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Botswana🇧🇼 | citiesGaboronePlanned capital, Three Dikgosi statues, city game reserve, Kgale Hill views | things to do and best time to go

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Backpacking in Gaborone
🏆 Top pickcity ranked #1
By Johan Kruseman 🇳🇱 | Updated October 22, 2026

Gaborone is one of Africa’s youngest capitals, planned in the 1960s, so there is no old quarter to wander and no medieval anything. It is Botswana’s capital in the southeast, close to the South African border, and it feels like a calm, spread-out government and university town of low buildings, malls and wide roads. It suits travelers who want to resupply, sort out visas or transport, and see a working African city without hassle. It does not suit anyone chasing nightlife or big-ticket attractions. The best parts are small and local: a hill walk, a modest national museum, a game reserve inside the city limits and a few sound places to eat. The Okavango and the safari parks are far to the north, so do not expect wildlife drama here. Sights are scattered, so plan on taxis or ride-hailing apps rather than walking between them.

Discover everything you want to know in the 📖 Botswana Travel Guide.


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✨ Why go?
Ranked #1 city in BotswanaWhy visitors keep coming back

Gaborone earns its place on a route as a practical hinge rather than a headline stop. Most travelers pass through because roads, buses and border crossings converge here, which makes it the easiest place to sort out onward travel toward South Africa, Namibia or the north. The city is also the best spot in the country to restock: proper supermarkets, outdoor shops, pharmacies, ATMs that work and reliable mobile data. If you are about to head into the Kalahari or the delta, that matters more than it sounds. What you get on top is a short list of easy outdoor options inside the city, including Kgale Hill and a fenced game reserve where you can see giraffe and zebra without a safari budget. The social side is quiet. Hostels are few, so most people end up in guesthouses, and evenings revolve around … read more 👉
Gaborone earns its place on a route as a practical hinge rather than a headline stop. Most travelers pass through because roads, buses and border crossings converge here, which makes it the easiest place to sort out onward travel toward South Africa, Namibia or the north. The city is also the best spot in the country to restock: proper supermarkets, outdoor shops, pharmacies, ATMs that work and reliable mobile data. If you are about to head into the Kalahari or the delta, that matters more than it sounds. What you get on top is a short list of easy outdoor options inside the city, including Kgale Hill and a fenced game reserve where you can see giraffe and zebra without a safari budget. The social side is quiet. Hostels are few, so most people end up in guesthouses, and evenings revolve around restaurants and a handful of bars. Give it one to two nights to recover, wash clothes, run errands and take a gentle look at modern Botswana. If you want wild country, keep moving.

💡 HighlightsKey sights and experiences for travelers

  1. Three Dikgosi Monument: Bronze statues of Khama III, Sebele I and Bathoen I, the three chiefs who sailed to London in 1895 to resist absorption into Rhodesia, stand near the government enclave. It is the clearest single image of how Botswana kept its independence. Visit on a weekday morning when light is soft on the bronze. Free, 20 to 30 minutes.
  2. Botswana National Museum and Art Gallery: A compact museum with ethnographic displays on San, Tswana and other communities, natural history rooms and rotating art shows. The cultural context here makes the rest of the country easier to read. Closed Mondays. Entry roughly US$1 to 3, 1 to 2 hours.
  3. Gaborone Game Reserve: About 5 square kilometers of bush at the edge of the city center, home to giraffe, zebra, eland, impala and wildebeest, with a loop
… read more 👉
  1. Three Dikgosi Monument: Bronze statues of Khama III, Sebele I and Bathoen I, the three chiefs who sailed to London in 1895 to resist absorption into Rhodesia, stand near the government enclave. It is the clearest single image of how Botswana kept its independence. Visit on a weekday morning when light is soft on the bronze. Free, 20 to 30 minutes.
  2. Botswana National Museum and Art Gallery: A compact museum with ethnographic displays on San, Tswana and other communities, natural history rooms and rotating art shows. The cultural context here makes the rest of the country easier to read. Closed Mondays. Entry roughly US$1 to 3, 1 to 2 hours.
  3. Gaborone Game Reserve: About 5 square kilometers of bush at the edge of the city center, home to giraffe, zebra, eland, impala and wildebeest, with a loop road and birdlife. Go in the cooler hours, when animals are active. Entry roughly US$5 to 8 for foreign visitors, 2 to 3 hours by car or taxi.
  4. Kgale Hill: The city’s own ridge climbs to about 1,287 meters with views over rooftops, the dam and the flat country beyond. Start at first light in summer to beat the heat, and watch for baboons. Free, 2 to 3 hours round trip, with sturdy shoes and plenty of water.
  5. Gaborone Dam: A large reservoir that supplies the city, with a sailing club, birds along the shore and a quiet, open feel on weekends. Late afternoon is pleasant for a walk or a drink at a lakeside spot. Free to look at, about 1 hour.
  6. Main Mall: The pedestrian spine of the original city plan, lined with government offices, banks, street vendors and lunch counters. It is plain, but it shows how locals actually spend a weekday. Come on a weekday morning, since it is quiet on Sundays. Free, about 1 hour.
From Gaborone you can reach Mokolodi Nature Reserve, the Manyana rock paintings, the pottery village of Thamaga and the caves near Lobatse on day trips.
Start with Kgale Hill, because the view sets up the city’s layout and the climb is only comfortable early in the day.
Spotted a mistake or missing something? Contact us.

Things to do in Gaborone

Gaborone City Tour (Half Day tour)

Gaborone City Tour (Half Day tour)

5.0(33) 3h
From €104
per personViator
No.1 Ladies Detective Agency Literary Tour (Mma Ramotswe Tour)

No.1 Ladies Detective Agency Literary Tour (Mma Ramotswe Tour)

5.0(27) 3h
From €113
per personViator
Half Day Tour from Gaborone (Manyana Village Visit)

Half Day Tour from Gaborone (Manyana Village Visit)

5.0(15)
From €154
per personViator
Multiday Tour From Gaborone : 2 day Gaborone Experience

Multiday Tour From Gaborone : 2 day Gaborone Experience

5.0(14) 12h
From €199
per personViator
Around Gaborone Adventure

Around Gaborone Adventure

4.8(10) 8h
From €254
per personViator
1 Night Madikwe Game Reserve

1 Night Madikwe Game Reserve

5.0(6) 48h
From €711
per personViator
Madikwe Game Reserve Day Tour (Minimum per booking: 5 People)

Madikwe Game Reserve Day Tour (Minimum per booking: 5 People)

5.0(5) 8h
From €272
per personViator
Experience a village from Gaborone (Molepolole Village Visit)

Experience a village from Gaborone (Molepolole Village Visit)

5.0(5) 3h
From €154
per personViator
Tourists Expats and Adventurers in Gaborone

Tourists Expats and Adventurers in Gaborone

5.0(4)
From €226
per personViator
Johannesburg or Gaborone to Victoria Falls 10 Day ACROSS BOTSWANA SmallGroupTour

Johannesburg or Gaborone to Victoria Falls 10 Day ACROSS BOTSWANA SmallGroupTour

5.0(4) 240h
From €3,428
per personViator

Ratings based on Tripadvisor reviews. When you book through this link, you support our work at no extra cost to you.

🏘️ NeighborhoodsNeighborhood guide to Gaborone

Gaborone is spread out and car-oriented, so the areas worth your time are few and easy to rank.
  • Central Business District and the Main Mall. A pedestrian strip of banks, phone shops, bakeries and government offices. It is useful for ATMs, SIM cards and the bus rank, and dull after about 5 pm. Walk it once for errands and move on.
  • Gaborone Game Reserve area. A small fenced reserve beside the city, with giraffe, zebra, impala and rhino in a few square kilometers of bush. It is the best quick escape from concrete, and the flat gravel loops suit cyclists and drivers more than walkers.
  • Gaborone West and Phase 2 (Block 8 area). Residential suburbs with local eateries, small bars and shared minibuses. This is where residents eat and drink cheaply. Distances between sights are long, so use a taxi after
… read more 👉
Gaborone is spread out and car-oriented, so the areas worth your time are few and easy to rank.
  • Central Business District and the Main Mall. A pedestrian strip of banks, phone shops, bakeries and government offices. It is useful for ATMs, SIM cards and the bus rank, and dull after about 5 pm. Walk it once for errands and move on.
  • Gaborone Game Reserve area. A small fenced reserve beside the city, with giraffe, zebra, impala and rhino in a few square kilometers of bush. It is the best quick escape from concrete, and the flat gravel loops suit cyclists and drivers more than walkers.
  • Gaborone West and Phase 2 (Block 8 area). Residential suburbs with local eateries, small bars and shared minibuses. This is where residents eat and drink cheaply. Distances between sights are long, so use a taxi after dark.
  • Fairgrounds and Gaborone Central Mall. Offices, malls, the main shopping center and several international restaurants. Good for supplies and air-conditioned downtime, but there is little local character. A half day covers it.
  • Phakalane and Gaborone North. Newer, quieter suburbs with golf, cafés and wide roads. Pleasant but empty of attractions and not walkable. Skip it unless a friend lives there.
  • Broadhurst and Village. The old village near the National Museum and Art Gallery is the most useful cultural stop in town, and the Three Dikgosi Monument sits not far away. Both are doable in one morning, with a taxi between them.

⌛️ 1 dayA smart one-day plan

This is a gentle hill, history and bush day that stays in the south and center of the city.
6:30 AM: Kgale Hill Take a taxi to the trailhead and climb the main path before the sun gets strong. The ridge gives you the full layout of the city, the dam and the dry plain, and baboons sometimes watch from the rocks. Allow about two and a half hours, then ride back toward the center.
9:30 AM: Three Dikgosi Monument Walk among the bronze statues of the three chiefs who went to London in 1895. Take a few minutes to read the plaques, which explain why this episode matters so much to Botswana’s sense of itself. From here it is a short walk to the next stop.
10:30 AM: National Museum and Art Gallery Spend about ninety minutes on the ethnography rooms and whatever exhibition is on in the gallery. It gives … read more 👉
This is a gentle hill, history and bush day that stays in the south and center of the city.
6:30 AM: Kgale Hill Take a taxi to the trailhead and climb the main path before the sun gets strong. The ridge gives you the full layout of the city, the dam and the dry plain, and baboons sometimes watch from the rocks. Allow about two and a half hours, then ride back toward the center.
9:30 AM: Three Dikgosi Monument Walk among the bronze statues of the three chiefs who went to London in 1895. Take a few minutes to read the plaques, which explain why this episode matters so much to Botswana’s sense of itself. From here it is a short walk to the next stop.
10:30 AM: National Museum and Art Gallery Spend about ninety minutes on the ethnography rooms and whatever exhibition is on in the gallery. It gives you the vocabulary for everything you will see later in the country. It is closed on Mondays, so swap this stop for Main Mall on that day.
12:30 PM: Main Mall Stroll the pedestrian spine, buy a simple lunch from a counter or food stall, and watch office workers on their breaks. It is plain, and that is the point: this is the real city.
2:30 PM: Gaborone Game Reserve Take a taxi to the reserve and drive or walk the loop to look for giraffe, zebra and eland among the acacia. It is the best low-key wildlife on offer in town, and it is rarely crowded.
5:30 PM: Gaborone Dam Finish on the shore, away from the usual tourist route. Locals come here to jog, fish and sit, and the open sky over the water is a calm way to close the day.

🌤️ When to go?Weather, crowds, and seasonal trade-offs

May to August is the most comfortable window for Gaborone, with dry, sunny days and cool nights.
  • Winter (May to August): Days run 20 to 25°C (68 to 77°F), but nights can fall to 2 to 5°C (36 to 41°F) and frost is possible. Daylight lasts about 10.5 to 11 hours. Rain is almost absent, and the game reserve is easiest to see because the bush is thin.
  • Hot Season (September to November): Dry heat builds to 30 to 38°C (86 to 100°F) before the rains arrive. Quiet period for crowds, but afternoons are hard going.
  • Rainy Season (December to March): Highs of 30 to 35°C (86 to 95°F) with heavy afternoon thunderstorms and lush green bush. Daylight stretches to about 13.5 hours. Long school holidays push up accommodation and transport prices around December and January.
  • Autumn (April): Warm days around 25 to
… read more 👉
May to August is the most comfortable window for Gaborone, with dry, sunny days and cool nights.
  • Winter (May to August): Days run 20 to 25°C (68 to 77°F), but nights can fall to 2 to 5°C (36 to 41°F) and frost is possible. Daylight lasts about 10.5 to 11 hours. Rain is almost absent, and the game reserve is easiest to see because the bush is thin.
  • Hot Season (September to November): Dry heat builds to 30 to 38°C (86 to 100°F) before the rains arrive. Quiet period for crowds, but afternoons are hard going.
  • Rainy Season (December to March): Highs of 30 to 35°C (86 to 95°F) with heavy afternoon thunderstorms and lush green bush. Daylight stretches to about 13.5 hours. Long school holidays push up accommodation and transport prices around December and January.
  • Autumn (April): Warm days around 25 to 28°C (77 to 82°F), cooling nights and little rain. Prices are usually soft.
Book ahead for the December and January holiday weeks, when Batswana travel home and buses fill.


source: climatestotravel.comJANJanuary: good for travelingFEBFebruary: good for travelingMARMarch: good for travelingAPRApril: highly recommended for travelingMAYMay: excellent for travelingJUNJune: excellent for travelingJULJuly: excellent for travelingAUGAugust: excellent for travelingSEPSeptember: excellent for travelingOCTOctober: highly recommended for travelingNOVNovember: good for travelingDECDecember: good for traveling
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✈️ The backpacker research shortcutBotswana Travel Guide

An offline-friendly backpacking guide with optimized travel routes, ranked highlights, transport advice, and the best areas to stay.
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🛏️ Where to stay?Choosing the right base

The most practical area for a budget bed in Gaborone is the central zone around the CBD and Main Mall, with the residential belt near Gaborone West as a quieter backup.
The center has the widest choice of budget beds, including dorms, guesthouses and a few private rooms. Everything useful is close: the bus rank, ATMs, supermarkets and the combi routes that fan out across the city. That makes arrivals and departures simple, especially if you come in on a late coach. The trade-off is that the district goes quiet after business hours. Streets empty by early evening, and you should take a taxi for … read more 👉
The most practical area for a budget bed in Gaborone is the central zone around the CBD and Main Mall, with the residential belt near Gaborone West as a quieter backup.
The center has the widest choice of budget beds, including dorms, guesthouses and a few private rooms. Everything useful is close: the bus rank, ATMs, supermarkets and the combi routes that fan out across the city. That makes arrivals and departures simple, especially if you come in on a late coach. The trade-off is that the district goes quiet after business hours. Streets empty by early evening, and you should take a taxi for any evening trip rather than walking, even a few blocks.
The suburbs toward Gaborone West and the wider residential neighborhoods offer cheaper guesthouse rooms and a calmer night. Noise is mostly neighborhood life rather than traffic or bars. Safety is generally comfortable behind the gated compounds that most places use. The drawback is distance, since you rely on combis or taxis to get to the center, and combis thin out in the evening.
If you arrive by bus, stay central for the first night, then move out if you want a longer, quieter stay. Booking ahead is wise during school holidays in December and January, when cheaper beds fill quickly. Many guesthouses include a kitchen, which helps keep costs down.
Best hostels in Gaborone


Best quality hotels in Botswana

🚌 Getting aroundHow to get from A to B

Taxis, booked by phone or app, are the easiest way for a backpacker to get around Gaborone, because the city is spread over many kilometers and walking between areas is rarely practical. Traffic is moderate, with real jams at the morning and evening rush on the main roads. Public transport exists but is aimed at commuters, not visitors.
  • Walking. Fine inside the Main Mall and CBD, and around the museum and Three Dikgosi Monument. Between districts, pavements run out and distances are long. Avoid walking at night.
  • Taxis and ride-hailing. Metered rides and app rides cost about US$3 to 8 for most trips across town. Agree a fare before you get in if there is no meter. This is the right choice after dark, and phone-booked cabs from your accommodation are the most reliable.
  • Combis (minibuses). White
… read more 👉
Taxis, booked by phone or app, are the easiest way for a backpacker to get around Gaborone, because the city is spread over many kilometers and walking between areas is rarely practical. Traffic is moderate, with real jams at the morning and evening rush on the main roads. Public transport exists but is aimed at commuters, not visitors.
  • Walking. Fine inside the Main Mall and CBD, and around the museum and Three Dikgosi Monument. Between districts, pavements run out and distances are long. Avoid walking at night.
  • Taxis and ride-hailing. Metered rides and app rides cost about US$3 to 8 for most trips across town. Agree a fare before you get in if there is no meter. This is the right choice after dark, and phone-booked cabs from your accommodation are the most reliable.
  • Combis (minibuses). White minibuses with colored stripes run fixed routes from the main bus rank, costing around US$0.50 to 0.80 a ride. They are quick and cheap but crowded, with no timetable. They leave when full and mostly stop running by early evening. Ask locals or your host which route number serves your destination.
  • Long-distance buses. Coaches to Francistown, Maun and Johannesburg leave from the main bus rank and the bus terminal area. Francistown takes around 5 to 6 hours for US$12 to 18, while Johannesburg runs about 5 to 6 hours for US$20 to 30. Book a seat the day before in holiday periods.
  • Rental cars. Roads are paved and in good condition, and driving is on the left. A small car costs US$35 to 60 a day. This makes sense for the game reserve and for day trips where public transport is thin, especially if you split costs with others.

👛 Costs (as of 22 October 2026)What things cost and how to budget

Gaborone costs most backpackers around US$62 a day in high season, which is pricier than neighboring budget destinations because the city is a government and business hub.
CategoryBudget RangeLocal Reality
Dorm accommodation (high season)US$18 to 28Dorm beds are limited, and guesthouse rooms fill up in school holidays.
Dorm accommodation (off-season)US$12 to 20Prices ease in the cooler months outside December and January.
MealsUS$10 to 18Street plates cost US$2 to 4, while mall restaurants cost US$8 to 15.
Local transportUS$4 to 10Combis cost about US$0.50 to 0.80 a ride, and taxis US$3 to 8.
City transport passNot availableNo visitor pass exists; pay per ride in Botswana pula.
Basic activities and entry feesUS$5 to 15The National Museum is cheap, and the game reserve charges a modest entry fee.
MiscellaneousUS$3
… read more 👉
Gaborone costs most backpackers around US$62 a day in high season, which is pricier than neighboring budget destinations because the city is a government and business hub.
CategoryBudget RangeLocal Reality
Dorm accommodation (high season)US$18 to 28Dorm beds are limited, and guesthouse rooms fill up in school holidays.
Dorm accommodation (off-season)US$12 to 20Prices ease in the cooler months outside December and January.
MealsUS$10 to 18Street plates cost US$2 to 4, while mall restaurants cost US$8 to 15.
Local transportUS$4 to 10Combis cost about US$0.50 to 0.80 a ride, and taxis US$3 to 8.
City transport passNot availableNo visitor pass exists; pay per ride in Botswana pula.
Basic activities and entry feesUS$5 to 15The National Museum is cheap, and the game reserve charges a modest entry fee.
MiscellaneousUS$3 to 6Water, SIM data and snacks.
Total Daily BudgetUS$58 to 62Based on high-season dorm beds.
Cook in a guesthouse kitchen and buy groceries from supermarkets to cut food costs by half.
⚠️ Prices can change and everyone travels differently, so take this as a rough guide. Hope it helps you plan your adventure!

🚌 Day tripsWhere to go beyond the main area

Gaborone works well as a base for easy day trips, though most need your own wheels or a hired driver.
Mokolodi Nature Reserve:
A private reserve about 15 km south of the city, with rhino, giraffe, cheetah and a long list of antelope. It is the easiest wildlife outing from town, with guided drives and walks. Count on US$30 to 60 including taxi and activity fees. Go in the dry winter months for the best sightings, and book the drive before you arrive.
👉 Explore Mokolodi Nature Reserve
Lobatse:
A small town roughly 70 km south, reached by bus in about 1 hour for US$3 to 5. It is home to the Gaborone-to-Lobatse cave country, the Lobatse Caves area and the Botswana Meat Commission, but the main appeal is a slow look at a typical Botswana town. First-timers often expect a lot of sights and find a quiet … read more 👉
Gaborone works well as a base for easy day trips, though most need your own wheels or a hired driver.
Mokolodi Nature Reserve:
A private reserve about 15 km south of the city, with rhino, giraffe, cheetah and a long list of antelope. It is the easiest wildlife outing from town, with guided drives and walks. Count on US$30 to 60 including taxi and activity fees. Go in the dry winter months for the best sightings, and book the drive before you arrive.
👉 Explore Mokolodi Nature Reserve
Lobatse:
A small town roughly 70 km south, reached by bus in about 1 hour for US$3 to 5. It is home to the Gaborone-to-Lobatse cave country, the Lobatse Caves area and the Botswana Meat Commission, but the main appeal is a slow look at a typical Botswana town. First-timers often expect a lot of sights and find a quiet town, so keep the visit short.
👉 Explore Lobatse
Manyana Rock Paintings:
San paintings on a granite hill near Manyana village, about 1.5 hours by road to the southwest. A short climb leads to the rock art and views over the plains. Without a car, getting there is slow, so hire a driver for US$50 to 90 and share the cost. Visit in the cooler months; the hillside is exposed and hot in summer.

Kgale Hill:
The city’s own peak, just 8 km southwest, with a hiking trail to the summit and good views over Gaborone and the dam. Start early, because the climb is exposed. A taxi there costs around US$5 to 8. Take plenty of water, since the trail has no shade or services.

🍲 FoodWhat to Eat & Drink

The local flavor of Gaborone is built on seswaa, slow-boiled beef pounded until it falls into shreds, served with pap (maize porridge) and a side of cooked greens such as morogo. It is salty, soft and hearty, and is the dish people cook for weddings and gatherings. Another local favorite is vetkoek, deep-fried dough buns filled with mince, sold in the morning from street stalls.
For drinks, look for chibuku, a sour, cloudy sorghum beer sold in cartons at neighborhood bars. It is an acquired taste, but a cheap way to see local drinking culture. St Louis lager is the standard bottled beer, and rooibos tea is common at cafés.
The cheapest meals come from street stalls and takeaway counters near the bus rank and in Gaborone West, where a plate of meat, pap and relish costs around US$2 to 4. Malls … read more 👉
The local flavor of Gaborone is built on seswaa, slow-boiled beef pounded until it falls into shreds, served with pap (maize porridge) and a side of cooked greens such as morogo. It is salty, soft and hearty, and is the dish people cook for weddings and gatherings. Another local favorite is vetkoek, deep-fried dough buns filled with mince, sold in the morning from street stalls.
For drinks, look for chibuku, a sour, cloudy sorghum beer sold in cartons at neighborhood bars. It is an acquired taste, but a cheap way to see local drinking culture. St Louis lager is the standard bottled beer, and rooibos tea is common at cafés.
The cheapest meals come from street stalls and takeaway counters near the bus rank and in Gaborone West, where a plate of meat, pap and relish costs around US$2 to 4. Malls and Main Mall bakeries are handy for pies, fresh bread and coffee. For a sit-down evening, local grill restaurants in the suburbs serve flame-cooked beef with bar-style socializing, usually for US$6 to 12 a plate.
Butchery-style braai is the social center of weekends, so join a local braai if invited. Beef is the pride of the region, and it shows.

🛡️ SafetyScams, Hazards, and Annoyances

Gaborone is one of the safer capitals in southern Africa, and most visitors have uneventful stays. The main risk is opportunistic theft, so keep phones out of sight at the bus rank and Main Mall, and watch bags in crowded combis. Break-ins to parked cars happen, so never leave valuables visible.
After dark, avoid walking even short distances. Streets are poorly lit and pavements are thin, so a taxi booked by phone is the sensible choice, particularly if you are alone. Solo travelers, including women, generally report few problems in daytime, and people are friendly and helpful.
Scams are uncommon. Unmetered taxis may quote high prices to newcomers, so agree the fare first. Someone may approach with a hard-luck story near the malls; a polite no is enough. Carry copies of your passport, and use ATMs inside malls rather than on the street.
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FAQCommon questions from travelers

Two to three days is enough for Gaborone itself. That covers the National Museum, the Three Dikgosi Monument, Gaborone Game Reserve and Kgale Hill, with time for Mokolodi Nature Reserve about 15 km south. Most backpackers treat the city as a transit stop and a supply base for 1 to 2 nights before heading north.
Gaborone is generally safe for solo backpackers, especially in daytime. Petty theft is the main risk, so keep phones hidden around the bus rank and Main Mall. After dark, take a taxi, which costs about US$3 to 8 for most rides, rather than walking, because streets are poorly lit.
Gaborone is known as Botswana’s capital and its government and business hub, set on flat land near the South African border. Visitors come for the National Museum, Gaborone Game Reserve and Mokolodi Nature Reserve. It is also known for good beef, seswaa and its role as the gateway to long coach routes to Francistown and Maun.
⚠️ Things can change over time, so always validate details locally before you go.

More places to explore across Botswana

Gaborone isn’t the only highlight in Botswana. Explore all what Botswana has to offer.
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We 💚 feedbackKey takeaways before you go

Gaborone trips up travelers who treat it as a quick airport or border stop and then try to cram every sight into a single taxi-heavy afternoon. Do the opposite. Give it a full day, start with the hill while it is cool, and book rides ahead for the evening, because getting around after dark is slow without a car. I would also bring cash in small notes for the reserve gate and market stalls.

✍️ Help improve this page!
The information on this page is based on in-depth research, insights shared by experienced travelers, and feedback from the local travel community in Botswana. While every effort is made to keep the information accurate and current, conditions can change — so if you spot anything incorrect or outdated, please get in touch.



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