How to Find Luxury Hotels in Gaborone, Botswana

Gaborone is the capital city of Botswana. Located in the southeastern corner of the country and only 15 kilometers from South Africa, Botswana is known as a haven for African wildlife. In the interest of conservation, Botswana tourism is designed to be low in volume with an emphasis on high-end accommodations and touring.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Things You’ll Need:

• Passport
• Computer with internet access for making reservations

Choose a Luxury Hotel in Gaborone, Botswana

1. To book accommodations, contact the Department of Tourism of Botswana at 011 ([phone] or visit their Web site (see Resources, below). Book a room in the central business district for convenient access to government buildings such as the State House and international embassies. Rooms at 3-star hotels run about $100 to $150 per night.
2. Stay in one of the luxurious resort casinos a few kilometers outside the Gaborone city center for international standard accommodations. Catering to discerning world-class business and leisure travelers, these hotels boast well-appointed rooms, conference facilities and first class service.
3. Consider staying on the outskirts of the city (15 kilometers from the city center) on a golf course for spacious accommodations. Rent a luxurious three-bedroom chalet for less than $150 per person based on one occupant. Rates are less per person for multiple occupants.

Prepare for Your Stay in Gaborone, Botswana

4. Prepare to use the Botswana Pula, the official currency. Check the exchange rate before you leave. Major credit cards are widely accepted in international hotels, as are traveler's checks and some foreign currency.
5. Visit in the dry season. The semi-arid climate means temperatures do not fluctuate that much. Even in the cold and dry season (May to September) average daytime temperature is 77 degrees F. The rainy season (October to April) is extremely hot.
6. Book flights into Sir Seretse Khama International Airport, only nine miles from the Gaborone city center. Taxis to most hotels only take 15 minutes.

Tips & Warnings

• Expect to pay less for luxury accommodations in Botswana compared to 4- and 5-star resorts in the United States.
• All phone numbers include the international prefix "011." When calling internationally but not from the United States or Canada, substitute that "011" with "00." All country codes are within parentheses and begin with a "+" sign.
• Water in major cities in Botswana is safe to drink, but often there will be bottled water available as well.
• Be sure to have a return or onward ticket indicating your plans to leave the country within 90 days.
• Book a package deal if you are interested in a safari tour of Botswana. It's hard to get around Botswana because of poor road systems. Touring companies package transportation and accommodations to ease the travel process.
• Malaria is a major health risk in Botswana. Consider beginning a course of antimalarial prophylactics before arriving.