Providing a respite to travelers trekking the north of Botswana, Gaborone is a young metropolis that experienced most of its boom with the discovery of diamonds in the 1970s. Its downtown is dominated by modern buildings and services, from glittering hotels to casinos. The Main Mall boasts a plethora of shops, while the surrounding area hosts monuments and government buildings. Monkeys and birds call out from the wetlands of Gaborone Game Reserve, and Kgale Hill delights with panoramic views.