Area Code 319 – Gaborone

Overview of Botswana Area Code 319

Area code 319 is a geographic National Destination Code (NDC) assigned to the capital city district of Gaborone in Botswana. Under the ITU-T E.164 international numbering plan, the full international dialing format for a fixed-line subscriber in this area is +267 319 XXXX, where +267 is the country calling code for Botswana, 319 is the NDC, and the remaining four digits (XXXX) represent the subscriber's local line number. In total, geographic numbers in Botswana consist of eight digits after the country code, including the NDC.

Geographic Coverage and Administrative Jurisdiction

The 319 code serves the central business district and surrounding residential areas of Gaborone, the political and economic capital of Botswana. Gaborone is located in the South-East District and is the seat of the national government. The code covers key administrative zones, commercial hubs, and government offices within the city limits. It does not extend to neighboring towns such as Mogoditshane or Tlokweng, which have their own distinct NDCs.

Dialing Formats and Caller Instructions

For local callers within Botswana, dialing a 319 number requires only the eight-digit national number: 319 XXXX. There is no trunk prefix (such as '0') used in Botswana's national dialing; the NDC is dialed directly. For international callers, the format is +267 319 XXXX (or 00 267 319 XXXX from most countries using the international prefix). When calling from a mobile phone, the plus sign (+) can be used in place of the international access code.

Example: To call a Gaborone landline with the number 319 4567 from the United States, you would dial: 011 267 319 4567. From the United Kingdom, you would dial: 00 267 319 4567. Within Botswana, simply dial 319 4567.

Numbering Plan and Overlay Considerations

Botswana's geographic numbering plan uses fixed-length numbers with the NDC as the first three digits. The 319 code is one of several NDCs assigned to Gaborone; the city also uses other codes such as 31x and 39x ranges to accommodate demand. There is no overlay code in Gaborone; each geographic area has a unique NDC, and local calls are determined by the NDC. As of the latest ITU-T recommendations, Botswana has not introduced number portability for geographic fixed-line numbers, so a number's prefix generally indicates its physical location.

Usage and Practical Considerations

Numbers with the 319 prefix are primarily used by businesses, government institutions, and residential fixed-line subscribers. They are not assigned to mobile services; mobile numbers in Botswana are non-geographic and begin with 7x or 8x. When calling a 319 number from abroad, be mindful of time zone differences (Botswana is Central Africa Time, UTC+2). Also, ensure you have the correct international access code for your country, as it varies (e.g., 011 from North America, 00 from most European countries).