Tsao, Botswana Travel Guide

City Small North-West District settlement in Botswana

On the dry savanna, Tsao serves as a gateway to cattle posts and seasonal pans where birding, village markets, and walks with San guides introduce visitors to Kalahari rhythms.

Costs

$30-60 per day (very budget)

Daily tourist budget around $30-60; camping or basic lodges lower.

Safety

Quiet and low-crime, but remote

Generally safe but remote; standard rural precautions.

Best Time

Best visited May-September (dry season)

Visit during the dry months, May-September, for easier access and clearer roads.

In This Guide

Why Visit
Best Things to Do
Bucket List
Best Time to Visit
How to Get There
How to Get Around
Where to Stay
Where to Eat

Local Time

6:44 PM

GMT+2

Weather

73°F

Clear

Population

1,409

Infrastructure & Convenience

Very limited public transport; dirt roads and basic services, car recommended.

Popularity

Very low - almost no tourist infrastructure; appeals to adventurers and cultural visitors.

Known For

rural village life, traditional Setswana culture, cattle posts, dirt roads, birdwatching potential, subsistence farming, remote atmosphere, stargazing

Why Visit Tsao, Botswana? #

Set on the edge of Botswana’s North-West District, Tsao draws travelers interested in wide-open bushland and traditional Setswana life. Mokoro excursions into nearby wetlands and game drives provide classic wildlife encounters in the Okavango region, while village kgotla gatherings and traditional dance offer cultural insight. Hearty local dishes such as seswaa and morogo are served at family homesteads. It’s a place for slow-paced nature and community immersion rather than resort-style tourism.

Best Things to Do in Tsao, Botswana

All Attractions ›

Lake Ngami

Seasonal lake supporting birds and local fisheries

Lake

Tsao, Botswana Bucket List

Don't Miss

Okavango Delta - Seasonal inland delta offering boat safaris, wildlife viewing, and mokoro journeys.
Tsodilo Hills - UNESCO rock art site with thousands of ancient paintings and hiking routes.
Maun town - Gateway town with safari operators, markets, and transport into the delta.

Hidden Gems

Moremi Game Reserve - Diverse reserve with waterways, floodplains, and excellent game-viewing by vehicle.
Khwai Community Area - Community-run concessions offering night drives, mokoro trips, and cultural interactions.
Three Dikgosi Monument - Monument honoring three tribal chiefs with informative plaques and city views.

Day Trips

Maun - Busy safari hub where you can book flights, lodges, and guided tours.
Tsodilo Hills - Accessible day excursion to prehistoric paintings and panoramic desert vistas.

Best Time to Visit Tsao, Botswana #

Visit during the cool dry months (May-August) for the most comfortable game-viewing and easier travel on gravel tracks. Avoid the rainy season if you dislike mud, mosquitoes and sometimes-impassable roads.

Cool Dry Season

May - August · 10°C - 25°C (50°F - 77°F)

Best for wildlife viewing-comfortable days and chilly nights, firm roads, and fewer mosquitoes; ideal if you want clearer skies and easier travel.

Hot Dry Season

September - October · 25°C - 35°C (77°F - 95°F)

Very hot, dusty days; wildlife congregates around dwindling waterholes but daytime heat can make long drives unpleasant, so plan early starts and rest midday.

Rainy Season

November - April · 20°C - 33°C (68°F - 91°F)

Lush landscapes and dramatic thunderstorms, but dirt tracks become impassable, mosquitoes surge and some lodges close-best for birding if you tolerate wet conditions.

Best Time to Visit Tsao, Botswana #

Climate

Tsao, Botswana's climate is classified as Hot Semi-Arid - Hot Semi-Arid climate with hot summers (peaking in November) and mild winters (coldest in July). Temperatures range from 8°C to 36°C. Semi-arid with limited rainfall with a pronounced dry season.

Best Time to Visit

SeptemberMayJune

Temperature & Rainfall

Temperature Range

43°

Warmest Month

1°

Coldest Month

Monthly Conditions

January

January is warm with highs of 33°C and lows of 20°C. The wettest month with 96 mm of rain and partly cloudy skies.

81 Excellent

Comfort

27°

Feels Like Warm

27°C

Temperature

20° – 33°

56%

Humidity

Humid

Weather

96 mm

Rainfall

2.3 m/s

Wind

Calm

3.0

UV Index

Extreme

13.1h daylight

February

February is warm with highs of 33°C and lows of 20°C. Moderate rainfall (69 mm) and partly cloudy skies.

83 Excellent

Comfort

26°

Feels Like Warm

26°C

Temperature

20° – 33°

58%

Humidity

Humid

Weather

69 mm

Rainfall

2.3 m/s

Wind

Calm

2.8

UV Index

Extreme

12.7h daylight

March

March is warm with highs of 32°C and lows of 19°C. Moderate rainfall (53 mm).

87 Excellent

Comfort

26°

Feels Like Warm

26°C

Temperature

19° – 33°

54%

Humidity

Humid

Weather

53 mm

Rainfall

2.4 m/s

Wind

Calm

2.5

UV Index

Extreme

12.1h daylight

April

April is mild with highs of 32°C and lows of 16°C. Light rainfall and mostly sunny skies.

93 Ideal

Comfort

24°

Feels Like Mild

24°C

Temperature

16° – 32°

46%

Humidity

Comfortable

Weather

19 mm

Rainfall

2.4 m/s

Wind

Calm

2.0

UV Index

Very High

11.5h daylight

May

May is mild with highs of 30°C and lows of 11°C. Almost no rain and clear sunny skies.

97 Ideal

Comfort

20°

Feels Like Mild

20°C

Temperature

11° – 30°

35%

Humidity

Comfortable

Weather

2 mm

Rainfall

2.2 m/s

Wind

Calm

1.5

UV Index

High

11.0h daylight

June

June is cool with highs of 27°C and lows of 8°C. Almost no rain and clear sunny skies.

97 Ideal

Comfort

17°

Feels Like Cool

17°C

Temperature

8° – 27°

35%

Humidity

Comfortable

Weather

1 mm

Rainfall

2.4 m/s

Wind

Calm

1.2

UV Index

High

10.8h daylight

July

July is the coolest month with highs of 27°C and lows of 8°C. The driest month with just 0 mm and clear sunny skies.

97 Ideal

Comfort

17°

Feels Like Cool

17°C

Temperature

8° – 27°

33%

Humidity

Comfortable

Weather

0 mm

Rainfall

2.6 m/s

Wind

Calm

1.2

UV Index

High

10.9h daylight

August

August is mild with highs of 30°C and lows of 10°C. Almost no rain and clear sunny skies.

97 Ideal

Comfort

20°

Feels Like Mild

20°C

Temperature

11° – 30°

25%

Humidity

Dry

Weather

1 mm

Rainfall

2.7 m/s

Wind

Calm

1.4

UV Index

High

11.3h daylight

September

September is warm with highs of 34°C and lows of 15°C. Almost no rain and clear sunny skies.

100 Ideal

Comfort

25°

Feels Like Warm

25°C

Temperature

15° – 34°

21%

Humidity

Dry

Weather

3 mm

Rainfall

3.0 m/s

Wind

Light Breeze

1.7

UV Index

Very High

11.9h daylight

October

October is warm with highs of 36°C and lows of 19°C. Light rainfall and mostly sunny skies.

94 Ideal

Comfort

28°

Feels Like Warm

28°C

Temperature

19° – 36°

24%

Humidity

Dry

Weather

18 mm

Rainfall

3.3 m/s

Wind

Light Breeze

2.3

UV Index

Extreme

12.4h daylight

November

November is the warmest month with highs of 35°C and lows of 20°C. Moderate rainfall (33 mm) and partly cloudy skies.

88 Excellent

Comfort

28°

Feels Like Warm

28°C

Temperature

21° – 35°

37%

Humidity

Comfortable

Weather

33 mm

Rainfall

3.0 m/s

Wind

Light Breeze

2.6

UV Index

Extreme

13.0h daylight

December

December is warm, feeling like 28°C. Moderate rainfall (68 mm) and partly cloudy skies.

83 Excellent

Comfort

28°

Feels Like Warm

27°C

Temperature

21° – 34°

50%

Humidity

Comfortable

Weather

68 mm

Rainfall

2.6 m/s

Wind

Calm

2.9

UV Index

Extreme

13.2h daylight

How to Get to Tsao, Botswana

By Air

By Train & Bus

How to Get Around Tsao, Botswana #

Tsao is a small village; most visitors get around by car or hired 4x4. Walking covers short distances inside the settlement, but services and attractions are spread out. There may be infrequent shared minibuses or local taxis to larger towns; bring water and plan connections in advance as public transport is sparse.

Where to Stay in Tsao, Botswana #

Budget

Maun area (regional hub) - BWP 200-600/night

Tsao is remote with virtually no tourist hotels; budget travellers should plan to stay in Maun or other regional centres and arrange transfers.

Cresta Maun Hotel (Maun) - Basic budget rooms in Maun
Thamalakane River Lodge (Maun) - Simple riverside accommodation

Mid-Range

Maun / airport area - BWP 500-1500/night

Mid-range lodges are concentrated in Maun; expect simple but comfortable chalets and safari-transfer options rather than hotels in Tsao itself.

Savanna Lodge Maun (mid-range) - Good mid-price lodge near airport
Local mid-range lodges (Maun) - Comfortable chalets and safaris

Luxury

Okavango / Maun transfers - BWP 2000+/night

Luxury accommodation near Tsao consists of safari lodges and camps deeper in the Okavango; expect transfers from Maun and package pricing.

Sandibe Okavango Safari Lodge (Okavango) - High-end safari lodge experience
Luxury safari camps (Okavango region) - Exclusive tented camps and packages

Where to Eat in Tsao, Botswana #

Nightlife in Tsao, Botswana #

Nightlife in Tsao is minimal to nonexistent. Evenings are quiet and generally centred on local homes or small community gatherings rather than bars or clubs.

Shopping in Tsao, Botswana #

Shopping options in Tsao are very limited-expect a small general shop or market stalls for basic groceries and supplies. For wider shopping (electronics, clothing, specialty goods) you’ll need to travel to a larger town or district centre.

Nearby Cities #