Kgale Hill — known locally as the Sleeping Giant — rises to 1,287 metres above sea level at the western edge of Gaborone and is the city's best hiking destination. Three trails lead to the summit, with the main route taking about an hour from the base. The views from the top extend across the city and surrounding savannah, giving a clear sense of how dramatically Gaborone has expanded since independence.
Baboon troops are a near-certainty on the lower slopes, and black eagles hunt the thermals overhead. The hill sits within a small nature reserve, so wildlife moves freely through the rocky terrain — leopards are occasionally spotted, though rarely. The annual King of the Hill Race, a 15-kilometre event organised in conjunction with the Gaborone Runners Club, winds through the quarry area before ascending to the summit.