Area Code 38 – Gaborone
The phone area code for Gaborone is 38 (international format +26738). Browse local exchange codes (NXX) and carrier assignments below.
📍 Geographic Location of Gaborone
Overview of Botswana Area Code 38
Area code 38 is a geographic National Destination Code (NDC) assigned to the city of Gaborone, the capital and largest city of Botswana. It is part of the country's national numbering plan under the ITU-T E.164 standard, with the full international dialing prefix +267 38 for callers outside Botswana. Within Botswana, the code is used as a fixed-line (PSTN) prefix for subscribers in Gaborone and its immediate surrounding areas, including neighborhoods such as the Central Business District, Broadhurst, Gaborone West, and Tlokweng.
Dialing Formats
When calling a fixed-line number in Gaborone from within Botswana, you must dial the area code followed by the subscriber number. For example, a local number might be formatted as 38 123 456. The complete national dialing sequence is 38 123 456 (without any trunk prefix, as Botswana uses a closed numbering plan). From abroad, you would dial +267 38 123 456. It is important to note that the leading '0' is not used in Botswana's international format; the country code +267 is followed directly by the NDC and subscriber number.
Geographic Coverage and Administration
Gaborone is the administrative and economic hub of Botswana, hosting government offices, embassies, and major corporate headquarters. The 38 prefix is allocated to fixed-line services provided by Botswana Telecommunications Corporation Limited (BTC) and licensed alternative operators. As a geographic code, it is tied to the physical location of the line, and numbers under this prefix are not portable to other regions of the country. The code is part of the South-East District, which also includes the towns of Lobatse and Ramotswa, but those areas have their own separate codes (e.g., 53 and 54).
Caller Instructions
For local callers within Botswana, simply dial the 8-digit number (including the area code). For international callers, always use the plus sign (+) or the international access prefix of your country (e.g., 00 from most European countries), followed by 267 and the number. Ensure you drop any leading '0' that might appear in local listings. Calls to Gaborone fixed lines are typically charged at standard national or international rates, depending on your carrier. Emergency services in Botswana are reachable at 911 or 997, and these numbers are not affected by area codes.