2-Day Gaborone Tour: City, Village & Wildlife

The San tribe's rock paintings and a Tswana homestead sit 50km outside the city you started in.

A 2-day tour from Gaborone combining city history, village culture and wildlife in one itinerary. Day one covers Gaborone's landmarks (the Botswana monument, university, art gallery, modern village and township) ending with local cuisine. Day two travels to Manyana village to see rock paintings and hear San tribe history, visit the David Livingstone tree, tour a traditional Tswana homestead, and finish with lunch and an optional game drive at Mokolodi nature reserve. A live English-speaking guide leads both days. Private transport and bottled water are included.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1: Gaborone city tour and lunch

• Pick up and visit Botswana monument
• Visit Main mall and taste indigenous fruit
• Visit university of the people
• Visit art gallery with local artworks
• See modern village in the city
• Drive through city township
• Lunch and craftshop visit

Day 2: Village visit and nature reserve

• Visit Manyana village and rock paintings
• See David Livingstone tree and homestead
• Lunch at Mokolodi nature reserve
• Optional game drive at Mokolodi
• Return to accommodation

The experience

The first day anchors itself in Gaborone's story. You start at the Botswana monument, then move through the main mall to taste seasonal indigenous fruit from street vendors. A visit to the University of the People explains how it shaped the nation, and the art gallery shows work by local artists: paintings, sculptures, handmade jewelry and traditional attire. You'll see the modern village that became the city's foundation, drive through the township, and end with lunch at a local restaurant where you can try Batswana cuisine and browse the craft shop before returning by mid-afternoon.

Day two takes you 50km outside the city to Manyana village, where rock paintings tell the story of the San tribe who once occupied the land. A guide shares the history of the people and the conflicts that shaped the region. You'll stand at the David Livingstone tree and visit a working Tswana homestead to see how families live in the village. Lunch happens at Mokolodi nature reserve, and if you choose the optional game drive, you'll spend the afternoon watching wildlife before heading back to your accommodation by 5pm.

The tour runs with a knowledgeable guide who speaks English and can adjust the itinerary if you want to explore something further. Transport is private, so you travel at your own pace without sharing the vehicle. Bottled water comes with both days. The game drive at Mokolodi costs extra and is entirely optional. You can skip it and end the day with lunch instead.

What’s included

• Private transportation for both days.
• bottled water.
• lunch on day one and day two.
• live English-speaking guide.
• pickup and drop-off at your accommodation.
• entry to Gaborone landmarks on day one and Manyana village sites on day two.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDeparts at 09:00

Book up to8h before

AgesAdult (18 to 49 years) · Senior (50 and older) · Youth (13 to 17 years) · Child (4 to 12 years) · Under 4: can't be booked

GroupPrivate

Live guideEnglish

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.

Prices and times updated 4 days ago

Good to know

Low physical effortWheelchair accessibleStroller-friendlyPublic transport nearby

Operated by Heritage Adventures

Is this one for you?Choose this two-day tour if you want to see both Gaborone's urban landmarks and rural village life with a single guide, rather than booking separate half-day and full-day experiences.

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Top questions

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Youth (13 to 17 years); Child (4 to 12 years). Children under 4 can't be included in the booking.

What exactly is the Botswana monument and why does the tour start there?

The Botswana monument is where the tour begins on day one. It marks the opening of Gaborone's story and sets the context for the city landmarks you'll visit afterward.

Can I see rock paintings on this tour, or is that only in the optional game drive?

Rock paintings are part of day two at Manyana village and are included in the main tour. The optional game drive at Mokolodi nature reserve is separate and costs extra if you want to add it.

How much time do I spend in the city versus the village?

Day one runs from 9am to 2pm in Gaborone itself. Day two, from 9am to 5pm, takes you to Manyana village 50km away, then to Mokolodi nature reserve for lunch and the optional game drive.

Do I need to pay for meals, or are they included?

Lunch is included on both days. You and your guide's meals are covered as part of the tour price.

What is a traditional Tswana homestead like, and do I get to spend time there?

A traditional Tswana homestead on day two shows how families live in the village. You visit a working home to see daily life firsthand, not just pass by.

Is the game drive at Mokolodi worth the extra cost?

The game drive is optional and costs extra. You'll see wildlife in the afternoon at Mokolodi nature reserve if you add it. Without it, you end the day with lunch at the reserve.