Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
If you've time, some of the best handicrafts are available straight from the source at
workshops in nearby Oodi, Gabane and Thamaga. Otherwise, Gaborone has a handful of
outstanding shops selling high-quality crafts at fixed prices.
Botswanacraft Marketing
Offline map
( 392 2487;
www.botswanacraft.bw
;
Western Bypass, off Airport Rd; 8am-6pm
Mon-Fri, to 5pm Sat, 9am-1pm Sun)
Botswana's largest craft emporium sells traditional
souvenirs, including pottery from Gabane and Thamaga, San jewellery and baskets from
across the country, at fixed prices. It also has books, jewellery, carvings and textiles, but
most of these are from elsewhere in Africa, from Mali to the Congo. There's also the good
on-site Courtyard Restaurant (
Click here
)
.
HANDICRAFTS
Kalahari Quilts
Offline map
( 7261 8711;
www.kalahariquilts.com
; Unit 7A, Kgale Hill Shopping Mall;
9am-5pm Mon-Fri, to 2pm Sat)
These stunning quilts are made by Batswana women,
overseen by the engaging Jenny Healy, and are a genuinely unique craft to take home.
Each one bears an individual imprint, although all do a good job at capturing the primary-
colour-heavy palette that is this country's sensory assault. There's a lot more than quilts
around - baby slings, cushion covers and the like are all for sale.
ARTS & CRAFTS
Exclusive Books
( 370 0130; Riverwalk Mall; 9am-5pm Mon-Fri, to 2pm Sat)
Easily Gaborone's
best bookshop, this large shop in the Riverwalk Mall has literature, nonfiction and travel
books, with excellent sections focused on Africa.
BOOKS
Thapong Visual Arts Centre
( 316 1771;
www.thapongartscentre.org.bw
;
Baratani Rd, The Village; 8am-5pm
Mon-Fri, 9am-5pm Sat & Sun)
A small gallery of modern and contemporary local work
that should be a first stop for anyone interested in buying art that goes beyond the usual
African wildlife stuff and wooden masks.
ARTS & CRAFTS
