Getting Around Francistown
Francistown is a major transportation hub in northeastern Botswana and the gateway to the northern part of the country. It sits astride Botswana's main road and rail corridors, which makes it a practical base for reaching destinations such as Nata, Maun and Kasane. For a visitor, the important thing to know up front is that getting around here is almost entirely road-based: there is no metro, tram or light-rail system, and passenger trains are not a dependable option.
Rail: What to Expect
Botswana's railway network runs south to north through Lobatse, Gaborone, Mahalapye, Palapye and Francistown, with branches serving mining areas. However, domestic passenger services have been suspended for extended periods, and the formerly daily cross-border train from Bulawayo in Zimbabwe ended in 2020. As of the most recent information, no passenger trains run domestically or to South Africa — only freight. In short, plan your trip as though the train is not an option, and confirm the current situation locally before you travel if rail matters to you.
Buses and Minibuses
Public transport in Francistown is built around road vehicles, and the city is one of the places in Botswana where it is relatively well developed. There are two broad categories you will use.
- Urban minibuses ("combis"): These are white minibuses, typically with blue license plates, whose windshield signs indicate the zone or route. They depart from a local "rank" (a small bus station) on relatively fixed routes. There are no posted schedules — combis leave only once they are full or nearly full, so waits are short at peak hours and long on secondary routes or off-peak. Fares are regulated and paid in cash on board to the driver or conductor; there are no day passes or subscriptions, so carry small change. To board, stand at a known stop or hail the vehicle with your arm extended at shoulder height, palm down, fingers waving. To get off, there is no stop button — tell the driver verbally, naming a landmark if that helps. Be aware that combis can be crowded, noisy and poorly ventilated, and that maintenance and driving standards vary.
- Intercity buses: Private operators — the best known being Seabelo (also spelled Seabalo) — run regular services linking Francistown with Gaborone, Maun, Kasane and other major towns. Scheduled departures are officially assigned and generally respected, but complete timetables are rarely available online, so inquire at the bus rank the day before or on the day of departure. Tickets are bought with cash at the rank or on board, and it is wise to arrive well before departure to secure a seat. Comfort is basic: seats are tight, air conditioning may be missing or faulty, and buses are often packed. Because Francistown is a hub, it also connects to most other villages and towns in the north, with direct services to tourist destinations such as Maun and Kasane. International services arrive from Bulawayo and Harare in Zimbabwe, and Khanda Express runs to Francistown from Johannesburg via the Martins Drift border post.
Taxis and Ride-Hailing
Taxis are available in Francistown and are particularly useful early in the morning, late in the evening, or for anywhere the combi routes do not reach. Most taxis do not have meters, so agree on the fare before you get in, and expect some room for negotiation. At night, taxis are considered significantly safer than walking or taking a combi, and your accommodation or a restaurant can usually call a trusted driver for you — a good way to avoid unregistered vehicles. Ride-hailing apps such as Uber, Bolt and inDrive, along with the local app Mpitsa, are emerging in Botswana but are concentrated in Gaborone, so do not count on them as your main way of getting around Francistown.
Walkability
Walking is a realistic option for short trips in the immediate centre, but it is not the way to cover the city as a whole, and it becomes a poor choice after dark. For anything beyond a short stroll, and for evening travel in particular, plan on a taxi or a combi instead.
Getting In from the Airport
Francistown has its own international airport, which has been undergoing a major expansion. Commercially, it is served by Air Botswana, which offers flights from Gaborone and from Johannesburg in South Africa on selected days of the week. Note that airports in Botswana — including Francistown's — are generally connected to their city centres only by taxi or private shuttle; there is no direct public transport link. The practical approach is to arrange a taxi or a shuttle pickup, either through your accommodation or with a driver you have agreed a fare with in advance.
Practical Tips
- Carry small change in pula for combi fares, which are paid in cash on board.
- Ask at the bus rank for intercity schedules rather than relying on online timetables.
- Agree taxi fares before entering the vehicle, since meters are uncommon.
- Use taxis rather than walking or combis at night, and ask your hotel to call a trusted driver.
- Treat rail as unavailable for passenger travel and confirm locally if this matters for your plans.