Francistown is Botswana's second-largest city and the commercial hub of the northeastern region. Locals also know it as the "Capital of the North", a name that suits a place where much of the trade, business and everyday traffic of the area passes through. It is also known by the name Nyangabgwe.
What a visit offers
- Mining heritage: the city grew around mining, and its history is part of what draws visitors who want to understand how the region developed.
- Local markets: a good way to see daily life, buy local goods and meet the people who run the stalls.
- A base for the east: Francistown serves as a gateway to the eastern parts of the country, so it works well as a stop on a longer journey.
Staying and eating
Travellers can find good accommodation and dining options in the city, which makes it a practical place to rest between days of exploring. Because it is a commercial centre, it has the services and conveniences that visitors on a longer route often need.
Francistown suits those who want an urban stop with a sense of local character rather than a resort. Plan your visit around its markets and heritage, and use the city as a comfortable starting point for travel further east.