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Botswana focuses on high-quality safaris, as opposed to mass-market safaris on offer in other destinations. For this reason, Botswana’s safari parks are well respected as some of the finest in Africa.
Best time to visit Botswana
Desert, Delta, and stacks of game… Botswana is the purest safari destination, and it’s often the hardest to get right in terms of when to visit. The flood that hits the Okavango Delta needs to be timed just right: we say, aim for May to July, but for epic wildlife sightings, definitely consider September or October. To get the balance just right, take a look below at our month-by-month guide to when to visit Botswana:
- Best
- Good
- Mixed
January - Mixed month to visit Botswana
- Botswana in January is a mixed month to visit, as it is unpredictable. One day it's rainy with thunderstorms, and the next, it is bright and sunny.
- There is a consistent treasury of young animals (followed by predators), migratory birds, and flowers, though, so January makes for great photography.
- It’s very rainy on the whole, as the rains can be continuous for days and the humidity can be high.
- A good thing about January is that availability of camps and lodges is high, so this can be a much cheaper time to visit.
- The rains can limit safari activities, while concentrations of game are low in the Okavango and Linyanti regions.
Green season
Max temp 90 F
Rainy afternoons
Good birding
Lots of bugs
Great photo ops
February - Mixed month to visit Botswana
- February in Botswana is the height of the green season, characterised by frequent rainfall and high temperatures.
- This is an unpredictable month, featuring rains, thunderstorms, grey days, but also humid and clear days too.
- Wildlife highlights abound as herbivores give birth during February, which also increases the likelihood of seeing predators.
- It’s a peak time to visit the Central Kalahari Game Reserve due to warm and dry weather and the likely event of thunderstorms.
- Availability of safari properties is high, while rates are low, but be aware that activities can be affected by heavy rains.
Green season
Max temp 90 F
Dry with storms
Visit the Kalahari
Lush landscapes
Numerous mosquitoes
March - Mixed month to visit Botswana
- In Botswana in March, days are often dry and sunny, with a possibility of isolated thunderstorms.
- It’s a fantastic month for birding and photography, with bright light and afternoon storms.
- There’s high availability at lodges, and rates are lower than the peak season starting in May – this is a less expensive and quieter time to travel.
- Spectacular floral scenes can be enjoyed and the marula trees, a favorite of elephants, are fruiting.
- The vegetation can be thick, and March is the worst month for mosquitoes and bugs.
Low season
Max temp 88 F
Dry with storms
Low rates & high availability
Fantastic birdlife
Lots of bugs
April - Good month to visit Botswana
- April is a transition month in Botswana, moving from the heat and rains of summer to winter’s milder conditions.
- It’s dry on the whole, with pleasant sunny days and cooler evenings - though there could still be the odd shower.
- Newborn zebra and impala can be seen – as can the species that prey on them, including big cats like lion and leopard.
- As the weather improves, safari properties are generally open now.
- If rainfall lingers, game walks and drives can still be tricky and wildlife is harder to find as water sources are abundant.
Green season
Max temp 88 F
Dry with some rain
All lodges open
Lush & colorful scenery
Mosquitoes remain
May - Good month to visit Botswana
- May is a shoulder season month and a good time to visit Botswana as there are comfortable temperatures.
- The flood into the Okavango Delta occurs, and all surrounding areas boast a great range of wildlife, including spectacular birdlife.
- As it isn't peak season, rates and availability at camps and lodges is good.
- Temperatures are beginning to drop, particularly in the Central Kalahari. Nights and early mornings can be chilly.
- The sheer beauty of the Delta provides fantastic photo opportunities.
Shoulder season
Max temp 82 F
Small chance of rain
The Delta flood is stunning
Superb birding!
Landscape is lush
June - Best month to visit Botswana
- June is the beginning of dry season in Botswana – temperatures are in decline and it is the beginning of Botswana's winter.
- The wildlife is starting to cluster around increasingly scarce water sources.
- Coming into peak season, prices are beginning to climb and availability of camps and lodges is low, particularly in the north.
- Both mornings and evenings can feel pretty chilly this month, yet during the day humidity can still be high.
- In the Savuti and Chobe regions, huge herds of elephant may be seen.
Peak season
Max temp 77 F
No rain
Elephant herds gather
Chilly evenings
Low availability & high rates
July - Best month to visit Botswana
- July in Botswana is a dry month, so there are great wildlife viewing opportunities as water sources decrease in most areas and animals congregate.
- The Okavango is fully flooded and all the Delta is spectacular – this is a superb month for those interested in photography.
- With limited availability in the lodges and camps in the north of Botswana, rates are also high. Consider staying in the private reserves.
- July is the best time to embark on a mokoro excursion from the region’s wet camps.
- As there are low levels of rain, you needn’t worry too much about mosquitoes.
Dry season
Max temp 77 F
No rain
YZ favorite month
Excellent wildlife viewing
Nights are chilly!
August - Best month to visit Botswana
- Safaris in Botswana in August are very popular so there are peak-season rates with low availability - so make sure to book early!
- August is a winter month in Botswana and typically features clear skies, cool temperatures, and amazing wildlife highlights.
- Elephant numbers throughout the Linyanti and Chobe regions are at their most impressive this month.
- The quality of game-viewing improves with the drying up of water sources – animal populations really cluster around permanent rivers and watering holes.
- Vibrant southern carmine bee-eaters fly in and can be spotted throughout the grasslands.
Winter
Max temp 82 F
No rain
Book early
Great birding
Elephant lovers' paradise
September - Best month to visit Botswana
- September is one of the best months for travelers to Botswana to see loads of big game, particularly when wildlife is clustered around scarce water sources.
- Remember to book early, though, as availability can be low and yet rates can be high (peak).
- This month offers some fantastic photographic safaris, while walks and mokoro excursions have lots to offer too.
- Numbers of elephant throughout the northern regions are spectacular, and it’s well worth visiting the Kwando and Selinda reserves as well.
- For some travelers, the weather in Botswana in September might feel too hot.
Peak season
Max temp 91 F
No rain
Great photo ops
High rates & low availability
No mosquitoes
October - Best month to visit Botswana
- October in Botswana is a transitional month, yet it still offers fabulous safaris and wildlife viewing.
- As with June to September, there's low availability across the north and prices tend to remain high.
- Temperatures for October can be very high and feel stifling – many may find the weather too uncomfortable.
- Game viewing is excellent, as the heat drives wildlife towards scarce water sources – huge herds of elephant are seen in the Chobe and Linyanti regions.
- Increased activity around waterholes is great for photos featuring impressive numbers of wildlife.
Shoulder season
Max temp 95 F
Small chance of rain
Hottest month
Great birding
Few bugs around
November - Best month to visit Botswana
- November is the start of the green season in Botswana. There is reasonable availability in the camps and lodges, and rates are low, making it superb value.
- Emerging from dry season, the first part of November in Botswana still sees a lot of wildlife activity around permanent water sources.
- However, if the rains start, the wildlife starts to scatter through the parks with the increase in other reliable water sources.
- Temperatures remain hot in the first part of the month, but they ease when the clouds develop and the rains start.
- As it is on the way out of the dry season, there are fewer mosquitoes than in rainier months as well as when the humidity levels are high.
Green season
Max temp 93 F
Some rain
Good value month
A few mosquitos
Hot & humid
December - Good month to visit Botswana
- Botswana’s weather in December is very wet, yet the occasional afternoon rains can feel quite refreshing.
- Mornings bring high humidity, so vehicle safaris at this time can feel uncomfortable, but if heavy rains fall, this can disrupt activities.
- December in Botswana is a superb month for photography of young animals and lush landscapes. Some herbivores give birth from this month onwards, resulting in great game-viewing.
- There’s generally good availability of properties and it’s less expensive than peak season.
- There are quite a lot of mosquitoes about.
Rainy season
Max temp 91 F
Humid with showers
Great photo ops
Migratory birds return
Good value & availability
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