Overview
Gaborone, Botswana's compact capital, sits in the country's south-east near the South African border. It's the natural gateway for a Botswana trip — whether you're travelling on to the Okavango Delta and Chobe, or here for business or family. Flights from the UK to Gaborone (GBE) always involve at least one change, usually in Johannesburg, so the connection is worth planning carefully. The price charts on this page show how current fares are moving.
Best time to fly to Gaborone
Botswana's dry winter, May to October, is the most comfortable time to visit: warm sunny days, cool nights, almost no rain and the best wildlife viewing. July and August are peak season, with high demand for seats. The green season, November to March, brings hot afternoons and thunderstorms but lower fares and fewer visitors. Check the When to book chart above for month-by-month pricing.
Airlines and routes
There are no direct flights from the UK to Gaborone. The simplest routing is British Airways or Virgin Atlantic from London Heathrow to Johannesburg (around 11 hours), then a 50-minute hop to Gaborone with Airlink or Air Botswana. Alternatives connect through Doha with Qatar Airways, Dubai with Emirates, Addis Ababa with Ethiopian Airlines or Nairobi with Kenya Airways, usually onward via Johannesburg. From Manchester and other regional airports you'll normally connect through London or a European hub such as Amsterdam with KLM. Allow 15 to 20 hours in total, depending on your layover.
Things to do in Gaborone
Gaborone is low-key and easy to explore over a day or two before you travel on.
- Gaborone Game Reserve: a small reserve on the city's edge with impala, wildebeest, kudu and excellent birdlife.
- Mokolodi Nature Reserve: just south of town, with guided game drives, rhino and giraffe.
- Kgale Hill: a popular morning hike, the "Sleeping Giant", rewarded with wide views over the city.
- Three Dikgosi Monument: striking bronze statues of the three chiefs who travelled to Britain in 1895.
- Botswana National Museum and Art Gallery: a solid introduction to the country's culture, history and wildlife.
At Sir Seretse Khama International Airport (GBE)
The airport is about 15 km north of the city centre, a drive of roughly 20 minutes. There is no public bus, so most travellers take a metered taxi, a pre-arranged hotel shuttle or a hire car from the terminal desks. Agree the fare before setting off and carry some Pula in cash.
Top tips for finding cheap flights to Gaborone
- Book roughly two to five months ahead for the best choice of connecting fares; last-minute seats via Johannesburg tend to be pricey.
- Fly midweek and avoid the July–August winter peak and the December holidays where you can.
- Keep your dates flexible and use the price charts on this page to spot the cheapest departure days.
- Compare the London–Johannesburg carriers against Middle East hub routings, and book the onward leg to Gaborone as one through-ticket.
Travel essentials
UK passport holders do not need a visa for tourist stays in Botswana of up to 90 days; your passport should be valid for at least six months with blank pages. The currency is the Botswana Pula (BWP); cards are widely accepted in Gaborone, though cash helps elsewhere. Check FCDO and NHS Fit for Travel advice before you go — parts of Botswana carry a malaria risk, and a yellow fever certificate is required if you have recently passed through an affected country.
