Africa / Botswana
Places to go. A little room to wander.
THE SHORTLIST
Central Business District
The three standing chiefs make a useful introduction to Botswana's political history. Read the names and interpretation before taking the familiar group photograph, and ask about a local historian's explanation if one is available. Looking closely at who is represented helps turn an imposing civic landmark into a discussion of the negotiations that shaped the country.
Allow about 60 minutes · planning estimate
Former magistrate’s house, Gaborone
Thapong occupies the former magistrate's house and supports artists working in Botswana. Approach it as a changing creative institution: the works and people you encounter will depend on the exhibition programme. Allow time to look at individual pieces and ask about the artists, while treating studios and any workshops as working spaces with their own access arrangements.
Allow about 90 minutes · planning estimate
Southern Gaborone, above the dam and Game City area
The hill provides a way to see how Gaborone sits among rocky heights and its reservoir landscape. Its walking routes offer a different perspective from the road-level city tour. Choose a route that suits the group, leave time to pause over the view, and discuss the approach with a knowledgeable local contact before setting off.
Allow about 120 minutes · planning estimate
A note before you go. Use transport between the Central Business District, Thapong and the Kgale Hill area; the tourism board locates these sights in separate parts of Gaborone. Ask Thapong about public exhibitions before choosing your route, and obtain local advice on the appropriate hill approach. The durations below are editorial estimates for each visit, with journeys between locations additional.
Planning sources reviewed 2026-10-19. Suggested days and time allowances are editorial starting points. Check the linked visitor information for opening hours, access, and reservations.
A LITTLE STRUCTURE. ROOM FOR DISCOVERY.
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