Capital city in South-East District, Botswana
Is Gaborone safe?
Calm by regional standards, but break-ins and car thefts are common.
Is Gaborone safe?
Calm by regional standards, but break-ins and car thefts are common. Daytime is fine; take care after dark and keep valuables out of parked cars.
Key facts
- SoloSquare safety rating: 4/5, safe with normal care.
- US travel advisory: Level 2: Exercise increased caution, updated 2026-06-16.
- Homicide rate in Botswana: 11.4 per 100,000 people (2021, UNODC via World Bank).
- Road deaths in Botswana: 26.4 per 100,000 people a year (2019, WHO).
- Emergency numbers: Police 999 · Ambulance 997 · Fire 998.
Safety in Gaborone at a glance
| What to expect | |
|---|---|
| Overall | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Crime | Home and car break-ins, smash-and-grab, and bag snatching in malls and the Main Mall; muggings after dark. |
| At night | Drive or take a taxi. Walking after dark is not recommended, even in better suburbs. |
| Solo women | Generally comfortable by day; avoid walking alone after dark and use taxis or ride apps. |
| Other risks | Reckless driving and long minibus routes; Summer storms and flash floods; Heat on hikes at Kgale Hill |
Scams, areas and local laws
Common scams
- Fake parking attendants asking for cash
- Distraction thefts at ATMs and malls
- Strangers offering lifts in unmarked cars
Take care
- Main Mall and bus station after dark
- Poorly lit areas in older suburbs
- Leaving valuables visible in cars
Calmer areas to stay
Laws visitors break by accident
- Drug offences carry fines up to P500,000 and up to 25 years in prison.
- Photographing military or government installations is illegal.
- Hunting, buying or trading protected wildlife products brings severe sentences.
How Gaborone compares in Botswana
Quick answers
Is Gaborone safe for solo female travelers?
Generally comfortable by day; avoid walking alone after dark and use taxis or ride apps.
Is Gaborone safe at night?
Drive or take a taxi. Walking after dark is not recommended, even in better suburbs.
What is the crime rate in Gaborone?
Home and car break-ins, smash-and-grab, and bag snatching in malls and the Main Mall; muggings after dark. Nationally, Botswana records 11.4 homicides per 100,000 people a year (2021).
What number do I call in an emergency in Gaborone?
Police 999 · Ambulance 997 · Fire 998.
More about Gaborone
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Sources
- US State Department travel advisory
- Botswana Tourism Organisation
- Civil Aviation Authority of Botswana
- World Bank: intentional homicides (UNODC)
- World Bank: road traffic deaths (WHO)
Safety ratings are SoloSquare's editorial judgment from official advisories, crime data and local reporting. Compiled and reviewed by SoloSquare. How we compile and score this. Spotted something out of date? Tell us.