Gaborone
Gaborone is a common stop on the way to Botswana's game reserves. One or two days here cover the national museum, Kgale Hill and Mokolodi Nature Reserve.
We may earn a commission. It never decides our picks.
Gaborone is the capital of Botswana, in the southeast of the country near the South African border. It became the capital at independence in 1966, and the government offices are based here. International flights land at Sir Seretse Khama International Airport. The main sights are the Botswana National Museum, the Three Dikgosi Monument and Kgale Hill, which overlooks the city.
A short stop suits Gaborone better than a long holiday. Plan one or two days for the museum and a walk up Kgale Hill, then add a day at Mokolodi Nature Reserve on the edge of the city. The capital is also a practical starting point for the north, where the Okavango Delta and Chobe National Park are reached by domestic flight or a long road drive. The dry season, from about May to October, has cooler days and is the usual time for wildlife viewing. From November to March the city is hot and wetter.
Gaborone in five
- Get a local SIM from Mascom, Orange or BTCAll three networks sell prepaid SIMs with data in Gaborone, and registration needs your passport. Buy one in the city before you leave for the reserves.Phones and eSIM
- Carry pula in small notesCombi minibus taxis and small shops often take only cash, and drivers may not have change for large notes. Break a big note at a supermarket first.
- Hire a car for Mokolodi and Kgale HillBoth sit on the edge of town, and a car lets you visit both in one day. A booked tour also covers them if you would rather not drive.
- Ride a combi from a town rankCombis are the cheapest way around town, and they leave when full rather than on a timetable. Ask the driver or the rank marshal for the right one before you board.Getting around
- Set your phone to UTC+2 on arrivalBotswana keeps UTC+2 all year and does not change for daylight saving. Set your phone and alarms to local time on the first day.
Need to know
- Currency
- Pula (BWP)
- Entry
- Visa rules depend on your passport; check before you fly
- Emergency
- 999 police, 997 ambulance, 998 fire
- Tipping
- Customary in restaurants, about 10% if no service charge is added
- Time
- UTC+2, no daylight saving
Weather by month
- Best
- Good
- Mixed
- Poor
- JanuaryHot, rainy
- FebruaryHot, rainy
- MarchRains ending
- AprilDry, mild
- MayDry, mild
- JuneCool, dry
- JulyCold nights
- AugustDry, warming
- SeptemberHot, dry
- OctoberHot, dry
- NovemberRains start
- DecemberHot, rainy
Right now in Gaborone
Local time, today's weather and the exchange rate, refreshed through the day.
22
- Feels like
- 19°
- Humidity
- 55%
- Wind
- 19 km/h
- Chance of rain
- 57%
Gaborone
10:36 PM
Monday, November 2
- Today34°22°57%Monday: Drizzle. High 34°, Low 22°. Chance of rain 57%.
- Tue34°20°45%Tuesday: Rain. High 34°, Low 20°. Chance of rain 45%.
- Wed34°20°39%Wednesday: Drizzle. High 34°, Low 20°. Chance of rain 39%.
- Thu36°23°43%Thursday: Cloudy. High 36°, Low 23°. Chance of rain 43%.
- Fri38°22°52%Friday: Thunderstorms. High 38°, Low 22°. Chance of rain 52%.
- Sat34°20°43%Saturday: Rain. High 34°, Low 20°. Chance of rain 43%.
- Sun35°19°19%Sunday: Clear. High 35°, Low 19°. Chance of rain 19%.
Updated 07:50 PM local time · Powered by WeatherAPI.com · Weather data by Open-Meteo.com
Money
Mid-market rate1 USD = 13.84 BWP
Rates from Nov 2, 2026 · Rates By Exchange Rate API
Day trips by train
- Mokolodi Nature Reserveby car from the cityA game reserve on the edge of town, with walking trails and game drives.Read the guide
- Kgale Hillby car from the cityA hill on the edge of the city with a walking trail and views over Gaborone.Read the guide
- Molepololeby car, west of the cityA large village west of the capital, for a quieter look at town life.Read the guide
Before you go to Gaborone
Rules for Gaborone, checked
- Check visa rules for your passport before you book, since entry requirements change. Use the official immigration source for Botswana, not a third-party site.
- Declare goods above the duty-free allowance on the customs form at arrival.
- Dial 999 for police, 997 for an ambulance and 998 for fire in Botswana.
- Keep to marked paths and follow ranger instructions in Mokolodi and other reserves.
- Drug laws are strict, and penalties for possession can be severe.
Plan around Gaborone
Regions, entry, transport and money for a Botswana trip
Read the guideGetting around BotswanaCombis, taxis and car hire from the capital
Read the guideMoney and costsPula, cards and typical prices for a day in town
Read the guideVisas and entryEntry rules by passport before you book
Read the guideWhere to stayHotels and guesthouses in and around the capital
Read the guideGaborone FAQ
Is Gaborone worth visiting?
Yes if you are passing through Botswana or want a calm base for the reserves nearby. It has fewer headline sights than the Okavango or Chobe, so treat it as a stop on a longer trip.
How do you get from the airport to Gaborone?
Sir Seretse Khama International Airport is a short drive from the city, so take a taxi or a transfer booked through your lodging. Agree the fare with the driver before you get in.
How many days do you need in Gaborone?
One day covers the central sights and a reserve like Mokolodi. Two days let you add Kgale Hill without rushing.
When is the best time to visit Gaborone?
May to August, when days are dry and nights are cool. The rainy season runs from about November to March, with hot days.
Is Gaborone safe for tourists?
Use taxis after dark and keep phones and bags out of sight in crowds.
Can you visit Chobe from Gaborone on a day trip?
No, it is too far for a comfortable day trip. Plan Chobe as a separate trip with a flight or a multi-day tour.