Area Code 35 – Gaborone

Geographic Coverage and Administrative Jurisdiction

The prefix +267 35 is a geographic National Destination Code (NDC) assigned to the Gaborone metropolitan area, the capital and largest city of Botswana. Gaborone serves as the administrative, political, and economic hub of the country, hosting the national government, diplomatic missions, and headquarters of major corporations. The 35 prefix is used for fixed-line (PSTN) services within the city and its immediate surrounding areas, including suburbs such as Broadhurst, Gaborone West, and Tlokweng. As a geographic code, it is tied to a specific physical location, and calls to numbers with this prefix are routed via the public switched telephone network (PSTN) to the Gaborone exchange.

Dialing Formats and Caller Instructions

For local callers within Botswana, the number is dialed as an eight-digit national number, beginning with the prefix itself: 35XXXXXX. For example, to call a Gaborone fixed line from another part of Botswana, you would dial 35 123 456 (if the local number is 123456). No trunk prefix (like '0') is used in Botswana; the country uses a closed numbering plan where the NDC is always included.

For international callers, the full international format is required: +267 35 123 456. This includes the country code for Botswana (+267), followed by the NDC (35) and the subscriber number (123456). When calling from a mobile phone, the plus sign (+) is typically used to denote the international access code, but you can also replace it with the specific exit code of your country (e.g., 011 from the US, 00 from most European countries).

Overlay and Numbering Considerations

Currently, there is no overlay code for Gaborone; the 35 prefix is unique to the area. However, due to increasing demand for telecommunication services, the Botswana Communications Regulatory Authority (BOCRA) may introduce additional geographic codes in the future. It is important to note that fixed-line numbers in Botswana are not portable across geographic areas, meaning that if a business relocates outside the Gaborone exchange area, it will typically need to obtain a new number with the appropriate local prefix.

Usage and Practical Tips

Numbers with the 35 prefix are primarily used by residential and business customers, including government offices, banks, and retail outlets. When placing a call to a Gaborone number from abroad, always verify the correct number of digits (the full national number is 8 digits, including the NDC). Avoid dropping the leading '35' when dialing internationally, as it is an essential part of the routing. For businesses, having a local Gaborone number can enhance trust with local clients, and for individuals, it is a reliable way to reach services based in the capital.