Things to Do in Sir Seretse Khama International Airport

Aviation viewing deck at sunset

Climb the outside staircase near the departures café and you'll find an open-air balcony that faces west. From here the tarmac stretches like grey silk, and when the sun drops behind the Kgale escarpment the sky turns molten orange while incoming aircraft glide in through ribbons of violet cloud. The metal railing warms under your palms, and you can taste the faint dust that each landing kicks up.

Mokoro craft display in arrivals corridor

Just before the baggage claim, a glass-walled booth shows a full-size fibreglass mokoro dug-out, its interior polished smooth by countless imaginary hands. Overhead speakers loop the plop of pole against water and the low hum of a baritone lechwe, giving you an oddly calming preview of the Okavango even while you're still surrounded by concrete.

Airport perimeter cycle trail

Borrow a complimentary yellow bike from the information desk and follow the 5-km dirt track that skirts the fence. You'll pedal past acacia shrubs where crimson-breasted shrikes flit, and the rumble of departing jets vibrates through the handlebars each time a plane throttles up. Morning rides smell of wild sage warmed by the rising sun.

Live traditional music pop-up

On Friday afternoons a trio of elderly men often sets up near the coffee kiosk, plucking four-string segankuru and thumbing hand-drums. The syncopated rhythms bounce off the glass walls, and the scent of freshly ground beans mixes with the earthy smell of cow-hide drums. Passengers waiting for regional flights sometimes break into spontaneous clapping.

Local art kiosk browsing

Tucked between the pharmacy and bookstore, a small stall sells miniature wire bicycles and painted ostrich eggs. Running your fingers over the cold, smooth shell feels oddly grounding after hours in a pressurised cabin, and the vendor usually hums along to Radio Botswana, the tinny melody drifting above the rustle of paper wrapping.

Airport Lodge (two minutes' drive, popular with overnight flyers and has a small pool that glows turquoise under floodlights)

Peermont Mondior (part of the airport precinct, balcony rooms face the apron so you can plane-spot in your slippers)

Cresta President (CBD, 20 min away, rooftop bar catches the evening breeze)

The Grand Palm (casino complex with decent Sunday brunch buffet)

Phakalane Golf Estate (upmarket, 10 min north, rooms overlook watered greens that attract hadeda ibis at dawn)

Brackenhurst B&B (quiet suburban house, good if you have an early flight and want homemade rusks before departure)