'''Gaborone''' is the capital of Botswana and located in the south of the country, near the border to South Africa.
Understand
Get in
Customs is very slow, but easy to get through (as appears to be 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 [http://www.botswanaembassy.org/] in Washington, DC.
By plane
''' Air Botswana''', in the Main Mall, Phone: 395 1921, [http://www.airbotswana.co.bw]. 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), [http://www.saexpress.co.za]. Flies in from Cape Town and Johannesburg.
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.
By taxi
Public transportation can be identified by their blue license plates. Many unoffical taxis do exist. 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 Gaborone 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. Don't be afraid to try and discuss lower fares
'''AB Cab''', tel. 390 2147.
By combi
Combis are white vans that are like mini-buses. Combis cost P 3.00. There are no route maps but there are different lines, so just ask the driver if that line passes where you need to go. If you know the direction you need to go, start walking ther-- combis will honk at you as they are passing to let you know they're behind you.
By bus
You can get to most big cities by bus. However, do arrive at the bus station early, as the buses can fill up very quickly, and sometimes just leave as soon as they are full. Bring water, as the buses 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.
Gabs - Francistown: approx. 6 hours, 52 Pula / person
Francistown - Maun: approx 6 hours, 40 Pula / person
By train
The last daily passenger train service was withdrawn in April 2009.
See
Do
'''Kgale Hill''' - Do not forget to make the pleasant climb up Kgale Hill, one of Botswana's largest hills (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.
Cinemas
Movies typically cost 25 Pula per seat. October 2008 - Cinema tickets P33 per person It is assigned seating, so tell the cashier your preference when buying the ticket. Theaters usually show big-name movies (as a small theater in the US would). There are two cinemas in Gabs, one in Riverwalk Mall and one in Game City Mall.
Game Reserves
'''Mokolodi''', [http://www.mokolodi.com/]. 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.
'''Gaborone Game Reserve''', [http://www.botswana-tourism.gov.bw/attractions/gaborone_g.html]. 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. It has got picnic spots, but be careful of monkeys and ostriches.
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.
While visiting Gaborone make sure to stop by the Green Shop for a unique shopping experience as it is housed in a traditional hut, a rare sight to see within the bustling city of Gaborone. The shop is located in the Eco-Park of Somarelang Tikologo (Environment Watch Botswana) which is an NGO dedicated to creating awareness about environmental planning, resource conservation and waste management through community projects and demonstrations. All merchandise sold in the Green Shop is made from recycled or natural products crafted from local women and out of school youth groups and range from skin care products and accessories to home furnishings. Shopping at the Green Shop will show your support for Botswana_fs environment and contribute to the economic development of our suppliers. Learn more about the Green Shop by visiting our website at www.somatiko.org.bw, contacting us at 3913709 or visit our location at Plot 3491, Kaunda road.
Eat
'''Cafe Dijo''', Game City, next to Woolworth's Simply Food. Free wireless, great coffee, delicious and healthy food. A great place for catching up on e-mail or chatting with friends on a lazy Saturday morning. Frequented by expats.
'''Nando's Chicken''' - Nando's is a bit spicy, and much better chicken than that found a KFC. Costs about 30 Pula for a meal (chicken, soda, chips). Located in the African Mall, Game City Mall, BBS Mall and Riverwalk Mall. For a better taste than the commercial Nandos why not try Barcelos which is just across from Nandos in African mall.You won't be disappointed.
'''Pie Time''' - Pies are flaky dough filled with meat or vegetables (called Patties in some other parts of the world). Costs about 5.50 Pula for a pie, 6.75 Pula for a soda. Wide variety of fillings. Located in the Main Mall and the African Mall.
News Cafe. illage district. t the Mondior Summit Hotel. :30-22:30. Conveniently located for those staying at the Mondior Summit, News Cafe is popular even with outside guests. The menu centers on "European style" dishes, but with some interesting twists. The place really shines in the cocktail department, though.
On Friday and Saturday nights, the music is often cranked up loud even though there is no dance floor, so sit outside if you want to make conversation.
Staff is young and sometimes inexperienced, but most of the time the service is quite good.
Prices are somewhat above the regular fare in Gaborone, but then so is the quality.</eat>
Groceries
Prices are very reasonable at many grocery stores.
Choppies, OK Foods offer grocery are cheapest prices and are located in all areas of Gaborone.
Woolworths is in several of the main malls and has much higher quality produce and more European food selections. If you want exotic fruits or vegetables or good cheese, definitely the store to go to.
Pick and pay has the best wine selection of the grocery stores.
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.
Drink
'''Bull and Bush''' - English pub in north part of [Gaborone]. A common ex-pat hangout big-screen TV and pool tables. Friday night is usually for the younger kids, Saturday night for the adults. The food is excellent, especially the pizza and ribs. The last Wednesday of the month is quiz night (or quizzo) where teams compete on trivia for prizes.
'''Irish Pub''', in Game City Mall. Decent food, mix of ex-pats and Batswana
'''Club Satchmo''' - Jazz club with decent drinks and great music.
Clubs
Covers range from 30 to 50 Pula. Many have dress codes. And like most places, the popular nights at each place vary. Check with local Batswana (people from Botswana) for time relevant information.
'''Ozone'''
'''Fashion Lounge'''
'''Lizzard Lounge'''
NB Lizard lounge is generally mainly for locals, and mainly for teenagers. It is normal that there are large crowds of teenagers outside the club rather than inside, and there are an enormous number of broken glass bottles in the parking lot the next morning.
'''Boulevard'''
Sleep
'''Grand Palm Hotel''' - Easily the loveliest of hotels in Gaborone. Bordering 5 star status, this hotel is a modern oasis within Gaborone. The front has the tallest palm trees in Gaborone and well-kept grass, looking gorgeously tropical as you enter the site. You are then met with The Grand Palm Hotel (which has recently changed its name to the Walmont Ambassador, meaning the whole site is now The Grand Palm). It has modern front entrance, with a casino to the left and a gigantic and impressive conference centre (The GICC) to the right, marked by an eagle figure flying over a fountain. The Gaborone International Conference Centre is amazing, featuring wildlife artwork inside and massive conference halls with moveable walls to adjust the size. The Walmont Ambassador in the centre is an awesome venue and has well-stocked curio shop in the reception. The restaurant does lovely food, but if you can afford it go to The Beef Baron next to the restaurant, where you can get some of the tastiest steak you'll ever have. They also do cuts of wildlife, and you can even order oddities like escargot. Out back the hotel has a large swimming pool and a moderately sized lakes that birds frequent. There is also a pool bar that serves food, a childrens playground and furtehr afield their is a boma that does barbecue (braai) events and parties. There is also a tennis court and plenty of lush green grass. Inside there is a squash court and a leisure centre. On the same site, if the price of the Walmont is not up your street, there is a second, more reasonably priced hotel on site, closer to the entrance. The Metcourt Inn, immediately noticeable by it's orange lick of paint, is a quaint little hotel that gives you all the basics for an affordable price, and you can still use all the facilities of the Walmont. The rooms have their unique brand of style and are good value for money.
'''Gaborone Sun Hotel'''
'''Cresta Lodge'''
'''The President's Hotel''' (Located in the Heart of the city center)
'''Mondior Summit''', known locally as the best hotel in town. Four-star service with small outdoor swimming pool and jacuzzi. Wifi Internet available in all rooms, for a charge.
Get out