Overview
Take a trip to Gaborone on your Botswana Vacation
Approximately 10% of the population of Botswana lives in Gaborone, the capital and largest city in the country. Found in the southeastern corner of Botswana only 15 km (9.3 mi) from South Africa, Gaborone is one of the fastest-growing cities in the world.
Up until 1963, Britain’s Bechuanaland Protectorate (present-day Botswana) was administered from Mafikeng in South Africa. Botswana was the only territory in the world to have an administrative centre outside of its boundaries. In 1963 it was decided to name the capital in Botswana and Gaborone was one of nine possible sites. Gaborone was eventually chosen because of its accessibility to most of the major tribes without belonging to anyone in particular, and for its proximity to both a railway line and a major source of water. Within eighteen months, Gaborone was transformed from a tiny village settlement to a capital city in time for Botswana’s independence in 1966.
Over the years, Gaborone has continued to expand and is a far cry from the town it was in 1966. It has the benefit of modern amenities while being close to wildlife areas. The Gaborone Game Reserve is one of the few national reserves to be located inside a city when on a Botswana safari. Despite its small size, the reserve is well stocked hosting zebra, blue wildebeest, impalas, gemsbok, eland, vervet monkeys, warthogs and more.
At a Glance
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Botswana Pula (BWP)What do the experts say?
Some travellers believe that Botswana is the most expensive destination in Africa. But there are many ways to travel in Botswana to lower the price point. You just have to know the right camps and lodges
The country is one of the only countries in Southern Africa that offers traditional road safaris, walking safaris, water (motorboat, canoe, and traditional mokoro) safaris
May - September is considered the prime time for game viewing, particularly in the Okavango Delta and Chobe National Park. Animals are easier to spot as they gather around water sources, and the vegetation is less dense
Gaborone Stamp
Visiting an African farm near Gaborone is a uni...
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Place
Conditions
Daily max temperatureMonthly rainfall
GaboroneMostly Sunny
38°C / 100°F
11mm / 0.4"
Weather data is based on monthly averages.Popularity rating
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