Botswana Towns, Cities, Locations and Districts

(Botswana, BW, Southern Africa)

Many of the visitors to Botswana are wildlife enthusiasts who are mostly interested in spotting the county's native animals in its national parks and reserves. However, it is well worth taking time out to see the other attractions on offer in Botswana's towns and cities.

The capital city of Gaborone is a good place to explore, as well as pick up any essential items you may need on your travels. Likewise, Francistown and Maun are both popular large towns that have lots of facilities and plenty to see and do. For a real taste of Botswana, however, it is best to head into a small town or village where it is possible to see a more traditional side of Southern Africa.

Gaborone

As far as capital cities go, Gaborone is fairly modest in terms of size. That said, it is a lively place to while away a few days. Gaborone is mostly given over to modern buildings, including the majority of Botswana's shopping centres, hotels and leisure activities. Evidence of Gaborone's colonial past still survives, however, in the form of the 'Village'.

Major attractions include Orapa House, the National Museum and Art Gallery. Devotees of the No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency books, written by McCall Smith, will not want to miss a tour of the fictional detective's favourite haunts. More information about Gaborone.

Serowe

Situated in eastern Botswana, Serowe can best be described as somewhere between a large village and a small town. It is notably the home of Bessie Head, a famous South African-born writer. Serowe was the inspiration of her best-known book, 'Serowe: Village of the Rain Wind'. Visitors to Serowe can visit the Khama Rhino Sanctuary located nearby, and Serowe's Khamma III Memorial Museum.

Francistown

Located in eastern Botswana, Francistown is the second-largest city in the country. There is plenty of evidence that the city once played a central role in the gold rush that hit Southern Africa. Today, this historic mining town has become a popular tourist attraction.

Maun

The town of Maun dates back to the early 20th century. It has now earned itself the title of tourism capital of Botswana. Maun abounds with opportunities to book a safari or hire a guide to take you deeper into this fascinating country.

Lobatse

Situated some 65 km / 40 miles south of Gaborone, Lobatse was once intended to be Botswana's capital city. Today's visitors will find that the town is a pleasant place to while away a few hours. As well as some interesting archaeological remains, the town is perhaps better known as the gateway to the Trans-Kalahari Highway and to South Africa, via the Pioneer Gate border crossing.

Mochudi

Located some 35 km / 22 miles from Gaborone, Mochudi is a relatively large traditional village, complete with a tribal meeting place and houses. The hill behind the town offers great views over the surrounding town and valley. Main attractions in Mochudi include the Phuthadikobo Museum. The village's connection with McCall Smith's series of books, the No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency, have made Mochudi something of a must-see destination for book lovers.

Kasane

Kasane is located on the northern-most border of Botswana. As such, it has grown rapidly from being a small village to becoming a bustling town. The popularity of Kasane is largely due to its proximity to some of this area's major tourist attractions, including Namibia's Caprivi Strip and the nearby Victoria Falls, on the border with both Zambia and Zimbabwe. Kasane has plenty of facilities and from here, it is possible to make forays into the many nearby national parks and nature reserves.