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Phillip Gaonwe Matante International Airport International Hub illustrationInternational Hub
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FRWlarge airport

Phillip Gaonwe Matante International Airport

Francistown, Botswana
Explore Francistown city guide Navigate to this airport
2
Routes out
2
Destinations
FBPM
ICAO
3283 ft
Elevation
AirlinesAirports profile

Botswana's second-largest international gateway serving the north.

Location
Francistown, Botswana
Phillip Gaonwe Matante International Airport, designated by IATA code FRW and ICAO code FBPM, serves Francistown, Botswana's second-largest city. The airport plays a vital role in connecting northern Botswana to the capital, Gaborone, and to regional destinations across southern Africa. The airport was renamed in honor of Phillip Gaonwe Matante, a prominent Botswana politician and civil rights activist. It handles both domestic and limited international traffic, supporting trade, tourism, and regional connectivity for the Francistown area. The facility is operated under the Botswana Civil Aviation Authority and serves as an important hub for flights linking northern Botswana to neighboring countries such as Zimbabwe and South Africa.
Terminals
The airport operates with a single terminal building handling both domestic and international passengers.
Getting to & from
Ground transport into Francistown city center is primarily available via taxis and private vehicles, as no formal public bus service directly connects the airport to the city.
Airlines here
Air Botswana has historically been the primary carrier operating scheduled services at Francistown Airport.
Notable facts
  • ›The airport is named after Phillip Gaonwe Matante, a notable Botswana independence-era politician and activist.
  • ›Francistown is Botswana's second-largest city, making this airport the country's second busiest.
  • ›The airport supports both domestic routes to Gaborone and limited regional international services.
  • ›The facility falls under the oversight of the Botswana Civil Aviation Authority.
  • ›Its location in northeastern Botswana makes it a strategic access point near the Zimbabwe border.
Wikipedia
This profile is provided for general information only. Details may be inaccurate or outdated — always verify with the airport's official website before acting on them.

Route map (2 destinations)

Leaflet © OpenStreetMap © CARTO

Airlines serving this airport

Air Botswana
BP

Routes

FRW → JNBBP · AT7
FRW → GBEBP · AT7 AT5
Hotels near FRW

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City & Place Guide

Botswana's second city where history meets the modern north

Francistown is Botswana's second-largest city, situated in the northeastern part of the country near the Zimbabwe border. Founded during the gold rush of the late 19th century, it served as a mining hub and today functions as a major commercial and transit center for the region.

The city blends colonial history with a vibrant contemporary atmosphere, offering travelers a genuine slice of everyday Botswana life. While it lacks the safari glamour of the Okavango Delta, Francistown is a practical and interesting stop, especially for those heading to Chobe, Zimbabwe, or the Central Kalahari.

Infrastructure is relatively well developed by regional standards, with decent hotels, shopping malls, restaurants, and reliable road connections making it a comfortable base for exploring northeastern Botswana.

  • •Nyangabgwe Hill — panoramic views over the city from a prominent rocky outcrop
  • •Supa Ngwao Museum — explores the cultural heritage and gold-mining history of the region
  • •Giants Eye Cave — a sacred San rock shelter with ancient paintings nearby
  • •Monarch ruins — remnants of Francistown's original gold-mining era
  • •Botswana Craft — quality local crafts, baskets, and textiles in one convenient shop
  • •Tati River — pleasant riverside scenery ideal for a quiet afternoon walk

Getting around: Francistown is best navigated by combi minibuses, which run fixed routes cheaply across the city, and by metered taxis found near the bus rank and shopping centers. Long-distance buses connect the city to Gaborone, Kasane, and the Zimbabwe border at Ramokgwebana. There is no urban rail service, and rideshare apps are not widely available, so negotiating fares with local taxi drivers is the norm for visitors without a rental car.

Best time: Visit between April and October during the dry season, when temperatures are comfortable and wildlife viewing at nearby areas is at its best.

Local food: Try seswaa, Botswana's slow-cooked pounded meat dish, alongside bogobe porridge and grilled chicken at local restaurants and street-food stalls around the city center.

This guide is provided for general information only. Verify details locally before making travel decisions.

Passport, Visa & Immigration

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Phillip Gaonwe Matante International Airport
Encyclopaedia

Phillip Gaonwe Matante International Airport, also known as Francistown International Airport, serves Francistown, Botswana. The public airport, which caters to both commercial and national military's aircraft, is on the western edge of the city. The airport was named after Philip Matante.

Read full article on Wikipedia

Entity data from open aviation datasets (OurAirports, OpenFlights) with AI-assisted editorial clearly marked. Always confirm time-sensitive details with the official airport website. Sources & verification