From the end of the nineteenth century, until 1963, tiny ‘Gaberones’ Village, as the town was then called, consisted of only a small settlement on the railway line and a small administrative centre in the area now called ‘The Village.’ The land between both settlements was Crown land, but was used by the people of the neighbouring village of Tlokweng as a cattle grazing area.
Britain’s Bechuanaland protectorate (established in 1885) had its main administrative centre in Mafeking (now Mafikeng), in South Africa, just over the current Ramatlabama border. As plans developed for the country’s independence, it was clear it would need an administrative town within its political boundaries. Bechuanaland was the only territory in the world whose administrative centre lay outside its boundaries.
Twenty-first century Gaborone now boasts four, large American-style malls, replete with cinema complexes, a host of hotels, guest houses and restaurants, an international airport, a cultural centre, discos and nightclubs, a national museum and art gallery, as well as two golf courses and other sports facilities.
What makes Gaborone so unique, however, is that the visitor can enjoy all the familiar modern conveniences of home, but can gain entry into rural Africa, or wildlife areas, within minutes – having then the best of both possible worlds.
WHY GO
The charm of Africa
The gate to the Okawango Delta
ORIENTATION
Scheduled for a face-lift, Gaborone’s first mall – often referred to as The Main Mall – is a pedestrian-only business and commercial centre that boasts some of the town’s oldest shops and office buildings, as well as one of its first hotels, The President Hotel. At its top end, across the Nelson Mandela Road, sits the Government Enclave and the National Assembly; and at the opposite end are the Gaborone City Town Council offices. Shoppers will enjoy browsing the many outdoor stalls of African arts, crafts and curios that line the main walkway.
HOW TO GET THERE
BY AIR
Air Botswana, Botswana’s national and only airline, provides international flights between Gaboroneand Johannesburg, Gaborone and Harare, Maun and Johannesburg, Kasane and Johannesburg andFrancistown and Johannesburg. Domestic flights run between Gaborone and Francistown, Maun andKasane, and the airline has recently re-introduced its Maun to Kasane flight (three times per week).
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Air Botswana has thrice daily flights between Gaborone and Johannesburg.
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South African Airways has twice daily flights between Johannesburg and Gaborone, during the week.
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South African Express has five flights daily between Johannesburg and Gaborone, during the week.
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Air Botswana has daily flights from Johannesburg direct to Maun.
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Air Namibia flies Windhoek to Maun every day of the week, except Tuesday and Thursday.
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Kenya Airways flies Nairobi to Gaborone.
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Air charter services are also available.
Most major international airlines from Europe, the United States, Asia and Australia fly to Johannesburg, South Africa, where connecting flights can be booked to Sir Seretse Khama International Airport in Gaborone, or to Maun, Francistown or Kasane.
BY ROAD
Botswana is accessible by tarred road from South Africa, Zimbabwe, Zambia and Namibia. Vehicles are driven on the left hand side of the road. A valid international driver’s license, along with vehicle registration documents, are required to drive in Botswana, and drivers should always carry them.Most major roads in Botswana are tarred and driving conditions are generally good. The main roads to established areas are regularly graded. Four-wheel drive is required when travelling in the national parks and reserves, as well as in remote areas. Car and four-wheel drive rental services are widely available in major tourist centres, airports and hotels.
BY BUS
There are scheduled bus services across borders between Botswana and South Africa, Zimbabwe, Namibia and Zambia, as well as good internal bus services linking major and minor towns and villages across the country.
