Francistown is Botswana's second-largest city and its oldest urban settlement, sitting over 400 km north of Gaborone in the country's northeast corner. The city owes its existence to gold: in the 1860s the Tati Concession attracted prospectors in what was one of the first gold rushes in southern Africa, predating Johannesburg by two decades. It was named after Daniel Francis, who held the original mining concession, and the bones of that mining-town past still show in the older parts of the city centre.
Francistown today is mainly a transit hub, and it wears that role comfortably. The population hovers around 100,000, making it a genuinely functioning city rather than a village with a big map marker — there are decent supermarkets, fuel stations, banks, and a manageable range of accommodation. Travellers pass through heading to the Zimbabwean border at Plumtree, or north towards the Okavango Delta, Moremi Game Reserve, and Chobe National Park. The borders with Zimbabwe and Zambia are both within a few hours' drive.
It would be dishonest to dress Francistown up as a major attraction. But if you're passing through, it merits a half-day: the Supa Ngwao Museum tells the story of the gold rush and the local Kalanga people with more care than you'd expect, and the main market has the lived-in energy of a working African town rather than anything tourist-facing. The pace is slow, the locals are friendly, and the cold Botswana beer in any bar in town is perfectly adequate compensation for the long road ahead.
Guide
Eating Out
Francistown's dining scene is functional rather than exciting, but there's more variety than you'd expect for a city this size. The hotel restaurants — particularly at the Cresta Thapama — are the most reliable option for a sit-down meal with consistent quality. Chain fast food (Nando's, Chicken Licken, Debonairs Pizza) is available in the main retail strips for when you just need something quick before a long drive.
Local eating places near the market serve standard Tswana staples: seswaa (slow-cooked pounded meat), morogo (braised wild spinach), bogobe (sorghum porridge), and various stews. These spots won't be marked on any tourist map — just follow the smell and the queues at lunchtime.
Supermarkets (Choppies and Shoprite both have branches) are well stocked if you're self-catering or loading up a vehicle before heading north.
Guide
Getting Around
Francistown is compact enough to cover on foot if you're based near the centre, but distances between the bus rank, the museum, and outlying accommodation can add up in the heat.
Combis (minibus taxis): The main way locals move around. They run on set routes and are cheap — expect to pay a few pula per trip. Useful for getting between the bus rank area and the airport road corridor.
Taxis: Private taxis are available and can be arranged through your accommodation. Negotiate the fare before you get in. A trip across town should cost no more than 30–50 pula.
Car rental: If you're heading into the Botswana bush afterwards, renting a vehicle in Francistown is worth considering. Several car rental companies operate in town. A 4WD is essential for Moremi and Chobe; a standard saloon is fine for tarred roads to Kasane.
Driving: The city centre has a simple grid layout and is easy to navigate. Fuel is available and affordable by regional standards. Fill up in Francistown before heading north — stations become sparse on the A33.
Guide
Getting There
By air: Phillip Gaonwe Matante International Airport (IATA: FRW) is located about 3 km northwest of the city centre. Air Botswana operates scheduled flights between Francistown and Gaborone, with some connections to Maun. The airport is small but functional; book ahead as capacity is limited.
By road from the south: The A1 highway connects Francistown to Gaborone (about 400 km, four to five hours). The road is tarred and in reasonable condition. Intercape and other long-distance bus operators run daily services on this route.
From Zimbabwe (Plumtree border): The Plumtree/Ramokgwebana border crossing is roughly 90 km east of Francistown. Minibus combis connect Bulawayo to the border, and onward transport to Francistown is usually available on the Botswana side. The crossing is generally straightforward for most nationalities, though queues can build on weekends.
From Zambia (Kazungula): From Kasane in the north, the Kazungula border connects to Zambia. Francistown is about 700 km south of Kasane via the A33 and A1 highways — a full day's drive.
By bus: Several bus companies run between Gaborone and Francistown, with some continuing north to Kasane or east to the Zimbabwe border. The main bus rank is near the central market. Journey times are longer than driving due to stops.