Free Palapye Travel Guide & Mobile App

Plan your Palapye trip with Evendo. Get free guides to top attractions, restaurants, hotels, and bars. Web access or download the mobile app.

Download the Free PDF guide

All photos

Palapye, Botswana, combines Bangwato history, Old Palapye ruins, wildlife areas and easy access to eastern Botswana’s landscapes and culture.

A Settlement Shaped by Movement

Palapye lies in eastern Botswana between Gaborone and Francistown, beside the A1 highway and the railway corridor that links the country’s principal urban centres. It is a practical regional town, but its importance reaches well beyond transport. The modern settlement stands near the remains of Phalatswe, or Old Palapye, the nineteenth-century capital established by the Bangwato under Kgosi Khama III. Scattered stonework and low archaeological remains at the old settlement offer a quieter counterpoint to the traffic and commerce of present-day Palapye.

Heritage, Industry and Open Country

Palapye’s character is shaped by several overlapping identities: a historic Bangwato centre, a railway town, an expanding education and business hub, and an important location in Botswana’s coal and electricity industry. The surrounding landscape is predominantly semi-arid, with thornveld, open grassland and broad skies rather than dense urban development. Visitors will find everyday Botswana life in local shops, roadside businesses, churches and neighbourhood streets, while the nearby Lotsane area provides opportunities for wildlife and bird observation. Farther afield, the Tswapong Hills and Moremi Gorge introduce rocky valleys, seasonal watercourses and a more dramatic landscape. Palapye is best understood as a base for exploring eastern Botswana’s history and countryside, rather than as a conventional high-density tourist city.

When is the best time to visit Palapye?

Best: June–August · 28–31°C

34° Temperature Range for JanuaryLow: 19.5°C, High: 34.2°C Precipitation Range for JanuaryLow: 74.2 mm, High: 137.6 mm J

35° Temperature Range for FebruaryLow: 18.7°C, High: 35.1°C Precipitation Range for FebruaryLow: 69.3 mm, High: 131.5 mm F

34° Temperature Range for MarchLow: 16.9°C, High: 34.4°C Precipitation Range for MarchLow: 52.6 mm, High: 113.6 mm M

33° Temperature Range for AprilLow: 12.7°C, High: 32.8°C Precipitation Range for AprilLow: 15.7 mm, High: 69.9 mm A

30° Temperature Range for MayLow: 7.6°C, High: 29.6°C Precipitation Range for MayLow: 3.2 mm, High: 38.2 mm M

Best 28° Temperature Range for JuneLow: 3.1°C, High: 27.7°C Precipitation Range for JuneLow: 0.1 mm, High: 11.5 mm J

Best 28° Temperature Range for JulyLow: 2.1°C, High: 28.4°C Precipitation Range for JulyLow: 0 mm, High: 0.2 mm J

Best 31° Temperature Range for AugustLow: 5.4°C, High: 31°C Precipitation Range for AugustLow: 0 mm, High: 0.3 mm A

35° Temperature Range for SeptemberLow: 9.9°C, High: 35.4°C Precipitation Range for SeptemberLow: 0.2 mm, High: 4.9 mm S

38° Temperature Range for OctoberLow: 14.3°C, High: 37.9°C Precipitation Range for OctoberLow: 10.1 mm, High: 50.5 mm O

38° Temperature Range for NovemberLow: 17.3°C, High: 37.9°C Precipitation Range for NovemberLow: 33.5 mm, High: 88.9 mm N

36° Temperature Range for DecemberLow: 18.9°C, High: 35.7°C Precipitation Range for DecemberLow: 54.7 mm, High: 114.5 mm D

Average daytime high and rainfall by month
Month	High (°C)	Rainfall (mm)
January	34	106
February	35	100
March	34	83
April	33	43
May	30	21
June (best)	28	6
July (best)	28	0
August (best)	31	0
September	35	3
October	38	30
November	38	61
December	36	85

Getting to and around Palapye

How to get there

Palapye is most commonly reached by road or railway. The A1, Botswana’s principal north–south highway, passes through the town and connects it with Gaborone to the south and Francistown to the north. Long-distance buses and shared taxis operate along major intercity routes, although services and departure arrangements can vary. Passenger rail services have historically linked settlements along the eastern corridor, but travellers should confirm current operations before relying on the train. Palapye is not usually approached through a major international airport; visitors normally arrive via Sir Seretse Khama International Airport near Gaborone or Francistown Airport and continue overland. A private vehicle is useful for reaching outlying heritage and nature sites.

Transportation

Palapye is spread along a busy transport corridor rather than organised around a compact tourist centre. Walking is practical for some central errands, but distances, heat and traffic on major roads make a vehicle or local taxi more convenient for wider exploration. Taxis and shared local transport are used by residents, while long-distance buses and coaches serve the A1 corridor. Driving requires attention around lorries, pedestrians, livestock and junctions, particularly on approaches to town. A four-wheel-drive vehicle may be helpful on rougher rural tracks, especially after rain, although specific access depends on the destination and current road conditions. Confirm directions locally before visiting Old Palapye or nearby reserves.

Best attractions in Palapye

Palapye’s principal attraction is Old Palapye, the historic Phalatswe settlement associated with Khama III and the Bangwato, where scattered ruins and archaeological remains stand in open thornveld. The site rewards visitors interested in Botswana’s political and religious history rather than those expecting a conventional museum complex. Within and around the modern town, everyday streets, local shops and railway landscapes reveal Palapye’s role as a transport and service centre. The nearby Lotsane area offers opportunities for wildlife viewing and birdwatching, subject to access arrangements and seasonal conditions. For a wider excursion, the Tswapong Hills and Moremi Gorge provide rocky scenery, woodland and seasonal streams, although these lie outside Palapye itself. The contrast between Old Palapye’s historic settlement, the contemporary A1 corridor and the surrounding semi-arid countryside gives sightseeing here a distinctly regional character.

Garden 3.7 (18 reviews)

Little Paws Tea Garden

Escape to tranquility at Little Paws Tea Garden in Palapye, Botswana, where nature's beauty meets delightful teas and light meals.

8 min drive · 2.7 km from city centre

Show more attractions

Best landmarks in Palapye

Old Palapye is Palapye’s defining historical landmark: the remains of Phalatswe, the Bangwato capital founded under Khama III in 1889. Its stone structures and settlement traces express the political importance of the site and the scale of a community that later moved to Serowe. The railway corridor is another landmark of sorts, representing the transport infrastructure that helped the modern town develop within the former Bechuanaland Protectorate. The A1 highway, passing through the settlement, embodies Palapye’s present role as a north–south gateway and commercial stop. Around the town, churches, civic buildings and newer commercial developments reflect Botswana’s post-independence growth, while the Morupule energy complex nearby illustrates the industrial forces that have reshaped the local economy. These places are less a compact architectural ensemble than a sequence of historical and contemporary markers spread through an expanding regional town.

Show more landmarks

Explore Palapye on the map

Plan your Palapye trip on one map. See where the top attractions, landmarks, restaurants, bars and hotels are, find what's near where you're staying, and book hotels and experiences in a few clicks.

Best restaurants in Palapye

Palapye’s dining scene is centred on practical local restaurants, cafés, takeaways and hotel dining rooms serving residents, workers and travellers moving along the A1. Traditional Botswana food may include sorghum or maize-based staples such as bogobe, meat dishes, beans and seasonal vegetables, with beef and goat especially familiar in the country’s food culture. Braai-style grilled meat, stews and simple plates are widely suited to the town’s role as a transport stop, while bakeries and modern cafés provide quicker options. Shops and supermarkets make it easy to assemble provisions for excursions into the surrounding countryside. Dining tends to be informal and functional rather than concentrated in a dedicated restaurant quarter, and menus may reflect both Setswana cooking traditions and the broader southern African influences common in eastern Botswana.

Show more restaurants

Best bars in Palapye

Palapye’s evening life is modest and locally focused rather than built around a large club scene. Hotel bars, independent drinking spots and casual venues provide spaces for conversation, televised sport and socialising, while restaurants and cafés offer quieter evening settings. Music and dancing may feature at particular venues or community events, but opening patterns and entertainment programmes can change, so local advice is useful. The town’s nightlife is shaped by its role as a regional service centre and by Botswana’s generally relaxed but sociable public culture, not by a concentrated entertainment district. Visitors should use recognised transport after dark, avoid walking along the A1 or poorly lit roads, and observe the atmosphere of each venue rather than assuming that every bar operates as a late-night club.

Show more bars

Best nightclubs in Palapye

Show more nightclubs

Best shops in Palapye

Shopping in Palapye is concentrated around everyday retail rather than a specialised tourist market. Commercial areas along and near the main road contain supermarkets, pharmacies, clothing shops, mobile-phone retailers, banks, fuel stations and small independent businesses useful for travellers stocking up before rural excursions. Informal sellers and roadside traders may offer seasonal produce, snacks and locally made goods, while larger retail developments provide modern shopping alongside older township businesses. Visitors looking for Botswana-made souvenirs may find woven items, baskets, beadwork or craft products through local sellers, although selection is variable and not every stall is aimed at tourists. Food supplies, bottled water, sun protection and basic outdoor equipment are generally more practical purchases here than specialist luxury goods. Polite bargaining may be appropriate with informal traders, but fixed-price shops should be treated accordingly.

Show more shops

Get your free copy of our complete guide to Palapye, delivered straight to you.

Everything on this page, from attractions and restaurants to essentials and local phrases, in one PDF you can read offline, print or share.

Already have an account? Sign in

Palapye essentials

Currency and Payment

Botswana’s currency is the Botswana pula, abbreviated BWP. Banks, larger shops, supermarkets, fuel stations and established accommodation providers commonly accept major payment cards, while smaller businesses, informal traders and some services outside the commercial centre may prefer cash. ATMs are available in Palapye, but carrying a modest reserve of pula is sensible when travelling into rural areas or visiting heritage and nature sites. International visitors should notify their bank before travel and check foreign-exchange fees. South African rand may occasionally be accepted informally in the region, but the pula is the appropriate currency for ordinary local transactions and visitors should not rely on foreign cash.

Safety

Visitors should use the same practical precautions appropriate to a busy regional town: keep valuables out of sight, secure accommodation and vehicles, and take care around transport interchanges and crowded commercial areas. After dark, use a trusted taxi or travel with companions rather than walking along poorly lit roads. Driving requires particular care because the A1 carries heavy vehicles and rural roads may include unlit traffic, pedestrians and animals. Heat, sun exposure and dehydration are more immediate concerns during outdoor sightseeing than in-town sightseeing. When visiting remote areas, tell someone the intended route, carry water and avoid entering unfamiliar land or structures without local guidance.

Emergency Situations

Botswana’s emergency telephone numbers are 999 for police, 998 for ambulance services and 997 for the fire service. Mobile coverage is generally better in town than in remote countryside, so visitors exploring rural heritage sites or wildlife areas should prepare before leaving Palapye. For a medical problem, contact emergency services or seek assistance from a local clinic or hospital, and make sure travel insurance covers treatment and possible evacuation. Keep identification, insurance details and emergency contacts accessible. In a road incident, move away from traffic if possible, contact the police and avoid attempting repairs or recovery in an isolated location without appropriate help.

Do's and Don'ts

Dress modestly and respectfully when visiting churches, traditional institutions and rural communities, and ask permission before photographing people, ceremonies or private property. Greet people courteously, especially elders, and remember that Botswana’s social etiquette places value on patience and respect. Do not climb on historic ruins, remove stones or leave litter at Old Palapye or in natural areas. Follow local instructions around wildlife and never approach animals on foot. Tipping is discretionary rather than a fixed obligation, but a modest amount may be appreciated for good service. Avoid assuming that customary practices are identical across all communities, and ask before entering restricted or culturally significant places.

Local Tips

Palapye works well as a base for combining its own heritage with excursions towards the Tswapong Hills, Moremi Gorge and nearby wildlife areas, but these outings require advance planning and reliable transport. Old Palapye is better approached as an archaeological landscape than a polished museum attraction, so bring water, a hat and footwear suitable for uneven ground. The town’s main commercial areas are useful for stocking up on fuel, food and essentials before travelling into rural districts. Morning and late afternoon are the most comfortable times for outdoor visits. Local residents, accommodation staff and tourism offices can provide the latest advice on access, road conditions and seasonal changes.

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	Sala sentle	[sah-lah sen-tleh]
Yes	Ee	[ee]
No	Nnyaa	[nnyah]
Please/You're welcome	Ke a leboga	[keh ah leh-boh-gah]
Thank you	Ke a leboga	[keh ah leh-boh-gah]
Excuse me/Sorry	Ntshwarele	[n-chwa-reh-leh]
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 sengwe ka sekgowa?	[oh boo-ah sey sey-ngweh kah seh-koh-wah]
I don't understand	Ga ke itse	[gah keh it-seh]

Eating & Drinking

English	Local	Say it
I'd like to see the menu, please	Ke batla go bona menyoo, ka kopo	[keh baht-lah goh boh-nah meh-nyoo, kah koh-poh]
I don't eat meat	Ga ke dira nyama	[gah keh dee-rah nyah-mah]
Cheers!	Tsamaya sentle!	[tsah-mah-yah sen-tleh]
I would like to pay, please	Ke batla go dira dipaletso, ka kopo	[keh baht-lah goh dee-rah dee-pah-leh-tsoh, kah koh-poh]

Emergencies

English	Local	Say it
Help!	Boitumelo!	[boi-too-meh-loh]
Go away!	Tsamaea!	[tsah-mah-eh]
Call the Police!	Itse motseare!	[it-seh moht-sheh-ah-reh]
Call a doctor!	Itse ngaka!	[it-seh ngah-kah]
I'm lost	Ke a tswaletse	[keh ah tswah-leh-tseh]
I'm ill	Ke tshwere ke tshabetsa	[keh tshwe-reh keh tshah-beh-tsa]

Shopping

English	Local	Say it
I'd like to buy...	Ke batla go bolaya...	[keh baht-lah goh boh-lah-yah]
I'm just looking	Ke bone	[keh boh-neh]
How much is it?	Ke bokae?	[keh boh-kah-eh]
That's too expensive	Ke tlhokafetse	[keh tlhoh-kah-feht-seh]
Can you lower the price?	O ka kgothatsa phahlo?	[oh kah koh-tsat-sah pah-hloh]

Time & Numbers

English	Local	Say it
What time is it?	Ke nako mang?	[keh nah-koh mah-ng]
It's one o'clock	Ke nako ya mosha	[keh nah-koh yah moh-shah]
Half past (10)	Mosha la lefatshe (10)	[moh-shah lah leh-faht-sheh (10)]
Morning	Bohula	[boh-hoo-lah]
Afternoon	Botsotso	[boht-soht-soh]
Evening	Ntwa	[n-twa]
Yesterday	Nako ya mokwalo	[nah-koh yah moh-kwah-loh]
Today	Nako e kana	[nah-koh eh kah-nah]
Tomorrow	Nako ya ngwaga	[nah-koh yah ngwah-gah]
1	Moja	[moh-jah]
2	Pedi	[peh-dee]
3	Tharo	[tah-roh]
4	Nne	[nneh]
5	Tlhano	[tlhah-noh]
6	Tlhare	[tlhah-reh]
7	Supa	[soo-pah]
8	Robete	[roh-beh-teh]
9	Sentsho	[sehnt-shoh]
10	Lesome	[leh-soh-meh]

Transport & Directions

English	Local	Say it
Where's a/the...?	Ke kae...?	[keh kah-eh]
What's the address?	Boitsebiso ke eng?	[boi-tseh-bee-soh keh e-ng]
Can you show me (on the map)?	O ka nna leka (ka mapo)?	[oh kah n-nah leh-kah (kah mah-poh)]
When's the next (bus)?	Nako ya bokete e kae?	[nah-koh yah boh-keh-teh eh kah-eh]
A ticket (to ....)	Lekgotla (go ....)	[leh-koh-tlah goh]

History of Palapye

Bangwato Origins at Phalatswe

Palapye’s most important historical story is associated with the Bangwato and their leader Khama III. In 1889, Khama established a new capital at Phalatswe, now generally known as Old Palapye, after the community moved from Shoshong. The settlement became a substantial political and religious centre, reflecting the authority of the Bangwato kingdom and the organisation of its people during a period of major change in southern Africa. The name Palapye is commonly linked to the Setswana word for impala, an animal associated with the surrounding country. The remaining stone walls, settlement traces and church ruins at Old Palapye provide material evidence of this earlier capital.

A Capital Before Serowe

Phalatswe served as the Bangwato capital until the community moved again to Serowe in the early twentieth century. The change was connected to practical and political considerations, including the availability of water and the suitability of the new location for a growing settlement. Although the capital moved away, the Old Palapye site remained an important marker of Bangwato history. Its ruins show how political centres in pre-colonial and early colonial Botswana were shaped by mobility, environmental pressures and the authority of dikgosi, or traditional leaders. The surviving remains also connect modern Palapye with the wider historical landscape of the Bangwato people.

Railways and the Colonial Era

The development of the railway through eastern Botswana altered the region’s economic geography. Rail connections formed part of the north–south route through the Bechuanaland Protectorate and encouraged the growth of settlements that could serve as transport, trading and administrative points. Palapye’s position along this corridor helped it develop beyond the earlier capital site and strengthened links with Gaborone, Francistown and communities farther north. During the colonial period, commerce, livestock movement and administrative systems increasingly operated alongside established Tswana political institutions. The railway’s legacy remains visible in Palapye’s role as a transport town and in the continued importance of the east-west and north-south road networks.

Botswana’s Independence and Expansion

Botswana became independent from British rule in 1966, and Palapye subsequently grew within a national programme focused on education, public administration, infrastructure and economic development. Its location between the capital and the north made it a natural service centre for surrounding villages and cattle areas. New schools, businesses, public facilities and transport links expanded the settlement’s regional influence. The town’s growth was not based solely on tourism: it was also shaped by ordinary commercial activity, government services and the needs of a dispersed population. Modern Palapye therefore carries both the continuity of Bangwato history and the institutional character of an independent Botswana.

Coal, Electricity and Contemporary Palapye

In recent decades, Palapye has become closely associated with Botswana’s coal and electricity industries, particularly through the Morupule energy complex nearby. Energy development has contributed to employment, construction, business activity and the town’s expanding regional importance, while also bringing the environmental and infrastructure questions associated with resource-based growth. Palapye is now a significant stop on the A1 and a service centre for eastern-central Botswana. Its contemporary identity combines industrial activity, education, transport and local commerce with the historic landscape of Old Palapye. That contrast between a nineteenth-century capital site and a modern energy corridor is central to understanding the town today.

Palapye in Photos

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

Cities near Palapye

The closest cities to Palapye, if you have time for more than one stop.

Explore more

More of the region

Explore more of Botswana

Explore Botswana: A land of stunning contrasts, rich wildlife, and cultural heritage. Discover the Okavango Delta, Kalahari Desert, and immerse in sustainable tourism.

Explore Botswana

Free Palapye Travel Guide & Mobile App

A Settlement Shaped by Movement

Heritage, Industry and Open Country

When is the best time to visit Palapye?

Getting to and around Palapye

How to get there

Transportation

Best attractions in Palapye

Little Paws Tea Garden

Best landmarks in Palapye

Majestic Five Hotel

Food Lovers Market

Diphalane Mall

ENGEN MALL PALAPYE

Explore Palapye on the map

Best hotels in Palapye

Best restaurants in Palapye

Nando's Palapye

Wimpy Palapye

Cappello Palapye

Steers

Best bars in Palapye

Wimpy Palapye

Cappello Palapye

Bonita Gardens Cafe - Palapye, Botswana

Honeymoon Bar

Best nightclubs in Palapye

422 BAR

Wamzito Club

Oxygen night club

Best shops in Palapye

PALAPYE JUNCTION SHOPPING MALL

SPAR Palapye