gaborone

Botswana National Museum located in the centre of town at Independence Avenue has a nice display of traditional artefacts, crafts and paintings relevant to the country’s natural and cultural heritage. The National Museum officially opened in September, 1968 by the President of Botswana is a vibrant focal point of artistic and cultural activity since its inception. The adjoining National Art Gallery was opened in 1975 and it continually stages quality exhibitions of art, crafts and photography of increasing diversity. The Museum has registered and documented over 100000 artefacts, 40000 insect specimens and 20000 slides and also houses priceless paintings and original historical photos.

National Botanical Garden is a welcome addition to the city of Gaborone. It features walking trails, exhibits the flora of Botswana, a library of botanical books and historical buildings including a colonial guest house. This is a pleasant place for a family outing also providing an educational perspective on the country’s flora. The Garden occupies the area of 7 hctrs along the Notwane River in the Village near the Thapong Visual Arts Centre.
 

Gaborone Game Reserve is located in Broadhurst is a place for tourists interested in herbivores and bird watching. The reserve is situated in an area of 5 sq kms and was established by the Kalahari Conservation Society in 1988 to allow urban dwellers to enjoy the wildlife.  The reserve has zebra, wildbeest, kudu, eland, ostriches, warthogs and an array of bird life. Terrain includes tree savannah, riparian woodland, marsh and rocky outcrops. The park is popular for weekend outings and picnics with two well appointed picnic sites.
 

Walking past the city of Gaborone tourists will come across the Three Dikgosi Monument. The Three Dikgosi Monument is another impressive historical statue that marks an important turning point in the history of Botswana. The monument was sculpted and cast by North Korean artisans using a photograph of the three chiefs. It was unveiled on the occasion of the country’s 39th anniversary of independence in 2005.
 

The Botswana Hindu Charities Trust (BHCT) built the Sri Balaji Temple in Gaborone in the classical Dravidian architectural style. This Temple is one of its kinds in the Southern African region and become a cultural attraction in Gaborone, after earning the people's admiration for the architectural and the sculptural beauty. The Temple has 10 sanctum sanctorums to house Lord Balaji and his consorts Sridevi and Bhudevi as the presiding deity. The doors for the Maha Mandap and the Rajagopuram were imported from Kerala, India. 
 

ISKCON Gaborone known for its excessive amount of activities and festivities is the spiritual centre of Hare Krishna devotees. The ISKCON Botswana temple is situated in West Phase opposite Baobab Primary School. It is a magnificent temple orange and maroon in colour embellished with elephant and floral carvings and topped by a pagoda that has attracted many people from all parts of the country to see its magnificent art work that can be seen on the outside and especially on the inside. During festivals crowds of devotees come from all around the world creating a lively atmosphere.