How to get to Gaborone from Anywhere

Introduction

Once a small and dusty one-horse town, Gaborone has developed into a spectacle of a city in recent years. While it is Botswana's capital, there is nothing fast-paced about this city which moves at a languid pace and no one is in a hurry to get anywhere. It is a fantastic city to visit if you would like to learn more about the timelessness of rural Africa, learn local history and culture and savour the years of tradition in its cooking.

All About Gaborone

Considered Botswana's gateway to the wild African country you grew up dreaming of exploring, Gaborone is tranquil but at the same time, modern enough to provide you with the comforts you are looking for while putting on your explorer's hat. There are a variety of restaurants for all palettes, great shopping situations and luxury hotels near Gaborone Airport for ease of access. The city is safe to travel in and its proximity to the Kalahari Desert means it takes the crown as a destination for those aching to explore the wilderness.

When to Go

A visit to Gaborone is determined by the seasons. What you need to know before you begin planning your trip is the rainy season and the effect it has on the water levels of the Okavango Delta. Then you need to consider the summers and the harshness of the sun on the Kalahari Desert. It's not so much Gaborone, like the rest of Botswana. If you are planning on sequestering yourself in a local hotel the likes of Avani Gaborone Resort & Casino then you could go any day of the year. But if the purpose of your visit to the country is to explore the beauty of nature and the rest of Botswana, then the peak season is between May or June to October. The rainy season in Botswana falls from November to March or April.

Celebration

If you would like to visit Botswana in time for a local festival which is one of the most vibrant and colourful ways to immerse yourself in the culture of a country, you should consider going in April. Gaborone celebrates the Maitisong Festival which is one of the premier art showcases in Botswana. There will be live performances and pan-African artists both well established and rookies who will descend on the capital of the country for a week of dance, art, comedy, drama and lots of live music.

What to Eat

If you are in Gaborone, don't forget to make a list of all the local foods that you should be trying. Sorghum porridge is something you will find all over the country from street food stands to classic restaurants. It makes the base of most meals and you might love it, or you might not. If you are feeling adventurous, you should try some of the gamier dishes, consider impala steaks or guinea-fowl hotpot or stew when you are ordering.

Souvenir Shopping

One of the most exciting aspects of Gaborone is its vast and roiling markets that sell African products. While these aren't exactly all-encompassing, fair trade craft emporiums the likes of Botswana Craft is a great place for you to pick up some pieces to take home with you. There are great samples of West African textiles or Central African masks, traditional pottery from local Botswana villages and beautiful San jewellery that are made from ostrich eggs in the Kalahari Desert. Not everything you come across may be authentic, but if you would like to own some colourful pieces you should spend half a day exploring the markets.