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Voykit pocket guide · Botswana
Tsabong
Tshabong
Skip unless you have a specific reason (camel park, Kalahari crossing). One night is enough: see the camel park, then move on.
Tsabong is the administrative centre of the Kgalagadi District, a small town on a pan with a few colonial-era buildings, a camel park and little else for tourists. Most travellers pass through on the way to or from the Kalahari. One night covers the camel park and the historic wells; there is no reason to stay longer.
- Country
- Botswana
- Local name
- Tshabong
- Best months
- May–Sep (cooler, dry)
- Avoid
- Nov–Mar (hot, rainy)
- Stay
- 1 night
Checked 2026-09. Prices, hours and rules change; anything marked (check) is not confirmed.
Essentials
- Currency
- BWP
- Money
- Currency is the Botswana pula (BWP), about 13–14 per US$ in 2026 (check). Most safari camps are paid in advance in US dollars; cards work in Maun, Kasane and Gaborone.
- Daily spend
- Budget P400–700 excl. bed · Mid P700–1,200 excl. bed · High P1,200+ excl. bed (estimate; check)
- SIM and data
- Mascom, Orange and BTC (beMOBILE) sell SIMs with passport registration in Maun, Kasane and Gaborone.
- Emergency
- Police 999 · Ambulance 997 · Fire 998
- Plugs
- Types D, G, M · 230 V · 50 Hz · UK-style G is common in towns; camps have limited charging, often by solar.
- Tipping
- Safari guide: US$15–25 per guest per day.; Camp staff (shared box): US$10–15 per guest per day.; Mokoro poler: US$10–20 per day.; Transfer driver: US$5–10.; Restaurant: About 10%.
- Water
- Tap water is treated in towns; camps provide filtered water.
- Toilets
- Flush toilets in towns and camps; long drop at some public campsites.
What things cost
| Item | Price |
|---|---|
| Meal at a local restaurant | P50–120 |
| Bottle of water (1.5 L) | P10–15 |
| Petrol (per litre) | P15–18 (check) |
| Taxi within town | P30–50 |
Desk estimates, checked 2026-09; check locally.
Get in
By air
- TBB · Tsabong Airport
- Unsealed airstrip; no scheduled flights. Fly to Maun or Gaborone and drive.
Typical fares
- Bus Gaborone → Tsabong
- P150–200, 6–7 h (check)
- Taxi Tsabong → camel park
- P100–150 one way (check)
Show 7 more sections and the pocket cardHideGet around, See and do, Sleep, Phrase card, Etiquette, safety and scams, One and two days, Sources, Pocket card
Get around
Walk or arrange a taxi through your accommodation. The camel park is 10 km (6.2 mi) out of town — ask your guesthouse for a lift or a taxi.Walk or arrange a taxi through your accommodation. The camel park is 6.2 mi (10 km) out of town — ask your guesthouse for a lift or a taxi.
See and do
Known for
- Tsabong Camel Park
- Kgalagadi District capital
- Colonial-era buildings (first jail, District Commissioner's house)
- Middle Stone Age sites
Day trips
| Where | How | Time |
|---|---|---|
| Kalahari | Self-drive or arranged tour | From Tsabong, about 1 h to the park gate |
| Ghanzi | Self-drive via the A2 highway | About 3 h |
Sleep
- Town centre
- A few guesthouses and lodges; book ahead. No luxury options.
Phrase card
| English | Say or show |
|---|---|
| Hello | Dumeladoo-MEH-lah |
| Thank you | Ke a lebogakeh ah leh-BOH-gah |
| How much is it? | Ke bokae?keh boh-KAH-eh |
| Where is the camel park? | Camel Park e kae?KAH-mel park eh KAH-eh |
Etiquette, safety and scams
Etiquette
- Greeting: 'Dumela Rra / Mma' before anything; avoid: Skipping the greeting
- Handshake: Hold your right forearm with your left hand when shaking or giving; avoid: Limp or one-handed passing of objects to elders
- In camp: Follow the escort rule after dark; avoid: Walking alone to your tent
- Photos: Ask first in villages; avoid: Photographing officials or buildings
Scams and watch-outs
- No scheduled flights to Tsabong; you must drive from Gaborone (6–7 h) or Maun.
- Fuel stations are limited; fill up before you leave the main route.
- The camel park may have limited opening hours: call ahead (+267 6530004).
- Crime is negligible, but lock your vehicle and don't leave valuables visible.
Tsabong is very safe; crime is negligible. The main risks are heat, dehydration and limited services on the road. Carry water and a spare tyre.
One and two days
No timed day plan for Tsabong yet. Suggested stay: 1 night. Build a day from the list below, mornings for the big sight.
- Tsabong Camel Park
- Kgalagadi District capital
- Colonial-era buildings (first jail, District Commissioner's house)
- Middle Stone Age sites
Sources
Written by Voykit; facts cross-checked against these sources, last desk check 2026-09. Prices, hours and rules change: check on the day.
- Wikivoyage: Tsabong, revision 4181440 (CC BY-SA 4.0): en.wikivoyage.org/w/index.php?oldid=4181440
Pocket card
Cut along the border and keep it in your wallet. Show the local-script lines to a driver.
TsabongTshabong
Go aterese e, tswee-tswee
To this address, please
My hotel (write the name and address in the local script)
The US embassy is in Gaborone; most other countries also have embassies in Gaborone.
Tsabong is small; carry cash (ATMs may be unreliable).
Voykit · checked 2026-09
Printed from Voykit (/tsabong). Written by Voykit; checked 2026-09. Estimates only: confirm prices, hours and entry rules on the day.