Cresta Mahalapye stands on the main north–south route, 180 kilometres from Gaborone. It exists to break the drive between the capital and Francistown, and it is unusually well set up for families doing exactly that: a splash pool and a playground alongside the main pool.
Quick facts
- Area
- Eastern Botswana
- Property type
- Hotel
- Setting
- Mahalapye, 180 km north of Gaborone on the main north–south road
- Nearest park or reserve
- Khama Rhino Sanctuary
Rooms at Cresta Mahalapye
Standard doubles at 25 square metres, deluxe rooms at 25.8 square metres, deluxe doubles at 51 square metres, deluxe suites at 54 square metres, an accessible room at 25 square metres, an executive presidential suite at 130 square metres and a presidential suite in the south wing. Satellite television and Wi-Fi throughout, with mini bars in selected rooms.
Facilities at Cresta Mahalapye
A restaurant and cocktail bar, a swimming pool with a separate children’s splash pool, a children’s playground, gardens and conference and banqueting facilities.
Who it suits
Families breaking the long drive, and business travellers. The accessible room is worth noting on a route where step-free options are scarce.
Location and access
On the main road between Gaborone and Palapye, and onward to Francistown. 180 km from Gaborone.
The Gaborone–Francistown drive is longer than the map suggests
It is around 430 kilometres of single carriageway shared with heavy trucks and, at dusk, with donkeys and cattle. Driving it in one push at the end of a flight is how people get into trouble. Splitting it at Mahalapye is the standard local advice and it is good advice.
Livestock on the road is the real hazard here
Eastern Botswana’s main road runs through unfenced grazing land. Cattle and donkeys stand on warm tarmac after dark and are almost invisible. Every experienced driver in the country will tell you the same thing: do not drive this road at night. Book the halfway stop instead.
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Plan the rest of your trip
Read our self-drive guidance, or our guides to Khama Rhino Sanctuary and Serowe further north.
