Gaborone, Botswana

Gaborone, Botswana
Source: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:MainMall.jpg
Author: Iulus Ascanius


Gaborone is the capital and biggest city in Botswana. It is located on the southeastern part of the country, just 15 km (9.3 mi) from the border with South Africa. Situated 983 m (3,225 ft) above sea level, Gaborone covers 169 sq km (65 sq mi) and has a population of 192,000 people (2012 estimate).

Gaborone was established in the 1960s to be the capital of the then Bechuanaland Protectorate. It was chosen over Lobatse, the original choice, because of the availability of fresh water source in its vicinity, and also because of the already existing railway line through the area to Pretoria.

Planned as a garden city, with ample open space, Gaborone was built over a period of three years, during which many of its early government buildings were constructed. At the time of independence in 1966, it had only around five thousand inhabitants. The city was planned to contain 20,000 people, a figure surpassed within ten years of its construction. It has continued to grow rapidly, becoming by far the largest city in Botswana.

Parliament of Botswana, Gaborone
Source: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:BotswanaParliament.jpg
Author: Iulus Ascanius

Visiting Gaborone

There are flights to Gaborone from Cape Town, Harare, Johannesburg, as well as from domestica destinations such as Francistown, Kasane and Maun. You can also take a bus from Pretoria.

Places of Interest in Gaborone

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