Gaborone (Botswana) Travel Guide

When people hear Botswana they picture the Okavango Delta and elephants at Chobe. I flew to Gaborone expecting a quiet transit hub and found a compact, green capital that grows on you fast. Most visitors spend a night or two here before heading north, and a little planning makes that time easy and pleasant. Here is what I learned on my trip.

Getting There

Seretse Khama International Airport (GBE) sits about 15 kilometers outside the city center, and the drive takes 20 to 30 minutes depending on traffic. Air Botswana connects Gaborone with Johannesburg, Cape Town, and Windhoek, while South African Airways also flies the busiest routes. I flew from Johannesburg and the short hop took just over an hour. After landing, I found the easiest option was a prearranged hotel pickup or a taxi booked through my accommodation. Someone waited for me at arrivals with my name on a board, which saved me from negotiating in the heat after a long flight.

I also learned to book the morning flight rather than the late one. Afternoon thunderstorms roll through in summer and delays spiral quickly, so an earlier landing gives the whole day more slack.

Getting Around

Gaborone is spread out and the summer sun is fierce, so walking everywhere is not practical. I used a mix of local minibus taxis and ride hailing apps. InDrive works in the city and you set the fare in the app before you confirm, which beats haggling on the street. The yellow and blue combis run fixed routes for a few pula and cover most neighborhoods, but they can confuse a first time visitor with no one to ask. If you plan to visit the KGARI Game Reserve or the outskirts, hiring a car through a reliable agency is the most dependable option. Driving is on the left, and main roads are well maintained, though potholes appear on side streets after heavy rain.

The busiest time to move around the city is the evening rush around five, when the main boulevards back up and every combi feels full. I planned longer trips for mid morning and kept my evenings for food and rest.

Where to Stay

I chose the area around the Main Mall, and it made my evenings walkable. The Avani Gaborone Hotel, Gaborone Sun, and Cresta President are the best known full service options, all close to the central business district. For a pool and a slower pace, the Hilton Garden Inn is a reliable mid range pick with a good breakfast. On a tighter budget, guesthouses like Afton House offer clean rooms, friendly hosts, and honest advice about the city. Wherever you book, request a room away from the main roads; the traffic noise picks up early in the morning.

Rooms in the central hotels run close to a mid range European city, while the guesthouses cost about half that. If your budget stretches, the higher end options give you stronger gyms and quieter pools after a long day of travel.

Food

Gaborone surprised me with its food scene. Seswaa, the slow cooked shredded beef served with pap, is the dish to try, and most local places serve it with a piquant chakalaka. I got my first proper taste at a corner eatery near the Main Mall, where a heaped plate of beef, goat, and morogo cost just a few pula. International options are strong too. I found good wood fired pizza and a solid burgers place in the newer malls, and for coffee and a sandwich the delis around the business district do the job. Tap water is generally safe to drink in the main hotels, but I bought bottled water on the street to be careful.

Sunday lunch is a real scene here. Families fill the restaurants for a slow meal of braaied meat, and the mood is warm and unhurried. I would happily base a whole visit around that single meal.

Safety

Gaborone feels calmer than most southern African capitals, but I stayed alert in the standard ways. I kept my phone out of sight on the street, carried only loose cash for small purchases, and left my passport in the hotel safe. Solo evening walks in quiet areas are not advised, so I used ride hailing after dark. The biggest practical risk I faced was traffic, not crime, especially the taxis that stop without much warning. Common sense goes a long way, and the locals I met were welcoming and genuinely helpful when I stopped to ask for directions.

The emergency number for police in Gaborone is 911, though most visitors never need it. I kept my hotel front desk number handy and let staff know my evening plans, a small habit that made me feel far more at ease.

Practical Final Notes

Gaborone works best as a two night stop rather than a rushed single night. The National Museum, the nearby Kgale Hill climb, and the Okavango River view at Moeti Junction all fill a day if you have time. Pula is the currency and cards are accepted in most restaurants and hotels, but keep small notes for markets and combis. Whether you are passing through on the way to Maun or staying for work, Gaborone rewards a little patience. Give it one full day and you will leave with more affection for it than your itinerary expected.

One small tip: buy your onward bus or flight tickets a day ahead during school holidays, because connections to Maun and Kasane sell out fast. It is a small step that keeps your whole Botswana itinerary moving.