Car Hire Gaborone - Mini guide to Gaborone

Gaborone is Botswana’s vibrant capital and is situated in the valley between Kgale and Oodi hills in southeastern Botswana. The city is modern and well-equipped with a wide range of visitor facilities, and is surrounded by Botswana’s magical natural treasures.

The city’s main water source is the Gaborone Dam, which is also a popular resort where visitors can engage in non-motorised water sports. The Gaborone Game Reserve is the third-largest of its kind in the country, with a wealth of animals, including wildebeest, eland, zebra, gemsbok, rhino and kudu.

In the centre of Gaborone is the National Museum, housing a superb array of southern African fine arts and traditional crafts. On the western edge of the city is Kgale hill, offering scenic hikes and breathtaking views of the city and Gaborone Dam.

The city has a thriving social scene, with casinos, restaurants and nightclubs scattered throughout. Cinemas and a wide range of shops are also available.

Located 35kms from Gaborone towards Francistown, Matisieng Footprints is an archaeological site where footprints are embedded in the sandstone rock. Legend goes that these footprints belong to Matisieng, a giant and ancestor of the Swana people, but others attribute them to the Barsawa people. Fourteen kilometres from the city on the Lobotse road is the St Claire Lion Park, another worthwhile attraction.

The road infrastructure is good between Gaborone and the cities of Francistown and Kasane, and a new road has been built from Francistown to Maun and Shikawe. Driving is the best way of getting around Botswana, as the public transport system is largely non-existent. However, trains and VIP coaches run between Gaborone and Johannesburg in South Africa. Minibus taxis provide transport within the country but the vehicles are frequently in bad condition. There is an international airport on the outskirts of the city.