Gaborone City Guide

Try traditional dishes like Seswaa, Bogobe, and Morogo. There's a decent variety of international food, including Indian and Chinese. Vegetarian choices exist but vegan restaurants are rare. Late-night options are limited mainly to fast food.

Bars and pubs cluster around the CBD and Block 8. Nightclubs are few but the scene is growing. Riverwalk Mall has popular spots like Keg and Zebra.

The city's coffee scene is developing with local cafes and some international chains serving specialty coffee.

Tipping is appreciated but not required. Around 10% in restaurants. Taxi drivers usually get small tips or fare rounding.

Buy SIM cards at the airport or mobile provider stores. Main providers are Mascom, Orange, and BTC. Orange offers eSIMs but registration requires ID or passport in person.

Gaborone is mostly clean in central areas, though some informal areas have litter. Waste management is functional.

Limited 24/7 services. Some petrol stations have minimarts open all night. Few clinics or pharmacies are open 24/7.

Supermarkets carry a good range of local and some international products. Fresh markets are available for produce. Shops open around 8 AM to 8 PM weekdays and Saturdays, shorter on Sundays. Bargaining happens only at informal markets.

Card payments are common in supermarkets, restaurants, and hotels. Cash is still needed for small vendors and informal markets.

ATMs are easy to find at banks, malls, and petrol stations. Major banks include Standard Chartered, FNB, Absa, and Stanbic. International withdrawal fees vary, so check with your bank.

International schools like Maru-a-Pula, Westwood, and Gaborone International offer English instruction and recognized curricula. Admissions follow the school year and popular schools may have waitlists.

The digital nomad community is small but growing, with some informal meetups and more cafes offering Wi-Fi.

Green spaces include Gaborone Game Reserve, National Botanical Garden, and areas around the dam. Shade is limited outside parks.

Popular running spots include around Gaborone Dam and local parks. Safe during the day; watch out in isolated areas after dark.

Gyms are available including hotel fitness centers and local gyms.

Tennis courts are available at clubs and hotels. Booking is direct with clubs.

Padel courts exist but options are limited compared to tennis.

A few yoga studios offer classes with English-speaking instructors.

Martial arts clubs offer Karate, Taekwondo, and boxing. English-speaking instructors are common.

No skiing options in Gaborone due to geography.

Water activities at Gaborone Dam include sailing and canoeing, but swimming is discouraged because of crocodiles and bilharzia.

No surfing available as Botswana is landlocked.

No diving; country is landlocked.

Private hospitals like Gaborone Private and Bokamoso have English-speaking staff and better quality than public ones. Pharmacies are common in malls, with OTC meds available. Emergency numbers are 997 (ambulance), 998 (fire), and 999 (police).

Tap water is treated and usually safe to drink, but some prefer bottled water.

The city has playgrounds in parks and malls and family-friendly cafes. Baby supplies are in major supermarkets. Attractions like Gaborone Game Reserve and the National Museum entertain families.

LGBTQ+ rights have improved legally but social acceptance varies. Public displays of affection may not be widely accepted.

Pet policies vary by accommodation. Vets are available, but dedicated pet parks are rare. Importing pets requires permits and vaccinations.