Francistown

From gold mining town to modern, commercial hub and crossroads centre. No holiday to Botswana can be completed without a visit to the buzzing city of Francistown. The second largest city or "Capital of the North" lies 400 km northeast from Gaborone. A convenient place to fill and stock up en route, it is worth a stopover. Today’s connected city has a golden history. Nestled at the confluence of the Tati and Inchwe rivers and near the Shashe River, the old mines pay homage to the birthplace of southern Africa's first gold rush. Francistown’s central location - 90 km from the Zimbabwe border – has cemented it as a commercial stronghold with active cross-border trading. With mining, commerce, agriculture and tourism driving its economy, the city is part of Botswana’s main road, rail and air transport routes. It is a major transport hub with reliable transport – local taxis operate 24/7. The modern Francistown International Airport offers flights locally to Gaborone, Maun and Kasane. A railway line stretches crossborder and inland to Gabarone and Lobatse in the south. Surfaced roads link Francistown with Ramokgwebana in the north and to Kazungula and Kasane via Nata. For tourists the vibrant city offers sightseeing and essentials. From nine shopping malls for retail needs including well-known clothes brands to fast food outlets and up market restaurants. The Village Mall includes the Diggers Inn with five-star accommodation. The Supa Ngwao Museum exhibits the area's history and heritage. The abundance of wild animals can be experienced in the Tachila nature reserve. For medical emergencies the Nyangabwe Referral Hospital offers aid. Francistown boasts Catholic churches, Muslim mosques and Protestant churches. The semi-arid climate results in warm to hot summers and mild winters - with a short wet season from December to March and a dry season for the rest.