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Find out about the traditions and history of Botswana through art produced by local tribes and artists at National Museum. See many taxidermy displays, including exhibits of stuffed animals and objects from the country's pre-colonial and colonial days. The art gallery section hosts a permanent collection of African and European artworks, allowing you to get a sense of Botswana's cultural development and the influences that helped shape it. The museum hosts a national basket show every August, with baskets of all sizes and designs displayed, along with tapestries and pottery. Use our Gaborone online trip planner to visit National Museum on your trip to Gaborone, and learn what else travelers and our writers recommend seeing nearby.
National Museum reviews
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Although it should only open next week, I did manage to get in this part of the mueum because it seemed rather ready to open. But it's not worth the trouble (although, what trouble? it's central and..... more
Although it should only open next week, I did manage to get in this part of the mueum because it seemed rather ready to open. But it's not worth the trouble (although, what trouble? it's central and..... more »
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As of March 2020 It was still shut! The small garden was ok to walk around ... the art gallery (the Octagon) seemed to be open still but was being refitted for a new exhibition. I’m really not sure.... more
As of March 2020 It was still shut! The small garden was ok to walk around ... the art gallery (the Octagon) seemed to be open still but was being refitted for a new exhibition. I’m really not sure.... more »
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The actual museum was STILL under construction (August 2022), but we could enter the gallery. Do not expect a National Gallery like the Iziko South African National Gallery in Cape Town or the British National Gallery in London that displays artworks of historic and stylistic importance - this is a commercial gallery that sells art made by local Tswana artists. The artworks range in quality, but there are some noteworthy pieces. I particularly enjoyed the basketry. The overwhelming focus is on sketches and painting, and there is definitely much talent in Botswana.
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Do not go here. Read to the end for better places to visit instead. We went to the museum on 7 December at around 1 pm. The guard at the gate was friendly but told us everyone was on lunch until 13:45 pm. When we got back at 2 pm and had no clue where the gallery was. We eventually found someone from the office for information and they informed us that the museum is (still) closed for construction (this construction apparently started back in 2016). She told us a bit of good news that there was some sort of gallery opening on the 9th. When we came back on the 9th at around 2 pm (because we can't look at art when they are on lunch apparently) the door was locked to the gallery. After a while looking for someone to give us more information we found someone who told us it was only open that morning and could give us no further information. Not even about who else we could possibly ask....... The one person who was also there asking had art in the gallery that she was now not even able to see. This museum is a joke, don't waste your time like we did. If you want to see art you can go to Botswana Craft. They have amazing craft items. In some malls on the weekend (like Airport junction and River-walk) you can also find local art on display for sale. In front of Bull and Bush they also have a lot of craft items.
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