Best things to do in Gaborone
Find out more about those top places in Gaborone
Gaborone is one of Africa’s fastest growing cities, an emergent force in African tourism. The city of Gaborone named after Chief Gaborone of the Tlokwa tribe is the heart of the nation. It is the nation’s economic and cultural capital, located between Kgale hill and Oodi hill, on the Notwane River in the south-eastern corner of Botswana. The city has a growing population of over 250,000 people. A visit to Botswana without passing through Gaborone is an incomplete one. Filled with attractions such as the Three Dikgosi Monument, Mokolodi Nature Reserve, Kgale Hill and Matsieng Footprints.
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Three Dikgosi Monument
Located in the Central Business District of Gaborone are the bronze statues that depict three Dikgosi (tribal chiefs). The statues serve as a reminder of the three chiefs (Sebele I of the Bakwena, Khama III of the Bangwato and Bathoen I of the Bangwaketse) who traveled to Great Britain to ask Queen Victoria to separate the Bechuanaland protectorate from Rhodes’s British South Africa Company and Southern Rhodesia, the trip is significant because it led to Botswana’s independence.
The Three Dikgosi are Botswana’s most visited tourist destination according to a study conducted between January and August 2007 by the government.
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Matsieng Footprints
The Matsieng Footprints are engraved petroglyphs found in Matsieng, southeast of Botswana. According to local folklore the site was said to be used for rituals, it is littered with footprints that are human and feline-like in design. According to archaeological studies the footprints are said to date back to between 3,000 to 10,000 years. The Matsieng footprints shares its name with popular African folklore character “Matsieng the hunter”. It is believed that the first humans were created in Matsieng and these are the footprints they left behind.
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Mokolodi Nature Reserve
For outdoor enthusiasts and lovers of wildlife this a must visit. Mokolodi Nature Reserve is a private non-profit game reserve situated 15 km south of Gaborone. The nature reserve spans over 3700 hectares in size and its home to indigenous African mammals, reptiles and birds. According to the Mokolodi Wildlife Foundation the main aim of setting up the reserve is for conservation and education, the foundation has set in place special activities for tourists such as rhino and giraffe tracking, conferencing and guided walks to make the visit worthwhile.
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Thapong Visual Arts Center
Since its establishment in 1998, the Thapong Visual Arts Center has been focused promoting visual arts in Botswana. Situated in the former magistrate’s house, it is the number one spot for art lovers. It offers exhibitions, outreach workshops and residencies for international artists and if interested visitors can buy some works displayed.
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Kgale Hill
Nicknamed the “sleeping giant” the hill is the highest point in Gaborone at a height of 1,287 meters. The hill used to be home for a television repeater but now a popular tourist destination. For hikers seeking to climb up to the peak it takes about an hour to do so depending on the trail chosen (there are three trails to pick from).
