Francistown
After days of bush, salt pans or long stretches of tarmac, Francistown feels different. A city beside the Tati River, right where many self-drive routes connect north and south.
Discover everything about this location.
Routes through Botswana meet here.
Francistown lies in eastern Botswana, close to the Zimbabwe border. It is a logical waypoint when travelling from Gaborone or Gauteng towards Maun, Kasane, Chobe National Park or Victoria Falls.
For a self-drive, the city is mainly practical. It is a useful place to restock before continuing the journey.
North of the city, Woodlands Stop Over sits beside the Tati River, close to the A3 towards Nata, Maun and Kasane.
Beneath the tarmac lies a history of gold.
Francistown developed around gold mining in this part of Botswana. The city was named after British prospector and miner Daniel Francis, who acquired prospecting rights in 1869.
Traces of that gold rush remain part of the city’s story. The local museum gives more context to this period and Francistown’s development.
Its position near the confluence of the Tati and Inchwe rivers made this area a recognisable point in north-eastern Botswana.
What you can do in Francistown:
- Restock food and supplies
Learn about Francistown’s gold-mining history
Stay beside the Tati River
Continue towards Nata, Maun or Kasane
Self-drive trips in the region
Namibia, Botswana and Victoria Falls self-drive
