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Selebi-Phikwe
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Selebi-Phikwe, Botswana, pairs copper-nickel mining heritage with bird-rich dams, nearby wildlife, wide skies and an authentic eastern Botswana town experience.

A Mining Town in Eastern Botswana

Selebi-Phikwe lies in eastern Botswana, roughly between Francistown and Gaborone, in a landscape of dry woodland, low hills and broad skies. The town grew around the copper-nickel deposits at Selebi and Phikwe, and its planned streets, substantial civic buildings and industrial surroundings reflect the importance of mining to Botswana’s post-independence economy. Although the BCL mine ceased operations in 2016, mining remains central to the town’s identity and to understanding its development.
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Dams, Wildlife and Open Landscapes

Beyond the built-up area, the surroundings offer a quieter side of eastern Botswana. Phikwe Game Park provides opportunities to experience local wildlife and birdlife, while Letsibogo Dam, outside the town, is associated with fishing, boating and waterside scenery. The nearby village of Mmadinare and the Tswapong Hills broaden the range of regional excursions, with rocky landscapes and traditional settlements contrasting with Selebi-Phikwe’s planned urban form.

Everyday Eastern Botswana

Selebi-Phikwe is not a conventional sightseeing centre, but its appeal lies in its atmosphere and context: a working town shaped by industry, surrounded by bushveld and reservoirs, where local shops, eateries, sports grounds and community life provide a more grounded view of Botswana. Visitors with their own transport can use it as a base for exploring the eastern interior, while those interested in industrial heritage will find the former mine landscape an important part of the national story.

When is the best time to visit Selebi-Phikwe?

Best: June–August · 23–26°C
Average daytime high and rainfall by month
MonthHigh (°C)Rainfall (mm)
January34101
February3398
March3289
April3049
May2712
June (best)236
July (best)243
August (best)264
September3015
October3449
November3368
December3479

Getting to and around Selebi-Phikwe

How to get there

Selebi-Phikwe is primarily reached by road. The town is connected to Botswana’s eastern road network and can be approached from Francistown via the road towards Selebi-Phikwe, or from Gaborone through the national road system and regional connections. Long-distance buses and shared taxis operate on major routes in Botswana, although services may be less frequent than those between the country’s largest cities. Selebi-Phikwe has an airport, but visitors should not assume regular scheduled commercial flights; most international travellers use Botswana’s larger gateways and continue by road. A private vehicle is the most flexible option for exploring the town’s surrounding dams and rural landscapes.

Transportation

The town is spread out but generally navigable by car, with local taxis and shared transport serving residents along established routes. Walking is practical for some central errands, though distances between neighbourhoods, shopping areas and outer attractions can be considerable, and daytime heat can be intense. A private or hired vehicle is useful for visiting Letsibogo Dam, Phikwe Game Park and nearby villages, where public transport may be limited and services may not reach access points. Avoid driving into former industrial areas or onto mine roads without permission, and take particular care on rural roads after dark or during heavy rain.

Best attractions in Selebi-Phikwe

Selebi-Phikwe’s principal attractions are closely tied to its setting and mining history. The former BCL industrial landscape explains the town’s origins, although access to operational, fenced or derelict areas must only be undertaken with permission. Phikwe Game Park offers a bushveld setting for observing Botswana’s smaller mammals and birdlife, while Letsibogo Dam, outside the urban area, provides open water, fishing and a different perspective on the dry eastern landscape. The town itself rewards slow exploration of its planned avenues, residential districts and civic spaces, which reveal how a modern mining settlement was constructed around one large employer. A regional outing to Mmadinare introduces a much older village environment, and the Tswapong Hills farther away provide rocky scenery and walking possibilities subject to local guidance. These places are less about a dense sequence of formal museums than about reading the relationship between industry, settlement, water and wildlife.

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Best landmarks in Selebi-Phikwe

Selebi-Phikwe’s most significant landmarks are part of its planned industrial identity rather than a collection of monumental historic buildings. The former BCL mine complex and associated industrial structures are the clearest physical symbols of the copper-nickel enterprise that created the town, though they should be viewed only from authorised areas. The town’s planned civic core, broad roads and purpose-built residential neighbourhoods illustrate the urban model developed around a major employer during Botswana’s early post-independence decades. Letsibogo Dam is a major regional engineering and landscape landmark, linking water management with recreation and wildlife habitat. Nearby Mmadinare’s village setting provides a contrasting cultural landmark in the wider district, representing the older settlement traditions that predate the planned mining town. Together, these places show how industry, government planning, water infrastructure and established communities shaped the eastern Botswana landscape.

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Best restaurants in Selebi-Phikwe

Dining in Selebi-Phikwe is centred on everyday Botswana cooking and practical local eateries rather than a large destination restaurant scene. Menus commonly draw on staples such as bogobe, a sorghum or maize porridge, seswaa, traditionally pounded beef, grilled meat, stews and chicken, with vegetables and rice appearing widely. Small cafés, takeaways, hotel restaurants and informal food sellers provide familiar meals for residents, while supermarkets are useful for provisions before travelling to the dam or game park. The town’s mining history and diverse workforce have also contributed to a broad, unpretentious choice of southern African dishes. Visitors may find regional specialities and seasonal produce through local traders, but availability can vary. Dining is generally more relaxed and functional than formal, and asking about the day’s freshly prepared dishes is often more useful than expecting a fixed international menu.

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Best bars in Selebi-Phikwe

Evenings in Selebi-Phikwe are shaped more by local social life than by a concentrated nightlife district. Neighbourhood bars, hotel lounges and casual drinking places provide spaces for conversation, televised sport and music, while community events and live entertainment may bring activity to selected venues at different times. The town does not have the extensive club circuit associated with Gaborone, and opening patterns and entertainment programmes can change, so local advice is valuable. Visitors should expect a modest evening scene rather than a specialised cocktail or late-night destination. Botswana’s legal drinking age is 18, and responsible behaviour is important, particularly when travelling on rural roads after dark. Cultural performances, church gatherings and community occasions may offer more locally meaningful evening experiences than formal nightlife venues.

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Best nightclubs in Selebi-Phikwe

Evenings in Selebi-Phikwe are shaped more by local social life than by a concentrated nightlife district. Neighbourhood bars, hotel lounges and casual drinking places provide spaces for conversation, televised sport and music, while community events and live entertainment may bring activity to selected venues at different times. The town does not have the extensive club circuit associated with Gaborone, and opening patterns and entertainment programmes can change, so local advice is valuable. Visitors should expect a modest evening scene rather than a specialised cocktail or late-night destination. Botswana’s legal drinking age is 18, and responsible behaviour is important, particularly when travelling on rural roads after dark. Cultural performances, church gatherings and community occasions may offer more locally meaningful evening experiences than formal nightlife venues.

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Best shops in Selebi-Phikwe

Shopping in Selebi-Phikwe is practical and locally oriented, with supermarkets, independent shops, market traders and small service businesses concentrated around the town’s commercial areas. Visitors can look for everyday Botswana products, locally made crafts, baskets, textiles, beadwork and packaged regional foods, although selection varies and specialist artisan shopping is more limited than in Gaborone. Informal sellers may offer seasonal produce and prepared snacks, while larger stores are useful for stocking water and provisions before travelling into the surrounding countryside. The town’s retail character reflects its role as a service centre for mining communities and nearby villages rather than a major shopping destination. Bargaining is not appropriate everywhere: it is more likely at informal stalls than in established shops, where prices are generally fixed. Ask before photographing market traders or their displays.

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Selebi-Phikwe essentials

Currency and Payment
Botswana’s currency is the pula, written as BWP. Banks, supermarkets, larger shops and established accommodation providers commonly accept major cards, but smaller eateries, market traders, taxis and rural service points may require cash. ATMs are available in town, although international visitors should not rely on finding one immediately outside the central areas or on every machine accepting every foreign card. Carry modest pula notes for local transport and small purchases, while keeping cash discreetly stored. Botswana’s banking and payment systems are well developed in urban areas, but connectivity and card acceptance can be less dependable during travel beyond Selebi-Phikwe.
Safety
Normal urban precautions are appropriate in Selebi-Phikwe: keep valuables out of sight, secure vehicles and avoid displaying cash or electronics unnecessarily. Take care when walking alone after dark, particularly on quiet roads and around poorly populated industrial or peripheral areas. Outdoor visitors should prepare for heat, sun exposure and limited services outside town, and should not approach wildlife or enter disused mine workings. Check local road conditions before travelling to dams or game-viewing areas, especially after storms. Respect fenced industrial land and private property, and ask locally about current access conditions rather than assuming that all former mining sites are open to visitors.
Emergency Situations
Botswana’s national emergency numbers are 999 for police, 998 for ambulance services and 997 for the fire service. Give the operator the town, road, landmark or nearby village as precisely as possible, since rural locations around Selebi-Phikwe can be difficult to identify by street address alone. For serious medical problems, seek assistance through local health services or a hospital and confirm available facilities before undertaking remote excursions. International visitors should carry travel insurance details, essential medication and an emergency contact number. Mobile coverage may vary beyond the built-up area, so do not rely solely on a phone when travelling into isolated countryside.
Do's and Don'ts
Greet people courteously and dress in a way that is comfortable but respectful, particularly when visiting villages, churches or community events. Ask permission before photographing residents, workers, homes or ceremonies, and follow local guidance around culturally significant places. Do not enter mine compounds, industrial land or fenced game areas without authorisation. Tipping is appreciated for good service but is not a substitute for fair payment, and practices vary between establishments. On rural roads, slow down near livestock and settlements, while at dams and game areas keeping a safe distance from wildlife is more important than obtaining a photograph.
Local Tips
Use Selebi-Phikwe as a base for combining an urban and industrial perspective with excursions into eastern Botswana’s bushveld and reservoir country. Ask accommodation staff or local residents about current road conditions and access arrangements before setting out, as signage and services can be limited outside town. Early mornings are generally the most comfortable time for wildlife watching and roadside photography. Mmadinare offers insight into the area’s longer settlement history, while Letsibogo Dam is best approached as a self-sufficient outdoor outing rather than a fully serviced visitor facility. Carry water, sun protection and a charged phone.
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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
HelloDumela[doo-MEH-lah]
GoodbyeTsamaya sentle[tsah-MAH-yah sehn-tleh]
YesEe[ee]
NoNnyaa[nn-yah]
Please/You're welcomeTsamaya sentle[tsah-MAH-yah sehn-tleh]
Thank youKe a leboga[keh ah leh-BOH-gah]
Excuse me/SorryNke a leboga[nn-keh ah leh-BOH-gah]
How are you?O kae?[oh kah-eh]
Fine. And you?Ke gona. Le wena?[keh goh-nah. leh weh-nah]
Do you speak English?O bua seTswana?[oh boo-ah seh-TSWAH-nah]
I don't understandGa ke itse[gah keh eet-seh]
Eating & Drinking
EnglishLocalSay it
I'd like to see the menu, pleaseKe kopa go bona menu, le kamoso[keh koh-pah goh boh-nah meh-noo, leh kah-moh-soh]
I don't eat meatGa ke itse nyama[gah keh eet-seh nyah-mah]
Cheers!Phila[pee-lah]
I would like to pay, pleaseKe kopa go dira dipalo, le kamoso[keh koh-pah goh dee-rah dee-pah-loh, leh kah-moh-soh]
Emergencies
EnglishLocalSay it
Help!Boitumelo![boy-too-MEH-loh]
Go away!Tlatsa![tlah-tsah]
Call the Police!Bula maburu![boo-lah mah-boo-roo]
Call a doctor!Bula morago![boo-lah moh-rah-goh]
I'm lostKe a tlhoka[keh ah tlhoh-kah]
I'm illKe itse[keh eet-seh]
Shopping
EnglishLocalSay it
I'd like to buy...Ke kopa go rekela...[keh koh-pah goh reh-keh-lah]
I'm just lookingKe rata go bona fela[keh rah-tah goh boh-nah feh-lah]
How much is it?E e leng?[eh eh leh-ng]
That's too expensiveEna e dira nngwe[eh-nah eh dee-rah nng-weh]
Can you lower the price?O ka nnaletsa pampiri?[oh kah nnah-leh-tsah pahm-pee-ree]
Time & Numbers
EnglishLocalSay it
What time is it?Ke nako mang?[keh nah-koh mah-ng]
It's one o'clockKe nako ya boraro[keh nah-koh yah boh-rah-roh]
Half past (10)Nako e kete (le letsatsi la mararo)[nah-koh eh keh-teh (leh leh-tsaht-see lah mah-rah-roh)]
MorningNako ya bomme[nah-koh yah boh-meh]
AfternoonNako ya borra[nah-koh yah boh-rah]
EveningNako ya lefatshe[nah-koh yah leh-faht-sheh]
YesterdayNako ya boraro[nah-koh yah boh-rah-roh]
TodayNako yeo[nah-koh yeh-oh]
TomorrowNako e kae[nah-koh eh kah-eh]
1Motho[moh-thoh]
2Bobedi[boh-beh-dee]
3Boraro[boh-rah-roh]
4Boraro le bobedi[boh-rah-roh leh boh-beh-dee]
5Boraro le boraro[boh-rah-roh leh boh-rah-roh]
6Boraro le boraro le motho[boh-rah-roh leh boh-rah-roh leh moh-thoh]
7Boraro le boraro le bobedi[boh-rah-roh leh boh-rah-roh leh boh-beh-dee]
8Boraro le boraro le boraro[boh-rah-roh leh boh-rah-roh leh boh-rah-roh]
9Boraro le boraro le boraro le motho[boh-rah-roh leh boh-rah-roh leh boh-rah-roh leh moh-thoh]
10Lesome[leh-soh-me]
Transport & Directions
EnglishLocalSay it
Where's a/the...?Kae...?[kah-eh]
What's the address?E kae gole?[eh kah-eh goh-leh]
Can you show me (on the map)?O ka lebisa ka mepa?[oh kah leh-bee-sah kah meh-pah]
When's the next (bus)?Kae kae (bus) e tlaa?[kah-eh kah-eh (bus) eh tlah]
A ticket (to ....)Sepotikete (go ....)[seh-poh-tee-keh-teh goh]

History of Selebi-Phikwe

Before the Mining Town

The Selebi-Phikwe area forms part of eastern Botswana’s wider settlement landscape, shaped by dry woodland, seasonal watercourses and long-established Tswana communities. Nearby Mmadinare is one of the region’s important historic villages, while the Tswapong area to the south-east has its own cultural and environmental identity. Before the twentieth-century mining development, the area was not a major urban centre. Livestock keeping, agriculture, local trade and movement between settlements shaped everyday life, while the mineral deposits beneath the ground remained largely outside the experience of the surrounding communities.

Copper-Nickel Deposits Identified

Modern Selebi-Phikwe emerged from the discovery and commercial development of copper and nickel deposits at Selebi and Phikwe. The Bamangwato Concessions Limited, generally known as BCL, became the company associated with the project, and mining development gathered pace during the 1960s. Housing, roads, public services and industrial infrastructure were planned around the expanding operation, creating a new urban settlement in a previously lightly developed part of eastern Botswana. The town’s name preserves the identities of the two mining areas that gave the settlement its purpose.

The Town Takes Shape

As the mine moved towards production in the early 1970s, Selebi-Phikwe developed as a planned company and government-supported town. Workers arrived from across Botswana and from neighbouring countries, bringing different languages, skills and cultural traditions. The mine generated employment well beyond the shafts and processing plant, supporting transport, engineering, retail, education and public administration. Wide roads, residential neighbourhoods and civic facilities reflected the modernising ambitions of a newly independent Botswana. The resulting town was more industrial and deliberately designed than many older settlements in the surrounding region.

Mining and National Development

Copper-nickel production at Selebi-Phikwe became an important part of Botswana’s economic story, complementing the country’s better-known diamond industry. Mining revenue and employment helped sustain the town for decades, while BCL became one of its principal institutions. The operation also tied local life to international metal markets, industrial investment and changing commodity prices. Schools, sports organisations, shops and public services grew around the workforce, creating a strong civic identity. At the same time, the environmental and social consequences of large-scale mining became enduring features of the urban landscape.

Closure and Reinvention

BCL ceased operations in 2016 after prolonged financial difficulties and unfavourable conditions in the copper and nickel markets, and the company entered liquidation. The closure brought a severe economic shock to Selebi-Phikwe, where employment and local commerce had long depended on the mine. Since then, government agencies, businesses and community organisations have pursued economic diversification, including tourism, small enterprise, agriculture and the use of existing infrastructure. The town’s future remains connected to this process of reinvention, while its mining landscape continues to explain both its character and its challenges.

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Evendo: Your Ultimate Travel Guide to Selebi-Phikwe

Discover Selebi-Phikwe like never before with Evendo, a 100% free app-based travel guide covering attractions, landmarks, restaurants, and more.

  • Detailed information on attractions, landmarks, shops, bars, nightclubs, restaurants, and hotels
  • Rich images, descriptions, local tips, maps, and contact details
  • Easy hotel bookings, tour reservations, and ticket purchases
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More about the Evendo app

Explore Selebi-Phikwe effortlessly with Evendo, your free, all-inclusive travel guide app. Plan, book, and discover the best attractions, landmarks, restaurants, and experiences.

  • History of Selebi-Phikwe and travel essentials
  • Curated local tips for a true local experience
  • 'Near me' feature for easy navigation
  • 100% free with no in-app purchases

Welcome to Evendo, the ultimate travel guide app designed to make your trip to Selebi-Phikwe, Botswana, unforgettable. Whether you're a solo traveler, a couple, or a family, Evendo provides you with all the essential information you need to explore this beautiful town.

Selebi-Phikwe is a hidden gem in Botswana, known for its rich history and vibrant culture. With Evendo, you can easily discover famous attractions like the Phokoje Bush Lodge, where you can experience the local wildlife, or the Selebi-Phikwe Dam, perfect for a relaxing day out. Don't miss out on visiting the Tshekedi Khama Monument and the lively Selebi-Phikwe Market to immerse yourself in local traditions.

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With features like easy hotel bookings, tour reservations, and ticket purchases directly through the app, you can focus on enjoying your trip without the hassle of multiple bookings. The history of Selebi-Phikwe, travel essentials, and curated local tips ensure you get the most out of your visit. The 'Near me' feature allows you to see what's around you, no matter where you are in the city, making navigation a breeze.

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