Gaborone is Botswana’s serene, modern capital and one of Africa’s cleanest and safest major hubs. Although shopping centres are dotted across the wider metropolitan area, the city centre revolves around The Mall, a pedestrianised strip of shops, restaurants and commercial businesses flanked by the government ministry buildings. To the north lies the Three Dikgosi Monument, honouring three tribal chiefs from the country’s British colonial era, who travelled to Britain to plead with the queen to protect Botswana from being incorporated into the British South Africa Company led by the unscrupulous Cecil John Rhodes. This ultimately saved the country from the apartheid system that later engulfed and divided South Africa. After a day’s sightseeing in ‘Gabs’, as the locals call it, head to the Grand Palm Casino for ritz, glitz and entertainment, or indulge yourself with a treatment at the adjoining spa.