Gaborone
Bushveld vibes, green city corners, and easy wildlife encounters
Highlights
Climb the 'Sleeping Giant' for sweeping views over Gaborone and the surrounding bushveld.
Spot giraffe, zebra, antelope and more in a classic savanna reserve just outside the city.
See 2000-year-old Bushmen rock paintings and walk through a village still rooted in tradition.
Relax by the Ngotwane River at Crocodile Pools, watching birds, monkeys and crocs in a lush riverside setting.
Wander leafy grounds filled with contemporary art, sculpture, and local creativity.
Browse Botswanacraft’s shaded courtyard for handmade baskets, textiles, and souvenirs with a rural flair.
Where to Stay
2 picks
Cresta Lodge Gaborone
Set in spacious, landscaped grounds with plenty of trees and a pool, this 3‑star lodge has a slightly resort-like feel with green lawns and shaded walkways, giving you a gentle wild-meets-city atmosphere. Rooms are simple but comfortable, and it’s well-located for both city tours and day trips out toward Mokolodi and Manyana.
Avani Gaborone Resort & Casino
A green, resort-style property in the heart of the city, with a lush pool area, mature trees, and gardens offering a tropical-touch vibe. Facilities are more upscale than a basic 3-star, but often available at good value, especially on weekends.
Where to Eat
6 picks
Botswanacraft Courtyard Café (Halal-Friendly Options)
Shaded, plant-filled courtyard attached to the Botswanacraft complex, with a relaxed semi-open-air feel that fits the jungle-wild aesthetic. For halal: stick to clearly vegetarian dishes such as seasonal vegetable curries, salads, grilled halloumi or tofu plates, and any fish dishes cooked without alcohol-based sauces; confirm with staff that no pork or alcohol is used in your order and that pans are clean.
Riverwalk Mall Food Court (Mixed Halal-Friendly Stalls)
Open, semi-outdoor mall setting with trees and landscaped greenery nearby; choose simple halal-friendly options like vegetarian pizza (no alcohol-based sauces), Margherita or veggie pastas, veggie burgers, or fish-and-chips. Ask each counter to confirm ingredients and request no pork, no alcohol in sauces, and separate utensils where possible.
Avani Gaborone Resort Poolside Café (Halal-Friendly Snacks & Meals)
Lush pool area with palms and landscaping that delivers a resort-like jungle vibe in the middle of the city. Opt for halal-friendly options such as fruit plates, yogurt, pastries, omelettes, veggie sandwiches, or fish dishes prepared without alcohol; specify no pork and ask staff to use clean utensils and pans.
Mokolodi Nature Reserve Restaurant (On-Site Lodge Dining, Halal-Friendly Choices)
Casual restaurant overlooking bushveld and waterholes inside Mokolodi Nature Reserve—wooden decks, trees, and wildlife sounds all around. For halal: focus on vegetarian and fish dishes like grilled fish, vegetable platters, salads, and chips; ask staff which items are cooked without alcohol or pork and if they can prepare your meal in a clean pan.
Cresta Lodge Gaborone Restaurant (Halal-Friendly Buffet & À La Carte)
Hotel restaurant with garden views and leafy grounds; while the kitchen is not fully halal-certified, you can safely build a halal-friendly breakfast from fruit, cereals, breads, eggs made to order, grilled tomatoes, mushrooms, and other clearly vegetarian items—avoid any pork, sausages, and unidentified meats, and confirm no alcohol is used in your dish.
Crocodile Pools Resort Restaurant (Halal-Friendly Options)
Rustic riverside restaurant surrounded by trees and reeds, with a strong bush and water aesthetic. For halal: choose fish dishes without wine-based sauces and vegetarian plates such as salads, chips, and sides; clearly tell staff you require no pork, no alcohol in cooking, and prefer separate utensils/pans if available.
What to Do
8 picks
Kgale Hill Hike
Hike up the 'Sleeping Giant' just outside Gaborone; the trail winds through scrub and rocky outcrops with scattered trees, giving you wide-angle views of the city, Gaborone Dam, and the surrounding bush. Start early to avoid midday heat and carry at least 1–2 liters of water.
Botswanacraft & Courtyard Browsing
Explore Botswanacraft’s indoor–outdoor complex of stalls selling handwoven baskets, carvings, textiles, and other crafts, then relax under trees and shade sails in the central courtyard. This is a good place to pick up ethically sourced souvenirs and get an overview of local craft styles.
Gaborone Night Tour (City & Kgale Viewpoints)
Join a guided night tour (such as the 'Night Tour of Gaborone – Where Adventure Meets Elegance' style experience) that drives you to Kgale viewpoints, the Three Chiefs’ Monument, and selected city spots after dark. You’ll have a driver, commentary, and safe transport between locations.
Three Dikgosi (Three Chiefs) Monument
Visit the imposing bronze statues of Khama III, Sebele I, and Bathoen I, set on a wide plaza surrounded by modern buildings and manicured landscaping. Read the plaques to understand how these chiefs shaped Botswana’s independence story.
Thapong Visual Arts Centre
Wander a relaxed arts compound with galleries and sculptures spread through a leafy, semi-wild garden. You can chat with artists, browse paintings and sculptures, and sit under trees to soak in the creative atmosphere.
Manyana Village & Rock Paintings Tour
Join an organized day tour from Gaborone that takes you to Manyana to see 2000‑year‑old San/Bushmen rock art, a historic cave, and the David Livingstone tree, with time to walk through the village and learn about indigenous plants. Most tours depart Gaborone around 9:00 and include transport.
Mokolodi Nature Reserve Game Drive
After your village visit (or on a dedicated day tour like 'Around Gaborone Adventure'), head into Mokolodi for a guided game drive. Expect giraffe, zebra, antelope, warthog, and varied birdlife in classic bushveld terrain with acacia thickets and open plains.
Crocodile Pools Resort & River Cruise
Finish your day at Crocodile Pools, where lush riverine vegetation lines the banks. Join a short boat cruise (if available) to see crocodiles, birds, and possibly monkeys at the water’s edge, then relax under trees back at the resort.
Good to Know
5 picks
How to Handle Halal Food Smoothly
Gaborone doesn’t have widespread clearly labeled halal restaurants, so keep things simple: choose vegetarian or fish dishes, avoid pork and unidentified meats, and always ask if any alcohol (like wine or brandy) is used in sauces or marinades. Phrase it clearly—“No pork, no alcohol in the food—only vegetables or fish please”—and if possible, ask for your meal to be cooked in a clean pan.
Book Key Tours Before You Arrive
For Manyana village, Mokolodi game drives, and Crocodile Pools river trips, reserve a combined tour through reputable platforms in advance. Look for itineraries similar to 'Around Gaborone Adventure' or 'Manyana village & Mokolodi' and confirm pickup from your hotel.
Beat the Heat and Sun
Days can be hot and dry, especially when hiking Kgale or walking in reserves. Wear a hat, high‑SPF sunscreen, light long sleeves, and closed shoes, and always bring at least 1–2 liters of water for hikes or village walks.
Getting Around Without Data
If you won’t have mobile data, screenshot your hotel address, tour meeting points, and key locations beforehand. Use hotel staff to call reliable taxis, and when joining tours, always confirm pickup time and location in writing before you arrive.
Cash, Tips, and Small Purchases
Carry small denominations of pula (10s, 20s, 50s) for crafts, village donations, and tipping guides or drivers. Typical tips might be 10–15% in restaurants and a modest cash thank-you for guides at the end of tours, given discreetly.
Map
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