Botswana
Profiled in Gaborone · Southern Africa
A low-slung, sun-baked capital where small-town calm meets a quietly rising professional class, with game reserves you can reach before lunch.
Cost of living
What a month costs
Gaborone is mid-priced for the region. Rent and eating out stay gentle, but imported goods and running a car push a family budget higher.
The scores
How it rates for a moving family
See and do
Top 10 in Gaborone
- Three Dikgosi MonumentBronze statues of the three chiefs who secured the nation, in the central business district.
- Gaborone Game ReserveA small reserve inside the city with wildebeest, impala and birdlife.
- Botswana National Museum and Art GalleryCompact museum covering natural history, culture and local art.
- Kgale HillThe sleeping giant on the skyline, a popular half-day hike with baboons and big views.
- Gaborone DamThe reservoir that supplies the city, good for sunset drives and sailing.
- National Botanical GardenQuiet indigenous garden showcasing Botswana plants and shady walking paths.
- Main MallThe old pedestrian heart of the city, lined with vendors, cafes and craft stalls.
- Parliament of BotswanaThe seat of government beside the Sir Seretse Khama statue in the civic quarter.
Where to go
Weekend escapes
- Mokolodi Nature ReserveRhino, giraffe and hills just south of town, easy for a morning game drive.
- Khama Rhino SanctuaryCommunity-run rhino reserve near Serowe, a few hours north for an overnight.
- Madikwe Game ReserveBig Five safari across the South African border, close enough for a long weekend.
- Sun City and PilanesbergResort, casino and malaria-free game park about three hours south in South Africa.
- Kolobeng and ManyanaLivingstone mission ruins and old rock paintings within an easy drive of the city.
Coffee
Best cafes
- Sanitas Tea GardenLeafy nursery cafe locals have loved for decades, big on cake and slow mornings.
- Cafe DijoLong-running spot with strong coffee and a loyal Gaborone crowd.
- Mugg & Bean, RiverwalkReliable mall cafe for a laptop, a cappuccino and generous plates.
- News Cafe, RiverwalkAll-day cafe and bar that fills up with a young after-work set.
Restaurants
Where to eat
- Bull & BushIconic Gaborone pub and grill, an institution for steaks and cold beer.
- Caravela Portuguese RestaurantLong-standing Portuguese kitchen known for peri-peri chicken and seafood.
- Primi Piatti, RiverwalkBright Italian-style chain that is dependable for pasta and family lunches.
Morning
Best breakfast
- Sanitas Tea GardenGarden breakfasts under the trees, a Gaborone weekend ritual.
- Mugg & Bean, RiverwalkBig all-day breakfasts and bottomless coffee in the mall.
- News Cafe, RiverwalkRelaxed morning plates and good coffee before the crowd arrives.
- Cafe DijoProper coffee and simple morning food away from the mall bustle.
Residency
Botswana grants residence permits tied to work, investment or retirement, handled through the immigration authorities. The process can be slow and discretionary, so budget time and expect to renew.
Tax
Botswana runs a source-based tax system, so only Botswana-source income is taxed and foreign income is generally left alone. Personal rates rise to 25 percent and there is no inheritance tax or annual wealth tax.
Thinking about moving here for real? See the verified Botswana residency and citizenship routes →
Curious what you would actually pay? See the Botswana tax profile: income, corporate, VAT and exit rules →
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