Discover Botswana
General useful info
Practical detail in one place — arriving, getting around, and the small things that make a first visit easier.
Arriving
- Airport
- Sir Seretse Khama International Airport (GBE) sits about 15 km north of central Gaborone — usually 20 to 30 minutes by road. Regional connections run mainly through Johannesburg (JNB), with services also via Cape Town, Harare, Nairobi and Addis Ababa depending on the season.
- Overland
- Gaborone is around 350 km from Johannesburg by road, with several border posts. Tlokweng and Pioneer Gate are the main crossings for road travel from South Africa.
- Getting around
- Metered taxis, app-based ride hailing and hotel shuttles all operate in Gaborone. Combis (minibus taxis) serve fixed routes cheaply. Car hire is available at the airport; driving is on the left.
Practicalities
- Drinking water
- Tap water in Gaborone is treated and generally considered safe to drink. Bottled water is inexpensive and widely available if you prefer it, particularly when travelling outside the city.
- Business hours
- Offices typically run 07:30 to 16:30 on weekdays. Shopping centres open later and trade through the weekend. Banks generally close by 15:30 on weekdays and at midday on Saturdays.
- Plugs and power
- 230 V at 50 Hz, with type D, G and M sockets in use. Bring a universal adaptor; hotels can sometimes lend one but do not rely on it.
- Language
- English is the official language and is used throughout the congress. Setswana is the national language. A greeting in Setswana is always appreciated.
While you are here
- Food
- Gaborone has a broad restaurant scene — South African chains, Indian, Chinese, Portuguese-influenced grills and steakhouses. Local dishes worth trying include seswaa (slow-pounded beef), bogobe (sorghum porridge), morogo (wild greens) and, for the adventurous, phane (mopane worms).
- Shopping
- Riverwalk, Game City and Airport Junction are the main malls. For craft, look for basketry from the Delta region, leatherwork and pottery — the Botswanacraft outlet and weekend markets are good starting points.
- Public holidays
- Botswana Day falls on 30 September and 1 October. Check the calendar if you are arriving early, as government offices and some businesses close.
Reference
Botswana at a glance
| Capital | Gaborone |
|---|---|
| Population | Approximately 2.6 million |
| Land area | 581,730 km² — roughly the size of France |
| Official languages | English (official) and Setswana (national) |
| Currency | Botswana Pula (BWP), divided into 100 thebe |
| Time zone | Central Africa Time, UTC+2 — no daylight saving |
| International dialling code | +267 |
| Electricity | 230 V / 50 Hz. Plug types D, G and M |
| Driving | On the left. International driving permit recommended |
| Independence | 30 September 1966 |