The termite mounds
Tall towers of earth.
Oratile Leipego — CC BY-SA 4.0 · Oratile Leipego — CC BY-SA 4.0 · Oratile Leipego — CC BY-SA 4.0 · Oratile Leipego — CC BY-SA 4.0 · Oratile Leipego — CC BY-SA 4.0
Gaborone Game Reserve is a small natural area inside Botswana's capital, one of the smallest protected areas in the country and among the easiest to reach. It gives anyone short of time, or unable to get to the big parks, a glimpse of southern Africa's dry savanna only minutes from the city centre. It was established in 1988 and covers just under 600 hectares, so it does not try to be a full safari, rather a quiet introduction well suited to families. A single gravel loop can be driven in under an hour, with a few picnic spots and bird hides along the way. Warthogs, impala, kudu, zebras, vervet monkeys and eland live here, best seen early in the morning or just before dusk. The artificial waterhole and woodland attract many birds, including kingfishers, hornbills, storks and weavers. You will also see tall termite mounds, one of the reserve's distinctive sights, and perhaps tortoises among the leaves. It is 3 km in a straight line from central Gaborone, and the roads are usually fine in an ordinary car, with no need for a 4x4. One guide gives opening hours of 6:30 am to 6:30 pm. Facilities are few, so bring water, stay near your car and do not feed the animals.
Tall towers of earth.
A draw for birds.
A short, quiet drive.
East of central Gaborone, Botswana
Usually not, as the gravel road is in fair condition.
Early in the morning or just before dusk.