Major city · Botswana
Francistown
Spend a half‑day to a full day in Francistown as a transport hub; add an overnight if you need budget camping.
Francistown is Botswana's second‑largest city and a key gateway to the north. It has an international airport, rail link and major highways, making it useful for transit or a brief stopover. Attractions are limited, so one day is enough unless you camp nearby.
More
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- BWP
- Best months
- May–Oct
- avoid Jan–Mar (cooler, fewer services)
- Airport
- FRW
- Nights
- 1
Not a trip line yet
Rules in force · 7Nine African countries on this site have no trip line bec…Across the subregion, plan every road leg to arrive befor…
- Africa ↗When a route touches a yellow-fever country — even a transit of 12 hours or more — keep the original yellow card (ICVP) in your hand luggage; health desks and airlines can refuse boarding or entry without it.
- Africa ↗Nine African countries on this site have no trip line because governments advise against travel; several others have no-go regions. Read your government's advice for every country on the route before paying deposits.
- Southern Africa ↗A rental car may leave its home country only with the rental company's cross-border letter, the registration papers and paid road taxes at each post; driving into Zambia, Zimbabwe, Mozambique or Angola without them ends at the border.
- Southern Africa ↗Across the subregion, plan every road leg to arrive before sunset: livestock, wildlife, pedestrians and unlit trucks make night driving the main cause of serious visitor accidents.
- Botswana ↗Check visa and entry rules for your passport on official Botswana government sources before booking; most Western passports are visa-exempt, others use the Botswana e-visa.
- Botswana ↗Light-aircraft transfers limit luggage by weight and require soft bags; confirm the limit with your camp or operator before packing.
- Botswana ↗Self-driving in Moremi, Chobe and the Central Kalahari needs a properly equipped 4x4, booked campsites and experience in sand driving.
Entry rules depend on your passport. Full visa guide
What is in this basic guide9 covered · 4 not yet ▾
In this guide
Not in this guide yet
- Walking areas with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Airport-to-bed timings and the last safe connection
- Field-checked times and prices
Official sites
Emergency numbers for Francistown999 ▾
Tap a number to call from your phone. These are the numbers listed in this guide; a row marked check has not been verified.
EssentialsQuick answers and what things cost
Essentials
Quick answers and what things cost
Quick answers
The questions people ask first about Francistown, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.
- Cash or card?checkCurrency is the Botswana pula (BWP), about 13–14 per US$ in 2026 (check).Botswana-wide
- SIM or eSIMMascom, Orange and BTC (beMOBILE) sell SIMs with passport registration in Maun, Kasane and Gaborone.Botswana-wide
- Tap waterTap water is treated in towns; camps provide filtered water.Botswana-wide
- TippingRestaurant: About 10%.Botswana-wide
- Plugs & powerSockets D/G/M. US/Canada (A/B): adapter · UK/Ireland (G): fits · Australia/NZ (I): adapter. 230 V: US 120 V-only devices (hair dryers) need a converter; most chargers are dual-voltage.Botswana-wide
- SafetyFrancistown is generally safe for daytime travel; keep valuables secure at night and use reputable taxis.
Show all 12 answers
- RestroomsFlush toilets in towns and camps; long drop at some public campsites.Botswana-wide
- Emergency numbers999 police · 997 ambulance · 998 fire
- Sundays & holidaysShops close early on Saturdays and are limited on Sundays in small towns.Botswana-wide
- Your embassyFind your embassy's 24-hour line before you fly.
- AirportFRW Francistown International Airport (Air Botswana two daily flights from Gaborone; expansion underway).
- Getting aroundUse taxis or minibuses from the airport to town (≈15 min).
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- CoffeeCoffee at CalabashP15–20
- Taxi, about 5 km (3 mi)Taxi, about 3 mi (5 km)Taxi within town (5 km (3.1 mi))Taxi within town (3.1 mi (5 km))P30–45
- Budget bedTent camping (Woodlands), a night, per personBWP 115
- Mid-range bedBudget B&B (Abrama), a night, per personBWP 350
- High-end bedBudget B&B (Abrama), a night, per personBWP 350
A day, not counting the bed: Budget BWP 1,500 · Mid BWP 2,500 · High BWP 4,000
Local prices, with USD next to them (rates 2026-09 (approximate); change it in the header). Ranges are desk estimates: check locally. Every price and the budget calculator →
DecideWhat it is known for, and when the weather works
Decide
What it is known for, and when the weather works
At a glance
What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.
- Airports
- FRW Francistown International Airport (Air Botswana two daily flights from Gaborone; expansion underway)
Best months at a glance
From the guide's best and avoid lists
Jan
Avoid
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
Feb
Avoid
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
Mar
Avoid
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
Apr
not flagged
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
May
Best
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
Jun
Best
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
Jul
Best
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
Aug
Best
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
Sep
Best
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
Oct
Best
29°C (84°F)84°F (29°C)
Nov
not flagged
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
Dec
not flagged
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
Best: May–Oct. Avoid: Jan–Mar. Month by month →
Warmest Apr (32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)), coolest Jul (13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C) low), wettest Jul (7 rain days), driest Jan (2). Averages, not a forecast.
Weather and climate
Francistown: next 7 days
Loading forecast…
Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.
Air quality
Loading…
Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.
Jan
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
15°C (59°F)59°F (15°C)
2 rd
Feb
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
15°C (59°F)59°F (15°C)
2 rd
Mar
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
16°C (61°F)61°F (16°C)
3 rd
Apr
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
4 rd
May
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
16°C (61°F)61°F (16°C)
5 rd
Jun
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
14°C (57°F)57°F (14°C)
6 rd
Jul
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C)
7 rd
Aug
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C)
7 rd
Sep
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
14°C (57°F)57°F (14°C)
6 rd
Oct
29°C (84°F)84°F (29°C)
15°C (59°F)59°F (15°C)
5 rd
Nov
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
15°C (59°F)59°F (15°C)
3 rd
Dec
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
15°C (59°F)59°F (15°C)
2 rd
High / low, both scales · rd = rain days
Arrive & moveAirports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Arrive & move
Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Getting around
Use taxis or minibuses from the airport to town (≈15 min). Within town, walk or take local minibuses; A1 and A3 highways connect to Gaborone, Maun and Zimbabwe.
Nearest full guides
Straight-line distance, not travel time
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Tati River Lodge area
goDoor to door: ≈30 min round trip
Taxi 10 km (6.2 mi) north, 15 minTaxi 6.2 mi (10 km) north, 15 min
Visit the campsite and river walks.
Eat & sleepWhich area to sleep in
Eat & sleep
Which area to sleep in
Where to sleep
Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.
Woodlands Stop Over
Camping with own tent, pool, shaded sites; 10 km (6.2 mi) north of town, P115 per personCamping with own tent, pool, shaded sites; 6.2 mi (10 km) north of town, P115 per person
Abrama Bed & Breakfast
Budget guesthouse, rooms from P350
Lee Bed & Breakfast
A/C rooms, free Wi‑Fi, P250–350
Eros Guesthouse
Budget single/double, P350
PracticalWhat a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Practical
What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Cost per day
- Budget
- P1,500–2,500 excl. bed
- Mid
- P2,500–4,000 excl. bed
- High
- P4,000+ excl. bed
Trip budget
| Tent camping (Woodlands)1 × 1 night × BWP 120 | BWP 120 |
| Food, local transport, entries1 × 1 day × BWP 1,500 | BWP 1,500 |
| Airport taxi to town centre1 × BWP 30 · check | BWP 30 |
| eSIM (1 week data)1 × BWP 120 · check | BWP 120 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | BWP 180 |
| Trip total≈ BWP 1,950 per person per day, bed included | BWP 1,950 |
P per night, includes basic facilities
2026 estimate; flights excluded. Your choices stay in this browser.
Prices of common things
| Coffee at Calabash | P15–20 |
| Meal at Nando's Chicken | P45–70 |
| Burger at Spur Restaurant | P60–90 |
| Taxi within town (5 km) | P30–45 |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- Night train services are suspended as of 2024; check for any reinstatement.
- Bus schedules can change; confirm times before travel.
Emergency numbers
- Police
- 999
- Ambulance
- 997
- Fire
- 998
Pocket card
Fill in, then print or save as PDF
Stays in this browser only; nothing is sent anywhere.
FrancistownFrancistown
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
—
—
—
Ka tlhopho e, ka kgopelaTo this address, please
Emergency
- Police999
- Ambulance997
- Fire998
Embassy
US consular services are in Gaborone; see /botswana for details.
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- Air Botswana Gaborone → Francistown: about P850, 1 h 15 min (check)
- Taxi airport → town centre: ≈ P30
Say or show
- Dumela — Hello (du-ME-la)
- Ke a leboga — Thank you (keh ah le-BO-ga)
- Ke bokae? — How much is this? (keh bo-KAI)
- Ke le kae ntlo ya boithati? — Where is the bathroom? (keh le kai n-tlo ya bo-i-THA-tee)
Deep diveWhat this guide covers so far, and its sources
Deep dive
What this guide covers so far, and its sources
Not a trip line yet
This is a basic guide: no airport-to-bed contract, walking clusters or day plans are published for Francistown. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.
What we know, and what is coming
On this page
- Best months: May–Oct · avoid Jan–Mar (cooler, fewer services) · month by month →
- 1 airport and 4 areas to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 3 bands
- 1 day-trips, door to door
- 2 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- Add a night at Woodlands Stop Over for cheap camping.
- Link to Maun via A3 for onward safari travel.
Sources
- officialBotswana Railways
- officialAir Botswana
- secondaryWikivoyage: Francistown, revision 5132158 (CC BY-SA 4.0)
Ask about Francistown
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