Most of the territory is characterized by an undulating landscape with many low hills. The territory extends into four geomorphological mesoregions: Tábor Uplands (most of the territory), Vlašim Uplands (northeast), Benešov Uplands (northwest) and České Budějovice Basin (south). The highest point of the district is the hill Kozlov in Chyšky with an elevation of 709 m (2,326 ft), the lowest point is the Orlík Reservoir in Kožlí at 348 m (1,142 ft).
From the total district area of 1,126.9 km2 (435.1 sq mi), agricultural land occupies 621.3 km2 (239.9 sq mi), forests occupy 373.8 km2 (144.3 sq mi), and water area occupies 46.7 km2 (18.0 sq mi). Forests cover 33.2% of the district's area.[1]
The territory is rich in watercourses and fishponds. The most important river is the Vltava, which flows across the territory from southeast to north, and, together with its tributaries, drains the whole district. The most significant tributary is the Otava, which connects with the Vltava in the centre of the territory. Other notable rivers are the Blanice, Lomnice and Skalice. The Orlík Reservoir, built on the Vltava, is the second largest reservoir in the country. There are many fishponds, especially in the České Budějovice Basin area.
The D4 motorway from Prague to Písek, including its unfinished section, leads into the district. It further continues as the I/20 road, which is part of the European route E49.