Gaborone

Gaborone is the capital of Botswana, in the south of the country near the South African border. It is a clean, safe and functioning city that has grown from a dusty town into a substantial urban area. The city offers a mix of government enclaves, shopping malls, and cultural sites like the Three Dikgosi Monument.

Gaborone has a confusing nomenclature with areas called blocks, extensions, and phases. The Extensions lie east of the railway line, Gabs West is west of the line inside the Western Bypass, and the Blocks are further west. The Central Business District is a developing area, and suburbs like Phakalane, Broadhurst, and Tlokweng offer accommodation. The climate is subtropical with summer rains from November to March.

Customs is slow but easy to navigate; have an address ready. Sir Seretse Khama International Airport (IATA: GBE) is 15 km north of the centre, serving flights from Southern Africa, Addis Ababa, and Nairobi. Buses and overnight trains connect to Francistown and South Africa.

The city is spread out, and most areas are best navigated by car or taxi. Walking is safe during the day but not recommended at night. Taxis can be called from hotels.

Climb Kgale Hill (1,287 m) for panoramic views over the city, but go with others to avoid robbery. Visit the Gaborone Dam for birdwatching or windsurfing (no swimming due to bilharzia and crocodiles). Mokolodi Nature Reserve offers game drives and cheetah encounters. The Gaborone Game Reserve is a small drive-through reserve with birds and wildlife. Otse Village, 55 km south, is home to the Mannyelanong Game Reserve for Cape vultures.

Accommodation ranges from backpacker hostels to luxury hotels. Mokolodi Backpackers Hostel offers dorm beds from P120 per person. Guesthouses like African Home (P400 double) and Riverside Lodge (P360) provide budget options. For longer stays, serviced apartments start at P9,500/month. Higher-end hotels include Gaborone Sun (from P900) and Grand Palm (from P1,770).

Gaborone's dining scene is dominated by South African chains, but local options exist. White box food stalls sell quick lunches (rice and veg P10, with meat P20). Indian restaurants like Deli's (P55 lasagne) and Par 5 (mains P40-60) are good value. Nando's offers chicken meals for P50, and Pie Time has pies for P5.50. For a traditional Botswanan dish, try seswaa (boiled meat with maize porridge).

Crime is relatively low, but muggings and pickpocketing occur, especially in crowded areas and at night. Avoid walking alone at night; take a taxi from your hotel. Be cautious of smash-and-grab theft at traffic lights. Police are helpful but slow. Watch for cows and wildlife on rural roads. Dial 999 for police, 998 for fire.

Internet cafes are common in shopping centres, charging P10-P20 per hour. Many offer membership for cheaper rates. Speeds are moderate to good. Wi-Fi is available in some hotels and guesthouses.

Kanye is 100 km south by bus. Francistown is a 5-7 hour bus ride or overnight train. The South African border is 10 km away, with nearby destinations including Rustenburg, Pilanesberg National Park, and Sun City. Johannesburg is about 8 hours by bus.