Tsao, Botswana 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.
55°F
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#
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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February
February is warm with highs of 33°C and lows of 20°C. Moderate rainfall (69 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
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March
March is warm with highs of 32°C and lows of 19°C. Moderate rainfall (53 mm).
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April
April is mild with highs of 32°C and lows of 16°C. Light rainfall and mostly sunny skies.
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May
May is mild with highs of 30°C and lows of 11°C. Almost no rain and clear sunny skies.
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June
June is cool with highs of 27°C and lows of 8°C. Almost no rain and clear sunny skies.
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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.
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August
August is mild with highs of 30°C and lows of 10°C. Almost no rain and clear sunny skies.
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September
September is warm with highs of 34°C and lows of 15°C. Almost no rain and clear sunny skies.
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October
October is warm with highs of 36°C and lows of 19°C. Light rainfall and mostly sunny skies.
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November
November is the warmest month with highs of 35°C and lows of 20°C. Moderate rainfall (33 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
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December
December is warm, feeling like 28°C. Moderate rainfall (68 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
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How to Get to Tsao, Botswana#
How to Get Around Tsao, Botswana#
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Where to Stay in Tsao, Botswana#
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
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
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
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.
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.
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