Vegetation

The predominant vegetation found in the District is just like any other part of the Northern Region. It is mainly Guinea savanna woodland with wide spread of the trees.  Some of the common trees found in the District are sheanut, dawadawa, teak, kapok and mango.

The natural vegetation of Sawla-Tuna-Kalba district has disappeared, especially around the settlements; this was due to the interference by man and animals through cultivation, grazing and exploitation for fire wood.  In the dry season, the grasses in most part of the district are periodically burnt down to either clear the land for cultivation or hunting of animals.  These activities have deprived the land of much vegetation cover and nutrients. These therefore affect food production in the district.

Drainage

The drainage system of the district is like most rural and Savanna areas.  Streams, dams and dugouts are the major sources of water to the human beings and animals.  Most of these sources of water dry up during the dry season, leading to inadequate water supply and forcing the inhabitants to drink polluted.

Climate

The climate of the District is the tropical continental type.  There is only one rainy season in a year, which occurs between early May and late October. The highest rainfall is experienced between July and September. The monthly main rainfall ranges between 200 mm and 300 mm. The period between November and April is the dry season. This season is characterized by the cold harmattan winds with concomitant airborne diseases.

Temperature

In terms of temperature, the district experiences extremes of it.  The daily and annual range of the temperature is wide.  The coldest nights in the year are experienced in the months of December, January and February.  During this period the air becomes dry and the atmosphere becomes hazy and one cannot see clearly due to the fine dust in the air.

The day temperature within the same period are between 28 o C and 40C but under cloudiness skies, the night can be very cold with temperature under 28 o C. The temperatures suddenly rise in the months of March, April and May when temperature exceed 30 o C. The nights are usually hot and people prefer to cook, eat and sleep outside.  But when the rain start the mean temperature begins to fall again.  There is another period in the year when after the rains temperature rises again.

Soil

The District is composed of soils varied nature, occurring in complex associations. The predominant soil types found in the District are light textured surface horizons in which sandy loans and loans are common.  Many soils contain abundant course material either gravel or stone which adversely affect their physical properties particularly their water holding capacity.  The soil is generally very fertile for agricultural cultivation.

Winds

Sawla-Tuna-Kalba District is influenced by two dominant Districts in the Northern Region and the country as a whole.

The only tarred road in the District is the Wa- Bole trunk road which links the District to the Bole District and to the Upper-West Region.