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Photo: CNJerem, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 4.0.Discover Gaborone, the vibrant capital of Botswana! Test your knowledge on its history, landmarks, culture, and unique role in Southern Africa.
First-Time Visitor 0–4 · City Explorer 5–8 · True Gaboronian 9–10
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Mafeking, now called Mahikeng, actually lay outside the territory, in South Africa, so for about 70 years the land that became Botswana was run from across the border. Gaborone was then built almost from scratch from 1964, planned as a small garden city for about 20,000 people.
Photo: CNJerem, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 4.0.
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Gaborone has hosted the headquarters of the Southern African Development Community (SADC) since its establishment. This regional organization, founded in 1980, aims to promote economic cooperation, integration, and security among 16 southern African nations, cementing Gaborone's status as an important diplomatic hub.
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Kgale Hill rises to about 1,287 meters above sea level and dominates the western skyline of Gaborone. Hikers flock to its peak for breathtaking, panoramic views of the city and the nearby reservoir. The hill is affectionately nicknamed the 'Sleeping Giant' due to its distinctive shape when viewed from a distance, and it is also home to a troop of wild baboons.
Photo: Athena Lao, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 2.0.
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In 1895, Chiefs Khama III, Sebele I, and Bathoen I traveled to London to petition Queen Victoria's government. They successfully blocked Cecil Rhodes' British South Africa Company from annexing Bechuanaland, ensuring it remained a British protectorate instead. This crucial journey paved the way for Botswana's eventual independent future.
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The National Museum, set up in 1967 and opened in 1968, sits just off the Main Mall, the car-free heart of Gaborone laid out when the city was built in the 1960s. It shows Botswana's traditional crafts, art and wildlife, and since 2007 it has also looked after the National Botanical Garden.
Photo: CNJerem, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 4.0.
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The Notwane River flows along the eastern edge of Gaborone and is vital to the city's survival, feeding the massive Gaborone Dam. This reservoir provides nearly all the drinking water for the capital and its surrounding areas. Interestingly, the river's flow can be highly seasonal, sometimes drying up completely during prolonged droughts before roaring back to life during summer rains.
Photo: Athena Lao, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 2.0.
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Established in 1994, Mokolodi Nature Reserve is a non-profit sanctuary located just 15 kilometers south of the capital. It offers a safe haven for injured or orphaned animals and is highly regarded for its white rhino breeding program. Visitors can book guided tracking walks to get surprisingly close to these magnificent, endangered creatures in their natural habitat.
Photo: Cretep, Wikimedia Commons, Public domain.
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The Maitisong Festival is Gaborone's biggest annual cultural event, showcasing a vibrant mix of theater, traditional dance, and music. Held at the Maru-a-Pula School, it draws talented artists from across Africa and beyond. The festival is famous for its outdoor street shows, which bring free, high-quality performing arts directly to local communities.
Photo: Morongoa Mosetlhi, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0.
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The University of Botswana was officially established in 1982 after the dissolution of a joint university system shared with Lesotho and Swaziland. Today, its main campus in Gaborone is a modern hub of higher education hosting over 15,000 students. A famous fundraising campaign called 'One Man, One Beast' helped fund its construction through public donations of cattle.
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Precious Ramotswe is the beloved protagonist of Alexander McCall Smith's internationally acclaimed book series. She is famous for solving mysteries using her deep wisdom, kindness, and cups of redbush tea. The popularity of the series has actually boosted tourism in Gaborone, with many readers visiting the city to see the real-life spots mentioned in the novels.
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