Gaborone
Decide whether to visit or live in Gaborone, then explore current conditions, local people, the map, and concise sourced context.
Check visit & living safetyUpdated Tuesday, October 27, 2026 · sourced live layer and versioned editorial content
AI-assisted, evidence-constrained research · how this page is made
Would you visit or live in Gaborone?
Choose your plan and circumstances. The result changes immediately using today's advisory, weather, air-quality, and sourced local signals.
Generally suitable with routine precautions
Travelers entering Botswana should note entry requirements regarding those entering from Ebola-affected regions.
high source confidence · current planning signal, not a personal-safety guaranteeSee the evidence and calculation
- No high-severity wording detected in the supplied advisory
- Latest air-quality reading is not elevated
- New information about entry requirements for those entering from Ebola-affected regions.
The score combines dated official-advisory wording, weather, air quality, sourced local context, and your selections. It does not predict crime or individual outcomes. Check local authorities and professional advice before a safety-critical decision.
Climate normals · 2016–2025
When to go: Gaborone month by month
Judged purely on 2016–2025 weather records, the friendliest months in Gaborone are typically May, June and July, with average daytime highs around 22–24°C. November is usually the warmest month (average high 32°C), July the coldest (average low 7°C), and January the wettest (about 85 mm). These are long-run averages, not a forecast.
| Month | Avg high (°C) | Avg low (°C) | Rain (mm) | Sunshine (h/day) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 31.0 | 20.2 | 85 | 11.5 |
| February | 30.4 | 20.1 | 81 | 10.8 |
| March | 29.7 | 18.2 | 26 | 10.8 |
| April | 26.8 | 14.9 | 40 | 9.9 |
| May | 24.0 | 10.3 | 7 | 10.3 |
| June | 21.6 | 7.2 | 3 | 10.1 |
| July | 21.7 | 6.5 | 2 | 10.4 |
| August | 26.0 | 9.8 | 1 | 10.7 |
| September | 30.1 | 14.1 | 1 | 11.2 |
| October | 31.7 | 16.9 | 22 | 11.2 |
| November | 32.0 | 18.7 | 43 | 11.4 |
| December | 31.4 | 19.8 | 83 | 11.3 |
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People and places shaping Gaborone
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Research updated Tuesday, October 27, 2026Past and future events in Gaborone
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No future event in Gaborone currently has a sufficiently reliable date and source. This is checked again on every refresh.
Previously
- Documented history · 1880
In more recent history, the Tlokwa left the Magaliesberg ranges to settle in the area around 1880, and called the settlement Moshaweng.
- Documented history · 1890
In 1890, Cecil John Rhodes picked Gaberones to house a colonial fort.
- Documented history · 1969
The city changed its name from Gaberones to Gaborone in 1969.
- Documented history · 1964
The modern town was only founded in 1964, after a decision was taken to establish a capital for Botswana, which became a self governing territory in 1965, before becoming a fully independent republic on 30 September 1966.
Sources checked (25)
- Gaborone
- Gaborone | Botswana, Capital, Population, & Map | Britannica
- Botswana - Wikipedia
- THE 15 BEST Things to Do in Gaborone (2026) - Tripadvisor
- Gaborone, BW - Explore in Google Maps
- The History of Gaborone: How a Small Settlement Became a Capital
- Gaborone, Botswana: All You Must Know Before You Go (2026) - Tripadvisor
- Gaborone - Wikiwand
- 25 Best & Fun Things to Do in Gaborone - The Tourist Checklist
- 8 Best Things to Do in Gaborone, Botswana | She is Wanderlust
- 4 Famous People from Gaborone, Botswana | Pantheon
- Famous People from Gaborone, Botswana | 4 Notable People ...
- Celebrities Born In Gaborone, Botswana - Famous Birthdays
- Category:People from Gaborone - Wikipedia
- List of People from Gaborone - FamousFix List
- History of Gaborone - Wikipedia
- Gaborone History – Origins, Timeline & Architecture
- Gaborone History: From Small Settlement to Capital
- Timeline of Gaborone - Wikipedia
- Looking back at the history of Gaborone - Sunday Standard
- Gaborone History: How Botswana’s Capital Took Shape
- History of Gaborone — Grokipedia
- 73 Top Companies in Gaborone · October 2026 - F6S
- List of 6,784 Registered Companies in Gaborone, Botswana
- Wikidata structured records for Gaborone
Interactive geography
See Gaborone in context
Keep the deeper context
Stable history, culture, districts, and practical reference remain in the main reading flow while the live layers above continue changing.
01 · OverviewGaborone, in brief
Gaborone is the capital and largest city of Botswana, functioning as the nation's political and economic heart. Situated in the southeastern corner of the country near the South African border, the city spans an administrative district in its own right while serving as the capital of the surrounding South-East District.
How did the city come to be established?
The modern town was founded in 1964 to serve as the capital for Botswana ahead of the territory's independence. Planners chose the site because of its proximity to a fresh water source, its central location among regional tribes, and its lack of historical affiliation with any single indigenous group, avoiding favoritism. The area had previously been known as Gaberones during the colonial era and was named after Chief Gaborone of the Tlokwa people.
What languages are spoken through cultural exchange in the urban center?
As a major administrative and economic hub drawing residents from across the region, Gaborone features a diverse linguistic landscape. The main spoken languages in the city include Setswana, English, Kalanga, and Kgalagadi. English and Setswana are also officially recognized across Botswana under the codes en-BW and tn-BW.
How has the population grown over time?
Based on the 2022 census, Gaborone has a population of 246,325 inhabitants, which accounts for about 10% of the total population of Botswana. Its broader metropolitan area supports 534,842 inhabitants. Driven by net in-migration from the rest of the country, the city once ranked among the fastest-growing urban areas in the world and maintains a population growth rate of 3.4%.
The city's monetary transactions operate using the currency with the code BWP. Beyond national governance, Gaborone hosts international institutions such as the headquarters of the Southern African Development Community (SADC), reinforcing its role as a cross-border meeting ground.
Frequently Asked Questions about Gaborone
Essential geographic, demographic, currency, and travel context verified from primary records.
01 · Q&AWhere is Gaborone located and what are its coordinates?
Gaborone is situated in Botswana at geographic coordinates -24.6545, 25.9086, with an elevation monitored in regional geographic surveys.
02 · Q&AWhat is the population and time zone of Gaborone?
Gaborone has a recorded population of approximately 246,325 and observes the Africa/Gaborone time zone.
03 · Q&AWhat languages and currency are used in Gaborone?
Official and commonly spoken languages in Gaborone include EN-BW, TN-BW, with BWP used for local transactions.
04 · Q&AHow can I check live conditions and daily updates for Gaborone?
Today's Atlas provides continuous tracking for Gaborone, featuring real-time weather conditions, daylight cycles, local geographic signals, and verified daily briefs.
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