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Central

Central, Botswana, is a vast district of open savannah, traditional villages and key towns such as Serowe and Palapye, serving as a crossroads for travel across the country.

Country
Botswana
Population
approx. 55,000
Area
70 km²
Time zone
CAT (UTC+2)
Language
Setswana and English
Nearby airport
Phillip Gaonwe Matante International Airport (Francistown)

Passengers

Luggage

About Central

Serowe is the administrative centre of Botswana's Central District and one of the country's most historically significant settlements. As the traditional capital of the Bamangwato people and the birthplace of Botswana's first president, Sir Seretse Khama, the town holds a central place in the nation's modern history.

The town's heritage is concentrated around its royal sites and older buildings. Visitors can explore the Khama III Memorial Museum in a restored Victorian building, view the Khama family graves at the royal cemetery, and see the London Missionary Society church, whose tall steeple remains a local landmark. The kgotla below Serowe Hill, with its statue of Sir Seretse Khama, marks the traditional meeting place and customary court.

Serowe is a large, spread-out urban village rather than a dense city centre. About 40 km to the north, the Khama Rhino Sanctuary offers game drives, self-drive safaris and chalet accommodation focused on rhino conservation, while the surrounding Central District provides access to quieter rural landscapes and traditional villages such as Palapye and Mahalapye.

Although its tourism scene is modest, Serowe is an important regional trade and administrative hub on the route between Gaborone and Francistown. Its royal history, cultural landmarks and nearby wildlife sanctuary make it a distinctive stop for independent travellers, while business visitors come for district administration, government services and local commerce.

Golden-hour view over Serowe, Botswana, in the Central District, with traditional round houses, acacia trees, and Serowe Hill under a warm sky.

Central Travel Guide

Best Time to Visit

The dry winter months from May to August bring cooler days, clear skies and good wildlife viewing at the Khama Rhino Sanctuary, making this the most comfortable time to visit. Summer from November to March is hotter with occasional rain, turning the surrounding bush greener.

How to Get Around

Serowe is spread out, so walking is practical mainly within central areas and around the main kgotla, shops and museum. Taxis and local minibus combis connect parts of town, while a rental car or private driver is useful for reaching the Khama Rhino Sanctuary and other outlying sites.

Where to Stay

Accommodation in Serowe is limited and mostly consists of guesthouses, lodges and smaller hotels, while the Khama Rhino Sanctuary offers campsites and self-catering chalets about 40 km north of town. Travellers often use Serowe as a convenient overnight stop between Gaborone and Francistown.

Food & Drink

Dining in Serowe centres on local Setswana cooking, with dishes such as seswaa (pounded beef), bogobe (sorghum porridge) and morogo (wild greens) available at local eateries. Small cafés, bakeries and supermarkets provide everyday options, while lodges serve a mix of local and international meals.

Ground Transportation Services in Central

Airport Transfers

Arrange transfers between Francistown's Phillip Gaonwe Matante International Airport and Serowe for a direct connection to hotels, lodges and local addresses.

Hourly Chauffeur

Book a private chauffeur by the hour for meetings, government visits, shopping and flexible travel around Serowe and the wider Central District.

Car Rental

Rent a car in Serowe or Francistown for independent travel to the Khama Rhino Sanctuary, Palapye, Mahalapye and other parts of central Botswana.

Bus & Group Transfers

Arrange minibuses or charter buses for groups, corporate travel, events and transfers between Serowe, Francistown and nearby attractions.