Quick Facts: Gaborone
- Gaborone Dam is situated south of Gaborone along the Gaborone-Lobatse road providing water supply for both Gaborone and Lobatse
- The Gaborone Game Reserve is a 600-hectare game park located west of the city on Limpopo Drive
- Kgale Hill is 1,287 metres in height and provides magnificent views
- The Mokolodi Nature Reserve is a 30-square-kilometre game reserve located 12 kilometres south of Gaborone
Introducing Gaborone
The Gaborone Dam is situated south of Gaborone along the Gaborone-Lobatse road and provides water for both Gaborone and Lobatse. The Gaborone Dam is the biggest in Botswana holding up to 141,400,000 cubic metres of water. The northern end of the reservoir is planned to become an entertainment venue called 'The Waterfront'.
The Gaborone Yacht Club is on the north side of the lake which is formed by the Gaborone Dam. The southern end houses the Kalahari Fishing Club and a public facility called 'City Scapes'. City Scapes provides parks, playgrounds, and boating facilities. The Gaborone Dam is popular with birdwatchers, windsurfers, and anglers.
The Gaborone Game Reserve is a 600-hectare game park located west of the city on Limpopo Drive. The Gaborone Game Reserve was built in 1988 and is now the third-busiest in Botswana. Examples of animals in the park are impala, kudu, ostriches, wildebeest, zebras, gemsbok, bushbuck, springbok, duiker, Common Eland as well as warthogs. The Gaborone Game Reserve is famous for its birdwatching with the marshy section of the park being home to snake eagles, boubou, gallinule, kingfishers, and hornbills.
Kgale Hill is situated a few hundred metres from the city of Gaborone. This hill is nicknamed the 'sleeping giant' and is 1,287 metres in height. There are three different paths to reach the top, usually taking two hours.
The Mokolodi Nature Reserve is a 30-square-kilometre game reserve which opened in 1994. The Mokolodi Nature Reserve is located 12 kilometres south of Gaborone, Botswana. There are many different species of animals found in the park such as warthogs, steenbok, kudu, zebras, giraffes, Common Eland, ostriches, hippos and rhinos. The park assists with wildlife projects in Botswana which include, for example, the reintroduction of the White Rhino and the relocation of cheetahs. At the Mokolodi Nature Reserve, one can also find the Education Centre where children are taught about the conservation projects.
Things to do in Gaborone, Botswana
Three Chiefs Monument
Three senior chiefs of the time – Chief Khama III of the Bangwato, Chief Sebele I of the Bakwena, and Chief Bathoen I of the Bangwaketse in 1885 to petition Joseph Chamberlain, Secretary of State for the Colonies, while in London they were presented to Queen Victoria.
The National Museum and Art Gallery
Established in June 1967 National Museum has acquired and preserved artefacts relating to Africa south of the Sahara. It has documented over 100 000 objects, 40 000 insect specimens and had 20 000 slides.
National Art Gallery
The National Art Gallery was opened in 1975, and it continually stages quality exhibitions of art, crafts and photography, of increasing diversity. For upcoming shows and events, please call Tel: +267 397-4616.
Thapong Visual Arts Centre
In the old magistrate’s house from 1902, serves as a platform form young up and coming artists for upcoming events, please contact 267 316-1771.
Botanical Gardens
Recently opened National Botanical Gardens features walking trails with labelled trees, plants & exhibits of Botswana flora.
Gaborone Game Reserve
Home to zebra, eland, gemsbok, red hartebeest, blue wildebeest, impala, kudu, steenbok, vervet monkeys, warthog and rock dassies. The park is also home a vast array of birds. The park is lovely for walks and picnics.
Gaborone Dam
The lifeblood of the city as it provides the city with drinking water; Gaborone Yacht Club offers canoeing, yachting, picnics, and bush walks.