At Sir Seretse Khama Airport, you have a genuine choice between taxis and pre-booked transfers. Both can work. The right pick depends on your comfort level, timing, and how much you want to think about logistics after a flight.
Taxis
Taxis wait outside the arrivals terminal. They are not metered — you agree on a fare before getting in. The vehicles are typically white sedans, though condition varies. Official taxis have blue markings, but the distinction between official and unofficial operators is not always obvious.
Fixed-price private transfer
GBE Gaborone City Center
From€60for 2 passengers
Pros: available immediately (during daytime), no advance booking needed, often slightly cheaper than pre-booked options if you negotiate well — though you will not know that until you have negotiated.
Cons: no fixed pricing, vehicle quality is unpredictable, no accountability if something goes wrong, cash only, and availability drops at night.
There is no published fare and no meter, so "fair" is whatever the current going rate is — ask your hotel when you book the room, or check a Bolt quote in the app before you negotiate. Arriving with a current number is the whole game. If a driver's opening price is well above it, politely decline and try another.
Pre-booked private transfers
A transfer arranged in advance means a named driver, a specific vehicle, and a price agreed before you land. The driver tracks your flight and adjusts for delays. You walk out of arrivals, spot your name on a sign, and you are on your way.
Pros: fixed price, reliable vehicle, driver waiting regardless of time, online payment available, good for late arrivals or first-time visitors.
Cons: usually costs a bit more than a well-negotiated taxi fare, requires planning ahead.
The price is quoted and fixed when you book, so you see it before you land. Larger vehicles cost more.
When each option wins
Take a taxi if: you arrive during daytime hours, you are comfortable with fare negotiation, you have cash in BWP, and you do not mind a bit of uncertainty.
Book a transfer if: you arrive at night, you want zero hassle, you are traveling for business, you have lots of luggage, or this is your first visit to Botswana.
Use your hotel shuttle if available: this beats both options for simplicity. Ask your hotel.
Safety
Gaborone is a safe city by regional standards. Taking a taxi from the airport during the day is perfectly fine. At night, the risk is not high, but a pre-booked transfer with a known driver offers more peace of mind. Use common sense: agree on the fare before the ride, note the vehicle details, and share your location with someone if traveling alone.
The practical answer
If you are arriving during business hours and have some pula in your pocket, a taxi is fine. For everything else — late flights, first visits, family trips, business travel — a pre-booked transfer is worth the small premium.