Mathangwane Travel Guide

City City in Central Botswana

Main image
A performer in Mathangwane at Bot50 celebrations.jpeg
Closeup View of Botswana 50years of independence commemorative plaque in Mathangwane.jpeg
Mathangwane Primary School 86 years anniversary commemorative plaque - Closeup.jpeg
Mathangwane Primary School 86 years anniversary commemorative plaque.jpeg
Costs
Budget: $35-60 USD per day
Basic lodging, local food and transport; camps raise costs.
Safety
Low crime, remote-area risks
Generally safe but remote; avoid night travel on unlit roads.
Best Time
May-September (dry season)
Dry season eases travel and outdoor activities.
Local Time
6:48 PM
GMT+2
Weather
Clear 70°F
Clear
Population
4,675
Infrastructure & Convenience
Limited public transit and tourist services; basic shops only.
Popularity
Very low; occasional domestic visitors and overland travelers.
Known For
rural Setswana village, cattle farming, local market, traditional community life, savanna scenery, village church, community school, dirt roads

Why Visit Mathangwane? #

A stay in Mathangwane offers a close-up look at rural Botswana life framed by expansive Central District landscapes and traditional kgotla gatherings where community stories and decisions are shared. Expect warm Setswana hospitality, charcoal markets and local livestock culture that spotlight pastoral traditions such as cattle herding and seasonal celebrations. Simple guesthouses make a restful base for experiencing Seswaa and other local dishes, and for meeting artisans who preserve crafts tied to village life.

Best Things to Do in Mathangwane

All Attractions ›

Mathangwane Bucket List

Best Time to Visit Mathangwane #

Visit Mathangwane in the cool, dry winter months (May-August) for comfortable game viewing, clear skies and fewer insects. The rainy summer (Dec-Mar) brings lush scenery and dramatic storms but can make some roads difficult.

Cool Dry Season
May - August · 5-28 °C / 41-82 °F
Perfect for game viewing: mornings are crisp, days comfortably warm and mosquitoes scarce; clear skies make photography and stargazing excellent.
Hot Dry Season
September - November · 20-38 °C / 68-100 °F
Scorching afternoons, dusty roads, but vegetation browns making wildlife easier to spot; early mornings pleasant for drives before heat intensifies.
Rainy Season
December - March · 20-33 °C / 68-91 °F
Lush landscapes, prolific birdlife and dramatic thunderstorms; some roads become impassable but butterfly and migratory bird numbers peak truly rewarding.

Best Time to Visit Mathangwane #

Climate

Mathangwane's climate is classified as Hot Semi-Arid - Hot Semi-Arid climate with warm summers (peaking in November) and cool winters (coldest in July). Temperatures range from 6°C to 32°C. Semi-arid with limited rainfall with a pronounced dry season.

Best Time to Visit
SeptemberAugustMay
Temperature & Rainfall
Temperature Range
42°
Warmest Month
Coldest Month
Monthly Conditions

January

January is warm with highs of 31°C and lows of 18°C. The wettest month with 96 mm of rain and partly cloudy skies.

81 Excellent

Comfort

25°
Feels Like Warm
25°C
Temperature
18° 31°
57%
Humidity
Humid

Weather

96 mm
Rainfall
2.6 m/s
Wind
Calm
3.0
UV Index
Extreme
13.1h daylight

February

February is mild with highs of 30°C and lows of 18°C. Regular rainfall (82 mm) and partly cloudy skies.

81 Excellent

Comfort

24°
Feels Like Mild
24°C
Temperature
18° 30°
59%
Humidity
Humid

Weather

82 mm
Rainfall
2.5 m/s
Wind
Calm
2.8
UV Index
Extreme
12.7h daylight

March

March is mild with highs of 30°C and lows of 17°C. Moderate rainfall (45 mm).

87 Excellent

Comfort

23°
Feels Like Mild
23°C
Temperature
17° 30°
58%
Humidity
Humid

Weather

45 mm
Rainfall
2.3 m/s
Wind
Calm
2.5
UV Index
Extreme
12.1h daylight

April

April is mild with highs of 28°C and lows of 14°C. Light rainfall and mostly sunny skies.

91 Ideal

Comfort

21°
Feels Like Mild
21°C
Temperature
14° 28°
54%
Humidity
Humid

Weather

25 mm
Rainfall
2.4 m/s
Wind
Calm
2.0
UV Index
Extreme
11.5h daylight

May

May is cool with highs of 26°C and lows of 9°C. Almost no rain and clear sunny skies.

95 Ideal

Comfort

18°
Feels Like Cool
18°C
Temperature
26°
45%
Humidity
Comfortable

Weather

4 mm
Rainfall
2.1 m/s
Wind
Calm
1.5
UV Index
Very High
11.0h daylight

June

June is cool with highs of 23°C and lows of 6°C. Almost no rain and clear sunny skies.

93 Ideal

Comfort

15°
Feels Like Cool
15°C
Temperature
23°
46%
Humidity
Comfortable

Weather

2 mm
Rainfall
2.0 m/s
Wind
Calm
1.2
UV Index
High
10.8h daylight

July

July is the coolest month with highs of 24°C and lows of 6°C. The driest month with just 1 mm and clear sunny skies.

95 Ideal

Comfort

15°
Feels Like Cool
15°C
Temperature
24°
44%
Humidity
Comfortable

Weather

1 mm
Rainfall
2.4 m/s
Wind
Calm
1.2
UV Index
High
10.9h daylight

August

August is cool with highs of 27°C and lows of 9°C. The driest month with just 1 mm and clear sunny skies.

97 Ideal

Comfort

18°
Feels Like Cool
18°C
Temperature
27°
35%
Humidity
Comfortable

Weather

1 mm
Rainfall
2.8 m/s
Wind
Calm
1.6
UV Index
Very High
11.3h daylight

September

September is mild with highs of 30°C and lows of 13°C. Almost no rain and clear sunny skies.

98 Ideal

Comfort

22°
Feels Like Mild
22°C
Temperature
13° 31°
32%
Humidity
Comfortable

Weather

7 mm
Rainfall
3.1 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze
1.9
UV Index
Very High
11.9h daylight

October

October is warm with highs of 32°C and lows of 17°C. Light rainfall and mostly sunny skies.

94 Ideal

Comfort

24°
Feels Like Warm
24°C
Temperature
17° 32°
36%
Humidity
Comfortable

Weather

25 mm
Rainfall
3.4 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze
2.4
UV Index
Extreme
12.4h daylight

November

November is the warmest month with highs of 32°C and lows of 18°C. Moderate rainfall (72 mm) and partly cloudy skies.

84 Excellent

Comfort

25°
Feels Like Warm
25°C
Temperature
18° 32°
45%
Humidity
Comfortable

Weather

72 mm
Rainfall
3.2 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze
2.6
UV Index
Extreme
13.0h daylight

December

December is warm with highs of 31°C and lows of 18°C. Regular rainfall (81 mm) and partly cloudy skies.

77 Very Good

Comfort

25°
Feels Like Warm
25°C
Temperature
18° 31°
55%
Humidity
Humid

Weather

81 mm
Rainfall
2.8 m/s
Wind
Calm
2.8
UV Index
Extreme
13.2h daylight

How to Get to Mathangwane

By Air
By Train & Bus

How to Get Around Mathangwane #

Mathangwane is a small village so most visits are on foot; the centre and neighbourhoods are easy to walk between. For trips further afield residents use private cars, shared taxis/minibuses and occasional regional services, so plan transport in advance. Expect fares for shared taxis to be low (a few pula for short hops) but services can be infrequent. If you want to explore surrounding areas a rental car is the most convenient option; carry water and prepare for limited signage outside the village.

Where to Stay in Mathangwane #

Budget
Francistown / regional towns - $20-60/night
Mathangwane is a small village with few formal hotels; budget travellers use Francistown or nearby towns for accommodation.
Mid-Range
Francistown / Gaborone (regional hubs) - $60-140/night
Mid-range hotel choices are best found in larger towns; Mathangwane itself has limited guesthouses and few boutique stays.
Luxury
Gaborone / Francistown - $150+/night
No luxury hotels are in Mathangwane; for upscale services and secure facilities, book in Gaborone or Francistown before travelling.

Where to Eat in Mathangwane #

Nightlife in Mathangwane #

Nightlife in Mathangwane is very limited - social life centers on small local bars or community gatherings rather than formal venues. After dark options are minimal, so most evenings are quiet unless there’s a local event.

Shopping in Mathangwane #

Shopping is limited to small general stores and informal market stalls selling basics, household goods and local produce. For a wider range of groceries, clothing or electronics you’ll need to travel to a larger town or regional centre.

Nearby Cities #