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Francistown Old Gold Mines

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Historical site
—°5
Francistown Old Gold Mines (Botswana)

Weather…

The Old Gold Mines of Francistown, most notably the Monarch Mine, represent the site of the first major gold rush in Southern Africa during the 1860s. Well before the legendary strikes at Witwatersrand, German explorer Karl Mauch identified significant gold deposits in the Tati Goldfields in 1866. This discovery directly led to the establishment of Francistown as a primary supply hub for miners and prospectors flocking to the region. The Monarch Mine was among the most productive operations, functioning intermittently over several decades into the 20th century. Today, various abandoned shafts, tailing dumps, and remnants of early industrial infrastructure remain as artifacts of the city's mining heritage. These mines were instrumental in the early economic development of the Bechuanaland Protectorate, attracting a global workforce and shaping Francistown into a multicultural commercial center.

Best time to visit & climate

The most pleasant time to visit is Apr, Aug, Sep.

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Avg °C252524221916151923262626
Rain mm100896123441082568102

📋 Practical info

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Visiting
The remains of the old gold mines of Francistown are freely accessible open-air ruins. Visitors can explore the historic shafts and spoil heaps.
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Typical hours
The site is accessible at any time during the day with no fixed hours. A visit is especially worthwhile late afternoon in good light.
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Photography
The rusty machinery remains and the barren landscape offer interesting photo subjects. Historical photos of the miners complement the picture.
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Time needed
A walk through the mining area takes about one hour. If you invest more time, you can study the traces of the gold prospectors in detail.
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Combine with
Combine the visit with the Francistown Museum, which tells the gold rush story. The nearby Tati River is also worth a walk.
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Getting there
The mines are on the outskirts of Francistown and reachable by car or taxi within minutes. Parking is possible on the street.
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Insider tip
Wear sturdy shoes and be careful around unsecured shafts. Bring water as there are no facilities on site.

Geography

Coordinates
-21.17360, 27.50800

Facts

  • Site of Southern Africa's first gold rush in 1866
  • Gold deposits discovered by Karl Mauch in the Tati fields
  • The Monarch Mine was the region's leading gold producer
  • Francistown was established to serve the mining community
  • Mining operations continued into the early 20th century
  • Remains of shafts and old equipment are still present

Explore nearby

Notable places around

Francistown Railway StationFrancistown Railway Station<1 km · NEExplore →
Tati Nickel MineTati Nickel Mine8 km · NEExplore →
Tati RiverTati River11 km · NExplore →
Shashe RiverShashe River31 km · NWExplore →
Matsitama Minerals ComplexMatsitama Minerals Complex61 km · SExplore →
Domboshaba RuinsDomboshaba Ruins69 km · EExplore →
Mangwe Pass MemorialMangwe Pass Memorial75 km · NEExplore →
PlumtreePlumtree75 km · NEExplore →

Route planner — Car & Motorhome

Where do you start? We build the route here, with stops and country notes along the way.

Vehicle
Only stops with (optional):

© OpenStreetMap contributors · OpenRouteService

Sights in the town Francistown Old Gold Mines (5)

Kenneth Nkhwa Interchange

Traffic junction in Francistown, named after a politician. Connects major roads of the city.

Tebo House🏰 castle

Historic building in Francistown, once used as a residence. Colonial-era architecture.

Francistown Records Centre🏛 museum

Archive and museum in Francistown. Holds documents and historical records of the region.

Supa Ngwao Museum🏛 museum

Museum in Francistown with exhibits on local culture and history. Displays traditional artifacts.

Old Water Tank

Old water tower in Francistown, a city landmark. Remnant of early water supply system.

Sights nearby

Frequently asked questions

What is the history of the old gold mines in Francistown?
They date back to the first gold rush in Southern Africa in the 1860s.
Can the mines be visited?
Some old shafts are visible from the outside, but entry is often restricted for safety reasons.
Are there guided tours to the mines?
Local history enthusiasts or the Supa Ngwao Museum occasionally offer tours.
Is the area dangerous?
Be careful of old, unsecured shafts; stay on the marked paths.
What else is there to see besides the mines?
You can discover the remains of old machinery and buildings from the colonial era.
Francistown Old Gold Mines: where is it located?
Francistown Old Gold Mines is located in Botswana.
Francistown Old Gold Mines: what is there to see?
Highlights include Kenneth Nkhwa Interchange, Tebo House, Francistown Records Centre.
Francistown Old Gold Mines: when is the best time to visit?
The most pleasant time to visit is Apr, Aug, Sep.
Francistown Old Gold Mines: why is it worth visiting?
The Old Gold Mines of Francistown, most notably the Monarch Mine, represent the site of the first major gold rush in Southern Africa during the 1860s.
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Nearby cities

Plumtree — Francistown Old Gold Mines (Botswana)
Plumtree
Plumtree is Zimbabwe's primary western gateway, located on the border with Botswana.

History & landmarks

Francistown Railway Station — Francistown Old Gold Mines (Botswana)
Francistown Railway Station
The Francistown Railway Station is a historic transport landmark, a key stop on the rail line connecting Southern and Central Africa.

More places

Supa Ngwao Museum — Francistown Old Gold Mines (Botswana)
Supa Ngwao Museum
Supa Ngwao serves as the regional museum for Francistown, showcasing the history of the Kalanga people and the local gold rush.
Francistown Dry Port — Francistown Old Gold Mines (Botswana)
Francistown Dry Port
The Francistown Dry Port serves as a crucial logistics and transit point in northern Botswana.
BMC Francistown Abattoir — Francistown Old Gold Mines (Botswana)
BMC Francistown Abattoir
The abattoir in Francistown serves the cattle industry in northern Botswana.
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Tati Nickel Mine
The Tati Nickel Mine, located near Francistown, was a significant producer of nickel concentrate in Botswana.
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Tati River
The Tati River flows through the city of Francistown, serving as a key drainage system in the northeastern region.
Shashe River — Francistown Old Gold Mines (Botswana)
Shashe River
The Shashe River is a major ephemeral river that forms part of the international border between Botswana and Zimbabwe.
Matsitama Minerals Complex — Francistown Old Gold Mines (Botswana)
Matsitama Minerals Complex
The Matsitama region has been explored for its significant copper and mineral potential.
Domboshaba Ruins — Francistown Old Gold Mines (Botswana)
Domboshaba Ruins
Domboshaba is an iron-age stone walled settlement that served as a regional capital for the Great Zimbabwe-style culture.