Gaborone Game Reserve

Gaborone Game Reserve, Botswana - Complete Travel Guide

Gaborone Game Reserve, located just 5 kilometers from Botswana's capital city, offers an easily accessible wildlife experience that combines urban convenience with authentic African safari adventures. This compact 5,000-hectare reserve serves as a perfect introduction to Botswana's incredible wildlife, featuring diverse ecosystems including riverine forests, grasslands, and seasonal wetlands along the Notwane River. The reserve is home to over 30 mammal species including kudu, impala, warthogs, zebras, and various antelope species, plus more than 200 bird species. What makes Gaborone Game Reserve particularly special is its role as a wildlife sanctuary and breeding center, contributing to conservation efforts across Botswana. The reserve offers excellent game viewing opportunities, educational programs, and serves as a peaceful retreat from city life. With well-maintained roads, picnic facilities, and walking trails, it provides both self-drive safari experiences and guided tours, making it ideal for families, first-time safari visitors, and wildlife enthusiasts looking for a convenient yet authentic African wildlife experience.

Top Gaborone Game Reserve

Self-Drive Game Viewing

Explore the reserve's network of dirt roads in your own vehicle, spotting wildlife at your own pace through diverse habitats. The reserve's compact size makes it perfect for half-day or full-day game drives, with excellent opportunities to see kudu, impala, zebra, and various antelope species. Early morning and late afternoon drives offer the best wildlife viewing opportunities when animals are most active.

Booking Tip: Entry fees are around 20-30 BWP per person. Visit early morning (6-9 AM) or late afternoon (4-6 PM) for best wildlife sightings. Ensure your vehicle has good ground clearance for dirt roads, and bring plenty of water and snacks.

Guided Walking Safari

Experience the African bush on foot with experienced local guides who share insights about animal tracks, medicinal plants, and ecosystem dynamics. Walking safaris offer intimate encounters with smaller wildlife and birds that are often missed during vehicle-based game drives. These educational walks typically last 2-3 hours and provide excellent photography opportunities.

Booking Tip: Walking safaris cost 150-250 BWP per person and must be booked in advance through the reserve office. Wear neutral-colored clothing, comfortable walking shoes, and bring a hat and sunscreen. Best conducted in cooler morning hours.

Bird Watching Along Notwane River

The reserve's riverine areas attract over 200 bird species, making it a great destination for birdwatchers and nature photographers. Species include African fish eagles, kingfishers, herons, various weavers, and seasonal migrants. The diverse habitats from wetlands to acacia woodlands support both water birds and terrestrial species throughout the year.

Booking Tip: Best bird watching is during early morning hours (6-10 AM). Bring binoculars and a bird identification guide. Dry season (May-September) concentrates birds around water sources, while wet season (October-April) brings migratory species.

Educational Nature Programs

Participate in conservation-focused educational programs that highlight Botswana's wildlife conservation efforts and the reserve's role as a breeding sanctuary. These programs include presentations about local ecosystems, conservation challenges, and the reserve's contribution to wildlife research and protection. Perfect for families and school groups seeking educational wildlife experiences.

Booking Tip: Educational programs cost 100-150 BWP per person and should be arranged 2-3 days in advance. Programs are available in English and Setswana. Group discounts available for 10+ participants.

Photography Safari

Take advantage of the reserve's accessibility and diverse wildlife for photography sessions, with opportunities to capture both large mammals and smaller species in natural settings. The varied landscapes from grasslands to riverine forests provide excellent backdrops for wildlife photography. The reserve's relatively tame animals allow for closer photographic opportunities than more remote reserves.

Booking Tip: Golden hour lighting (first and last hours of sunlight) provides best photography conditions. Bring telephoto lenses for wildlife shots. Consider hiring a local guide who knows animal behavior patterns and best viewing spots for 200-300 BWP per day.

Getting There

Gaborone Game Reserve is easily accessible by road, located just 5 kilometers from Gaborone city center along the Gaborone-Lobatse road. From Sir Seretse Khama International Airport, the reserve is approximately 20 kilometers away, reachable by rental car, taxi, or pre-arranged transfer in about 30 minutes. Most visitors drive from Gaborone city center, following clear signage to the reserve entrance. Public transport options are limited, so renting a car or joining a tour is recommended for convenient access.

Getting Around

The reserve is best explored by vehicle, with a network of well-maintained dirt roads suitable for most cars with reasonable ground clearance. Self-drive options are popular and allow visitors to explore at their own pace, stopping for wildlife sightings and photography. Guided tours in open safari vehicles are available through local operators and provide expert wildlife knowledge. Walking is permitted only on designated trails and guided walking safaris. The compact size of the reserve makes it easy to navigate, with clear trail markers and information boards throughout.

Where to Stay

Gaborone City Center

Game City Mall Area

Extension Areas

Airport Road Hotels

Phakalane Golf Estate

Village/Tlokweng Border Area

Food & Dining

While the reserve itself has limited dining facilities, visitors can pack picnic lunches to enjoy at designated picnic sites within the reserve, offering meals with wildlife views. Gaborone city, just minutes away, offers diverse dining options from traditional Botswana cuisine featuring seswaa (shredded beef) and bogobe (sorghum porridge) to international restaurants, steakhouses, and fast food chains. Many hotels near the reserve provide packed lunch services for day trips, and several restaurants in Gaborone specialize in game meat dishes, allowing visitors to taste local flavors after their wildlife viewing experience.

When to Visit

The dry season from May to September offers the best wildlife viewing conditions, with animals concentrating around water sources and vegetation being less dense for easier spotting. Temperatures are cooler and more comfortable for outdoor activities, with minimal rainfall disrupting game drives. The wet season from October to April brings lush green landscapes, newborn animals, and excellent bird watching opportunities with migratory species present, though some roads may become challenging after heavy rains. Year-round mild climate makes the reserve accessible throughout the year, with each season offering unique advantages for different types of wildlife experiences.

Insider Tips

Visit during weekdays to avoid crowds and have a more peaceful wildlife experience, as the reserve can get busy with local families on weekends

Bring your own snacks and drinks as facilities within the reserve are basic, and pack extra water especially during warmer months

Combine your reserve visit with a trip to nearby Mokolodi Nature Reserve for a full day of wildlife viewing, or visit Gaborone's Kampala afterward for local souvenirs