Cheap flights to Gaborone
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Quick summary
Country
Botswana
Continent
Africa
Airport
GBE
Currency
Botswana pula (BWP)
Time zone
UTC+2 (CAT)
Deals already spotted to Gaborone
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Gaborone is the capital and largest city of Botswana, in the south-east of the country, about 15 km from the South African border according to Wikipedia (FR, ES). It is above all an administrative city: a government district, a long commercial artery called the Main Mall, shopping centres and residential suburbs. People do not come here for a great old heritage, but to understand a young state, its institutions and its museum. Population figures vary a little between sources, at around a quarter of a million, so we stay approximate.
Wikipedia (FR, ES, DE) ties the city's name to Chief Kgosi Gaborone of the Batlokwa, who settled in the area toward the end of the nineteenth century; it was called Gaberones until 1969. It became capital of the Bechuanaland protectorate in 1965, then of the independent country in 1966. SniperAir tracks fares to GBE and alerts you, without selling or booking anything. Official advice varies by departure country: check your own before booking.
Airport and getting into town
Sir Seretse Khama, north of the city
Gaborone – Sir Seretse Khama International Airport (GBE)
The airport, named after the first president of the independent country, lies about 15 km north of the centre according to Wikivoyage (EN). Wikivoyage (DE) describes it as the country's largest, modernised, and the base of the national airline. Wikivoyage (EN) mainly names links with southern Africa, notably Johannesburg, and with Addis Ababa or Nairobi. Airlines and schedules change, so check them when you book.
Approximate distance, from Wikivoyage (EN, DE). We quote no taxi fares and no list of airlines, which change.
Wikivoyage (EN) says customs formalities are slow but without particular difficulty; it advises having the address of your accommodation to hand. Entry conditions depend on your nationality, so check official websites.
For arrivals by road, Wikivoyage (EN, DE) names regular coaches from Pretoria in a day, as well as buses from the country's other large towns. Johannesburg (JNB) is another possible gateway: you can create an alert for it too.
Landmarks
Three Dikgosi Monument, Kgale Hill and the dam
Gaborone is a capital designed in the twentieth century: its strong places come from the country's history and its landscapes of hills and water. The places illustrated below are described according to our sources; the others are covered in text only.
The Three Dikgosi Monument
Wikivoyage (EN) presents three bronze statues of the chiefs Khama III of the Bangwato, Sebele I of the Bakwena and Bathoeng I of the Bangwaketse, who travelled to Britain in 1895 to ask for direct protection from the Crown. The monument was inaugurated in 2005 according to that source; the names are engraved on the plinths.
Kgale Hill
German Wikipedia gives 1,287 m for these hills on the city's south-west side; Wikivoyage (EN) recommends the climb for the view over the city, with two cautions: baboons on the path and the wisdom of going only when other visitors are present. In this high view, a road crosses a wooded plain toward a large stretch of water.
Gaborone Dam at dusk
German Wikipedia places the dam, a reservoir on the Notwane river, south of the city. Wikivoyage (EN) calls it the city's main water source and a leisure area with sailing and fishing clubs, birdwatching and windsurfing, but advises against swimming because of bilharzia and crocodiles.
Rocks and clouds by the lake
Large slabs of pinkish rock reach out onto the lake under a sky of grey and pink clouds, as the photograph from Wikimedia Commons shows, which ties it to Gaborone Dam.
Other places named by Wikipedia (FR, DE, ES) and Wikivoyage (EN, DE): the government district, with Parliament, the headquarters of the Southern African Development Community and the national stadium; the statue of Seretse Khama, the first president; the Hindu temple, a large landmark of the city; Gaborone Game Reserve, small and easy to drive around according to Wikivoyage (EN); and Mokolodi reserve. Opening times and access conditions vary, so check them before you go.
Museums and culture
National museum, botanical garden and culture
The National Museum and Art Gallery
Wikipedia (FR, ES, DE) says it opened in 1968, north-west of the Main Mall. It shows traditional crafts and works by local artists, original paintings by Thomas Baines and Lucas Sithole, and an exhibition on the San, the first inhabitants of southern Africa. Hours and fees change, so we publish none.
The National Botanical Garden
Wikipedia (FR, ES) says this garden, opened on 2 November 2007 by the museum, protects Botswana's indigenous flora, of which about 90% of species are local. Wikivoyage (EN) places it a few kilometres from the centre.
Maitisong Festival and crafts
Wikipedia (FR, ES) presents the Maitisong festival, created in 1987, which offers concerts, plays and films in various venues in late March or early April. Wikivoyage (EN) also mentions weaving and craft workshops on the outskirts. Dates and programmes change, so ask.
Food and drink
Botswana cooking and South African influence
Basic dishes
According to our research on the country, drawing on Wikipedia and Wikivoyage, Botswana cooking rests on bogobe, a sorghum or maize porridge, seswaa, slow-cooked and pounded beef, morogo, a leafy vegetable, and magwinya, fried dough. The braai, or grill, is found everywhere.
More cosmopolitan than gastronomic
Wikivoyage (EN) judges Gaborone unexciting at the table and marked by South African culinary influence, while naming Italian, Indian and Chinese tables in shopping centres. We name no commercial address and quote no price.
Office lunches
Wikivoyage (EN) mentions simple meals of rice, vegetables and meat sold in the government district on weekdays, and shopping centres scattered across the city rather than a dense downtown.
Getting around
Combis, public taxis and on-demand taxis
Combis and public taxis
Wikivoyage (EN, DE) describes combis, white minibuses with no route map, and public taxis, small white cars with blue plates that follow set routes. You can ask the driver whether the line goes where you are heading. We quote no fares.
Private taxis and apps
Wikivoyage (EN) distinguishes the 'special' taxi, usually booked by phone, and mentions ride-hailing apps. For addresses, it is better to quote a plot number or a known place than a street name.
Driving and evenings
Wikivoyage (EN) recommends not driving at night in rural areas because of animals on the road, and having a taxi come to you rather than walking in the evening. Pedestrians have little priority, so stay very careful at crossings.
Budget and precautions
Budget and precautions
Price level
Wikivoyage (EN) judges Gaborone rather expensive for shopping, most South African chains being present. The prices quoted by our sources are old or isolated, so we offer no range. The currency is the pula (BWP).
Flights
SniperAir tracks fares to GBE and compares them with the route's price history, but it does not sell or book tickets. Johannesburg (JNB), Maun (MUB) or Windhoek (WDH) can also be watched in parallel.
Safety and health
Wikivoyage (EN) describes a low crime rate but advises vigilance: grab-and-run thefts at traffic lights, pickpockets in crowded places, care at nightfall. Official advice varies by departure country, so check your own before booking. For health, ask a doctor or a vaccination centre before departure.
When to go
A semi-arid climate tempered by altitude
Summer (October to March)
Wikipedia (FR, ES) places the summer rains between October and April; days are hot and thunderstorms can be violent. According to French Wikipedia, the highest temperatures fall in January or February in a drought, and in October when the rain arrives normally.
Autumn (April to May)
The rains withdraw and nights cool: this transitional period is generally pleasant, with plenty of sunshine according to French Wikipedia.
Winter (June to August)
French Wikipedia describes still-warm days and cold nights in winter. Bring something warm for the evening.
Rainfall
Rainfall is scarce and irregular according to French Wikipedia: we give no annual total, for lack of cross-checking.
Wikipedia (FR, ES) classes the climate as semi-arid (Köppen BSh), tempered by an altitude of about 1,000 m. We do not give full monthly averages, because the sources do not cover the same stations and years.
By length of stay
What to do in Gaborone depending on the length of stay
Monument and museum
One day for the Three Dikgosi Monument, the national museum, the botanical garden and the government district.
Hill and dam
Add Kgale Hill, Gaborone Dam or the game reserve, preferably in company and in daytime.
Towards Maun and the north
Maun, the gateway to the Okavango Delta, can be reached from Gaborone by air or by bus according to our sources; Johannesburg and Windhoek are other stopovers to watch.
In pictures
Gaborone in pictures
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FAQ
Frequently asked questions about flights to Gaborone
Where is Gaborone airport?
Sir Seretse Khama airport (GBE) is about 15 km north of the centre according to Wikivoyage (EN). Customs formalities are slow but simple; keep your accommodation address to hand. We quote no taxi fares.
When should I go to Gaborone?
Rain falls mostly from October to April, with hot days and thunderstorms. Winter is sunny, with cold nights. None of our sources advises against any period; choose according to your tolerance for heat.
What is there to see in Gaborone?
The Three Dikgosi Monument, the National Museum and Art Gallery, the botanical garden, the government district and, outside the centre, Kgale Hill and the dam. Hours change, so check them.
Is Gaborone safe?
Wikivoyage (EN) describes a low crime rate but recommends staying vigilant, especially at night and in very busy places. Official advice varies by departure country, so check your own before booking.
How do you get around Gaborone?
By combi, by public taxi on set routes, by taxi booked by phone or app, or by car. The city is spread out: shopping centres are scattered across it.
How long should I stay in Gaborone?
One to two days are enough for the monument, the museum, the botanical garden and Kgale Hill. Many travellers continue to Maun and the Okavango Delta.
How much does a flight to Gaborone usually cost?
The price depends mainly on your departure city, the time of year and how far ahead you book. The "opportunities" section above shows real examples of prices SniperAir has already detected to this destination.
How do I get alerted when a flight to Gaborone drops below my budget?
Create an alert profile with your departure airport, Gaborone (GBE) as the destination and your maximum budget. You are notified automatically as soon as a matching price is detected. SniperAir monitors and alerts, it does not sell or book tickets.
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