TsaoTsao, Botswana at a Glance
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.
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
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.
Nearby Cities #
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
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
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
Lush landscapes and dramatic thunderstorms, but dirt tracks become impassable, mosquitoes surge and some lodges close-best for birding if you tolerate wet conditions.
Tsao'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.
| Month | Comfort | Temp | Feels | Rain | Sky | Humidity | Wind | UV | Daylight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | Excellent | 20° - 33° | 27° | 96 mm | partly cloudy | 56% | 2.3 m/s | 3.0 extreme | 13.1h |
| February | Excellent | 20° - 33° | 26° | 69 mm | partly cloudy | 58% | 2.3 m/s | 2.8 extreme | 12.7h |
| March | Excellent | 19° - 33° | 26° | 53 mm | some cloud | 54% | 2.4 m/s | 2.5 extreme | 12.1h |
| April | Ideal | 16° - 32° | 24° | 19 mm | mostly sunny | 46% | 2.4 m/s | 2.0 very high | 11.5h |
| May | Ideal | 11° - 30° | 20° | 2 mm | clear | 35% | 2.2 m/s | 1.5 high | 11.0h |
| June | Ideal | 8° - 27° | 17° | 1 mm | clear | 35% | 2.4 m/s | 1.2 high | 10.8h |
| July | Ideal | 8° - 27° | 17° | 0 mm | clear | 33% | 2.6 m/s | 1.2 high | 10.9h |
| August | Ideal | 11° - 30° | 20° | 1 mm | clear | 25% | 2.7 m/s | 1.4 high | 11.3h |
| September | Ideal | 15° - 34° | 25° | 3 mm | clear | 21% | 3.0 m/s | 1.7 very high | 11.9h |
| October | Ideal | 19° - 36° | 28° | 18 mm | mostly sunny | 24% | 3.3 m/s | 2.3 extreme | 12.4h |
| November | Excellent | 21° - 35° | 28° | 33 mm | partly cloudy | 37% | 3.0 m/s | 2.6 extreme | 13.0h |
| December | Excellent | 21° - 34° | 28° | 68 mm | partly cloudy | 50% | 2.6 m/s | 2.9 extreme | 13.2h |
How to Get to Tsao, Botswana
How to Get Around Tsao, Botswana
- -
- -
- -
- -
- -
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
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.