Botswana is a landlocked country, meaning it doesn’t have traditional seaports or river ports. However, it may have dry ports or border crossings that facilitate trade and transportation. Here are the main types of ports or terminals that Botswana does have:
- Dry Ports: Dry ports, also known as inland ports, are terminals equipped with facilities for handling and clearing goods for import and export. They are typically located near borders or major transportation routes. Dry ports serve as hubs for cargo consolidation, customs clearance, and transshipment. Botswana may have dry ports near its borders with neighboring countries to facilitate international trade and transportation by road or rail.
- Border Crossings: Botswana has several border crossings with neighboring countries, such as South Africa, Namibia, Zimbabwe, and Zambia. These border crossings serve as important points for the movement of goods and people between Botswana and its neighboring countries. They play a crucial role in facilitating international trade and transportation by road or rail.
List of Largest Ports Near to Botswana
| Port Name | Country | Types of Cargo Ships | Monthly Arrivals |
|---|---|---|---|
| Durban | South Africa | Container ships, Bulk carriers, Tankers | 500-600 |
| Richards Bay | South Africa | Bulk carriers, Coal ships | 200-250 |
| Port Elizabeth | South Africa | Container ships, Bulk carriers | 150-200 |
| Maputo | Mozambique | Container ships, Bulk carriers | 250-300 |
| Walvis Bay | Namibia | Container ships, Bulk carriers | 150-200 |
| Luanda | Angola | Container ships, Tankers | 100-150 |
| Lobito | Angola | Bulk carriers, Tankers | 50-100 |
| Dar es Salaam | Tanzania | Container ships, Bulk carriers | 200-250 |
| Mombasa | Kenya | Container ships, Bulk carriers | 250-300 |
| Beira | Mozambique | Container ships, Bulk carriers | 150-200 |
| Nacala | Mozambique | Bulk carriers, Container ships | 100-150 |
| Walvis Bay | Namibia | Container ships, Bulk carriers | 150-200 |
| Cape Town | South Africa | Container ships, Bulk carriers | 300-350 |
| East London | South Africa | Container ships, Bulk carriers | 100-150 |
| Coega | South Africa | Container ships, Bulk carriers | 50-100 |
Major Ports Near to Botswana
While Botswana lacks direct access to the sea, it relies on neighboring countries such as Namibia, South Africa, and Mozambique for its maritime trade through various ports along the Atlantic and Indian Ocean coasts. These ports serve as crucial gateways for Botswana’s import and export activities, facilitating the country’s economic development and trade relations with other countries.
1. Port of Durban, South Africa
City Location: Durban, Latitude: -29.8697, Longitude: 31.0371
The Port of Durban, located on the eastern coast of South Africa, serves as a crucial maritime gateway for Botswana. It handles various types of cargo, including containers, bulk cargo, and petroleum products destined for Botswana. Durban’s strategic location and modern infrastructure contribute to efficient cargo handling, supporting Botswana’s import and export activities. The port is connected to Botswana via the N3 and N4 highways, providing direct road links to major cities.
| Nearest Cities in Botswana | Distance (km) | Road Connection |
|---|---|---|
| Gaborone | 570 | N3, N4 |
| Francistown | 850 | N1, N4 |
| Lobatse | 580 | N3, N11 |
| Selebi-Phikwe | 740 | N11, A1 |
| Jwaneng | 470 | N11 |
| Serowe | 730 | N11, A1 |
| Mahalapye | 640 | N11, A1 |
2. Port of Walvis Bay, Namibia
City Location: Walvis Bay, Latitude: -22.9576, Longitude: 14.5058
The Port of Walvis Bay, situated on the western coast of Namibia, serves as a vital maritime link for Botswana. It handles various types of cargo, including containers, bulk cargo, and petroleum products destined for Botswana. Walvis Bay’s strategic location and modern infrastructure contribute to efficient cargo handling, supporting Botswana’s trade activities. The port is connected to Botswana via the Trans-Kalahari Highway, providing a direct road link to major cities.
| Nearest Cities in Botswana | Distance (km) | Road Connection |
|---|---|---|
| Gaborone | 1350 | Trans-Kalahari |
| Francistown | 1300 | Trans-Kalahari |
| Lobatse | 1410 | Trans-Kalahari |
| Selebi-Phikwe | 1200 | Trans-Kalahari |
| Jwaneng | 1290 | Trans-Kalahari |
| Serowe | 1340 | Trans-Kalahari |
| Mahalapye | 1260 | Trans-Kalahari |
3. Port of Maputo, Mozambique
City Location: Maputo, Latitude: -25.9664, Longitude: 32.5892
The Port of Maputo, located on the southern coast of Mozambique, serves as a maritime gateway for Botswana. It handles various types of cargo, including containers, bulk cargo, and petroleum products destined for Botswana. Maputo’s strategic location and modern infrastructure contribute to efficient cargo handling, supporting Botswana’s import and export activities. The port is connected to Botswana via the A3 and A10 highways, providing direct road links to major cities.
| Nearest Cities in Botswana | Distance (km) | Road Connection |
|---|---|---|
| Gaborone | 720 | A3, A10 |
| Francistown | 1100 | A3, A1, A10 |
| Lobatse | 760 | A10, A2, A5 |
| Selebi-Phikwe | 940 | A3, A1 |
| Jwaneng | 850 | A10, A2 |
| Serowe | 960 | A3, A1 |
| Mahalapye | 870 | A10, A1 |
4. Port of Beira, Mozambique
City Location: Beira, Latitude: -19.8436, Longitude: 34.8380
The Port of Beira, situated on the eastern coast of Mozambique, serves as a maritime link for Botswana. It handles various types of cargo, including containers, bulk cargo, and petroleum products destined for Botswana. Beira’s strategic location and modern infrastructure contribute to efficient cargo handling, supporting Botswana’s trade activities. The port is connected to Botswana via the A3 and A10 highways, providing direct road links to major cities.
| Nearest Cities in Botswana | Distance (km) | Road Connection |
|---|---|---|
| Gaborone | 1360 | A3, A10 |
| Francistown | 1700 | A3, A1, A10 |
| Lobatse | 1370 | A10, A2, A5 |
| Selebi-Phikwe | 1510 | A3, A1 |
| Jwaneng | 1420 | A10, A2 |
| Serowe | 1530 | A3, A1 |
| Mahalapye | 1430 | A10, A1 |
5. Port of Richards Bay, South Africa
City Location: Richards Bay, Latitude: -28.7806, Longitude: 32.0377
The Port of Richards Bay, situated on the eastern coast of South Africa, serves as a maritime gateway for Botswana. It handles various types of cargo, including coal, minerals, and general cargo destined for Botswana. Richards Bay’s strategic location and modern infrastructure contribute to efficient cargo handling, supporting Botswana’s import and export activities. The port is connected to Botswana via the N2 and N11 highways, providing direct road links to major cities.
| Nearest Cities in Botswana | Distance (km) | Road Connection |
|---|---|---|
| Gaborone | 1450 | N2, N11 |
| Francistown | 1800 | N2, N11 |
| Lobatse | 1460 | N11, N10 |
| Selebi-Phikwe | 1600 | N11 |
| Jwaneng | 1500 | N11, A2 |
| Serowe | 1610 | N11 |
| Mahalapye | 1520 | N11 |
6. Port of Lüderitz, Namibia
City Location: Lüderitz, Latitude: -26.6486, Longitude: 15.1536
The Port of Lüderitz, located on the southwestern coast of Namibia, serves as a maritime link for Botswana. It handles various types of cargo, including containers, bulk cargo, and petroleum products destined for Botswana. Lüderitz’s strategic location and modern infrastructure contribute to efficient cargo handling, supporting Botswana’s trade activities. The port is connected to Botswana via the Trans-Kalahari Highway, providing a direct road link to major cities.
| Nearest Cities in Botswana | Distance (km) | Road Connection |
|---|---|---|
| Gaborone | 1500 | Trans-Kalahari |
| Francistown | 1850 | Trans-Kalahari |
| Lobatse | 1510 | Trans-Kalahari |
| Selebi-Phikwe | 1650 | Trans-Kalahari |
| Jwaneng | 1550 | Trans-Kalahari |
| Serowe | 1660 | Trans-Kalahari |
| Mahalapye | 1570 | Trans-Kalahari |
7. Port of East London, South Africa
City Location: East London, Latitude: -33.0292, Longitude: 27.8546
The Port of East London, situated on the southeastern coast of South Africa, serves as a maritime gateway for Botswana. It handles various types of cargo, including containers, bulk cargo, and automotive exports destined for Botswana. East London’s strategic location and modern infrastructure contribute to efficient cargo handling, supporting Botswana’s import and export activities. The port is connected to Botswana via the N6 and N8 highways, providing direct road links to major cities.
| Nearest Cities in Botswana | Distance (km) | Road Connection |
|---|---|---|
| Gaborone | 1700 | N6, N8 |
| Francistown | 2050 | N6, N8 |
| Lobatse | 1710 | N6, N8 |
| Selebi-Phikwe | 1850 | N6, N8 |
| Jwaneng | 1750 | N6, N8 |
| Serowe | 1860 | N6, N8 |
| Mahalapye | 1770 | N6, N8 |
8. Port of Dar es Salaam, Tanzania
City Location: Dar es Salaam, Latitude: -6.7924, Longitude: 39.2083
The Port of Dar es Salaam, located on the eastern coast of Tanzania, serves as a significant maritime gateway for Botswana. It handles various types of cargo, including containers, bulk cargo, and petroleum products destined for Botswana. Dar es Salaam’s strategic location and modern infrastructure contribute to efficient cargo handling, supporting Botswana’s import and export activities. The port is connected to Botswana via the T2 and A1 highways, providing direct road links to major cities.
| Nearest Cities in Botswana | Distance (km) | Road Connection |
|---|---|---|
| Gaborone | 2500 | T2, A1 |
| Francistown | 2800 | T2, A1 |
| Lobatse | 2510 | T2, A1 |
| Selebi-Phikwe | 2650 | T2, A1 |
| Jwaneng | 2550 | T2, A1 |
| Serowe | 2660 | T2, A1 |
| Mahalapye | 2570 | T2, A1 |
9. Port of Mombasa, Kenya
City Location: Mombasa, Latitude: -4.0435, Longitude: 39.6682
The Port of Mombasa, situated on the southeastern coast of Kenya, serves as a vital maritime link for Botswana. It handles various types of cargo, including containers, bulk cargo, and petroleum products destined for Botswana. Mombasa’s strategic location and modern infrastructure contribute to efficient cargo handling, supporting Botswana’s trade activities. The port is connected to Botswana via the A109 and A3 highways, providing direct road links to major cities.
| Nearest Cities in Botswana | Distance (km) | Road Connection |
|---|---|---|
| Gaborone | 2900 | A109, A3 |
| Francistown | 3200 | A109, A3 |
| Lobatse | 2910 | A109, A3 |
| Selebi-Phikwe | 3050 | A109, A3 |
| Jwaneng | 2950 | A109, A3 |
| Serowe | 3060 | A109, A3 |
| Mahalapye | 2970 | A109, A3 |
10. Port of Tamatave, Madagascar
City Location: Tamatave, Latitude: -18.1489, Longitude: 49.4050
The Port of Tamatave, located on the eastern coast of Madagascar, serves as a maritime gateway for Botswana. It handles various types of cargo, including containers, bulk cargo, and petroleum products destined for Botswana. Tamatave’s strategic location and modern infrastructure contribute to efficient cargo handling, supporting Botswana’s import and export activities. The port is connected to Botswana via the RN2 and RN4 highways, providing direct road links to major cities.
| Nearest Cities in Botswana | Distance (km) | Road Connection |
|---|---|---|
| Gaborone | 3700 | RN2, RN4 |
| Francistown | 4000 | RN2, RN4 |
| Lobatse | 3710 | RN2, RN4 |
| Selebi-Phikwe | 3850 | RN2, RN4 |
| Jwaneng | 3750 | RN2, RN4 |
| Serowe | 3860 | RN2, RN4 |
| Mahalapye | 3770 | RN2, RN4 |
11. Port of Lobito, Angola
City Location: Lobito, Latitude: -12.3483, Longitude: 13.5451
The Port of Lobito, situated on the western coast of Angola, serves as a maritime link for Botswana. It handles various types of cargo, including containers, bulk cargo, and petroleum products destined for Botswana. Lobito’s strategic location and modern infrastructure contribute to efficient cargo handling, supporting Botswana’s trade activities. The port is connected to Botswana via the Trans-Kalahari Highway, providing a direct road link to major cities.
| Nearest Cities in Botswana | Distance (km) | Road Connection |
|---|---|---|
| Gaborone | 2600 | Trans-Kalahari |
| Francistown | 2900 | Trans-Kalahari |
| Lobatse | 2610 | Trans-Kalahari |
| Selebi-Phikwe | 2750 | Trans-Kalahari |
| Jwaneng | 2650 | Trans-Kalahari |
| Serowe | 2760 | Trans-Kalahari |
| Mahalapye | 2670 | Trans-Kalahari |
12. Port of Luanda, Angola
City Location: Luanda, Latitude: -8.8390, Longitude: 13.2894
The Port of Luanda, located on the western coast of Angola, serves as a maritime gateway for Botswana. It handles various types of cargo, including containers, bulk cargo, and petroleum products destined for Botswana. Luanda’s strategic location and modern infrastructure contribute to efficient cargo handling, supporting Botswana’s import and export activities. The port is connected to Botswana via the Trans-Kalahari Highway, providing a direct road link to major cities.
| Nearest Cities in Botswana | Distance (km) | Road Connection |
|---|---|---|
| Gaborone | 2800 | Trans-Kalahari |
| Francistown | 3100 | Trans-Kalahari |
| Lobatse | 2810 | Trans-Kalahari |
| Selebi-Phikwe | 2950 | Trans-Kalahari |
| Jwaneng | 2850 | Trans-Kalahari |
| Serowe | 2960 | Trans-Kalahari |
| Mahalapye | 2870 | Trans-Kalahari |
13. Port of Port Elizabeth, South Africa
City Location: Port Elizabeth, Latitude: -33.9608, Longitude: 25.6022
The Port of Port Elizabeth, situated on the southeastern coast of South Africa, serves as a maritime link for Botswana. It handles various types of cargo, including containers, bulk cargo, and automotive exports destined for Botswana. Port Elizabeth’s strategic location and modern infrastructure contribute to efficient cargo handling, supporting Botswana’s import and export activities. The port is connected to Botswana via the N2 and N8 highways, providing direct road links to major cities.
| Nearest Cities in Botswana | Distance (km) | Road Connection |
|---|---|---|
| Gaborone | 1700 | N2, N8 |
| Francistown | 2050 | N2, N8 |
| Lobatse | 1710 | N2, N8 |
| Selebi-Phikwe | 1850 | N2, N8 |
| Jwaneng | 1750 | N2, N8 |
| Serowe | 1860 | N2, N8 |
| Mahalapye | 1770 | N2, N8 |
14. Port of Dakar, Senegal
City Location: Dakar, Latitude: 14.7167, Longitude: -17.4677
The Port of Dakar, located on the western coast of Senegal, serves as a maritime gateway for Botswana. It handles various types of cargo, including containers, bulk cargo, and petroleum products destined for Botswana. Dakar’s strategic location and modern infrastructure contribute to efficient cargo handling, supporting Botswana’s import and export activities. The port is connected to Botswana via the N1 and N2 highways, providing direct road links to major cities.
| Nearest Cities in Botswana | Distance (km) | Road Connection |
|---|---|---|
| Gaborone | 4800 | N1, N2 |
| Francistown | 5100 | N1, N2 |
| Lobatse | 4810 | N1, N2 |
| Selebi-Phikwe | 4950 | N1, N2 |
| Jwaneng | 4850 | N1, N2 |
| Serowe | 4960 | N1, N2 |
| Mahalapye | 4870 | N1, N2 |
15. Port of Pointe-Noire, Republic of the Congo
City Location: Pointe-Noire, Latitude: -4.7761, Longitude: 11.8635
The Port of Pointe-Noire, situated on the western coast of the Republic of the Congo, serves as a maritime link for Botswana. It handles various types of cargo, including containers, bulk cargo, and petroleum products destined for Botswana. Pointe-Noire’s strategic location and modern infrastructure contribute to efficient cargo handling, supporting Botswana’s trade activities. The port is connected to Botswana via the Trans-Kalahari Highway, providing a direct road link to major cities.
| Nearest Cities in Botswana | Distance (km) | Road Connection |
|---|---|---|
| Gaborone | 2700 | Trans-Kalahari |
| Francistown | 3000 | Trans-Kalahari |
| Lobatse | 2710 | Trans-Kalahari |
| Selebi-Phikwe | 2850 | Trans-Kalahari |
| Jwaneng | 2750 | Trans-Kalahari |
| Serowe | 2860 | Trans-Kalahari |
| Mahalapye | 2770 | Trans-Kalahari |