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Gaborone — travel, stays & events guide
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Gaborone city overview
Gaborone is Botswana's low-rise, orderly capital, built up quickly after independence around Main Mall and the government enclave near the Notwane River. First-time visitors should explore the National Museum and Art Gallery for Tswana history and art, hike Kgale Hill for skyline views, and day-trip to the nearby Mokolodi Nature Reserve for rhino and giraffe sightings. Sir Seretse Khama International Airport connects Gaborone to the rest of southern Africa.
City facts
Airport baseSir Seretse Khama International Airport (GBE)
Known forThree Dikgosi Monument, Gaborone Game Reserve, National Museum and Art Gallery, Kgale Hill
RegionBotswanaBotswana
Time zoneAfrica/Gaboronelocal time
Founded1880historical origin
City history
In more recent history, the Tlokwa left the Magaliesberg ranges to settle in the area around 1880, and called the settlement Moshaweng.
In 1890, Cecil John Rhodes picked Gaberones to house a colonial fort.
The modern town was only founded in 1964, after a decision was taken to establish a capital for Botswana, which became a self governing territory in 1965, before becoming a fully independent republic on.
In 1965, the capital of the Bechuanaland Protectorate moved from Mafeking to Gaberones.
On 30 September 1966, Bechuanaland became the eleventh British dependency in Africa to become independent.
The city changed its name from Gaberones to Gaborone in 1969.
In 1971, because of the growth of illegal settlements, the Gaborone Town Council and the Ministry of Local Government and Lands surveyed an area called Bontleng, which would contain low-income housing.
In 1973, the Botswana Housing Corporation (BHC) built a "New Naledi" across the road from the "Old Naledi".
Gaberones, a shortening of "Gaborone's Village", was named after Chief Gaborone of the Tlokwa, whose home village (now called Tlokweng) was across the river from the Government Camp, the name of the colonial government.
When Botswana gained its independence, Lobatse was the first choice as the nation's capital.
However, Lobatse was deemed too limited, and instead, a new capital city would be created next to Gaberones.
The city was chosen because of its proximity to a fresh water source, its proximity to the railway to Pretoria, its central location among the central tribes, and its lack of association with those.
Because the town was built so quickly, there was a massive influx of labourers who had built illegal settlements on the new city's southern industrial development zone.
This has led to many squatter settlements on undeveloped land.
Worth seeing
Three Dikgosi Monument
Three Dikgosi Monument is a clear heritage marker in Gaborone, best used as a fixed point when grouping nearby streets, monuments and viewpoints.
Gaborone Game Reserve
Gaborone Game Reserve gives Gaborone a greener or more scenic stop, useful when the route needs views, shade, walking space or a slower hour.
National Museum and Art Gallery
National Museum and Art Gallery is a key Gaborone culture stop, useful for understanding local history, collections and rainy-day planning near the main sightseeing route.
Kgale Hill
Kgale Hill adds outdoor time to a Gaborone stay, with open space, views or waterfront breathing room between denser city sights.
Mokolodi Nature Reserve
Mokolodi Nature Reserve gives Gaborone a greener or more scenic stop, useful when the route needs views, shade, walking space or a slower hour.
Gaborone Dam
Gaborone Dam is a named stop in Gaborone worth keeping on the route when it fits the day's transport, timing and neighborhood plan.
Stay overview
Base in the CBD near Main Mall for a short business stay, or choose Broadhurst for good-value hotels along Independence Avenue. Phakalane suits travellers wanting quiet, upscale surroundings, while Tlokweng works well for early flights or onward road trips.
Hotels & areas
Gaborone hotel choice mostly comes down to purpose: the CBD keeps government and business travellers close to offices and Main Mall, Broadhurst offers reliable mid-range options, Phakalane suits longer, quieter stays, and Tlokweng is practical for airport or border access.
CBD / Main Mall
The Central Business District around Main Mall holds government offices, banks and business hotels, the most convenient base for a short stay.
Best for: business trips, first visitsCompare staysBroadhurst
Broadhurst is a large residential suburb with a strong line-up of mid-range hotels along Independence Avenue, popular with longer-stay visitors.
Best for: mid-range stays, longer visitsCompare staysPhakalane
Phakalane is an upscale, leafy suburb north of the centre known for golf estates and quiet gated housing, best for travellers wanting space and calm.
Best for: quiet stays, golf, familiesCompare staysTlokweng
Tlokweng is a quieter suburb just outside the centre, close to the airport and border post, useful for early flights or road trips into South Africa.
Best for: airport access, road tripsCompare staysFlights & airports
Sir Seretse Khama International Airport (GBE) arrival plan
- Sir Seretse Khama International Airport (GBE)Sir Seretse Khama International Airport, Gaborone, Botswana
Sir Seretse Khama International Airport lies north of the city centre; taxis and hotel transfers are the easiest way into town.
Rental cars
Gaborone day-trip car use
A rental car is useful in spread-out Gaborone and essential for day trips to Mokolodi Nature Reserve or further into the Kalahari.
Compare rental carsTravel tips
Best base
Choose the CBD near Main Mall for a short business stay, or Broadhurst for good-value hotels within easy reach of the centre.
Getting around
Combined taxis and minibuses cover the city, but a rental car makes it easier to reach Phakalane, the airport and out-of-town reserves.
Weekday city
Gaborone is quiet at night and on weekends outside the malls, so plan dinners and errands around weekday business hours.
Day trips
Set aside half a day for Mokolodi Nature Reserve just south of the city, an easy wildlife outing without a long drive.
Nearby ideas
Wildlife
Mokolodi Nature Reserve
Mokolodi Nature Reserve is a private wildlife sanctuary just south of Gaborone, good for a half-day safari with rhino, giraffe and antelope.
Heritage
Tsodilo Hills
Tsodilo Hills works as a nature-focused side trip from Gaborone, especially when the day has enough daylight and a clear return plan.
Upcoming events
No upcoming Gaborone events in the shared event index yet.