Gaborone, Botswana

Evergreen city guide with quick facts, travel, business, and culture.

BotswanaSouth-East

Overview

Gaborone is Botswana's compact capital, spread across a low rise at the edge of the Kalahari. More administrative centre than tourist destination in its own right, it serves as the entry point and staging ground for the country's world-class safari reserves — the Okavango Delta, Chobe National Park and the Central Kalahari Game Reserve are all reached from here.

Safari Gateway

The staging point for Okavango Delta mokoro excursions, Chobe elephant herds, Central Kalahari and Makgadikgadi salt pans — Botswana's world-class wildlife is all reached from here.

Diamond Industry

Administrative heart of Botswana's diamond sector — De Beers DTC, the Diamond Hub and the cutting and polishing industry that drives the country's economy.

Urban Wildlife

Gaborone Game Reserve and Mokolodi Nature Reserve offer game viewing — zebra, rhinos, giraffes and cheetahs — within minutes of the city centre.

Regional Hub

Gateway to southern Africa — day trips to Pilanesberg (South Africa), overland to Namibia's Caprivi Strip, and connections to Victoria Falls via Kasane.
Travel Overview

Gaborone is not a city tourists typically linger in — it is a gateway. Most visitors spend a night or two before flying north to Maun (the Okavango Delta gateway) or Kasane (for Chobe). But the city has its own modest appeal: the Gaborone Game Reserve on the western edge offers walking safaris with zebra, wildebeest, warthog and ostrich within sight of the parliament buildings. The National Museum and Art Gallery covers Botswana's San rock art heritage, colonial history and contemporary art. The Main Mall — a pedestrianised shopping street — and the Riverwalk shopping centre provide practical stops. The Mokolodi Nature Reserve, twenty minutes south, has rhinos, giraffes and cheetahs and offers more intimate game drives than the northern parks. Gaborone is the administrative heart of Botswana's diamond industry — De Beers' Diamond Trading Company International has its sorting operations here, and the Botswana Diamond Hub supports the growing cutting and polishing sector.

Discover Gaborone

Sir Seretse Khama International Airport connects Gaborone to Maun (Okavango Delta, roughly one hour), Kasane (Chobe, roughly ninety minutes) and Johannesburg (one hour). Most safari itineraries begin with a domestic flight from Gaborone or a charter into a bush airstrip. Safari operators typically arrange transfers from the airport to lodges. Booking flights well in advance is recommended during peak season (June to October).

Diplomatic missions in Gaborone

3 embassies based in this city, grouped by region.