Attend
Logistics
Everything practical about getting to Gaborone and being there — venue, hotels, entry requirements and health.
Start here
Logistics sections
- Congress venueWhere the congress is held, access arrangements and transfer routes from the official hotels.
- AccommodationOfficial congress hotels, negotiated delegate rates, and how to book through the accommodation system.
- Entry & visaWhether you need a visa for Botswana, what documents to prepare, and how to request a letter of invitation.
- Health requirementsVaccination guidance, malaria risk by region, insurance and the practical realities of October heat.
Travel
Getting to Gaborone
Arrival routes, transfers and moving around the city.
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.
More practical detail on money, climate, connectivity and etiquette is on Good to Know and General Useful Info.