Best Places to Visit in Gaborone (Botswana)
I will admit that I almost skipped Gaborone. Most travelers treat it as a quick stopover before heading north to the Okavango Delta, and I nearly did the same. I am glad I did not. Botswana’s capital surprised me with quiet green spaces, a lively craft scene, and some of the friendliest locals I met on my whole trip. If you give the city a few days, it rewards you. Here are the places I would go back to tomorrow.
Gaborone Game Reserve
I did not expect to spot game only ten minutes from downtown, but the Gaborone Game Reserve delivers. It is a compact reserve, around five square kilometers, which makes it perfect for a self-drive morning loop. I saw zebra, kudu, impala, wildebeest, and a pair of ostrich that took their time crossing the track. The reserve is easy to reach along the old Lobatse road, and the entrance fee is affordable. Go early, right at opening, when the air is cool and the animals are most active.
Mokolodi Nature Reserve
Mokolodi sits just south of the city and felt like the highlight of my stay. It is a private reserve run by a conservation trust, and I spent a full day there. The guided game drive turned up giraffe, rhino, and a herd of zebra drinking at a pan. I also booked the walking safari, and tracking animals on foot changed how I saw the bush. The reserve cares for cheetah and rhino, and the staff clearly love the work. Pack lunch or eat at the restaurant, then round off the day at the hide overlooking the waterhole.
The Main Mall and Craft Market
Gaborone’s Main Mall is the old commercial heart of the city, and it still hums with life. I wandered between shops and banks under the shade of the trees while vendors called out their prices. Just nearby, the craft market is where I did most of my gift shopping. I picked up beaded bracelets, rattan baskets, and carved wooden bowls, all at prices far better than what I saw in tourist shops elsewhere. Bring small bills and do not rush. Haggling here is good natured, and each seller has a story behind their work.
Kgale Hill
If you want a workout with a view, climb Kgale Hill. Locals call it the Gaborone of the capital, and most of the trail is a steady walk on bare rock. I started before sunrise and was glad I did, because the heat builds fast. The summit opened onto the whole city, the dam, and the flat bush stretching to the horizon. It took me about forty minutes each way at a relaxed pace. Carry plenty of water and wear shoes with grip, because parts of the ascent are steeper than they look from the road.
Gaborone Dam and the Notwane Reservoir
The dam is where the city comes to relax on weekends. I drove along the shore and watched families picnicking, kids running kite lines, and fishermen casting from the rocks. The calm water made a nice contrast to the busy streets. Earlier in the year the water level had dropped, but the reservoir still drew plenty of birds. Herons, ibis, and kingfishers all put on a show. It is a gentle place to spend a slow afternoon, so bring a blanket and a book.
Three Dikgosi Monument
Right in the center of town, the Three Dikgosi Monument is hard to miss. Three towering bronze statues honor the leaders who traveled to Britain in 1895 to protect their land. I stood at the base and looked up at their faces, and the scale of the figures is impressive. The grassy plaza around it is popular with joggers and families, and it makes a fine spot to sit with a coffee while you plan your next move. It is free to visit and takes only twenty minutes.
National Botanical Garden
I needed a quiet morning after my market walking, and the National Botanical Garden gave me exactly that. It is a modest park on the edge of town, but the paths wind past native acacia, aloe, and flowering trees, all labeled for anyone curious about the local plants. Birdsong followed me the whole loop. Give it an hour or so, and pair it with a stroll through the nearby neighborhoods to see the city’s older homes.
Practical Tips for Your Visit
A few things helped me make the most of my time. Rent a car if you can, because the reserves and the hill are much easier with your own wheels, and traffic is light outside rush hour. Carry cash for the markets and smaller parks, though most hotels and restaurants take cards. The weather is pleasant for most of the year, so pack layers and strong sun protection. Above all, slow down. Gaborone is not a city to rush through, and the more openly you wander, the more it gives back. I left with a bag of crafts, a roll of photos, and a new favorite stop in southern Africa.
