Gaborone is Botswana's capital and largest city, set between Kgale Hill and Oodi Hill near the confluence of the Notwane and Segoditshane rivers, in the south-eastern corner of the country close to the South African border. It is the country's political and economic centre, home to the stock exchange and the headquarters of the Southern African Development Community, and it is served by Sir Seretse Khama International Airport.
For a visitor, the city is easiest to understand as a long commercial strip called the Main Mall, with a semi-circular area of government offices to its east. The Main Mall houses many diplomatic missions, and at its eastern end you find the Civic Centre and the Pula Arch; the Botswana Stock Exchange, the National Museum and Art Gallery, and the main campus of the University of Botswana all lie near the Mall, while the Government Enclave with the National Assembly sits to its west. Suburbs include Broadhurst, Gaborone West, The Village and Naledi, with the affluent suburb of Phakalane about 13 km north of the centre. This guide covers which areas to base yourself in, what each is like, and what kind of accommodation you will find there.
Best areas to stay in Gaborone
1. City centre and Main Mall
The centre is the administrative and commercial heart of Gaborone, built around the Main Mall with the Government Enclave and the Civic Centre close by. Staying here puts the National Museum and Art Gallery, the University of Botswana and the main business addresses within easy reach, which suits first-time visitors and anyone in town for meetings or official business.
Accommodation in and around the centre runs from smaller hotels to large chain properties with conference facilities, restaurants, gyms and bars. Note that the centre is a long strip rather than a compact square, so check how far your address is from the Mall before booking.
2. Tlokweng Road and the river crossing
The Tlokweng road runs east out of the city across the Notwane river, and the stretch beyond the crossing has a cluster of small lodges and guesthouses, several within walking distance of Riverside Mall. This area suits budget and mid-range travellers who want quieter grounds and don't mind being outside the centre.
You will find small lodges and value-oriented properties here, some with pools and gardens. The trade-off is distance: it is a fair way from town if you don't have a car, and road noise is a factor at some addresses along this route.
3. The Village
The Village is the old colonial settlement of Gaberones that became a suburb of the new city, and it sits near Riverwalk Mall. It suits visitors who want a residential setting with shops and services nearby rather than the commercial centre.
Accommodation here leans towards serviced apartments and smaller guesthouses, including longer-stay options. If you are staying for weeks or months rather than days, this is one of the areas to look at, though popular places fill up and should be booked well in advance.
4. Gaborone West
Gaborone West, often shortened to G-West, is a large residential suburb west of the centre. It suits longer-stay visitors, including those on work placements, who want a house-share or apartment rather than a hotel room.
The accommodation here is mostly in the form of shared houses and apartments aimed at multi-month stays. Expect to need transport for day-to-day errands and for reaching the Main Mall.
5. West of the city centre (Molepolole Road)
The area west of the centre along the Molepolole Road is home to large resort-style properties with extensive grounds, including casinos, conference centres, pools and leisure facilities. It suits business travellers and families who want everything on site.
This is where you find the city's larger hotels and their cheaper sister properties, which share the same facilities. It is away from the centre, so plan on taxis or a car, and rates at the top end are steep.
6. East of the city centre, by the golf course
East of the centre, next to the golf course, sits one of the city's older large hotels, with a pool, bar area, casino, squash courts and conference facilities. It suits visitors who want a full-service property within reach of the centre.
The property is long established and no longer the city's premier address, so service and value can vary. It remains convenient if you want to be close to the centre without being in it.
7. The bush south of the city
If you have your own car and want to stay away from the city, there are options out in the bush about 15 km south of Gaborone, roughly on a par in cost with a guesthouse in town. This suits self-drive travellers who prefer quiet surroundings.
There is also a backpackers hostel about 10 km south, just off the Gaborone–Lobatse highway, offering camping with your own tent and dorm beds. It is the lowest-cost place to stay in the area, but you will need transport for everything else.
Where to stay on a budget, mid-range or splurge
- Budget: serviced studio and one-bed apartments with daily, monthly and yearly rates; long-running expat house-shares for multi-month stays; and a backpackers hostel south of the city with camping and dorm beds. Apartments at this level are often full, so book well in advance, and internet may cost extra.
- Mid-range: small hotels, boutique bed & breakfasts, lodges and motels, typically with air conditioning, satellite television and breakfast included. Quality, cleanliness and price vary, so check what is actually provided; some places have no internet, and some rooms have only a bath.
- Splurge: large chain hotels and resort-style properties with conference facilities, restaurants, bars, gyms, pools, casinos and leisure centres, some bordering five-star status. These are aimed mainly at business and government guests, and rates are correspondingly high.
Best area for a first visit
For a first visit, base yourself in the city centre around the Main Mall. It puts the museum, the university, the government offices and the main business addresses within easy reach, and it gives you the widest choice of accommodation, from smaller hotels to full-service chain properties. You will spend less time and money on transport than if you stay out along Tlokweng Road or west of the centre.
Frequently asked questions
How much should I expect to pay for a room in Gaborone?
Accommodation costs compare with South Africa. It is difficult to go much below P400 per night for a room, large chain hotels cost P800 and up, and the resort-style properties at the top end charge considerably more.
Do I need a car to get around?
It helps. Some areas, such as the Tlokweng Road lodges and the properties west of the centre, are a fair distance from town without one, and the bush options south of the city assume you are driving. If you are staying in the centre, you can manage without.
Where can I stay for several weeks or months?
Serviced apartments are the usual answer, with daily, monthly and yearly rates available, along with at least one long-running expat house-share. These are often full, so book well in advance, and check whether internet is included or charged separately.
Is it worth staying outside the city?
If you have your own car and want to keep away from the city, there are good options in the bush about 15 km to the south, costing about the same as a guesthouse in town. Otherwise, staying in or near the centre is more practical.
Compare live prices for the areas above with the booking tools on this page before you decide.