Things to do in Gaborone & the Southeast

Gaborone sits in the southeast corner of the country, about 15 km from the South African border, and most international trips pass through it at some point. It's a young, spread-out capital, built around independence, with shopping malls and government offices between rocky hills and the Notwane River. Several of the villages around it are the seats of Tswana chiefdoms, with long histories of their own. They make easy day trips before or after a safari further north.

The city and the villages around it

In Gaborone, the Three Dikgosi Monument honours the three chiefs who travelled to London to keep their land out of Cecil Rhodes's hands. The small Gaborone Game Reserve on the east side of town has wildebeest and warthog grazing within sight of the suburbs. Kgale Hill, on the city's southwestern edge, is a steep hike of about an hour to a summit with views over Gaborone Dam. Mokolodi Nature Reserve, about 10 km south in South East district, runs game drives and rhino tracking. North-east of the capital, Mochudi in Kgatleng has the Phuthadikobo Museum, set in an old school building on a hill above the village. To the west, in Kweneng, Molepolole is the seat of the Bakwena, and the foundations of David Livingstone's house and church at Kolobeng lie about 25 km from Gaborone. Lobatse, 70 km south, sits in a valley between hills and is home to the Botswana Meat Commission.

Getting there and how long to stay

Sir Seretse Khama International Airport, north of the city, has flights from Johannesburg and domestic connections to Maun and Kasane. One or two nights is enough for the city and a day trip, and most of these sights are within about an hour's drive on tar. From here, fly north to Maun for the delta.

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The city and the villages around it

Getting there and how long to stay

Booking on adventuro

Use the Book here tab to see live dates and prices from local centres.

One or two nights suits most trips. That gives you time to climb Kgale Hill early, visit Mokolodi or the Gaborone Game Reserve, and see the Three Dikgosi Monument in the city centre. Add a day if you'd like to visit Mochudi or the Livingstone sites at Kolobeng. If your flight connects straight to Maun, you can skip the city altogether.

It's short but steep, with rocky paths and some scrambling over granite near the top. Most people reach the summit in about an hour and come down in less. Go early, especially from October to March when the rock heats up fast, and carry water. Walk with others rather than alone on the quieter paths, and keep food out of sight of the baboons.

Mokolodi is a not-for-profit reserve about 10 km south of Gaborone, set up to teach children about conservation. Guided game drives and rhino tracking are the main outings. The white rhino herd is part of a national breeding programme, though you can't count on seeing it on any given day. You can also drive yourself on the reserve's roads.

Yes. Kolobeng is about 25 km west of Gaborone near Kumakwane, and Molepolole is about 50 km west, so the two fit into a relaxed day. At Kolobeng you'll see the stone foundations of Livingstone's house and church and the grave of his infant daughter, Elizabeth. There's little shade at the site, so go in the morning and bring water.