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Gaborone blends Botswana’s modern capital, Tswana heritage, wildlife reserves, lively markets and easy access to Kalahari landscapes and outdoor adventures.

A Capital Shaped by the Kalahari

Gaborone is Botswana’s compact, sun-washed capital, positioned in the country’s south-east near the railway corridor and the border with South Africa. Often known simply as Gabs, it combines government offices, shopping centres and broad suburban avenues with the social traditions of the Bakalanga, Bangwaketse, Bakwena and other communities that shape contemporary Botswana. The city’s relatively recent prominence is central to its character: it became the capital of the Bechuanaland Protectorate in 1965 and remained the national capital when Botswana gained independence in 1966.

Urban Life and Cultural Places

The city centre is anchored by the Main Mall, where shops, cafés and public buildings occupy a walkable urban district, while the National Museum and Art Gallery provides an introduction to Botswana’s archaeology, natural history and artistic life. Nearby, the Three Dikgosi Monument commemorates three chiefs whose diplomatic mission helped secure international support for the territory’s autonomy. Botswana Craft offers locally made baskets, textiles, woodwork and other products in a landscaped setting, with food and cultural programming often adding to the visit.

Wildlife Close to the City

Gaborone’s appeal also lies in its proximity to open country. Gaborone Game Reserve protects a small area of bushveld within the urban area, and Kgale Hill provides a popular walking and viewpoint destination on the city’s southern edge. The larger Mokolodi Nature Reserve lies outside Gaborone and offers a more extensive setting for guided wildlife and conservation experiences. Together, these places give the capital a distinctive balance of civic life, Tswana heritage and accessible southern African landscapes.

When is the best time to visit Gaborone?

Best: April–May, September · 23–27°C

32° Temperature Range for JanuaryLow: 19.5°C, High: 32.3°C Precipitation Range for JanuaryLow: 77.2 mm, High: 100.3 mm J

32° Temperature Range for FebruaryLow: 19.5°C, High: 31.7°C Precipitation Range for FebruaryLow: 70.8 mm, High: 93.9 mm F

30° Temperature Range for MarchLow: 17.4°C, High: 30°C Precipitation Range for MarchLow: 50.4 mm, High: 66.2 mm M

Best 27° Temperature Range for AprilLow: 12.7°C, High: 27.1°C Precipitation Range for AprilLow: 8.3 mm, High: 11.4 mm A

Best 23° Temperature Range for MayLow: 8.2°C, High: 22.8°C Precipitation Range for MayLow: 0.4 mm, High: 1 mm M

19° Temperature Range for JuneLow: 4.6°C, High: 19.2°C Precipitation Range for JuneLow: 0 mm, High: 0 mm J

19° Temperature Range for JulyLow: 4°C, High: 18.8°C Precipitation Range for JulyLow: 0 mm, High: 0 mm J

22° Temperature Range for AugustLow: 6.7°C, High: 21.6°C Precipitation Range for AugustLow: 0 mm, High: 0 mm A

Best 27° Temperature Range for SeptemberLow: 10.5°C, High: 26.6°C Precipitation Range for SeptemberLow: 0.4 mm, High: 1 mm S

31° Temperature Range for OctoberLow: 13.8°C, High: 30.8°C Precipitation Range for OctoberLow: 15.6 mm, High: 20.5 mm O

33° Temperature Range for NovemberLow: 16.9°C, High: 33°C Precipitation Range for NovemberLow: 50.1 mm, High: 65.5 mm N

33° Temperature Range for DecemberLow: 18.8°C, High: 32.8°C Precipitation Range for DecemberLow: 72.8 mm, High: 95.9 mm D

Average daytime high and rainfall by month
Month	High (°C)	Rainfall (mm)
January	32	89
February	32	82
March	30	58
April (best)	27	10
May (best)	23	1
June	19	0
July	19	0
August	22	0
September (best)	27	1
October	31	18
November	33	58
December	33	84

Getting to and around Gaborone

How to get there

Gaborone is served by Sir Seretse Khama International Airport, about 15 kilometres north of the city centre, with regional connections that may involve changing in Johannesburg or another southern African hub. Road links connect the capital with South Africa and major Botswana towns, and long-distance buses and minibuses operate on regional routes, although services and comfort levels vary. The railway passes through Gaborone, but passenger rail options are more limited than road transport and should be checked before relying on them. Visitors arriving by car should confirm border procedures, insurance requirements and local driving conditions, particularly when crossing from South Africa.

Transportation

Gaborone is spread across a series of districts rather than concentrated entirely around a historic centre. Walking is practical in parts of the Main Mall and central business area, but heat, wide roads and suburban distances make a vehicle useful for reaching attractions such as Kgale Hill, Gaborone Game Reserve and Botswana Craft. Local combis, generally minibus taxis, serve established routes, while metered taxis and arranged private transfers are more convenient for visitors unfamiliar with the network. Driving is straightforward on main roads, though traffic can be busy at peak times; avoid isolated walks after dark and use reputable transport arrangements in the evening.

Best attractions in Gaborone

Gaborone’s attractions combine civic history, culture and accessible wildlife. The National Museum and Art Gallery introduces visitors to Botswana’s archaeology, natural environment and contemporary artistic work, while the Three Dikgosi Monument offers a powerful perspective on the political negotiations that preceded independence. Gaborone Game Reserve, within the urban area, provides opportunities to see indigenous wildlife in a relatively compact bush setting, and Kgale Hill is a popular outdoor destination with broad views across the city and surrounding plains. Botswana Craft adds a more informal cultural dimension through locally made baskets, textiles, woodwork and decorative arts. The Main Mall remains useful for observing everyday city life, with shops, cafés and public spaces around central government districts. For a larger reserve landscape, Mokolodi Nature Reserve lies south of Gaborone, outside the city boundary, and provides a contrasting excursion focused on conservation and guided nature experiences.

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Best landmarks in Gaborone

The Three Dikgosi Monument is one of Gaborone’s most significant civic landmarks, honouring Bathoen I, Khama III and Sebele I, the chiefs who travelled to Britain in 1895 to oppose proposals that threatened the autonomy of their territories. The National Assembly and surrounding government buildings represent the city’s role as the seat of Botswana’s modern republic, while the Main Mall reflects the planned public and commercial core of the early post-independence capital. The National Museum and Art Gallery is important not only as a cultural institution but also as a repository of Botswana’s archaeological, historical and artistic heritage. The Anglican Cathedral of the Holy Cross provides a contrasting religious landmark in the central area, and Kgale Hill serves as a natural landmark whose rocky profile is visible across much of the southern city. Together these places express Gaborone’s political history, public life and relationship with the surrounding landscape.

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Best restaurants in Gaborone

Gaborone’s dining scene reflects Botswana’s home cooking, southern African connections and increasingly international urban population. Traditional dishes include seswaa, slow-cooked and pounded meat often served with bogobe, a sorghum or maize porridge, as well as dikgobe, a mixture of beans and grains, and preparations using morogo, or leafy greens. Restaurants and casual eateries around the Main Mall, the CBD, Broadhurst and newer commercial centres offer Botswana dishes alongside South African, Indian, Chinese and European-influenced menus. Cafés and bakeries are common in shopping districts, while informal food sellers provide simpler meals and snacks. Botswana Craft is associated with a relaxed cultural setting where food and local products can be experienced together. Dining habits vary from family-style meals to contemporary restaurants, and visitors should expect the most traditional dishes to be easier to find at local eateries than in every hotel dining room.

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Best bars in Gaborone

Gaborone’s evening life is centred more on restaurants, hotel lounges, sports bars and social gatherings than on a single concentrated nightlife quarter. The Main Mall, the CBD, Broadhurst and commercial districts around the city contain venues ranging from relaxed bars and cafés to livelier clubs, with entertainment patterns changing as new businesses open. Live music, DJs and televised sport are common elements of urban nightlife, while cultural events and performances provide alternatives to drinking-focused evenings. Hotel bars can be useful for visitors seeking a quieter setting, whereas larger entertainment areas tend to become busier later in the evening and are best reached by taxi or arranged transport. Dress codes and entry policies vary by venue, and a respectful, locally aware approach is appropriate. Gaborone is not an all-night party destination in every district, so expectations should reflect its role as a working administrative capital.

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Best nightclubs in Gaborone

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Best shops in Gaborone

Shopping in Gaborone ranges from practical urban retail to craft-focused markets and workshops. The Main Mall remains one of the city’s most recognisable shopping areas, with everyday stores, cafés and services, while larger modern centres such as Airport Junction provide supermarkets, fashion retailers and international-style commercial space. Botswana Craft is the principal stop for visitors seeking locally made baskets, textiles, carvings, jewellery and other handmade goods, with products reflecting traditions found across the country rather than only in the capital. Independent retailers and galleries appear in central and suburban commercial districts, and food shops stock regional staples alongside imported goods. Bargaining is not universal in formal stores, whereas prices may be more flexible in informal settings; buyers should ask politely and examine handmade items carefully. Traditional basketry is particularly associated with Botswana’s craft culture, making it more meaningful than generic imported souvenirs.

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Gaborone essentials

Currency and Payment

Botswana’s currency is the pula, abbreviated BWP, and prices are generally quoted in pula. Cards are commonly accepted in established hotels, shopping centres, supermarkets, restaurants and larger businesses, with Visa and Mastercard usually more useful than less widely supported cards. Contactless payment is available in some urban businesses, but it should not be assumed everywhere. Cash remains important for smaller traders, markets, local transport and some informal food outlets, so use bank-linked ATMs in busy, secure locations and keep modest notes available. Banks and bureaux de change can exchange major foreign currencies, while South African rand may be accepted in some places but should not be relied upon.

Safety

Visitors should take ordinary urban precautions in Gaborone: keep phones and bags secure, avoid displaying valuables, use well-lit routes and be especially attentive in crowded transport areas, shopping districts and car parks. The city is generally easy to navigate, but its dispersed suburbs and quiet stretches mean that walking alone at night is not advisable. Keep vehicle doors locked and valuables out of sight when driving, and use established taxis or pre-arranged transfers after dark. Heat and sun exposure are practical safety concerns during outdoor visits, while wildlife areas require visitors to follow reserve instructions and maintain a safe distance from animals.

Emergency Situations

Botswana’s emergency telephone numbers are 999 for police, 998 for the fire service and 997 for ambulance assistance. Give the operator your location clearly, using a recognised road, shopping centre, hotel or public building as a reference if an exact address is difficult to provide. International visitors should keep travel insurance details and passport information accessible and ask accommodation staff for help contacting local services when necessary. Medical facilities are concentrated in and around the capital, but serious cases may require referral or transfer, so travellers with ongoing medical needs should bring sufficient medication and confirm how their insurance handles treatment.

Do's and Don'ts

Greet people courteously and allow conversations to begin with politeness rather than rushing directly into a request. Ask permission before photographing people, particularly at cultural events, markets or sites connected with traditional authority. Dress neatly and modestly when visiting government buildings, places of worship or community settings, and follow instructions at wildlife reserves without approaching animals or leaving marked areas. Tipping is appreciated for good service but is discretionary rather than a universal obligation. Do not assume that English-language ability removes the need for local courtesy, and avoid treating traditional culture as a performance staged solely for visitors.

Local Tips

Use the Main Mall, the National Museum and nearby civic districts as a practical introduction to central Gaborone, then explore the city’s more widely spaced attractions by taxi or car. Early mornings are best for walking at Kgale Hill and for wildlife viewing in Gaborone Game Reserve, before temperatures rise. Botswana Craft is useful for understanding local basketry and other creative traditions, while the University of Botswana area and surrounding commercial districts show a more contemporary side of the capital. For a broader conservation experience, Mokolodi Nature Reserve is outside the city and should be treated as a separate excursion rather than a central attraction.

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

English	Local	Say it
Hello	Dumela	[doo-meh-lah]
Goodbye	Tsamaya sentle	[tsah-mah-yah sen-tleh]
Yes	Ee	[ee]
No	Nnyaa	[nn-yah]
Please/You're welcome	Ke kopa	[keh koh-pah]
Thank you	Ke a leboga	[keh ah leh-boh-gah]
Excuse me/Sorry	Peleka	[peh-leh-kah]
How are you?	O kae?	[oh kah-eh?]
Fine. And you?	Ke teng. Le wena?	[keh te-ng. leh weh-nah?]
Do you speak English?	O bua se se tsotlhe?	[oh boo-ah seh seh tsot-leh?]
I don't understand	Ga ke itse	[gah keh eet-seh]

Eating & Drinking

English	Local	Say it
I'd like to see the menu, please	Ke kopa go bona menu	[keh koh-pah goh boh-nah meh-noo]
I don't eat meat	Ga ke itse nyama	[gah keh eet-seh nyah-mah]
Cheers!	Tlala	[tlah-lah]
I would like to pay, please	Ke kopa go dira	[keh koh-pah goh dee-rah]

Emergencies

English	Local	Say it
Help!	Boitumelo!	[boy-too-meh-loh!]
Go away!	Tshameka!	[tsah-meh-kah!]
Call the Police!	Bula mpolele!	[boo-lah mm-poh-leh-leh!]
Call a doctor!	Bula mogopolo!	[boo-lah mo-go-po-lo!]
I'm lost	Ke a kgotsofatsa	[keh ah koh-tsow-fat-sah]
I'm ill	Ke a bolawa	[keh ah boh-lah-wah]

Shopping

English	Local	Say it
I'd like to buy...	Ke kopa go aga...	[keh koh-pah goh ah-gah...]
I'm just looking	Ke gopola	[keh goh-poh-lah]
How much is it?	E be ke eng?	[eh beh keh ehh-ng?]
That's too expensive	Ke e le mahala	[keh eh leh mah-hah-lah]
Can you lower the price?	O ka dira pele?	[oh kah dee-rah peh-leh?]

Time & Numbers

English	Local	Say it
What time is it?	E monate jang?	[eh moh-nah-teh jah-ng?]
It's one o'clock	Ke moepeng	[keh moh-eh-peng]
Half past (10)	Boraro jwa (le kgotla)	[boh-rah-roh jwah (leh koh-tlah)]
Morning	Mosetsana	[moh-seh-tsah-nah]
Afternoon	Motsogata	[moh-tsuh-gah-tah]
Evening	Sentle	[sen-tleh]
Yesterday	Ngwaga o tswa	[ng-wah-gah oh tswah]
Today	Naledi	[nah-leh-dee]
Tomorrow	Nnyaa	[nn-yah]
1	Moepeng	[moh-eh-peng]
2	Bobedi	[boh-beh-dee]
3	Boraro	[boh-rah-roh]
4	Bone	[boh-neh]
5	Boroko	[boh-roh-koh]
6	Borarong	[boh-rah-rong]
7	Bosenyegile	[boh-seh-nyeh-gi-leh]
8	Borobetse	[boh-roh-beh-tseh]
9	Borotlhe	[boh-roh-tlhe]
10	Lesepe	[leh-seh-peh]

Transport & Directions

English	Local	Say it
Where's a/the...?	Eng ke ya...?	[eh-ng keh yah...?]
What's the address?	E tla ka kae?	[eh tlah kah kah-eh?]
Can you show me (on the map)?	O ka nka o itse (go nkupelele)?	[oh kah n-kah oh eet-seh (goh n-koo-peh-leh-leh)?]
When's the next (bus)?	Ke eng metsi a ka nna?	[keh ehh-ng meh-tsee ah kah n-nah?]
A ticket (to ....)	Motikete (go ....)	[moh-tee-keh (goh ....)]

History of Gaborone

Tswana Kingdoms and Early Settlement

The area around present-day Gaborone formed part of a wider landscape occupied and travelled by communities including the Bakalanga, Bakwena, Bangwaketse and other Tswana-speaking peoples. In the nineteenth century, political authority in the region was organised through dikgosi, or hereditary chiefs, whose settlements and alliances shaped land use, trade and diplomacy. The settlement that became Gaborone was associated with Kgosi Gaborone of the Batlokwa, who moved his people to the area in the late nineteenth century. His name was later applied to the town established during the colonial period, although the surrounding region had a much longer human history.

Colonial Bechuanaland and the Railway

Britain declared the Bechuanaland Protectorate in 1885, largely to manage strategic territory north of the Cape and limit rival imperial ambitions. For much of the colonial era, the administrative centre was Mafeking, outside the protectorate in present-day South Africa. Gaborone’s importance grew after the railway reached the settlement in the late nineteenth century, linking the area to regional trade routes. The railway, water resources and its position near the South African border made the town a practical location for administration and commerce, even though it remained modest in scale for much of the protectorate’s history.

Capital of an Independent Nation

Gaborone became the administrative capital of the Bechuanaland Protectorate in 1965, shortly before Botswana achieved independence on 30 September 1966. The new government retained the town as the national capital, and early independence brought a rapid programme of public construction, road building and institutional development. Government offices, schools and diplomatic functions expanded around the original settlement, transforming a small administrative centre into the headquarters of a new republic. The Three Dikgosi Monument recalls the role of Bathoen I, Khama III and Sebele I, who travelled to Britain in 1895 to defend the interests of their territories.

Diamond Economy and Urban Growth

Botswana’s post-independence transformation was supported by diamond revenues, prudent public administration and investment in infrastructure. Although major mines are located elsewhere in the country, the capital became the principal centre for national government, finance, education and business. Gaborone’s population and built-up area expanded through new residential districts, commercial centres and transport links, while older areas such as the Main Mall remained important civic and retail spaces. This growth also brought the pressures associated with a rapidly expanding capital, including traffic, suburban sprawl and demand for housing and urban services.

A Contemporary Botswana Capital

Today Gaborone is a regional centre whose institutions reflect Botswana’s modern national identity: the University of Botswana, government ministries, diplomatic missions, cultural organisations and private businesses all contribute to its civic life. The city retains visible links to Tswana political traditions through places such as the Three Dikgosi Monument, while galleries, craft markets and music venues express contemporary creativity. Wildlife areas within and near the urban boundary provide an unusual connection with the country’s conservation culture. Gaborone’s present character therefore comes less from a single historic quarter than from the interaction between a young capital, established communities and the wider landscapes of south-eastern Botswana.

Gaborone in Photos

Browse through our photo collection highlighting the charm and character of the destination.

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Free Gaborone Travel Guide & Mobile App

A Capital Shaped by the Kalahari

Urban Life and Cultural Places

Wildlife Close to the City

When is the best time to visit Gaborone?

Getting to and around Gaborone

How to get there

Transportation

Best attractions in Gaborone

Mokolodi Nature Reserve

Botswana Craft

Christ the King Cathedral

Crocodile Pools Resort

Best landmarks in Gaborone

Riverwalk Mall

Peermont, The Grand Palm

Mokolodi Nature Reserve

Optico Center Gaborone

Explore Gaborone on the map

Best hotels in Gaborone

Best restaurants in Gaborone

Bull & Bush

RocoMamas Botswana

The Daily Grind Cafe + Kitchen

Cappucinos

Best bars in Gaborone

Phase 4 Bar

Cappello Masa

Millenium Jazz Restuarant

Leobah's Pub - Gaborone

Best nightclubs in Gaborone

Zoom

Cigar Lounge

dejavu

Absolut Lounge

Best shops in Gaborone

Airport Junction Shopping Centre

Riverwalk Mall

Main Mall

Molapo Crossing Shopping Mall