Gaborone
Travel Guide > Africa > Botswana > Gaborone
In this Article
- Neighbourhoods
- Sights and Activities
- Events and Festivals
- Weather
- Getting There
- Getting Around
- Eat
- Drink
- Sleep
- Work
- Learn
- Keep Connected
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Introduction
Gaborone is the capital of Botswana. It is found near the South African border, in the southeast of the country. Thanks to the government's focus on developing the city, Gaborone is one of the fastest growing cities in the world and an icon of African modernisation. The city itself is not much of an attraction and most visitors to Botswana won't start or end their trip here, but rather in the north, where most parks are located. Still, a few places in or just around Gaborone are worth the effort and as it is relatively low key you won't face mass tourism here, thus giving some insight in the local African style of living. Probably one of the most relaxing and safest capitals anywhere on the continent!
Neighbourhoods
Sights and Activities
Mokolodi Nature Reserve is located very close to the capital of Botswana, Gaborone, and although it is not as impressive or big like many other parks, offers a great experience if you don't have the time or money to go further into the country. Visitors can go on guided game walks and see elephants, cheetahs, leopards and various species of antelope and even some rare white rhinos roam the area.
Events and Festivals
Weather
Gaborone has a semi arid climate with a warm and dry season from April/May to October/November. The rainy season lasts from December to March when high temperatures and humidity make conditions less bearable. Temperatures frequently hit 40º C during the day in October and November, when the first late afternoon thunderstorms occur. From May onwards temperatures are still nice and warm and usually it is dry. Frost at night is possible during the months of June to August.
Getting There
By Plane
International
Air Botswana is the national airline of Botswana and is based at Sir Seretse Khama International Airport (GBE), 15 km north of Gaborone. International destinations with Air Botswana from Gaborone include Cape Town, Harare, Johannesburg and Windhoek. Sout African Express flies to and from Cape Town and Johannesburg as well.
Domestic
Air Botswana has domestic flights between Gaborone, Kasane, Maun and Francistown. Fares are expensive.
By Train
A railway operated by Botswana Railway, runs daily between Gaborone and Francistown and Lobatse.
By Car
Tarred roads lead both north towards Francistown and Kasane and across the Kalahari to Namibia. Also, the road south towards the border with South Africa is tarred. Rental cars are available in Gaborone, both downtown as well as on the airport. You need a 4wd if you are planning to drive on roads other than those mentioned above.
By Bus
There are daily connections between Gaborone and Johannesburg in South Africa, Bulawayo and Harare in Zimbabwe and several weekly buses go all the way to Lusaka in Zambia as well.
Between Gaborone and Johannesburg minibuses leave when full and take around 6 hours.
Buses and minibuses ply the main north-south route between Gaborone and Kasana via Francistown as well.
By Boat
Eat
Drink
Sleep
Budget
| Property | Address | Type | Popularity |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mokolodi Backpackers | Plot 86 Mokolodi | Hostel | 80 |
Mid-Range
Upscale
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This is version 5. Last edited at 8:05 on May 20, 09 by Utrecht (+137). 11 articles link to this page.
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