About Francistown
About Francistown
Francistown is Botswana's second-largest city, located in the northeast of the country near the Tati River. It serves as a major commercial and transport hub connecting Botswana to Zimbabwe and Zambia.
About Gaborone
Gaborone is the capital and largest city of Botswana, founded in 1964 and named after Kgosi Gaborone. It sits between Kgale and Oodi Hills, near the confluence of the Notwane and Segoditshane rivers, about 15km from the South African border. Home to Sir Seretse Khama International Airport and the University of Botswana.
About Palapye
Palapye is a growing town in Botswana's Central District, roughly halfway between Francistown and Gaborone, by the Lotsane River. Its long-time nickname is "Playtown." The town is home to Morupule Colliery, which supplies Morupule Power Station - Botswana's principal domestic source of electricity.
About Maun
Maun is known as the "tourism capital" of Botswana and the administrative centre of Ngamiland. It is the headquarters for numerous safari and air-charter operations running trips into the Okavango Delta, and is served by Maun International Airport.
About Kasane
Kasane sits at the far northeastern corner of Botswana, close to where the borders of Botswana, Namibia, Zambia and Zimbabwe nearly meet - sometimes called Africa's "Four Corners." The town lies on the south bank of the Chobe River and serves as the administrative centre of the Chobe District.
The History of Francistown
Francistown traces its roots to southern Africa's first gold rush in the 1860s-1870s, named after Daniel Francis, a mining company representative. It grew from a mining settlement into Botswana's second city and a key regional trade hub.
The History of Gaborone
Gaborone was purpose-built as Botswana's capital ahead of independence in 1966, one of relatively few planned capital cities in Africa. It has grown from a small administrative town into a metro area of over half a million people.
The History of Palapye
The name Palapye comes from "impala." The Bamangwato people settled the area under the church, later relocating due to rocky terrain. Its position on Southern Africa's main north-south rail and road routes has long made it a key stopover town.
The History of Maun
Founded in 1915, Maun has grown from a traditional settlement into Botswana's fifth-largest town and its main gateway to the Okavango Delta - one of the world's great wildlife destinations.
The History of Kasane
Kasane briefly gained international fame in 1975 as the location of Elizabeth Taylor and Richard Burton's remarriage. The Chobe River here forms the border with Namibia's Caprivi Strip, with a passenger ferry border crossing still operating today.