In our culture, marriage is a journey of two families coming together. You are joining us for the Kgoroso, but two significant steps have already taken place: Patlo: This was the formal "seeking" of the bride. The groom's family visited the bride’s home to officially ask for her hand. Magadi: During the Patlo, the families also concluded the Magadi (brideprice or dowry). This is a deeply symbolic and sacred exchange that signifies the formalisation of the union and the bonding of our two lineages. The Kgoroso: Now that the formal negotiations and Magadi are complete, we celebrate! The Kgoroso is the "welcoming" of the bride into her new home. It is a day of song, dance, and a shared feast to mark our first day as a married couple in the eyes of our community.
Date -- Event --Time (Tentative) -- Venue 18th April, Welcome Gathering, (7:00 PM - Late), Gaborone 20th - 22nd April, Intimate Gathering among friends, Location TBC 25th April, Kgoroso Ceremony, (12:30 PM - 6:00 PM), Palapye
International Guests: We suggest arriving at Sir Seretse Khama International Airport (GBE) by Friday, 17th April, or Saturday morning, 18th April. This allows you to join the welcome drinks and convoy to Palapye. Note on Timing: Don’t worry if your schedule only allows you to arrive later. Just let us know your landing time, and we’ll help you coordinate to join the group in Palapye! Departures: If you are staying for the full festivities, we recommend flying out no earlier than Monday afternoon, 27th April, to allow for a recovery day on Sunday.
Majestic Five Hotel: This is our primary recommended stay. It offers great amenities and is centrally located for wedding logistics. To receive a preferential nightly rate (Single P750/£42 & Double P850/£48), when making booking please quote Resv#: 125486 (via tel/email) T: (+267) 492 1222 T: (+267) 73 636 533 reserve@majesticfive.co.bw
The Kgoroso is a celebration of culture, and we encourage you to dress for the occasion! Dress Code: Smart Traditional or Modern Formal Ladies: Traditional Setswana attire (Leteisi/German Print) is highly encouraged. Gentlemen: A suit, smart blazer and trousers, or traditional shirts are perfect.
Due to capacity constraints, invitations are generally intended for the recipient(s). However, we understand that married and long-term partners are a package deal! As such, this is generally fine but please reach out to us to clarify before you RSVP so we can ensure necessary adjustments are made.
In Gaborone: Ride-hailing apps like inDrive/Yango are common. To Palapye: We will be organising a convoy for international guests traveling from Gaborone. (approx. 3 hours).
If you are extending your stay, Botswana offers some of the world's best wilderness experiences: The Okavango Delta: A UNESCO World Heritage site (requires a drive/flight to Maun from Gaborone). Chobe National Park: Famous for its massive elephant herds (requires a drive/flight to Kasane). The Makgadikgadi Salt Pans: For a stunning, lunar-like landscape experience.
We love your little ones! However, we kindly suggest that babies and toddlers stay home. For the avoidance of doubt, children aged 5 and younger count as toddlers, and hereafter we will have a designated supervised play area at CNS Gardenex to keep them entertained while the adults celebrate.