Francistown

Francistown is Botswana’s second-largest city and a key transport hub in the northeast, positioned on the main corridor between Gaborone and Kasane, and close to Zimbabwe. Historically shaped by gold mining and trading routes, it has a practical, working-city feel with a warm local rhythm, busy markets, and a growing hospitality scene for travelers heading to Chobe, the Okavango, or Victoria Falls. Not much like the safari-first destinations, Francistown is about real, everyday Botswana. It works well as a stopover for road trips, a base for nearby heritage sites, and a place to learn about the country’s mining history and northern cultures. Expect hot sunshine, wide skies, and an unhurried pace once you step away from the main roads.