Capital · Botswana
Gaborone
Give Gaborone one full day on the way to the safari circuit: the monuments, one game reserve and a mall dinner. Two nights maximum.
Gaborone is Botswana's capital and its administrative heart, a planned 1960s city of government offices, malls and low-rise suburbs spread about 15 km east to west. It is not a safari destination, but it is a clean, functioning stopover with a handful of genuine sights, two nearby game reserves and the country's main airport. Most travellers pass through in a day or use it as a first or last night before flying to Maun or Kasane.
More
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- BWP
- Best months
- Apr–Sep (dry, mild)
- avoid Dec–Feb (hot, afternoon storms)
- Airport
- GBE
- Nights
- 1–2
Not a trip line yet
Rules in force · 7Nine African countries on this site have no trip line bec…Across the subregion, plan every road leg to arrive befor…
- Africa ↗When a route touches a yellow-fever country — even a transit of 12 hours or more — keep the original yellow card (ICVP) in your hand luggage; health desks and airlines can refuse boarding or entry without it.
- Africa ↗Nine African countries on this site have no trip line because governments advise against travel; several others have no-go regions. Read your government's advice for every country on the route before paying deposits.
- Southern Africa ↗A rental car may leave its home country only with the rental company's cross-border letter, the registration papers and paid road taxes at each post; driving into Zambia, Zimbabwe, Mozambique or Angola without them ends at the border.
- Southern Africa ↗Across the subregion, plan every road leg to arrive before sunset: livestock, wildlife, pedestrians and unlit trucks make night driving the main cause of serious visitor accidents.
- Botswana ↗Check visa and entry rules for your passport on official Botswana government sources before booking; most Western passports are visa-exempt, others use the Botswana e-visa.
- Botswana ↗Light-aircraft transfers limit luggage by weight and require soft bags; confirm the limit with your camp or operator before packing.
- Botswana ↗Self-driving in Moremi, Chobe and the Central Kalahari needs a properly equipped 4x4, booked campsites and experience in sand driving.
Entry rules depend on your passport. Full visa guide
What is in this basic guide9 covered · 4 not yet ▾
In this guide
Not in this guide yet
- Walking areas with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Airport-to-bed timings and the last safe connection
- Field-checked times and prices
Official sites
Emergency numbers for Gaborone999 ▾
Tap a number to call from your phone. These are the numbers listed in this guide; a row marked check has not been verified.
EssentialsQuick answers and what things cost
Essentials
Quick answers and what things cost
Quick answers
The questions people ask first about Gaborone, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.
- Cash or card?checkCurrency is the Botswana pula (BWP), about 13–14 per US$ in 2026 (check).Botswana-wide
- SIM or eSIMMascom, Orange and BTC (beMOBILE) sell SIMs with passport registration in Maun, Kasane and Gaborone.Botswana-wide
- Tap waterTap water is treated in towns; camps provide filtered water.Botswana-wide
- TippingRestaurant: About 10%.Botswana-wide
- Plugs & powerSockets D/G/M. US/Canada (A/B): adapter · UK/Ireland (G): fits · Australia/NZ (I): adapter. 230 V: US 120 V-only devices (hair dryers) need a converter; most chargers are dual-voltage.Botswana-wide
- SafetyThe documented risk is Kgale Hill: climb only when other cars are in the car park, ideally weekday late afternoon…
Show all 12 answers
- RestroomsFlush toilets in towns and camps; long drop at some public campsites.Botswana-wide
- Emergency numbers999 police · 997 ambulance · 998 fire
- Sundays & holidaysShops close early on Saturdays and are limited on Sundays in small towns.Botswana-wide
- Your embassyFind your embassy's 24-hour line before you fly.
- AirportGBE Sir Seretse Khama International (About 15 km (9.3 mi) north of the centre; taxi to town roughly P150, less on the return.).GBE Sir Seretse Khama International (About 9.3 mi (15 km) north of the centre; taxi to town roughly P150, less on the return.).
- Getting aroundNo useful public transport for visitors.
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- CoffeeCoffee or soft drinkP15–35
- Sit-down mealRestaurant main courseP40–120
- Taxi, about 5 km (3 mi)Taxi, about 3 mi (5 km)Public taxi rideP7
- Budget bedHostel or guesthouse bed, a night, per personBWP 250
- Mid-range bedGuesthouse or hotel double room, a night, per roomBWP 1,100
- High-end bedGuesthouse or hotel double room, a night, per roomBWP 2,200
A day, not counting the bed: Budget BWP 450 · Mid BWP 900 · High BWP 1,800
Local prices, with USD next to them (rates 2026-09 (approximate); change it in the header). Ranges are desk estimates: check locally. Every price and the budget calculator →
DecideWhat it is known for, and when the weather works
Decide
What it is known for, and when the weather works
At a glance
What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.
- Airports
- GBE Sir Seretse Khama International (About 15 km (9.3 mi) north of the centre; taxi to town roughly P150, less on the return.)GBE Sir Seretse Khama International (About 9.3 mi (15 km) north of the centre; taxi to town roughly P150, less on the return.)
Best months at a glance
From the guide's best and avoid lists
Jan
Avoid
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
Feb
Avoid
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
Mar
not flagged
31°C (87°F)87°F (31°C)
Apr
Best
28°C (83°F)83°F (28°C)
May
Best
26°C (78°F)78°F (26°C)
Jun
Best
23°C (74°F)74°F (23°C)
Jul
Best
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
Aug
Best
26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)
Sep
Best
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
Oct
not flagged
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
Nov
not flagged
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
Dec
Avoid
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
Best: Apr–Sep. Avoid: Dec–Feb. Month by month →
Warmest Jan (33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)), coolest Jul (4°C (40°F)40°F (4°C) low), wettest Jan (9 rain days), driest Jun (1). Averages, not a forecast.
Weather and climate
Gaborone: next 7 days
Loading forecast…
Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.
Air quality
Loading…
Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.
Jan
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
20°C (67°F)67°F (20°C)
9 rd
Feb
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
19°C (67°F)67°F (19°C)
7 rd
Mar
31°C (87°F)87°F (31°C)
17°C (63°F)63°F (17°C)
6 rd
Apr
28°C (83°F)83°F (28°C)
14°C (56°F)56°F (14°C)
4 rd
May
26°C (78°F)78°F (26°C)
8°C (47°F)47°F (8°C)
2 rd
Jun
23°C (74°F)74°F (23°C)
5°C (41°F)41°F (5°C)
1 rd
Jul
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
4°C (40°F)40°F (4°C)
1 rd
Aug
26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)
8°C (46°F)46°F (8°C)
1 rd
Sep
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
12°C (54°F)54°F (12°C)
1 rd
Oct
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
16°C (61°F)61°F (16°C)
3 rd
Nov
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
7 rd
Dec
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)
9 rd
High / low, both scales · rd = rain days
Arrive & moveAirports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Arrive & move
Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Getting around
No useful public transport for visitors. Combis (white minivans) run set routes for about P6 and public taxis for about P7, but both follow fixed lines. For door-to-door use a cab or a "special": most trips run P20–30, and hiring one driver by phone for the day is the usual arrangement. Give plot numbers or landmark names, not street names.
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Mokolodi Nature Reserve
goDoor to door: Half day
Taxi or self-drive about 15 km (9.3 mi) south-west of the centreTaxi or self-drive about 9.3 mi (15 km) south-west of the centre
Two-hour game drives with rhino, giraffe and zebra; cheetah encounters have been offered — check current activities and prices before you go.
Gaborone Game Reserve
goDoor to door: 2–3 h
Self-drive east of the centre, near Maaloso
Small reserve you can drive yourself; mostly birds plus zebra, warthog and kudu. Picnic spots, but watch the monkeys and ostriches.
Oodi Weavers
cautionDoor to door: Half day
Drive about 5 km (3.1 mi) east of Phakalane on the Modipane roadDrive about 3.1 mi (5 km) east of Phakalane on the Modipane road
Working tapestry workshop open weekdays only, roughly 10:00–16:30 — check before travelling; no public transport.Working tapestry workshop open weekdays only, roughly 10:00 AM–4:30 PM — check before travelling; no public transport.
Kanye
cautionDoor to door: check
Bus or drive south-west on the A2
Traditional Bangwaketse town below the Ngwaketse hills; transport times and current opening of sights are unverified — check locally before setting out.
Mochudi
cautionDoor to door: check
Drive or bus north on the A1
Bakgatla village with a museum and old kgotla; transport times and museum hours are unverified — check before travelling.
Eat & sleepWhich area to sleep in
Eat & sleep
Which area to sleep in
Where to sleep
Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.
City centre / Main Mall
Walk to the monuments, government buildings and the bus station; best for one night without a car.
Broadhurst / Airport area
Guesthouses and lodges near GBE; convenient for early flights, quiet at night.
Game City / Riverwalk malls
Hotel clusters with restaurants and cinemas; you will need taxis or a car for everything.
PracticalWhat a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Practical
What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Cost per day
- Budget
- P450–750 excl. bed
- Mid
- P750–1,400 excl. bed
- High
- P1,400+ excl. bed
Trip budget
| Guesthouse or hotel double room1 × 1 night × BWP 1,100 | BWP 1,100 |
| Food, local transport, entries2 × 1 day × BWP 900 | BWP 1,800 |
| Airport taxi, both ways2 × BWP 220 · 2026 estimate | BWP 440 |
| Combi or public taxi ride2 × BWP 7 · 2026 estimate | BWP 14 |
| eSIM, about a week of data2 × BWP 200 · 2026 estimate | BWP 400 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | BWP 375 |
| Trip total≈ BWP 2,065 per person per day, bed included | BWP 4,129 |
2026 estimate
2026 estimate in pula; flights excluded. Bed and daily figures are planning estimates, not quoted prices — check current rates. Your choices stay in this browser.
Prices of common things
| White-box lunch (rice, veg and meat) in the government districtWeekdays only. | P10–20 |
| Restaurant main course | P40–120 |
| Coffee or soft drink | P15–35 |
| Cinema seat | P40 |
| Combi ride | P6 |
| Public taxi ride | P7 |
| Cab or special, cross-town | P20–30 |
| Airport taxi to the centreAbout P60–80 on the return. | P150 |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- Kgale Hill: only climb when other cars are in the car park, ideally weekday late afternoon; there have been knife robberies on the empty path.
- Do not swim in the Gaborone Dam: bilharzia and crocodiles.
- Baboons and monkeys at Kgale Hill and the Gaborone Game Reserve — keep food out of sight.
- Border buses have left passengers behind at the South Africa–Botswana crossing; keep your documents and watch the driver.
Emergency numbers
- Police
- 999
- Ambulance
- 997
- Fire
- 998
Pocket card
Fill in, then print or save as PDF
Stays in this browser only; nothing is sent anywhere.
GaboroneGaborone
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
—
—
—
Kwa atereseng eno, tsweetsweeTo this address, please
Emergency
- Police999
- Ambulance997
- Fire998
Embassy
Most embassies and high commissions are in Gaborone itself, including the US Embassy; check the official list before you travel.
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- Airport (GBE) → city centre, taxi: about P150, 20–30 min
- Combi ride: P6
- Public taxi ride: P7
- Cab or special, cross-town: P20–30
Say or show
- Dumela — Hello (doo-MEH-lah)
- Ke a leboga — Thank you (keh ah leh-BOH-hah)
- Ke bokae? — How much is it? (keh boh-KAH-eh)
- Ntlwana e kae? — Where is the toilet? (ntlwah-nah eh KAH-eh)
- Tsweetswee — Please (tsweh-t-sweh)
- Sala sentle — Goodbye (sah-lah SEN-tleh)
Setswana spelling varies; say it as written and people will meet you halfway.
Deep diveWhat this guide covers so far, and its sources
Deep dive
What this guide covers so far, and its sources
Not a trip line yet
This is a basic guide: no airport-to-bed contract, walking clusters or day plans are published for Gaborone. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.
What we know, and what is coming
On this page
- Best months: Apr–Sep (dry, mild) · avoid Dec–Feb (hot, afternoon storms) · month by month →
- 1 airport and 3 areas to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 3 bands
- 5 day-trips, door to door
- 4 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- Airport-to-bed contract for GBE: taxi fares both directions, late-arrival options and a guesthouse fallback.
- Four walking clusters with anchors: Main Mall and the Government Enclave, Kgale Hill, the mall belt, and Broadhurst.
- Place pages with verified hours (Three Dikgosi Monument, National Botanical Garden, Mokolodi, Gaborone Game Reserve) and eat pages with last orders.
- Cross-border fixtures for the Intercape bus and the Tlokweng road crossing so arrival gates can go green.
Sources
Ask about Gaborone
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