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Shopping in Botswana

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Finding your way around in a new place can be a challenge. That is why we have compiled a few places where students can do their shopping during the first few days of their stay in the beautiful country that is Botswana.

This country is dotted with shopping malls and internationally recognized shopping malls that you will not have trouble doing grocery shopping for your new student’s apartment or getting toiletries for your campus residence, or buying clothes for the warm summer days of Botswana or picking up fast food during a hectic exam schedule when you need to study.

It is very important for students that are on a budget to know of cheaper and convenient places to shop for any necessities. That way, the student gets to focus more on their studies than on life’s demands and the strain that is required from doing shopping.

Saving is part of a student’s life therefore cheaper, tight budget, and good value are all words synonymous with university culture.

Shopping for Food and Groceries

For a student living off-campus and on private accommodation where there is a need for self-catering, buying food and groceries for the place, is the most advisable thing to do, so that they can save money spent on regular takeaways.

Botswana is known for being one of the cheapest and most affordable countries to shop in the whole Southern African region. Other neighboring countries’ citizens, such as Zimbabweans regularly cross the borders to come and do their monthly grocery shopping in Botswana. We have compiled a list of places to do you grocery shopping at.

Game, Pick N Pay, Checkers and Choppies are all franchised retail chains popular in Botswana for their cost-effective prices and selling at bulk and at cheaper prices. These supermarkets have a wide range of products and can be a one-stop-shop for all the necessary groceries.

The Franchises are dotted throughout the whole of Botswana, so wherever you are, you are guaranteed there is at least one of those retail stores close to you. Another bonus is that these supermarkets have their branded in-house products that sell at cheaper prices or on discounts.

Shopping for Clothes

The changing weather in Botswana can be unpredictable, so there is a need to be prepared for any type of weather. For students coming from European countries, Botswana can be a bit warm, meaning that there is a need to get light clothing in exchange for the heavy European clothing.

However, do not underestimate the Botswana nights as they can be a bit chilly due to the Kalahari Desert. It is difficult to pack for the correct weather even though it is generally a warm environment. In case you forgot to pack something light or a jacket for a cold day, do not worry, you can still get those in Botswana’s clothing retail shops for cheaper prices.

Botswana has a chain of retail stores that are popularly known around Southern Africa such as Jet, Pep, and Mr. Price. These clothing retail shops offer good quality, trendy clothing at lower prices and are students’ favorite shopping stores.

These shops have become a hit with university students for their cost-effective prices, providing the latest fashion in clothing. For students looking for a high end yet still affordable shopping experience, Woolworths is an advisable option.

Although much more pricey than the above mentioned retail shops, Woolworths has the best in quality and a shopping experience.

Malls In Botswana

Most of the shopping in Botswana happens in shopping malls. These places have a wide variety of binges to indulge in, ranging from clothing shops, banks, cinema, supermarkets, takeaway shops, exotic restaurants, to business offices. Botswana malls are a place filled with both shopping and an entertaining experience, as shows, exhibitions and selling of crafts are conducted in the open walkways, making it a vibrant environment. Most of the malls have ample space for parking, making it easy and much more convenient for shoppers. Regardless of the city, you are bound to come across a shopping mall to much of your convenience. We have compiled a list of malls that you might come across as you travel around capital city and the country at large.
Gaborone main mall
RiverWalk shopping mall Gaborone
Game city shopping mall Gaborone
Fairground shopping mall Gaborone
Molapo Crossing mall Gaborone
Kagiso mall Gaborone
Galo shopping mall Francistown (Galo shopping mall is the only super mall in Botswana outside Gaborone.)

"I enjoy shopping and I found it affordable but some of the clothes are definitely not of the highest quality." - Hassan from Turkey

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