Why visit
Gaborone is Botswana's low-key administrative capital, set near Kgale Hill and the South African border. It is not the safari headline, but it gives useful context before the Okavango, Chobe, or Kalahari routes.
How to use this result
Use it as a capital-city prompt
Gaborone is useful when you want a city-level starting point in Botswana. Check whether the capital is the best arrival city, a practical transfer point, or mainly a geography and planning reference.
Check practical trip fit
Before planning around Gaborone, compare airport access, local transport, time zone, neighborhood choices, weather, safety guidance, and whether another city in Botswana better matches the trip style.
Gaborone at a glance
City population
246k
Elevation
1,011 m
3,317 ft
Time zone
UTC+2
Africa/Gaborone
Airport
GBE
Sir Seretse Khama International Airport
Botswana at a glance
Country center
-22.0°, 24.0°
Coast
Landlocked
Country area
582,000 km²
224,711 mi²
Country population
2.7 million
5/km²
Subregion
Southern Africa
Currency
Botswana pula (P)
BWP
Dial
+267
Languages
English, Tswana
Demonym
Motswana
Internet
.bw
UN
Member state
ISO code
BW / BWA
Where in the world
-22.0° - 24.0°
Botswana
Open in Google Maps
Click the map to open in Google Maps. Outline via svg-maps/world - CC BY 4.0
Did you know
- Gaborone became Botswana's capital at independence in 1966, replacing the colonial administrative base in Mafeking.
- Kgale Hill, on the city edge, is one of the most popular short hikes around the capital.
- Gaborone was purpose-built as a capital in the mid-1960s and is the home of the No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency novels.
- Botswana's Okavango Delta is one of the world's last great inland deltas: a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
- Botswana has the highest concentration of elephants in Africa: over 130,000 in Chobe National Park alone.
Bordering Botswana
Traveler notes
- Kgale Hill is the city's classic short hike
- The Three Dikgosi Monument anchors the civic center
- Mokolodi Nature Reserve offers an easy wildlife outing near town
Plan checks
- Choose a neighborhood first: many capitals have tourist centers that are not the best places to stay.
- Public transport passes usually beat taxis and rideshares for multi-day visits.
Explore more
Facts last reviewed June 2026 against GeoNames and national statistics sources. See the editorial policy for how destination data is maintained.
Frequently asked about Gaborone
What currency is used in Gaborone?
Gaborone uses the Botswana pula (P), ISO code BWP.
What languages are spoken in Botswana?
The primary languages are English and Tswana.
What is the international calling code for Botswana?
The calling code is +267.
When is the best time to visit Gaborone?
May–Sep. Check current weather and local events before booking.
What airport serves Gaborone?
Sir Seretse Khama International Airport (IATA: GBE).
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