improved safety features.

  • Van: Featuring commercial vans and trucks, this category of car for rent in Gaborone effortlessly handles larger loads and group travel. They're roomy, hardworking, and ready for whatever task you throw at it.

Insurance and optional extras

  • Excess insurance covers the cost you'd have to pay if your Gaborone car hire is damaged or stolen. While not compulsory, it's a smart add-on if you'd rather play it safe. Keep in mind that not all insurance policies are the same, so make sure you understand exactly what's included.

  • From GPS units to reverse cameras, the right extras can seriously upgrade your ride. Think about which features will make your trip more comfortable when you rent a car in Gaborone.

Good to know

  • Age requirements for rentals can vary by provider and even car type, so know the rules before you book. Some companies in Botswana may rent to younger drivers for an additional fee. If you're outside the typical age bracket, just uncheck 'Driver aged between 25–70' and then enter how old you are to browse your options.

  • Bringing the kids with you? Car seat requirements differ from place to place, and the correct setup may depend on their age, height and weight. Make sure you add the right one to your Gaborone car hire booking.

  • Come prepared to keep the pick-up process smooth. You'll typically need your physical driver's licence (no electronic copies) and a second photo ID. Also bring along a credit card with room for the security hold. If there's anything extra, it'll be listed in your booking.

  • Spend a moment familiarising yourself with your rental. Fix your seat and mirrors, find the lights and wipers, and get a feel for its handling before you set off. And remember to stick to the left side of the road in Botswana.

  • Stay within the local speed limits. Most of the time that's around 55kph in urban areas and 110kph or so on highways, unless signed otherwise.

  • The blood alcohol concentration (BAC) limit in Botswana is 0.08%. Because alcohol doesn't affect all people equally, the best way to be sure you're safe to drive is not to drink at all.

  • One of the busiest times for traffic in this destination is around 7am. Make travel easier by steering clear of peak periods.

Best hotels in Gaborone for drivers

  • Spend less time worrying about where to park and more time relaxing at Indaba Lodge Gaborone. Around 8 kilometres from central Gaborone, it comes with parking, a bar and a fitness centre.

  • Aquarian Tide Hotel is another good fit if your plans involve plenty of exploring. It features accessible parking, along with a pool and a 24-hour front desk. Base yourself here and you'll be roughly 6 kilometres from the city centre.

  • Need more places to choose from? Browse the full list of hotels in Gaborone. You can narrow things down with filters — try 'Parking,' 'Outdoor parking,' or 'Valet parking.' If your car's electric, you can select the 'Electric vehicle (EV) charging station' filter too.

  • After you've found a car hire deal in Gaborone and your hotel, it's time to plan your first stops. Paradise Adventures Safaris (Pty) LTD, Mokolodi Nature Reserve and Gaborone Game Reserve are classics for any first-time visitor.

Hit the road: Where to drive to from Gaborone

  • Shift gears and take off to Molepolole. Around 48 kilometres northwest of central Gaborone, it's home to must-sees like Kgosi Sechele I Museum and Moruleng- matlhalerwa.

  • Alternatively, pick up your cheap car hire in Gaborone and drive around 64 kilometres southwest to Kanye. Featuring Wena Tented Camp & Caravan Park and Finsbury Park, it's every bit as good as advertised.

  • Keep the momentum going and road-trip it to Palapye, roughly 257 kilometres northeast of Gaborone. Kick things off at Camp Itumela, then head to Little Paws Tea Garden.

  • Browse the room options at Cresta Botsalo Hotel or Majestic Five Hotel. Make one your base for exploring everything Palapye has to offer. They also offer parking.

Frequently asked questions

On average, hiring a car in Gaborone will set you back around R 2,119 per day or R 6,116 per week. 
The cheapest car to rent in Gaborone is an intermediate SUV. The most popular is Intermediate/Standard, SUV.
The cheapest car hire companies in Gaborone are currently Hertz and Auto-Union.
Bagging the best car hire deal depends on when you book  – often, it pays to book your wheels as far in advance as possible. But according to our data, the cheapest month to rent a car in Gaborone is currently June.
On average, around R 6,116. But the best price we found for car hire for a week in Gaborone is R 3,191.
Based on everything we know about daily prices, the average cost to hire a car in Gaborone for a whole month is R 35,571. 

But sometimes, you'll get a discount for booking a whole month instead of 3 and a half weeks. So play with your dates to find the best deals!
If you're looking for freedom to explore Gaborone, choose a car with unlimited mileage, or look for car hire deals with a ’full to full' fuel policy as opposed to a 'half-full to full' one.

We also clearly highlight car and van hire options in Gaborone that have free cancellation
Yes – you can easily find car hire companies that allow you to pick up your car in one place, and then drop it off in another. Just select ‘Return car to a different location’ when you search with us.
Public transport can only get you so far, and could be tricky to navigate with children or luggage. With your own set of wheels, you can go wherever you want, whenever you want, for as long as you want. And you'll be able to discover more outside of Gaborone.
Most places – Gaborone included – allow under 25s to rent a car as long as they provide a valid driver's license and the correct documentation. It may cost slightly more due to a higher insurance excess for young drivers. 
The cheapest price we found for an economy car is R 637 per day. The average price per day is around R 944.
Of course. Most major car hire companies like Hertz, Auto-Union and Europcar offer baby and child seats as an add-on when you book.
Other travellers rated Europcar as the best overall in terms of experience.
We search the internet for all kinds of vehicle hire deals, including vans. But at the moment, we can't find any van hire in Gaborone.