Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Botswana Book Centre
( The Mall; 8.30am-5pm Mon-Fri, to 12.30pm Sat)
You wouldn't cross town for it, and
like the Mall it inhabits it has a neglected air. But this bookshop is worth dropping into for
its excellent range of international magazines, with quite a few newspapers thrown in as
well.
BOOKS
Information
Dangers & Annoyances
Gaborone is a generally safe city by African standards and it's certainly a welcome respite
from the tension you feel on the streets of some South African cities. Crime does happen
here - mostly pickpocketing and petty theft, with occasional muggings - although most
visitors encounter no problems during their stay.
Even so, it pays to be careful. Always take cabs at night, especially if you're a woman
or on your own. Use drivers recommended by hotels and try to keep their phone numbers,
as some people have been robbed in unmarked cabs. The main Mall is fine to walk around
in during the day but is probably best avoided after dark. Tsholofelo Park, just south of
Gaborone Private Hospital, also warrants a wide berth. Try not to walk along public gre-
enways, as they're both a traffic hazard and a likely target for muggers.
Traffic is becoming an increasing problem as more Batswana buy cars and start driving,
often for the first time in their lives. Be extremely careful on the road during the last
weekend of the month, when everyone gets paid and many people get drunk and get be-
hind the wheel - a toxic combination.
Emergency
Ambulance
( 997)
Fire Department
( 998)
Police
( 999)
Internet Access
Wireless (usually but not always free) is now almost standard in most Gaborone hotels.
Otherwise, most internet cafes rarely last the distance.
