Things to Do in Gaborone
50 curated spots from Gaborone itineraries
Activities & Attractions
30 curated experiences
Kgale Hill Hike
Start in the morning to hike up Kgale Hill (around 45–60 minutes up) through rocky, bushy terrain with views over Gaborone; keep an eye out for baboons and birds and follow the main paths.
2h 30m · Free
Gaborone Game Reserve
Nature reserve with animal viewing opportunities and braai (barbecue) facilities for picnicking
2h 30m · $10-18 per person
Mokolodi Nature Reserve Game Drive
Pre-book a morning or afternoon game drive through Mokolodi to look for giraffe, kudu, warthog, zebra, and abundant birds in classic bushveld.
3h · $35-70 per person (depending on package)
Thapong Visual Arts Centre
Finish the weekend with contemporary Botswana art, creative spaces, and a quieter cultural atmosphere. It is a nice final stop before dinner or departure.
1h 15m · $2-5 per person
Mokolodi Nature Reserve
Wildlife and nature reserve offering affordable safari experiences, animal talks, and snake handling demonstrations
3h · $20-35 per person
Three Dikgosi Monument
Begin with Gaborone’s signature national landmark and learn the story behind the three chiefs. It is a quick, meaningful stop that works well at the start of the trip.
45m · Free
Crocodile Pools River Safari
Join a small boat trip along a calm river to see crocodiles, birds, and lush riverbank vegetation; many tours include a short walk and time to sit by the water.
2h 30m · $30-50 per person (tour-dependent)
Game City Mall Free Explore
Use the mall for shopping, snacks, and a calm indoor reset.
2h 30m · Free
Mokolodi Nature Reserve Morning Game Drive
Guided game drive through a 5,000‑hectare private reserve home to giraffes, zebras, antelope, rhinos and more, with classic bush scenery.
2h 30m · $40-60 per person
National Museum & Art Gallery
Compact museum featuring Botswana’s history, archaeology and rotating art exhibitions, often quieter than major tourist sites.
1h 30m · Free or small fee
Riverwalk Mall Free Explore
Wander this open-air style mall surrounded by trees; browse local boutiques, pick up SIM cards or essentials, and sit under the greenery with a cold drink.
2h · Free (shopping extra)
Three Dikgosi Monument & CBD Stroll
Visit the imposing statues of three chiefs who played a major role in Botswana’s history, then wander the modern CBD with its open plazas and scattered trees.
1h · $2-5 or Free (outside viewing)
Botswana Craft
Browse local textiles, baskets, carvings and artwork in a courtyard setting with trees and shaded walkways.
1h 30m · Free to enter (shopping extra)
Botswana Craft Centre
Explore vibrant market with local baskets, jewelry, and art; browse The Courtyard Restaurant.
1h 30m · Free or $20
Botswana Craft Experience
Browse a focused craft stop for baskets, textiles, and locally made souvenirs, then take your time with the artists or shopkeepers if available.
1h 30m · Free to browse; purchases extra
Botswana Craft Market
Browse baskets, carvings, textiles, and souvenirs in a casual market atmosphere.
2h · Free to browse
Botswanacraft & Courtyard Browsing
Explore Botswanacraft’s indoor–outdoor complex of stalls selling handwoven baskets, carvings, textiles, and other crafts, then relax under trees and shade sails in the central courtyard. This is a good place to pick up ethically sourced souvenirs and get an overview of local craft styles.
1h 30m · Free entry (souvenirs from $10+)
Botswanacraft & Craft Market
Browse a curated selection of locally made baskets, carvings, textiles and art in a leafy compound, with occasional live music or events in the courtyard.
2h · Free entry (pay for any purchases)
BotswanaCraft Centre
Browse handwoven baskets, carvings, and textiles in a shaded, greenery-filled craft complex; talk to staff about the stories behind different pieces.
1h 30m · Free entry (shopping extra)
BotswanaCraft Cultural Centre
Browse handwoven baskets, textiles, wooden carvings, and jewelry in a leafy compound; kids can see traditional patterns and crafts up close and you can pick up quality souvenirs.
1h 30m · Free to enter (pay for crafts you buy)
Bull & Bush Garden Hangout
After dinner, linger in the courtyard garden where locals gather, enjoying the outdoor atmosphere and gentle music.
1h · Free (drinks extra)
Crocodile Pools Resort & River Cruise
Finish your day at Crocodile Pools, where lush riverine vegetation lines the banks. Join a short boat cruise (if available) to see crocodiles, birds, and possibly monkeys at the water’s edge, then relax under trees back at the resort.
2h · $25-50 (depending on cruise and transport)
Crocodile Pools Resort River Walk & Viewing
Visit Crocodile Pools Resort to stroll along the riverside paths, watch crocodiles from safe viewing points, and enjoy the lush greenery along the water.
2h · $10-15 per person (entrance/activities if applicable)
Gabane Pottery Village Stop
Visit local pottery workshops where artisans shape and fire clay pieces, often surrounded by trees and village scenery.
1h · Free entry (shopping extra)
Gaborone City Highlights & Three Dikgosi Monument
Join a half-day city tour (via reputable operator) covering the Three Dikgosi Monument, Government Enclave, Main Mall, and Old Naledi for an overview of Botswana’s history and daily life.
3h · $30-50 per person with guide
Gaborone City Tour (Half Day)
Join a half-day city tour (like the ones on TripAdvisor/Viator) that covers the Three Dikgosi Monument, Main Mall, government precinct, and possibly the University of Botswana; ask your guide to keep a relaxed pace and build in photo stops.
3h 30m · $40-70 per person
Gaborone Dam & Yacht Club
Scenic walks, birdwatching, and yacht club views over the reservoir.
2h · Free
Gaborone Dam Lakeside Walk
Stroll along the edge of the reservoir near Riverwalk, enjoying water views, scattered trees, birdlife, and a quiet, romantic start to the trip.
1h 30m · Free (small taxi fare to access point)
Gaborone Dam Sunset Viewpoint
Drive down to a public viewpoint or lakeside area for sunset over the water, with silhouettes of trees and occasional birds.
1h 30m · Free
Gaborone Game Reserve (Green Escape in the City)
Take a short taxi from central Gaborone to Gaborone Game Reserve to self-drive or join a simple drive among antelope, warthog, and birdlife, with picnic sites and trees providing a mini-jungle feel inside city limits.
2h · $5-10 per person (entry and shared transport)Restaurants & Food
20 local favorites
Cappuccino’s Game City
Balcony café at Game City with distant hill views and lots of greenery in the mall atrium. Choose vegetarian breakfasts (eggs, toast, mushrooms, grilled tomatoes), smoothies and coffees; confirm no bacon or pork is cooked on the same grill for your order and request separate preparation if needed.
1h · $7-15 per person
Mokolodi Restaurant
Eat on-site after the game drive; ask for halal-friendly grilled chicken, rice dishes, salads, and vegetarian plates.
1h · $12-25 per person
Nando’s Riverwalk
Fast‑casual chicken chain with a greenery‑filled, modern interior. In Botswana many Nando’s branches use halal‑certified chicken—confirm at the counter and stick to flame‑grilled chicken, veggie burgers, fries, rice and salads; avoid non‑halal items and alcohol.
45m · $8-15 per person
Primi Piatti (Airport Junction)
Modern, semi-open restaurant with some greenery and a buzzy but relaxed vibe. Order vegetarian pastas, pizzas without pork, salads, and possibly seafood; confirm no pork or alcohol-based sauces and avoid meat items unless you verify halal.
1h 30m · $15-25 per person
Airport Junction Dining
Casual restaurants and food stalls with local and continental options
1h · $6-14 per person
Botswana Craft Courtyard Restaurant
Rustic courtyard surrounded by crafts and greenery; order grilled fish, chicken, or vegetarian stews and ask clearly for halal preparation (no pork, no alcohol in sauces, separate utensils), which they can accommodate on request.
1h 30m · $12-20 per person
BotswanaCraft Café
Café inside BotswanaCraft’s leafy courtyard. Order vegetarian dishes like mageu (if available), pap with chakalaka (without meat), vegetable stews, or grilled fish; confirm no alcohol in sauces.
1h · $8-15 per person
Botswanacraft Craft Courtyard Café
Open‑air courtyard café shaded by trees inside Botswanacraft. Order grilled fish, vegetarian stews, pap (maize porridge), morogo (wild spinach) and salads; ask staff to confirm halal‑sourced meat on the day and choose vegetarian or fish if there is any doubt.
1h · $10-20 per person
BotswanaCraft Restaurant (Traditional Set-Up, Confirm Halal Options On-Site)
Eat under thatched roofs and trees; focus on clearly vegetarian dishes (such as pap with morogo/spinach, beans, vegetable stews, salads) and confirm with staff that no meat stock or lard is used to keep it halal.
1h · $10-18 per person
Burger Bistro Gaborone
Choose halal-friendly chicken burgers, grilled chicken plates, salads, and vegetarian options; confirm halal status before ordering.
1h · $12-25 per person
Café Dijo at Mokolodi Nature Reserve
Rustic terrace café overlooking trees and the small lake at Mokolodi. Opt for grilled fish, veggie sandwiches, salads, chips and simple sides; confirm meat sourcing with staff and default to vegetarian or fish if halal certification is unclear.
1h · $10-18 per person
Cappello Gaborone
Choose halal-friendly chicken or grilled options, salads, and vegetarian dishes; confirm halal preparation before ordering.
1h · $15-30 per person
Cappuccino’s (Riverwalk Mall)
Sit on the garden-facing terrace; choose vegetarian pasta, Margherita or veggie pizza, grilled fish (confirm no alcohol in sauces), and salads. Ask staff to avoid pork, alcohol, and to cook your food separately.
1h · $12-20 per person
Cappuccino’s Gaborone (Riverwalk)
Sit on the terrace overlooking trees for a relaxed start; order vegetarian omelettes, pancakes, fresh fruit, or grilled fish if available, and verify no alcohol or pork in preparation for halal compliance.
1h · $8-15 per person
Cappuccino’s Sebele
Restaurant in Sebele Centre with indoor and outdoor seating. Stick to vegetarian sandwiches, salads, and pastas or grilled fish, confirming no alcohol in sauces and avoiding non-halal meat and bacon.
1h · $10-18 per person
Courtyard Restaurant at Mokolodi Nature Reserve (Halal-Friendly Choices)
Order grilled line fish, vegetarian pastas, salads, and sides; specify no pork, no alcohol, and ask for your food to be cooked separately from any non-halal meat.
1h 30m · $15-25 per person
Crocodile Pools Resort Restaurant (Halal-Friendly Options)
Rustic riverside restaurant surrounded by trees and reeds, with a strong bush and water aesthetic. For halal: choose fish dishes without wine-based sauces and vegetarian plates such as salads, chips, and sides; clearly tell staff you require no pork, no alcohol in cooking, and prefer separate utensils/pans if available.
1h · $15-25 per person
Eastern Crescent Restaurant (Halal-Friendly Options)
Sit in the leafy courtyard and order vegetarian omelettes, masala baked beans, and toast or simple continental breakfast-style items; avoid any non-halal meat and ask staff to confirm no alcohol is used in your dishes.
1h · $8-12 per person
Espresso Garden Café
Choose halal-friendly grilled chicken, pasta without pork products, salads, and vegetarian options; confirm ingredients with staff.
1h 15m · $15-30 per person
Fego Caffé (Game City Mall)
Pre-hike breakfast with views over the hillside mall; order vegetarian breakfast, eggs, toast, pastries, and smoothies, asking staff to avoid pork and alcohol and to cook in a separate pan if possible.
45m · $8-15 per person