Francistown

Francistown grew around gold. Ancient workings in the area were reopened by prospectors in the 1860s and 1870s, and the town that formed took its name from Daniel Francis, one of the concession holders. It became the country's commercial centre for the north and remains its second city, a working place on the road and rail line to Zimbabwe. The Supa Ngwao Museum, in old colonial buildings, covers the region's history and the peoples of the northeast.

What you actually see

• The Supa Ngwao Museum - regional history and culture in restored colonial buildings.
• The gold-rush history - old workings and the story of the 1860s rush around the town.
• The railway - the line north to Zimbabwe running through the centre.
• The commercial centre - the working heart of northern Botswana.

When to go

April to September is the dry season and most comfortable. Summer from November to March is hot with afternoon storms. The museum keeps limited hours and closes on some days.

Honest expectations

There is little sightseeing and the city is a stopover rather than a destination. The museum is small and its hours are unreliable. Most old mining sites are on private ground and not accessible.

Nearby

Domboshaba is northeast, and the Tuli block is south.