Gaborone Travel Guide: 400+ Hotels and 18 Tours, Botswana

About Gaborone

Dry scrub and low hills frame Gaborone, Botswana’s capital in the country’s southeast, where city life meets wildlife and Setswana culture.

Gaborone has the feel of a developing capital, with a cultural center shaped by Botswana’s traditions and an active urban core. The Three Dikgosi Monument and Botswana National Museum introduce national history, while Gaborone Game Reserve brings wildlife close to town.

Mokolodi Nature Reserve and Kgale Hill extend the outings southward, and local plates feature seswaa, bogobe and morogo. Two to four days suits the city, with Gaborone CBD serving as the most convenient base.

Where to stay

Hotels in Gaborone

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Manong Game Lodge

8.3V. good · 46 Reviews

Plot 30 Thornton Park Hildervale Farms Lobatse | Gaborone, 45006, BW

Swimming poolSpa & wellness

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Room50Two

8.8V. good · 222 Reviews

Western Commercial Rd. Itowers Cbd Po Box 339 Abf | Gaborone, BW

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Indaba Lodge Gaborone

8.3V. good · 410 Reviews

Plot 61916 Tlokweng Road | Gaborone, 00000, BW

Swimming pool

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Sarona city Habitat Alpha apartments C202 Gaborone

9.0Superb · 81 Reviews

Sarona Apartments Flat C202 Tsholofelo East Gaborone | Gaborone, BW

Swimming pool

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Square Connexions Guest House

8.7V. good · 97 Reviews

Plot 6110 Tlokweng Kentse Road | Gaborone, BW

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Travelodge

8.2V. good · 120 Reviews

Belabela Street Block 3 | Gaborone, 001, BW

Swimming pool

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Green Lagoon Guest House

8.8V. good · 125 Reviews

15812 Letsopa | Gaborone, 0000, BW

Swimming poolSpa & wellness

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Phakalane Golf Estate Hotel & Convention Centre

8.3V. good · 79 Reviews

Golf | Gaborone, BW

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Stay like a local in Gaborone

Places to stay in Gaborone

AmenitiesBest for

Popular amenities

Best for

Ranked by verified guest score, then stars. Based on 406 of 500 hotels with verified data.

Best for families

Family rooms listed · 16 hotels qualify

Orchid Luxury Boutique Guesthouse8.8/10 · 125 reviews · 4-star
Green Lagoon Guest House8.8/10 · 125 reviews · 4-star
Aflica Apartments8.8/10 · 58 reviews · 4-star
Room50Two8.8/10 · 222 reviews · 3.5-star
Hilton Garden Inn Gaborone8.4/10 · 344 reviews · 3-star

Best for drivers

Free parking · 44 hotels qualify

Cosy City Cottage9.6/10 · 77 reviews · 4-star
The Ultimate Escape - With Backup Electricity - Gaborone9.5/10 · 89 reviews · 4-star
Waterside Cottages & Villas - Self Catering9.4/10 · 812 reviews · 4-star
Palm29 at Sunset Mews Grand Palm - self catering appartment - Your Ideal Getaway for Work or Relaxation9.4/10 · 61 reviews
Apartments @ 1259.3/10 · 98 reviews · 4-star

Best for a pool

Swimming pool listed · 31 hotels qualify

Rehoboth Apartments9.2/10 · 60 reviews · 3-star
City Mews On Independence9.1/10 · 160 reviews · 4-star
Sarona LoLa E2069.1/10 · 66 reviews · 4-star
Sarona Studio F1039.0/10 · 83 reviews · 4-star
Sarona city Habitat Alpha apartments C202 Gaborone9.0/10 · 81 reviews · 4-star

Gaborone at a glance

Check-in / check-out

2:00 PM / 11:00 AM

Free parking

375 of 383 hotels (98%)

Pool

267 of 406 hotels

Climate

Arid

Languages

English and Setswana

Local currency

BWP (BWP)

Local time

07:26 (GMT+2)

Ideal trip length

2–4 days

Cost level

3 of 5 · our research

Suggested area to stay

Gaborone CBD

Tap water

Generally described as safe to drink

Tipping

Optional, 10% for good service.

History, culture and food in Gaborone

History

95 · Outstanding

Culture

90 · Outstanding

Food

90 · Outstanding

Family 55 · Moderate

Our own 0–100 ratings for this one destination. They describe a city; they are not a league table of cities.

Food to try

Seswaa Bogobe Morogo Vetkoek

Hotel facts in Gaborone

Based on 406 of 500 hotels with verified data.

Hotels that list	Hotels	Share
Free parkingof hotels with verified parking	375 of 383	98%
Swimming pool	267 of 406	66%
24-hour front desk	80 of 406	20%
Facilities for disabled guests	39 of 406	10%
Family rooms	55 of 406	14%
Breakfast availablefree or paid depends on the rate	4 of 406	1%
Kitchen or kitchenette	32 of 406	8%
Airport shuttle20 free	77 of 406	19%

Pools and room sizes by star rating

Stars	Pool	Standard room
2-star	6 of 10	25 m²usually 24 m²–28 m² · 6 hotels
3-star	48 of 79	22 m²usually 16 m²–30 m² · 32 hotels
4-star	65 of 96	25 m²usually 18 m²–34 m² · 28 hotels

When to visit Gaborone

How good each month is here, on this destination's own scale. It compares months within this city, never one city against another.

Best months: April, May, August and September Busiest: May-Aug

Jan

10

Often avoided: extreme heat and seasonal rain
Feb

10

Often avoided: extreme heat and seasonal rain
Mar

30

Warm, less rain
Apr

44

Mild, dry, pleasant
May

41

Cool, dry, clear
Jun

27

Cool, dry, sunny
Jul

30

Cool, dry, sunny
Aug

41

Mild, dry, warming
Sep

44

Botswana Day
Oct

10

Often avoided: extreme heat and seasonal rain
Nov

10

Often avoided: extreme heat and seasonal rain
Dec

17

Often avoided: extreme heat and seasonal rain

Jan Often avoided: extreme heat and seasonal rain

Feb Often avoided: extreme heat and seasonal rain

Mar Warm, less rain

Apr Mild, dry, pleasant

May Cool, dry, clear

Jun Cool, dry, sunny

Jul Cool, dry, sunny

Aug Mild, dry, warming

Sep Botswana Day

Oct Often avoided: extreme heat and seasonal rain

Nov Often avoided: extreme heat and seasonal rain

Dec Often avoided: extreme heat and seasonal rain

Things to do in Gaborone

6 places worth your time, grouped by when they are at their best.

Best in the morning

3 places

Gaborone Game Reserve

Tlokweng 2.5 hours

Enjoy a self-drive safari to spot impala, zebra, wildebeest, and various birds.

Outdoors Good for children

Mokolodi Nature Reserve

South of Gaborone 3 hours

Experience diverse wildlife including rhinos, giraffes, and cheetahs in a conservation area.

Outdoors Good for children

Hike Kgale Hill

South of Gaborone 2 hours

Trek to the summit of 'The Sleeping Giant' for panoramic city views.

Outdoors Good for children

Best in the afternoon

1 place

Explore Main Mall & Craft Markets

Central 2 hours

Wander through the city's historic first shopping center and browse local crafts.

Outdoors Good for children

Any time of day

2 places

Three Dikgosi Monument

Central 30 min

Visit the iconic monument honoring Botswana's three paramount chiefs.

Outdoors Good for children

Botswana National Museum

Central 1.5 hours

Explore Botswana's natural history, art, and cultural heritage.

Indoors Good for children

Gaborone itineraries, day by day

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First-timer highlights

3 Days in Gaborone — First-Timer Highlights

3 days14 stops

Discover the vibrant heart of Botswana's capital, from wildlife encounters to rich cultural heritage.

This 3-day itinerary is perfect for first-time visitors eager to experience the essential highlights of Gaborone. Explore the city's history, enjoy close-up wildlife viewing, and immerse yourself in local culture and crafts, all while experiencing the warm hospitality of Botswana.

See the full plan