The Sedibeng Casino & Cresta Marakanelo Thapama Hotel

With over 100,000 people, Francistown is the 2nd largest city in Botswana and is near the Tati, Inchwe and Shashe rivers. This is a good destination if you’re keen on checking out the indigenous wildlife of Botswana. Head to Tachila Nature Reserve or the Birds and Game Botswana, great for individuals or families as day trips. For a piece of history, check out Domboshaba (‘red rock’), dating back to 1450 AD. If you're staying at the hotel, there's various on site activities as well as the casino inside.

gaming

The casino is a bit light unfortunately, in its offerings, but being in the centre of downtown, it makes for a convenient little getaway indoors. There are 50 slot machines ranging in various denominations, plus an additional 5 blackjack tables and roulette. They also have one poker table. You can find the casino in the Cresta Marakanelo Thapama Hotel, so you needn’t go very far when you want a bit of time on the gaming floor to test your luck.

Hotel/Accommodations

While the casino is rather small, it’s just another perk of staying at the 5 star Cresta Thapama Hotel. There are 96 rooms coming in suite, executive, family, twin and double bed and each come equipped with satellite tv, internet access and air conditioning. On site at the hotel you can find a swimming pool, a pool bar, cocktail lounge, and restaurant. Other facilities include tennis courts, a gym, squash courts, and golf. If you’d simply like to relax, check out the waterfalls and rock garden. For business guests, there’s a 100 seat conference centre. Guests staying here can also take advantage of their room service when not dining at the restaurant. Spend some time during your stay chatting up staff for tips on any other lesser-known local attractions nearby.

Dining

Inside the hotel, you can find Ivory Grill, with its 110 seating capacity. They offer a la carte lunches and dinners as well as buffets. If you’re more interested in lighter fare, try ordering something at the pool bar. For general fare, head to Merilicious and its café style dining. Other restaurants in the area include Spur’s, Milky Lane, Barcelo’s, Debonair’s Pizza, and the familiar KFC. Make sure you speak to both hotel and casino staff for recommendations on eateries nearby popular with both tourists and locals, serving up authentic Botswanan cuisine.

Attractions/NightLife

For a night out of drinks and dancing, head to Lizard Entertainment Nightclub. If you’re more interested in sunning and unwinding, try the pool bar in the hotel or simply relax in the cocktail lounge. Participate in hotel activities by using their gym facilities, playing tennis or squash, or taking in a round of golf. If you’re trying to plan day trips, head over to either the Birds and Game Botswana, a refuge for injured and orphaned animals, or the Tachila Nature Reserve, full of indigenous flora and fauna. For historical/archaeological sites, be sure to see Domboshaba, a stone wall dating back as early as 1450 AD. Domboshaba, translated from the Kalanga, means ‘red rock’.

Rewards/Deals

The casino does not currently have any player rewards systems in place. Be sure, however, to ask casino staff about any potential contests or promotions which may be running during your stay.