Mahalapye, Botswana

With a population of just 48,431, Mahalapye is a small, dry town on the edge of the Kalahari desert - hardly the bustling metropolis some might expect. The highest temperature on record is a scorching 41.9°C, while the mercury can plummet to a bone-chilling -6°C. Bureaucracy is a persistent headache, with the local prison run by the Botswana Prison Service. While the town has some basic amenities like a bus station and market area, it's really just a convenient stop-over for travelers between the capital Gaborone and Francistown. Unless you're an ardent fan of the desert climate, Mahalapye is unlikely to top many expat wish lists.