Gaborone

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Gaborone is the capital of Botswana and located in the south of the country, near the border to South Africa.

[edit] Get in

Customs is very slow, but easy to get through (as I assume is the case for most of Africa). Have an address on hand for where you will be staying and they hardly give you a hassle. If you are worried about customs, a useful place to visit is the Botswana Embassy in Washington, DC.

[edit] By plane

  • Air Botswana, in the Main Mall, Phone: 395 1921, [1]. Provides services to Francistown, Harare, Johannesburg, Kasane and Maun. Typical fares from Gabs are in USD 200 - 400 range.
  • South African Express, Offices in the Game City Mall, Broadhurst Mall and Riverwalk Mall, Phone: 397 2397 (Game City), 309 5740 (Broadhurst), [2]. Flies in from Cape Town.

[edit] Get around

  • Travelers not used to left side of the road driving should exercise caution while driving and crossing the street, as most of Southern Africa (Gaborone, Botswana included) drives on the left.

[edit] Taxis

  • Public transportation can be identified by their blue license plates.
  • To give directions, its usually better to give Plot numbers or easily identified places rather than street names (which aren't commonly used).
  • If a driver gives you a good rate, ask him for his cell phone number and remind him of the place where you are staying. Using one driver the whole time you are in Gabs can end up saving you money.
  • Don't worry if you hail a cab with someone inside. Offer to split the fare for the destination and save each other some cash.
  • (AB Cab: 3902147)

[edit] Combis

  • Combis are white vans that are like mini-buses.
  • Combis cost P 2.50.
  • They have different lines so just ask the driver if that line passes where you need to go. (There are no route maps)
  • If you know the direction you need to go, start walking there. Combis will honk at you as they are passing to let you know they're behind you!

[edit] Buses

  • You can get to most big cities by bus. However, do arrive at the bus station early, as the busses can fill up very quickly, and sometimes just leave as soon as they are full. Bring water, as the busses are often not air conditioned, and if you do not manage to get a seat, it is likely you will have to stand until at least halfway to your destination, particularly on week-ends.
  • Typical times:

[edit] Trains

  • The train goes from Gabs to Lobatse or Francistown.
  • They generally leave twice / day.
  • You can buy either economy, second, or first class (seat/sleeper guaranteed).
  • Reservations recommended.
  • The train station is right next to Gaborone bus station.
  • The train will probably take longer than a bus, but it is likely to be more comfortable.
  • Cost is 100 Pula / person

[edit][add listing] See

[edit][add listing] Do

[edit] Game Reserves

[edit] Mokolodi

  • The highlight of many people's time is a cheetah visit where you can actually pet a cheetah.
  • On a two hour game drive you might see Baboons, Giraffe, Wart hogs, Zebra, Elephant, Hippo, etc.
  • The guides are always very nice.
  • See the website for prices.

[edit] Gaborone Game Reserve

  • One of the smaller game reserves, if you have a car you can just drive yourself around.
  • Mostly birds, but some monkeys, Wart hogs and Ostrich
  • Recently Zebras, Wild Boars, Kudus have been added.
  • See the website for prices and other information.
  • Entry fees are P 10 per adults, P 5 per child and P 10 per car.
  • It has got picnic spots, but be careful of monkeys and ostriches.

[edit] Kgale Hill

Do not forget to make the pleasant climb up Kgale Hill, Botswana's largest hill (at about 100m). It provides a magnificent view over the city and surrounding areas. Be careful of the baboons, though, and do not stray off the path. There are no guides, and there is no entrance fee to worry about. theres lots of stuff to do here!!  ;)

[edit][add listing] Buy

  • Wood work, artefacts, stone work are available in the Main Mall. You get cheap prices on weekends at pavement stalls at the Riverwalk Mall.
  • You must visit Game store in Game City Mall. It is the biggest super stone in Botswana and has got variety of items.

[edit][add listing] Eat

[edit] KFC

  • Much better here than it is in the USA.
  • Costs about 20 Pula for a meal (chicken, soda, chips even spicy rice with vegetables, not too spicy though).
  • You can find KFC's in many (if not all) of the malls.

[edit] Nando's Chicken

  • Nando's is a bit more spicy, and much better chicken.
  • Costs about 25 Pula for a meal (chicken, soda, chips).
  • Located in the African Mall, Game City Mall, BBS Mall and Riverwalk Mall

[edit] Pie Time (Pies)

  • Pies are flaky dough filled with meat or vegetables (called Patties in some other parts of the world).
  • Costs about 3 Pula for a pie.
  • 3.75 Pula for a soda.
  • Wide variety of fillings.
  • Located in the Main Mall and the African Mall.

[edit] Groceries

  • Prices are very reasonable at many grocery stores.
  • Choppies, OK Foods offer grocery ar cheapest prices and are located in all areas of Gaborone.
  • SPAR in the Main Mall seems to be the cheapest for juices (about 5.25 Pula for 1 Litre of 100% fruit juice).
  • For a budget, buy a pie at Pie Time and then a drink at SPAR! (8.25 Pula for a full meal).
  • In all super market malls, there is a grocery store.

[edit][add listing] Drink

[edit] Bull and Bush

  • "English Pub" in north part of [Gaborone].
  • A common ex-pat hangout.
  • Friday night is usually for the younger kids, Saturday night for the adults.
  • Big Screen TV, Pool tables.
  • The food is excellent, especially the pizza and ribs.

[edit] Irish Pub

  • Irish pub in Game City Mall
  • Decent food, mix of ex-pats and Batswana

[edit] Club Satchmo

  • Jazz club
  • Decent drinks, great music

[edit][add listing] Sleep

The best places to stay in are:

  • Grand Palm Hotel
  • Gaborone Sun Hotel
  • Cresta Lodge
  • The President's Hotel (Located in the Heart of the city center)
  • Mondior Summit

[edit] Get out

[edit] Cinemas

  • Movies typically cost 25 Pula per seat.
  • It is assigned seating, so tell the cashier your preference when buying the ticket.
  • Usually show big name movies (as a small theatre in the US would)
  • There are two cinemas in Gabs, one in Riverwalk Mall and one in Game City Mall.

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