Activity

link

Brief summary

1. The city of Gaborone

http://www.botswanatourism.co.bw/explore/gaborone

Gaborone is a buzzing and tempting city that is bursting out of a nutshell. The inhabitants themselves feed the inexhaustible source of creative energy, a source that is far from saturated. The capital city was named after Kgosi Gaborone, leader of the Batlokwa people, who migrated from their ancestral homelands in the Magaliesberg Mountains and in 1881 settled in the Tlokweng area. Gaborone literally means ‘it does not fit badly’ or ‘it is not unbecoming.”

1. Horse Back Safari

http://www.botswanatourism.co.bw/experience/horse-back-safari

Horseback riding in Botswana allows you to experience all that this magnificent land has to offer. Botswana is the immortal heart of the splendidly desolate and roadless Kalahari Desert. This wild land consists of endless savannahs, dunes, ephemeral lakes and salt pans, making the horseback experience a unique experience of a lifetime. This activity can be experienced in different parts of Botswana such as the Tuli, Okavango Delta, Makgadikgadi, Kgalagadi area and outside Gaborone. There are extremely experienced and knowledgeable guides and well-schooled, responsive horses; all in an exceptional setting.

1. Game Viewing & Drive

http://www.botswanatourism.co.bw/

Experience the stunning beauty, the unimaginable vastness, the isolation and worldliness, the astoundingly prolific wildlife of the best kept African secret - Botswana.

1. The Okavango Delta

http://www.botswanatourism.co.bw/explore/okavango-delta

One of the most sought after wilderness destinations in the world, the Okavango Delta gives entrance to the spectacle of wild Africa such as dreams are made of – the heart-stopping excitement of big game viewing, the supreme tranquility and serenity of an untouched delta, and evocative scenes of extraordinary natural beauty.

1. Mokoro Ride

http://www.botswanatourism.co.bw/experience/mokoro-ride

The Mokoro is a common type of canoe used to get around in the shallow waters of the Okavango Delta. The oarsman stands in the stern and pushes it with the pole. Traditionally Mokoros are made from dug out trunks of a large straight trees, like ebony, and kigelia and but today, for conservation purposes they are more commonly made from fibreglass.

1. Scenic Flights

http://www.botswanatourism.co.bw/experience/scenic-flights

Enjoy scenic flights over the Moremi that makes up the greatest experience in Botswana. Focus down onto the wildlife and surrounding natures that will forever change your perception of this timeless land while you enjoy the scenic flights over the Delta getting the overall perspective of the area. This activity is best enjoyed when weather conditions are calmer.

1. Moremi Game Reserve

http://www.botswanatourism.co.bw/explore/moremi-game-reserve

This gem of a National Park has garnered a number of important distinctions. in 2008, it was voted the ‘best game reserve in Africa’ by the prestigious African Travel and Tourism Association at South Africa’s premier tourism fair, Indaba.

1. Mokolodi Nature Reserve

http://www.botswanatourism.co.bw/relax/mokolodi-nature-reserve

The Mokolodi Wildlife Foundation was formed in 1991 as a not-for-profit organization to promote wildlife conservation and environmental education in Botswana. The Foundation created Mokolodi Nature Reserve on donated land, where tourism related activities help to fund its Education Centre. Mokolodi Nature Reserve is located at 14 kilometer away from the capital city Gaborone along Lobatse road. We have several activities such as conference facilities, restaurant, camping site, chalets, game drives, cheetah visit, tracking, bush braai picnic sites, and a traditional memorable rest camp called Alexander McCall Smith. Our facilities host corporate event such as ceremonies.

1. Khama Rhino Sanctuary

http://www.botswanatourism.co.bw/explore/khama-rhino-sanctuary

Affording the opportunity to see both black and white rhino - as well as an abundance of other wildlife species – the Khama Rhino Sanctuary (KRS) is a delightful stopover for tourists travelling by road to Botswana’s northern reserves, or an ideal weekend getaway for Gaborone or Francistown visitors or residents.

1. Horse Back Safari

http://www.botswanatourism.co.bw/experience/horse-back-safari

Horseback riding in Botswana allows you to experience all that this magnificent land has to offer. Botswana is the immortal heart of the splendidly desolate and roadless Kalahari Desert. This wild land consists of endless savannahs, dunes, ephemeral lakes and salt pans, making the horseback experience a unique experience of a lifetime. This activity can be experienced in different parts of Botswana such as the Tuli, Okavango Delta, Makgadikgadi, Kgalagadi area and outside Gaborone. There are extremely experienced and knowledgeable guides and well-schooled, responsive horses; all in an exceptional setting.

1. Manyana

50 Km - Distance from Gaborone to Manyana

http://www.botswanatourism.co.bw/explore/manyana

Perhaps the most visited rock painting site in the Gaborone area, the paintings are spread over five separate areas of rock cliff face. Images include giraffe, antelope, human figures and geometric designs, all of which date from between 1100 and 1700AD. They were in all likelihood made by Khoe (click-speaking) herders. Gazetted as a National Monument, the site is fenced, and you can only gain entry through the custodian.

At the south end of the village stands Livingstone’s Tree, under which the great explorer is said to have preached. This old, massive fig tree – now fenced off – rests on its branches that now touch the ground.

1. BAKHURUTSHE CULTURAL VILLAGE

41 KM FROM GABORONE

This delightful diversion is a recreated Hurutshe village offering accommodation (in traditional rondavels), arts, crafts and dancing, and Sunday brunch with local cuisine. Educational cultural tours for schoolchildren are frequently conducted. Tel: +267 72-928-625.

1. Gabane

15KM FROM GABORONE

http://www.botswanatourism.co.bw/explore/gabane

Approximately 15 kms from Gaborone, this lovely village set amongst hills is wonderful for walking and exploring on foot. It is home to the Pelegano Village Industry, a development estate that houses a number of different village ventures, including a glass factory, metal works and a sorghum milling plant. The pottery factory and shop feature uniquely designed tableware, vases, and decorative items.

1. Kolobeng

20KM FROM GABORONE

http://www.botswanatourism.co.bw/explore/kolobeng

The site of David Livingstone’s third and final mission station was Kolobeng, approximately 20 kms west of Gaborone, past Gabane. Here he built the house and church. The picture above is showing a site of David Livingstone’s final mission, Kolobeng. At  22, this is where Kolobeng and his wife Mary would work to convert the local Bakwena to Christianity. Their daughter Elizabeth, who died at the age of six weeks, is buried here. What remains now is the foundation of the house. Kolobeng is gazetted as a National Monument, and you can only gain entry through the custodian.

1. MOCHUDI

41 KM FROM GABORONE

http://www.botswanatourism.co.bw/explore/mochudi

Mochudi is the main village for Bakgatla tribe whose totem is a monkey. Bakgatla who migrated from present day South Africa in 1871 to escape Boer encroachment of their lands, settled at the base of Phuthadikobo Hill and along the Ngotwane River.

1. Molepolole

60 KM FROM GABORONE

http://www.botswanatourism.co.bw/explore/molepolole

Often referred to as ‘Gateway to the Kalahari,’ Molepolole is a village that one passes on the way to Khutse Game Reserve. Home to the Bakwena people, on and off for the past four hundred years, their tradition of building stone walls around their courtyards is still practised by some families.

1. Thamaga

50 KM FROM GABORONE

http://www.botswanatourism.co.bw/explore/thamaga

This picturesque village, situated southwest of Gaborone, is set amongst large granite boulders, the largest being Thamaga Hill. It is best known for its very beautiful pottery, of the same name, and its factory has been in operation for more than 30 years. A wide range of top quality products is available, from tea and coffee sets, to platters, to candle holders, to full tableware sets, all in keeping with its inimitable designs.

1. Oodi Weavers

7 KM FROM GABORONE

http://www.botswanatourism.co.bw/explore/oodi-weavers

The Lentswe-la-Oodi Weavers is a Swedish-initiated cooperative (1973) situated in Oodi village, approximately 20 kms north of Gaborone, on the Francistown Road. The weavers – mostly women who now fully own the cooperative – produce handwoven wall hangings, tapestries, runners, napkins, cushion covers, jackets, and bedspreads, all designed by the weavers themselves. The wool is hand-woven and hand-dyed. Most designs depict rural scenes, animals or geometric patterns.

1. Lobatse

74 KM FROM GABORONE

http://www.botswanatourism.co.bw/explore/lobatse

A drive past the country’s High Court, as well as the Botswana Meat Commission (BMC), one of Africa’s largest abattoirs and meat-processing operations, welcomes you to Lobatse.

Approximately 70 kms south of Gaborone, is the last stop for cattle farmers trekking their livestock hundreds of kilometres through Kalahari sands for sale to the BMC. Cattle farming is the country’s third largest revenue earner, and its high quality, free-roaming beef is primarily exported to the United Kingdom and the European Union. Tours to the BMC can be arranged through the General Manager Operations, Tel: +267 533- 1292

1. Otse

52 KM FROM GABORONE

http://www.botswanatourism.co.bw/explore/otse

Boasting a number of glorious climbing and hiking options, the most prominent being the ‘Lovers’ Hill,’ (‘Lentswe la Baratani’),Otse is a quaint but stunning village about 40 kilometres from Gaborone.

‘Lovers’ Hill,’ (‘Lentswe la Baratani’), carries a Shakespearean-esque legend about two young lovers who were refused permission to marry. Despondent, they both flung themselves off the cliff to their deaths. The hill is regarded as sacred; and historically Batswana would neither climb the hill, nor point to it.