Should I bring furniture from abroad or buy locally?

Buy locally or in South Africa. Shipping furniture to Botswana is expensive and slow. Gaborone has several furniture stores (Game, HomeChoice, local dealers), and many expats make a shopping trip to Johannesburg (5-hour drive) for larger purchases. Furnished rentals are available at a premium in central areas.

Is it safe to live in unfenced properties?

Most residential properties in Gaborone have perimeter walls or fences with security gates, which is standard across southern Africa. Gated compounds and estates (like Phakalane) offer additional security guards and CCTV. Crime in Gaborone is relatively low, but basic security measures are recommended.

How reliable are utilities in Botswana?

Electricity and water are generally reliable in Gaborone, though occasional outages occur. Load-shedding (planned power cuts) happens during peak demand periods. Water shortages occur during dry seasons. Many expat homes have backup water tanks and inverters or generators for power outages.

Can I get fibre internet in Botswana?

Yes — fibre is available in Gaborone's main residential areas, with speeds up to 100 Mbps. Coverage is expanding but not universal. In Maun and smaller towns, mobile broadband (4G) is often the only option, with speeds of 10–15 Mbps. Check coverage at your specific address before signing a lease.

What should I look for when viewing a rental property?

Check water pressure (important in Botswana), backup water tank availability, security features (walls, gates, alarm), air conditioning (essential in summer), parking, and proximity to your workplace. Also verify the internet connection type and speed at the property — fibre vs. mobile broadband makes a big difference for remote work.

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🇧🇼 Botswana

Housing

Housing in Botswana ranges from modern apartments in Gaborone's central blocks to spacious family homes in Phakalane's golf estate. Rent is remarkably affordable by Western standards — a quality 1-bedroom in Gaborone costs $360–$720/month.

BWP 7,000–10,000

1-BR Gaborone Center

$500–$720/month

BWP 10,000–20,000

Family Home (Phakalane)

$720–$1,440/month

BWP 3,000–5,000

1-BR Maun

$215–$360/month

1–2 months

Deposit

Refundable, standard

Last updated: March 2026

Overview🏙️Gaborone 🦒Maun

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Overview

Key Takeaways

Typical lease: 12 months minimum; some landlords offer 6-month leases for corporate expats
Phakalane: luxury golf estate 15 km north — spacious homes, manicured, self-contained; BWP 10,000–20,000/month
Electricity: Botswana Power Corporation (BPC); prepaid meter system; BWP 500–1,000/month for an apartment
Foreigners can buy freehold property — no restrictions on ownership

Renting in Botswana

Most expats rent in Botswana, and the rental process is relatively straightforward. Unlike many African countries, Botswana has a functioning property market with established agencies and legal protections. Leases are typically 12 months, and landlords generally require a 1–2 month deposit plus first month's rent upfront.

Typical lease: 12 months minimum; some landlords offer 6-month leases for corporate expats
Deposit: 1–2 months rent, refundable at end of lease minus damages
Furnished apartments: available in central Gaborone at a 20–30% premium over unfurnished
Unfurnished properties: more common for long-term rentals — basic kitchen fittings usually included
Key platforms: Property24 Botswana, Seeff Botswana, Facebook groups (Gaborone Rentals/Housing)
Estate agents: Pam Golding, Seeff, Remax, and local agencies; commission typically paid by landlord
Expat compounds: gated communities with security, pool, and maintenance — popular with diplomats and NGO workers

Best Areas to Live in Gaborone

Gaborone's residential areas range from budget-friendly suburban blocks to luxury golf estates. Where you live depends on your workplace, budget, and whether you have children in international schools. Most expats gravitate toward the central blocks (Extension 9–12), Phakalane, or Gaborone West.

Phakalane: luxury golf estate 15 km north — spacious homes, manicured, self-contained; BWP 10,000–20,000/month
Extension 9 & 10: prime central — walking distance to malls, restaurants, government offices; BWP 7,000–15,000/month
Block 8 & Block 10: established residential — good schools, practical; BWP 5,000–8,000/month
Gaborone West: growing suburb near Westwood International School; BWP 4,000–7,000/month
Broadhurst: affordable northwest suburb — local feel, good transport links; BWP 3,000–5,000/month
Tlokweng: just across the South African border road — cheaper, larger plots; BWP 3,000–6,000/month

Setting Up Utilities

Utilities in Botswana are affordable and generally reliable in Gaborone, though occasional water shortages and power cuts occur. Internet has improved significantly with fibre rollouts, though speeds still lag behind South Africa.

Electricity: Botswana Power Corporation (BPC); prepaid meter system; BWP 500–1,000/month for an apartment
Water: Water Utilities Corporation (WUC); reliable in Gaborone; BWP 100–300/month
Internet: Mascom, Orange, BTC offer fibre and mobile broadband; BWP 500–1,000/month for fibre
Mobile plans: Mascom, Orange, BTC; SIM cards available at any mall; BWP 200–500/month for data-heavy plan
Power outages: occasional load-shedding during peak demand — invest in a UPS for electronics
Water conservation: Botswana is semi-arid; water-saving is culturally expected and occasionally mandated

Buying Property as a Foreigner

Foreigners can buy freehold property in Botswana, though the process involves additional approvals. Property prices are considerably lower than South Africa, making Botswana an attractive option for long-term investment. However, the resale market is smaller and less liquid.

Foreigners can buy freehold property — no restrictions on ownership
Minister of Lands approval required for non-citizen property purchases (can take 3–6 months)
Transfer duty: 5% on properties over BWP 200,000
Typical Gaborone house prices: BWP 800,000–3,000,000 ($58,000–$215,000)
Phakalane premium properties: BWP 3,000,000–8,000,000 ($215,000–$575,000)
Mortgage available to expats with work permits — typically 80% LTV, 20–25 year terms
Legal fees: ~1.5% of purchase price for conveyancing

FAQs