100% Africa !

Botswana’s capital, Gaborone, is a vibrant and colourful city, situated in the flat valley between Kgale and Oodi hills, on the Notwane River in the south eastern corner of Botswana. It’s often described as Africa’s fastest growing city, and one only has to see the growing number of inhabitants of this land, to understand why. With a population of 192 000 people in 1998, it is the capital city, with the seat of government and the commercial and administrative heart in the centre. It is named after Kgosi Gaborone, who led the Batlokwa tribe into the area in the 1880’s. Settling in Tlokweng, which is the first urban are you reach when driving into the city. In the early 1890’s, a colonial fort was built in the area now known as The Village near Tlokweng. Its ruins can still be seen near the Village Cinema.
The Main Mall – definitely the starting point for your journey in Gaborone. Planned in 1963, the area was prepared for the Independence, its purpose to be the town centre, cleverly located between the Railway Station and the Army Garrison. Today, it’s the heart of Gaborone. It has shops, banks, business offices, and walkways with people selling crafts and many other goods of interest. At the eastern end of The Mall, is where you’ll find the Civic Centre, housing a public reference library. Commemorating the Independence of Botswana, you’ll find the Pula Arch opposite the Civic Centre.
Surrounded by other tall government buildings, The National Assembly is found at the top of the Main Mall. At the centre of this government enclave is where you’ll find a paved square with a War Memorial, built in memory of the 300 Botswana people who died fighting with the Allies against Fascism in the Second World War, 1939, to 1945. You’ll also find a statue of Sir Seretse Khama, the first President of Botwana.
Just south of the Main Mall, you’ll find the National Sports Stadium, the Gaborone Golf Club, the Cricket Club, the Rugby Club and the Botswana Tennis Association Courts where the international Davis Cup competition was hosted in 1997. Numerous gymnasiums throughout the city all have good in-house health club facilities. With a second golf course also having recently been completed in Phakalane, your visit can be filled with activities of all kinds.
On the western edge of the city, Kgale Hill dominates Gaborone. Offering pleasant climbing conditions with breathtaking views of the Dam, and not to mention the city. Visitors are allowed to choose one of the three well-defined routes up the hill namely Rusty’s Route – steep up the rocky face; Transfeldt Trail – longer up the back; Cross Kopje – the undulating walk across the saddle. All take less than an hour, but beware of the troop of baboons living on Kgale, and the pair of black eagles, consistently nesting in the craggy cliff-face below the peak. There’ve also been reportings of early morning sightings of leopard!
But we all know that lions are the major attractions, so why not pay the St Claire Lion Park a visit, it has a great deal more to offer! Situated on the Lobatse Road, set in an open woodland, a variety of outdoor activities are offered for the family, also offering a relaxing spot for weekend picnics and getaways.