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Central District
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Explore Central District, Botswana for Bangwato history, rhino conservation, wildlife-rich pans, open savannah and long-distance road journeys.

Central District is Botswana's broad interior, stretching from the railway towns and cattle country of the south-east towards the salt pans, wildlife reserves and dry savannah of the north. It is less a single compact destination than a collection of contrasting landscapes linked by long roads: settled farming districts around Mahalapye and Palapye, the historic Bangwato heartland around Serowe, and the open pan country extending towards Nata, Letlhakane and Orapa. Distances are considerable, so a thoughtful itinerary usually combines a few bases rather than attempting to cover the district in brief stops.
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Serowe is the region's most important historical centre. Set among low hills, it was the capital of the Bangwato and remains associated with Khama III, one of the most influential leaders in the history of modern Botswana. The town's museums, churches and traditional compounds provide context for the country's pre-independence politics, while nearby Khama Rhino Sanctuary protects white and black rhinoceroses in a community-owned conservation setting. Palapye, farther east, is a useful road junction and a growing town whose surroundings include the remains of Old Palapye and the well-preserved church at Phalatswe.
Further north, Central District becomes drier and more sparsely settled. Makgadikgadi Pans National Park, Nxai Pan National Park and the community-run Nata Bird Sanctuary reveal the ecological variety of the Kalahari's former lake basin. Seasonal water attracts flamingos and other birds to the pans, while grasslands and scrub support elephants, zebra, wildebeest and predators at different times of year. The landscape is strongly seasonal: roads and wildlife experiences can change sharply between the dry months and the rains, and some routes require a high-clearance or four-wheel-drive vehicle.
The district's contemporary economy reflects both livestock keeping and mineral extraction. Diamond mining has shaped Orapa and Letlhakane, while cattle posts, small farms and market towns remain central to everyday life elsewhere. Geological and archaeological evidence also records much older communities, including Iron Age settlement and long-standing San cultural connections. Visitors should approach this heritage with respect rather than treating living communities or cultural traditions as displays.
Food and hospitality are generally practical and locally rooted. Town restaurants, roadside stops, lodges and camps provide access to Botswana staples such as seswaa, pap, bogobe and grilled meat, alongside more familiar international dishes. Central District rewards travellers who allow time for early wildlife drives, broad skies, quiet settlements and the changing light of the pans, while recognising that facilities become more limited away from the principal towns.

When is the best time to visit Central District?

Best: April–May, September · 22–26°C
Average daytime high and rainfall by month
MonthHigh (°C)Rainfall (mm)
January3175
February3065
March2955
April (best)2645
May (best)2235
June1825
July1825
August2035
September (best)2545
October2855
November3065
December3075

Getting to and around Central District

How to get there

The A1 is the principal road through eastern Central District, linking it with Gaborone to the south and the Francistown area to the north. Long-distance buses and shared vehicles serve the main towns, although services to remote conservation areas are less frequent. There are small airfields associated with places such as Orapa, but access and flight arrangements may be restricted or changeable. Most international visitors arrive through Sir Seretse Khama International Airport near Gaborone, outside Central District, or through airports serving Maun or the Francistown area, depending on their itinerary, before continuing by road.

Transportation

A private vehicle is the most flexible way to explore Central District, particularly for reaching Serowe's surrounding sites, Khama Rhino Sanctuary, the pans and wildlife areas north of the main road. The A1 is generally the easiest corridor, but secondary roads may be rough, sandy or affected by seasonal flooding. Buses and shared taxis connect larger settlements, while local taxis are useful within towns rather than for remote sightseeing. Passenger rail arrangements can change, so do not rely on a train without checking current operations. Fuel up before leaving major towns and avoid driving long rural distances after dark because of livestock and wildlife on roads.

Top city travel guides in Central District

The cities of Central District, and the easiest places to base yourself.

Destinations in Central District

Resorts, valleys and scenic spots worth a trip of their own.

Best attractions in Central District

Central District's attractions range from historic Bangwato sites to broad wildlife landscapes. Serowe provides the strongest cultural and historical focus, with the Khama III Memorial Museum and nearby heritage places offering insight into the political history of Botswana. Khama Rhino Sanctuary combines game viewing with community-led conservation and is one of the district's most accessible wildlife experiences. Around Palapye, the ruins of Old Palapye and the Phalatswe church reveal the scale of an earlier settlement. Farther north, Makgadikgadi Pans National Park and Nxai Pan National Park offer seasonal wildlife viewing across grassland, scrub and salt-pan environments, while Nata Bird Sanctuary is particularly important for birds when water conditions are favourable. The Orapa and Letlhakane area adds a very different dimension through diamond-mining history and dry pan scenery. Outdoor experiences are generally centred on guided drives, birdwatching, photography and remote-road travel rather than dense visitor infrastructure, and conditions can change markedly between dry and wet seasons.

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Best landmarks in Central District

Serowe's most important landmarks are tied to Bangwato history and the political legacy of Khama III. The town's historic churches, memorial institutions and older civic fabric help explain its former role as a royal capital and its continuing national significance. At Old Palapye, the stone remains of the nineteenth-century settlement and the surviving mission church at Phalatswe form one of Central District's clearest historical landscapes, showing how large communities, royal authority and Christian missions once converged. In the northern part of the district, the immense salt-pan horizons of Makgadikgadi and Nxai are natural landmarks rather than constructed monuments; their pale surfaces and seasonal floodwaters express the scale of the ancient lake basin. The organised mining landscapes around Orapa and Letlhakane mark a more recent transformation, while Khama Rhino Sanctuary symbolises Botswana's modern conservation effort. Together these places give the district a visual story that runs from archaeological settlement and royal capitals to minerals, wildlife and changing dryland environments.

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Explore Central District on the map

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Best restaurants in Central District

Dining in Central District is centred on town cafés, hotel restaurants, roadside stops, lodges and traditional home-style cooking rather than a concentrated fine-dining scene. Visitors can look for Botswana staples including seswaa, slow-cooked shredded beef or goat, pap, bogobe porridge, grilled meat and seasonal vegetables. Mopane worms, known locally as phane, may appear seasonally, although availability varies. In farming districts, beef and other livestock products are an important part of the food culture, while camps and lodges in the pan country often serve practical meals suited to early departures and remote travel. Serowe, Palapye and Mahalapye offer the widest choice of supermarkets, bakeries and casual eateries. Farmers' produce, dried foods and snacks are useful for self-drive journeys, but visitors should not expect regular shops or restaurants between major settlements. Ask locally about seasonal dishes rather than assuming that every regional speciality is available year-round.

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Best bars in Central District

Nightlife in Central District is modest and concentrated in the larger towns, where hotel bars, neighbourhood bars and casual restaurants provide the main evening venues. Palapye, Mahalapye and Serowe have more choice than remote settlements, with occasional live music or televised sport alongside ordinary social drinking. In the northern pan and wildlife areas, evening life generally means lodge dining, conversation around a campfire where permitted, or quiet stargazing rather than clubs. Orapa and Letlhakane have town-based evening venues linked to their mining communities, but opening arrangements and entertainment change over time. Visitors should avoid presenting alcohol as the central route to local culture: museums, community activities, food and early-morning wildlife excursions are often more representative of the region. Arrange transport in advance when staying outside town centres, since rural taxis and late-night services are limited.

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Best nightclubs in Central District

Nightlife in Central District is modest and concentrated in the larger towns, where hotel bars, neighbourhood bars and casual restaurants provide the main evening venues. Palapye, Mahalapye and Serowe have more choice than remote settlements, with occasional live music or televised sport alongside ordinary social drinking. In the northern pan and wildlife areas, evening life generally means lodge dining, conversation around a campfire where permitted, or quiet stargazing rather than clubs. Orapa and Letlhakane have town-based evening venues linked to their mining communities, but opening arrangements and entertainment change over time. Visitors should avoid presenting alcohol as the central route to local culture: museums, community activities, food and early-morning wildlife excursions are often more representative of the region. Arrange transport in advance when staying outside town centres, since rural taxis and late-night services are limited.

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Best shops in Central District

Shopping in Central District is primarily practical and local, with supermarkets, small independent shops, market stalls and service businesses concentrated in Mahalapye, Palapye, Serowe, Letlhakane and Orapa. These towns are the best places to stock up on water, food, fuel-related supplies and road provisions before travelling towards remote parks or pans. Craft stalls and community outlets may offer woven items, beadwork, woodwork and other Botswana-made products, although selection and availability vary. Visitors can also look for locally produced foods, dried goods and traditional fabrics, while supermarkets provide a more predictable choice of packaged regional products. Serowe is the most natural place to combine shopping with historical visits, whereas Palapye functions more as a busy commercial stop on the eastern road corridor. Do not expect a large luxury-retail scene or permanent tourist markets across the district; ask accommodation providers about current craft sellers and buy directly from makers where possible.

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Central District essentials

Currency and Payment
Botswana uses the pula, with the currency code BWP. Cards and contactless payments are commonly accepted in established hotels, larger shops, supermarkets and many town businesses, but connectivity and acceptance are less dependable at smaller lodges, rural stops and community facilities. Carry pula in cash for fuel, local transport, small shops and unexpected delays. South African rand may occasionally be accepted in parts of Botswana, but it should not be assumed, and change is normally given in pula.
Safety
Take ordinary precautions with valuables in towns and keep luggage secure in vehicles and accommodation. The principal regional hazards are environmental and logistical: heat, dehydration, long distances, isolated roads, changing track conditions, livestock and wildlife. Use reputable guides in conservation areas, remain inside a vehicle where instructed, and never approach wild animals on foot. Avoid driving at night outside settlements, allow extra time for breakdowns and check weather and road conditions before travelling towards the pans during the rainy season.
Emergency Situations
Botswana's national emergency numbers are 999 for police, 998 for fire and 997 for ambulance services. Mobile coverage is uneven in remote parts of Central District, so accommodation staff, park offices or tour operators may be the quickest way to coordinate assistance. Carry water, a charged phone and offline route information on long drives, and share remote travel plans with someone responsible. For incidents inside a park or sanctuary, follow the site's own reporting and evacuation procedures, which may differ from town arrangements.
Do's and Don'ts
Dress modestly and appropriately when visiting villages, churches, museums or memorial sites, and ask before photographing people, homes or ceremonies. Greet people courteously and allow conversations to develop without rushing. Follow instructions from guides and conservation staff, never feed wildlife, and keep to permitted roads and paths. Tipping is discretionary but appreciated for good service, particularly from guides and camp staff. Do not remove archaeological material, plants or stones from historic or protected sites, and avoid assuming that every cultural practice is a performance for visitors.
Local Tips
Serowe is best treated as a historical destination as well as a practical base for the nearby rhino sanctuary. The northern pans are strongly seasonal, so birdlife, water levels and road conditions vary considerably between visits. Market towns and roadside shops provide useful opportunities to buy water and snacks, but supplies become limited on remote routes. Ask accommodation providers about current access conditions, local guides and fuel availability, and leave generous journey margins because distances on the map can take longer than expected.
Eve, your Evendo local guide

From Eve

Local phrases worth knowing

You don't need to get them perfect. A few words go a long way, and locals appreciate the effort.

6 phrase groups · English, local and pronunciation

Basics
EnglishLocalSay it
HelloHowdy[haʊdi]
GoodbyeSee you later[si ju ˈleɪtər]
YesYep[jɛp]
NoNah[nɑ]
Please/You're welcomeNo problem[noʊ ˈprɒbləm]
Thank youThanks[θæŋks]
Excuse me/SorryPardon me[ˈpɑrdən mi]
How are you?How's it going?[haʊz ɪt ˈɡoʊɪŋ]
Fine. And you?Good. And you?[ɡʊd. ənd ju]
Do you speak English?Do you speak English?[du ju spiːk ˈɪŋɡlɪʃ]
I don't understandI don't get it[aɪ doʊnt ɡɛt ɪt]
Eating & Drinking
EnglishLocalSay it
I'd like to see the menu, pleaseCan I see the menu?[kæn aɪ si ðə ˈmɛnju]
I don't eat meatI'm a vegetarian[aɪm ə ˌvɛdʒəˈtɛriən]
Cheers!Cheers![ʧɪrz]
I would like to pay, pleaseCan I get the bill, please?[kæn aɪ ɡɛt ðə bɪl, pliz]
Emergencies
EnglishLocalSay it
Help!Help![hɛlp]
Go away!Leave me alone![liːv mi əˈloʊn]
Call the Police!Call 911![kɔl naɪn wʌn wʌn]
Call a doctor!Get a doctor![ɡɛt ə ˈdɑktər]
I'm lostI'm lost[aɪm lɔst]
I'm illI'm not feeling well[aɪm nɑt ˈfiːlɪŋ wɛl]
Shopping
EnglishLocalSay it
I'd like to buy...I want to buy...[aɪ wɑnt tu baɪ]
I'm just lookingJust browsing[dʒʌst ˈbraʊzɪŋ]
How much is it?What’s the price?[wʌts ðə praɪs]
That's too expensiveThat's too pricey[ðæts tu ˈpraɪsi]
Can you lower the price?Can you give me a discount?[kæn ju ɡɪv mi ə ˈdɪskaʊnt]
Time & Numbers
EnglishLocalSay it
What time is it?What’s the time?[wʌts ðə taɪm]
It's one o'clockIt's one o'clock[ɪts wʌn əˈklɑk]
Half past (10)Half past ten[hæf pæst tɛn]
MorningMorning[ˈmɔrnɪŋ]
AfternoonAfternoon[ˌæftərˈnun]
EveningEvening[ˈivnɪŋ]
YesterdayYesterday[ˈjɛstərdeɪ]
TodayToday[təˈdeɪ]
TomorrowTomorrow[təˈmɔroʊ]
1One[wʌn]
2Two[tu]
3Three[θri]
4Four[fɔr]
5Five[faɪv]
6Six[sɪks]
7Seven[ˈsɛvən]
8Eight[eɪt]
9Nine[naɪn]
10Ten[tɛn]
Transport & Directions
EnglishLocalSay it
Where's a/the...?Where is the...?[wɛr ɪz ðə]
What's the address?What’s the address?[wʌts ði əˈdrɛs]
Can you show me (on the map)?Can you point it out?[kæn ju pɔɪnt ɪt aʊt]
When's the next (bus)?When is the next bus?[wɛn ɪz ðə nɛkst bʌs]
A ticket (to ....)One ticket to...[wʌn ˈtɪkɪt tu]

History of Central District

Early Settlement and Iron Age Communities

Central District contains evidence of long human occupation across its savannahs, river corridors and former lake margins. Archaeological work in the wider region records Stone Age activity as well as later Iron Age settlement, when communities combined livestock keeping, farming, craft production and local trade. The remains around Old Palapye and other historic sites illustrate the growth of larger Tswana-speaking polities, while San communities possess much older and continuing cultural connections with the landscape. These histories predate the modern borders and administrative divisions of Botswana, and they help explain why water, grazing and movement have remained fundamental to life in the district.

The Rise of the Bangwato and the Settlement of Serowe

During the nineteenth century, the Bangwato became the dominant political community in much of present-day Central District. Under Kgosi Khama III, the capital developed at Serowe, which became a major centre of authority, Christianity and diplomacy. Khama's leadership combined Tswana political traditions with engagement with missionaries and British imperial officials. Serowe's later importance rests partly on this political legacy: its historic buildings, memorial institutions and continuing role in national public life reflect the formation of a modern Botswana identity before independence.

Phalatswe and Old Palapye

Old Palapye, also known as Phalatswe, was an important nineteenth-century Bangwato settlement before the community moved to Serowe in the late 1880s. The settlement included substantial stone buildings and a mission church, whose surviving ruins demonstrate the scale of the former capital and the influence of Christian missions. Its abandonment was connected to political and practical pressures, including the search for a more suitable capital. Today the site offers a tangible link between the region's royal history, religious change and the movement of whole communities across the interior.

The Bechuanaland Protectorate

From 1885 until Botswana's independence in 1966, the territory was administered by Britain as the Bechuanaland Protectorate. Central District lay within the protectorate's political and economic landscape, although colonial administration was relatively limited compared with settler colonies farther south. Chiefs retained important authority, while roads, railways, missions and trading posts gradually connected the interior to regional markets. The railway corridor through the eastern part of the district strengthened towns such as Mahalapye and Palapye and helped shape the settlement pattern that travellers see today.

Livestock, Railways and Town Development

Cattle keeping has long been central to the region's economy and social life, supported by seasonal grazing and extensive cattle posts. During the twentieth century, railway and road improvements linked Central District more closely with Gaborone, Francistown and neighbouring southern African markets. Mahalapye, Palapye and Serowe expanded as administrative, commercial and service centres, while rural communities continued to depend on livestock, small-scale cultivation and remittances. This combination of urban growth and dispersed rural settlement remains one of the district's defining characteristics.

Independence and the Growth of Diamond Mining

Botswana became independent in 1966, and the decades that followed brought major investment in education, infrastructure and mineral development. Diamond discoveries at Orapa in the late 1960s and at Letlhakane in the following decade transformed the northern part of Central District, creating specialised mining towns and a major source of national revenue. Mining exists alongside older livelihoods rather than replacing them entirely, and its presence has influenced roads, employment, housing and conservation debates across the surrounding pan country.

Conservation and Community Stewardship

Modern Central District is also shaped by a shift towards wildlife conservation and community participation. Khama Rhino Sanctuary was established near Serowe as a community-based project to protect rhinoceroses, while national parks and the Nata Bird Sanctuary conserve portions of the Makgadikgadi ecosystem. These initiatives reflect Botswana's wider effort to link tourism, habitat protection and local economic opportunity. They also underline the need to manage competing demands for grazing, mining, water and wildlife movement in a region where climatic conditions are highly variable.

Central District in Photos

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Evendo: Your Ultimate Travel Guide to Central District, Botswana

Discover Central District like never before with Evendo—a 100% free app offering comprehensive guides on attractions, landmarks, restaurants, and more!

  • Detailed information on attractions, landmarks, shops, bars, nightclubs, restaurants, hotels, tours, experiences, and activities
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Planning a trip to Central District, Botswana? Download Evendo, your all-in-one travel guide app, to explore attractions, book experiences, and enjoy local tips—all for free!

  • Historical insights and travel essentials for Central District
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Embark on an unforgettable journey to Central District, Botswana with Evendo, your ultimate app-based travel guide. Whether you are a history buff, a food enthusiast, or an adventure seeker, Evendo has you covered. Explore the magnificent Khama Rhino Sanctuary, marvel at the historical Serowe Royal Cemetery, or take a stroll in the charming Orapa Game Park.

Discover the best places to dine with our curated list of top restaurants. Savor local cuisine at the renowned Lorato’s Kitchen or enjoy a fine dining experience at The Blue Train Restaurant. Our detailed information on each location, including images, descriptions, local tips, maps, and contact details, ensures you have everything you need to plan and organize your trip seamlessly.

But that’s not all. Evendo allows you to book hotels, tours, tickets, and experiences directly through the app. No more endless searching or planning—everything you need is right at your fingertips. With features like historical insights, travel essentials, easy navigation, and a 'Near Me' function, Evendo is designed to make your travel experience effortless and enjoyable.

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