The best time to visit Botswana is during the dry season, which is from May to October. During this time, it is sunny and warm during the day, and the water levels in the Okavango Delta are high, making it easier to travel by boat.
But if you don’t mind a few showers, you can also visit between November and April. During this time, prices are lower, and there are fewer tourists. Botswana has many parks to explore, each with its own unique experiences. However, no matter when you go to Botswana, you will be amazed by the incredible animals and landscapes in Botswana.
Whether you want to explore the Okavango Delta, Moremi Game Reserve, or Chobe National Park, our travel experts have put together a month-by-month guide to help you plan your visit.
January
January is a great time to visit Botswana as it is a sunny and hot season, but there are heavy thunderstorms. This time of year is excellent for bird watching, and most animals move around searching for food.
The temperature is around 32°C, and there is no rainfall. However, you may experience short bursts of heavy rain with dramatic thunderstorms. Chobe National Park is very wet during this time, while the Kalahari Desert is green but extremely hot, providing the chance to spot newborn herbivores.
February
February is not the most favourable time to visit Botswana as there is a lot of rainfall. The daytime temperature can range from 19°C to 32°C, averaging 97 millimetres of rain. However, this month is known for the zebra migration, and it’s an excellent time for bird watching. You can view the incredible sight of thousands of Burchell’s zebras migrating from the Boteti River to Makgadikgadi and Nxai Pans.
The vegetation is lush and green, and many animals give birth to their young during this period.
Despite the heavy rainfall, the Kalahari Desert comes alive, and the dry salt pans turn into nutritious grasslands, attracting many herbivores.
March
March in Botswana is similar to February, with the rainy season gradually ending. There may still be occasional thunderstorms, but rainfall is less frequent. The temperature during the day can reach up to 31°C, while nights are cooler at 10°C to 20°C.
March is a good time for a Botswana safari, particularly in Kgalagadi, but be aware that mosquitoes can be a problem during this month. As summer ends, elephants can be seen grazing in the Okavango Delta, and zebras can be spotted in Makgadikgadi. However, water levels may be too low for mokoro canoe trips.
April
April is a good time to visit Botswana, and here’s what you can expect from the weather. The heavy rainfall from the previous months has mostly stopped, and the impala breeding season begins. The water level of the Okavango Delta starts to rise, and the days become sunny with temperatures around 84 °F with cooler nights.
The dry and sunny weather begins to replace the rainfall, but you’ll still need to dress warmly for the early morning game drives and evenings around the campfire. As the rains return to the delta, wildlife sightings improve.
You’ll also witness the antelope mating season, with males showing off their impressive horns to impress the females.
May
May in Botswana marks the beginning of the dry winter season with cool evenings and daytime temperatures ranging from 71°F to 81°F. The nights can be cloudy, but rainfall is usually non-existent or minimal. The northern part of the country tends to be warmer than the south.
During winter, the skies are clear, and temperatures are more moderate, but you may need to bring warm clothing for the frosty nights, especially in the Kalahari.
It’s a great time to visit Moremi Game Reserve, which covers a third of the Okavango Delta, and Savuti in Chobe National Park, as wildlife will be in search of permanent water sources.
May is also an excellent time to visit Victoria Falls, which is nearby and at its thunderous best.
June
June is a pleasant time to visit Botswana as it is not too cold. The temperature ranges from 4°C to 22°C, making it a good month for a visit. Despite being midwinter, the weather is warm and sunny during the day, with cold nights.
Wildlife viewing is excellent as animals gather around shrinking waterholes. The denning season begins in June, which is a period when endangered predators stay at home to protect their pups. However, it’s worth noting that visitor numbers start to rise in mid-June, leading to an increase in prices.
July
The month of July in Botswana is warm, though the early mornings and evenings can still be chilly. This is one of the peak seasons in Botswana. Floodwaters gradually rise as the water seeps through from the central uplands of Angola. This is an ideal time for water diving as the channels fill up day by day.
Wildlife also tends to be highly concentrated around waterholes. It’s also an excellent time to participate in guided walking safaris and observe smaller flora and fauna. Between July and September, you can get the chance to hang out with gangs of meerkats in Makgadikgadi.
August
August in Botswana is a clear and very dry month though the night can sometimes be cold and close to freezing point, but once it is daytime, it dries up and becomes warm. There is hardly any rain during this time of the year.
Water levels in the delta are at their highest during this time, attracting a significant amount of wildlife. This is a good opportunity to glide on a mokoro and observe herds of thirsty elephants. You may be lucky to sight a southern carmine bee-eater.
September
September marks the end of the dry season in Botswana, making it an excellent time for wildlife viewing. You can expect sparkling blue skies, bright sunshine, and hot temperatures during the day, with the evenings becoming balmy.
The temperature in this month ranges from 13°C to 30°C. Most days in September are sunny, though there might be exceptions of some days with thunderstorms. The month is hot, dry, and dusty, with less vegetation but good for seeing big animals such as hippopotamuses.
October
October is Botswana’s hottest part of the year, with a temperature of 30°c to 40° c. It is the best time to see incredible animals such as elephants, hippos, and lions. The green vegetation during this period is weathered and without rainfall. It is very relaxed at the Okavango Delta, and the nights are warm during this season. Wearing light outfits and staying outdoors is recommended during this month.
November
November marks the beginning of the rainy season in the country. It is a month when there is a transition between the wet and the dry season. ( Shoulder- month). The rainfall during this period is unpredictable, so there could be rain or sun at any time. The weather temperature read 30°C to 40°C.
When you visit Botswana during this time, you will see antelopes, prowling big cats, and elephants, because it is a season when many herbivorous animals give birth.
December
December marks the start of summer in Botswana, offering excellent views of the scenery and birdlife. Temperatures range from about 20°C to 33°C, with high humidity in the mornings.
Humidity rises in the mornings, often leading to afternoon thunderstorms that provide brief relief from the heat. Despite the humidity, the weather is generally pleasant and accompanied by occasional rain.
The desert blooms with new vegetation, and you will love the migration of birds, including colourful kingfishers, boisterous cuckoos, and flamboyant bee-eaters.