Things to do in South East

Panoramica

South East is a small district of rocky hills and villages that ring Gaborone. Tlokweng, home of the Batlokwa, lies across the river from the city on the road to the South African border. Fans of Alexander McCall Smith's novels will know it from Tlokweng Road Speedy Motors. Ramotswa, to the south-west, is the district capital and the seat of the Balete, whose Kgosi Mosadi Seboko became the first woman to serve as a paramount chief in Botswana. Further south along the Lobatse road, Otse sits among hills, and Otse Hill is often cited as the highest point in the country.

Days out around the capital

Above Otse, the cliffs of Manyelanong Game Reserve hold a colony of Cape vultures, and you can watch them ride the thermals from below. The birds nest on the ledges through the cooler months, and how many you'll see depends on the season and the time of day. Nearby, Lentswe la Baratani, the hill of the lovers, carries a local legend of two young people who vanished on its slopes. Closer to the city, Mokolodi Nature Reserve lies about 10 kilometres south of Gaborone and runs guided rhino tracking on foot. Otse Hill itself makes a steep morning's hike, best started early in summer.

Booking on adventuro

Our guide to Gaborone and the south-east covers the capital and its neighbours, including Lobatse further down the valley. Use the Book here tab to see live dates and prices.

Domande frequenti

Head for Manyelanong Game Reserve, on the cliffs above Otse, less than an hour's drive south on the Lobatse road. The vultures breed on the ledges through the cooler months, and you'll often see them circling on the thermals once the day warms up. Bring binoculars, as the nests are high on the rock.

Yes, at Mokolodi Nature Reserve, about 10 kilometres south of the city. You start with a drive into the bush and then continue on foot with trackers, and the outing takes a few hours from an early morning start. Children need to be at least 12 and with an adult, and you should book ahead. Sightings are likely but never certain.

They're two of the communities whose home villages lie in South East. The Balete have their capital at Ramotswa and the Batlokwa theirs at Tlokweng, and each has its own kgosi and kgotla, the traditional meeting place where village matters are discussed. Greet people with Dumela, and ask before you take photographs.

Panoramica

Days out around the capital

Booking on adventuro

Our guide to Gaborone and the south-east covers the capital and its neighbours, including Lobatse further down the valley. Use the Book here tab to see live dates and prices.

Domande frequenti