Lentsweletau City
City in Botswana known for its local community
A roadside village outside Gaborone, Lentsweletau hosts livestock markets and kgotla gatherings. Travelers stop for local bakeries, crafts, and to arrange trips to nearby wildlife areas and dusty tracks where boots-out walking and cattle drives still set the rhythm.
Why Visit Lentsweletau?#
A quiet Kweneng District village where travelers come for rural Botswana life, Lentsweletau is a good spot to meet Setswana cattle-herding communities and sample local crafts. Markets sell woven baskets and beadwork, and nearby granitic hills offer simple day hikes with wide savannah views. Homestays and community-run guesthouses provide close-up cultural contact rather than polished safari lodges. The appeal is authenticity and slow-paced country living.
Lentsweletau Bucket List#
Lentsweletau Market - Visit the lively market to buy crafts, beads, and local produce.
Molepolole and Kgosi Sechele Museum - Day trip to Molepolole to see Kgosi Sechele Museum and Bakwena heritage.
Village cattle posts - Observe pastoral life at nearby cattle posts and seasonal livestock gatherings.
Local braai stalls - Sample local braai at roadside stalls frequented by Lentsweletau residents.
Rural walking tracks - Follow sandy village tracks to kopjes and termite mound landscapes nearby.
Cultural storytelling evenings - Attend village storytelling evenings to hear oral histories and folk songs.
Gaborone - Visit Gaborone for the National Museum, Kgale Hill walks, and markets.
Mokolodi Nature Reserve - Mokolodi offers short game drives, rhino conservation education, and picnic areas.
Best Time to Visit Lentsweletau#
Lentsweletau shines in the cool dry months (May-August) for easy wildlife spotting and comfortable days. The wet season brings heat, lush landscapes, and travel challenges on rural roads.
May - August
5-24°C (41-75°F)
Clear skies, excellent wildlife viewing, and chilly nights - the nicest time to explore without mud or insects.
September - October
18-33°C (64-91°F)
Very warm days with low humidity and dusty landscapes; good for game drives but expect increasing heat.
November - April
20-34°C (68-93°F)
Hot, wet, and lush: roads get messy and mosquitoes spike, but birdlife and vegetation are abundant and dramatic.
Lentsweletau's climate is classified as Hot Semi-Arid - Hot Semi-Arid climate with hot summers (peaking in January) and cool winters (coldest in July). Temperatures range from 4°C to 33°C. Semi-arid with limited rainfall with a pronounced dry season.
January
January is the warmest month with highs of 33°C and lows of 19°C. The wettest month with 84 mm of rain.
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February
February is warm with highs of 32°C and lows of 19°C. Moderate rainfall (76 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
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March
March is mild with highs of 31°C and lows of 17°C. Moderate rainfall (62 mm).
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April
April is mild with highs of 28°C and lows of 13°C. Light rainfall.
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May
May is cool with highs of 26°C and lows of 8°C. Almost no rain and clear sunny skies.
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June
June is cool with highs of 24°C and lows of 5°C. Almost no rain and clear sunny skies.
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July
July is the coolest month with highs of 24°C and lows of 4°C. The driest month with just 1 mm and clear sunny skies.
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August
August is cool with highs of 27°C and lows of 7°C. Almost no rain and clear sunny skies.
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September
September is mild with highs of 31°C and lows of 12°C. Light rainfall and clear sunny skies.
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October
October is warm with highs of 33°C and lows of 16°C. Moderate rainfall (37 mm) and mostly sunny skies.
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November
November is warm with highs of 32°C and lows of 18°C. Moderate rainfall (55 mm).
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December
December is warm with highs of 32°C and lows of 19°C. Moderate rainfall (69 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
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How to Get to Lentsweletau#
Lentsweletau is reached overland from Gaborone (Sir Seretse Khama International, GBE). There are no scheduled passenger flights into Lentsweletau; most visitors arrive at GBE and continue by bus, kombi or taxi.
Sir Seretse Khama International Airport (GBE): The main airport serving Gaborone; GBE is the nearest major airport for Lentsweletau. From GBE you can take a taxi or private transfer into Gaborone and onward to Lentsweletau by road (drive from Gaborone to Lentsweletau ~40-60 minutes depending on route).
Gaborone (city airstrips/smaller fields): There are no regular scheduled commercial flights serving Lentsweletau directly; all air arrivals use GBE followed by an overland connection.
Train: Botswana has limited passenger rail services; passenger rail does not provide a practical direct link to Lentsweletau for most visitors.
Bus: Intercity minibuses (shared taxis/kombis) and coach services run from Gaborone and Molepolole to Lentsweletau. Buses and minibuses depart from Gaborone’s main bus/matatu ranks; journey times are typically 40-75 minutes depending on service and stops.
How to Get Around Lentsweletau#
Lentsweletau is an overland destination from Gaborone’s airport; minibuses/kombis and taxis are the common ways to travel the final leg. Renting a car gives the most independence for exploring the broader Kweneng area.
- Intercity minibus / kombi (BWP 10-40) - Shared minibuses and kombis connect Gaborone and nearby towns to Lentsweletau; they are the most economical option. Departure points are Gaborone’s bus ranks and matatu stops; travel time is typically under 90 minutes depending on route and stops.
- Private taxi / transfer (BWP 200-400) - Taxis from Gaborone or directly from GBE are the quickest and most comfortable option, especially if you have luggage. Expect door-to-door travel of around 40-60 minutes from Gaborone; negotiate or confirm a fixed fare before departure.
- Car rental (BWP 350+/day) - Hiring a car in Gaborone gives flexibility to visit Lentsweletau and nearby rural areas. Roads around the village are generally paved, but always check local conditions in the rainy season and carry a map or GPS.
- Local taxi/drive (BWP 10-100) - Local taxis operate within Lentsweletau for short trips; vehicles are useful for reaching dispersed shops, clinics or nearby villages. Be prepared to agree fares in advance for longer transfers.
- Walking - The settlement centre is walkable for short errands; walking is the practical way to explore local shops and markets but distances between villages can be large.
Where to Stay in Lentsweletau#
Molepolole / Gaborone (nearby) - BWP 200-700/night
Lentsweletau has limited formal hotels. Budget travellers usually stay in nearby Molepolole or Gaborone and commute; local guesthouses are basic and limited.
Cresta Lodge Gaborone - Affordable chain hotel in Gaborone
Small guesthouses (Molepolole listings) - Local guesthouses near Lentsweletau
Gaborone - BWP 700-1,600/night
Mid-range options are concentrated in Gaborone (drivable). These hotels offer better facilities and dining; plan transport if staying in Lentsweletau.
Avani Gaborone Resort & Casino - Popular mid-range/full-service hotel
Protea Hotel by Marriott (Gaborone) - Reliable mid-range chain option
Gaborone - BWP 1,600-3,500+/night
There are no luxury hotels in Lentsweletau itself. Luxury travellers should base in Gaborone for five-star services and onward travel.
Avani Gaborone Resort & Casino - Top-tier rooms and amenities
Peermont properties (regional luxury) - Upscale regional hotel group
Shopping in Lentsweletau#
Shopping options are basic: small general dealers, food stalls and a local market supplying everyday goods. Handicraft and souvenir shopping is very limited within the village. For a wider range of shops and specialty items, visit larger towns such as Molepolole or Gaborone.
Nightlife in Lentsweletau#
Nightlife in Lentsweletau is very limited. Evenings are typically low-key with a few local bars or community gathering spots rather than formal clubs or live-music venues. If you want more nightlife choices, travel to larger towns where pubs and entertainment are available.
