Palapye

Accommodation | Activities | Restaurants | Business Directory

Geography and History

Palapye is a large town in Botswana located halfway between Francistown and Gaborone. It is situated by the Lotsane River, towards the Central-Eastern edge of Botswana. It has become a convenient stopover over the years on one of Southern Africa's principal North–South rail and road routes.

The first people believed to have settled in the town are the Bamangwato people. The settlement of Phalatswe, also called Old Palapye, was the capital of the Bamangwato people in the beginning of the 20th century. The ruins of Phalatswe still stand today, a few kilometres away from the centre of Palapye.

In Palapye, summer months are from mid-September to mid-April. They are very hot and there are many thunderstorms. Daytime temperatures reaching up to 40°C. Winters in Palapye are dry and mild.

Activities/ Attractions

There are many things to do in Palapye, including:

The Khama Rhino Sanctuary is positioned about 15 km outside of Serowe, a neighbouring town of Palapye and is about 50 km from Palapye.
The Tswapong Hills are located close to Palapye.
Moremi Gorge, an area of immense beauty as it has a permanent water source.
A casino located in Palapye.
Stone walls, middens (the stone remains of rondavels) as well as rock paintings can be seen at Palapye
The most outstanding structure in Palapye is the remains of the London Missionary Society Church, which was built between 1891 and 1894.

Accommodation

Many accommodation facilities are available in Palapye, ranging from luxury hotels and lodges to camping grounds, cottages and bed & breakfasts.

Businesses

In 1997, Palapye was said to be the fastest-growing village in Africa and is quickly developing to be one of Botswana's main financial, suburban and educational towns.

Palapye has a specialised recording studio which was built in 2009. It is the first of its kind in Palapye.

There are many plans being put into action in Palapye regarding economic development. Plans for a new hospital and police station have been proposed.

Please visit our Business Directory for a list of businesses in Palapye or add your own free business directory listing.