Understand

Gaborone, with a population of around 250,000, was once planned to be Botswana's capital. Today, it is a sprawling city that stretches close to 15km from east to west. The city boasts a clean, safe, and functional environment. The city center revolves around the train station and the government enclave of Khama Crescent. However, there are numerous shopping malls scattered throughout the city, reducing the prominence of the center. Gaborone's nomenclature can be confusing for newcomers, with different parts of town known as Blocks, Extensions, Phases, and more. Here is a rough guide: - The Extensions: Located to the east of the railway line, they radiate from the Government Enclave. Extensions 9 and 11 are considered the wealthiest parts of Gaborone, while Extension 15, near Riverwalk Mall, is known as 'the Village.' - Gabs West: Referring to the inner blocks west of the railway line, inside the Western Bypass. Gabs West is further divided into Phases 1, 2, 4, and the industrial area. - The Blocks: Situated west of the railway line, outside the Western Bypass. The blocks are numbered 5 to 10, running south to north. Block 9 is the southernmost of the blocks and Block 3 lies directly north of the downtown area. Each area is typically referred to by its Block number. - The Central Business District: A patch of undeveloped land in the city center, which started being transformed into modern hotels and offices in 2012, including the new Lansmore hotel. - Phakalane: A new-build suburb located 12km north of the city center. It is centered around a golf estate and lies on the east side of the A1 Francistown road. South-west of Phakalane is the yet-to-be-developed Glen Valley. - Gaborone North: A developing suburb situated towards the airport, west of Phakalane. - Broadhurst: An older suburb northeast of the city center. Partial and Maru-a-Pula are located on the southern edge of Broadhurst. - Tlokweng: A wealthier and traditional suburb to the east of the Notwane river, offering several nice guesthouses. You can find the standard nomenclature on Wikimapia, which is a valuable online resource. Knight Frank, a real estate agent in Gaborone, also provides a useful map of the city.

Get in

When entering the country, going through customs is a breeze. They have it all well-organized and efficient. Just make sure you have an address to provide for your stay. It's a simple formality that won't give you any trouble.

Map & Climate

Popular Foods

Seswaa - Seswaa is a traditional Botswanian dish made from sadza, which is a stiff porridge prepared using maize meal, and often eaten with a relish containing meat or vegetables. The most common meat used in this dish is either beef or chicken.

Mopane Worms - Mopane worms are caterpillars that are considered a delicacy in Botswana. They are commonly found feeding on the mopane tree and are collected, cleaned, and fried or grilled as a snack. Although they are technically insects, they are a popular source of protein in the country.

Kgotla - Kgotla is a traditional Botswanan stew that typically features meat, such as beef or goat, slow-cooked with vegetables like pumpkin, tomatoes, and cabbage. It's named after the clay pot in which it is traditionally prepared, and it's often enjoyed at special occasions and gatherings.

Historical Appearance

Traditional Male Clothing

Traditional Female Clothing