Best Time to Visit Botswana for the Trip of a Lifetime

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Are you finally planning that dream trip to Botswana?

Then I’m glad you’re here! I’ve spent about 10 weeks in Botswana, travelling from south to north. I explored Gaborone, toured the Okavango Delta, Chobe, all of the wilderness in between, and a lot more.

After all that I can tell you – anytime’s a great time to visit Botswana. But depending on what you’d like to do here, there’s probably a best time for you to visit. And that’s what you’re going to find here.

Whether you want wildlife viewing at its best, outstanding birdwatching, or the zebra migration, this is where you’ll find your best time to visit Botswana.

Let’s go!

When is the Best Time to Go to Botswana?

Botswana, or the ‘Peaceful Nation’, is an incredibly beautiful country. There’s so much to see here, and it’s so easy to travel independently. The wildlife is spectacular, and there’s an enormous variety of landscapes to explore.

🐾 Best Times to See Wildlife:

• Okavango Delta and Chobe National Park, etc: Dry Season (May to October)
• Central Kalahari Game Reserve: Wet Season (December to March)
• Makgadikgadi and Nxai Pans: Wet Season (December to April) for zebra migration, flamingos, and other waterbirds; Dry Season (May to October): for desert-adapted species like brown hyenas, meerkats, and bat-eared foxes

🧳 Peak Tourist Season: May to October (dry season)

🧳 Off-season for tourists: November to April (wet season)

🦁 This 11-Day Safari will show you the best of Botswana whenever you decide to go! Click here for availability and booking.

Click below for a quick month-by-month guide ⤵️:

Here’s a breakdown of the seasons, and the best times to enjoy Botswana wherever you are:

🌧️ Botswana in December to March: Summer (Wet Season)

Spectacular for birdwatchers, as migratory birds arrive during these rainy months. Landscapes turn lush and green, with newborn animals emerging. Dense vegetation may get in the way of seeing them, though.

• Weather: Hot and humid with frequent afternoon thunderstorms, the landscape explodes with greenery.

• Safari Okavango Delta/Chobe: The area gets a lot of rain, turning the landscape lush and green. Some camps and lodges may close down, and roads can become mud pits.
  
  But this area is full of migratory birds and baby animals. Summer is great for unique experiences like mokoro (dugout canoe) rides in water channels and boating safaris on the Chobe River.

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• Central Kalahari Game Reserve: The rains transform the desert into a whole different ecosystem. With fresh grasses and water sources, migratory birds and newborn animals pop up everywhere here, too.

• Nxai and Makgadikgadi Pans: The pans fill with water, drawing thousands of zebras in their spectacular annual migration. These herds, along with wildebeest and predators like lions and hyenas, concentrate on the grasslands to graze and give birth. Again, birds and babies!

• Gaborone: The city is at its hottest and most humid now, with frequent rains that may affect some outdoor activities. It also cools down the evenings, though, making nighttime more enjoyable.

• Cost & Crowds: Lower tourist numbers make for quieter experiences and possibly lower prices, except in peak local travel periods.

📅 Botswana in April and November: Shoulder Seasons

Now is a good balance between safari conditions and fewer crowds. Prices can be competitive, making these months attractive for the budget-conscious among you.

• Weather: In March and April, the days are warm and humid days, with average temps between 25-30°C, and occasional afternoon thunderstorms. But by April, the rain begins to subside, and the humidity drops.
  
  In September and October days get hotter leading into summer, often over 35°C, but the humidity stays moderate.

• Safari Okavango Delta/Chobe: In March-April, the floodwaters from Angola’s rainfall start making their way into the delta, gradually raising water levels and transforming the landscape.
  
  By September-October, the waters begin to recede, changing animal movements and accessibility within the Delta. The landscape is still pretty dry in Chobe Park.
  
  Predator-prey interactions are more commonly seen around waterholes and rivers, and the birdwatching is superb. Wildlife viewing is amazing.

• Central Kalahari Game Reserve: March and April still have greener landscapes and more water sources available. Animals like springbok, oryx, and giraffes love this environment, and the grasses attract predators like lions and cheetahs.
  
  September and October are getting pretty dry. Water becomes scarce, and wildlife is gathering around the remaining waterholes.

• Nxai and Makgadikgadi Pans: During these transition months, the environment and animal behaviours shift dramatically. The pans begin to dry out in March-April, and you can often see the tail end of the zebra migration.
  
  In September and October, the dry season is well underway. Temps rise significantly, and the pans dry up, leaving behind a stark, white landscape. Desert-adapted species gather around the few remaining water sources.You’ll have great opportunities to observe their survival strategies.

🏙️ Discover Gaborone with this top-rated Half Day City Tour of Gaborone. Learn its history, view its art, and explore the modern village. Check availability and book!

• Gaborone: In March and April, the weather is warm as the rainy season ends. Temps range from the low 20s°C to the high 20s°C during the day, with cooler evenings. Rain showers can still occur, but they are less frequent, leaving clear skies afterward.
  
  September and October are spring-ish times of year, but daytime temperatures already often exceed 30°C, while the nights stay mild. Rain is scarce, and the skies stay mostly clear.

• Cost & Crowds: Moderate prices and fewer tourists in shoulder season.

⛺️ This 13-Day Wilderness Trail Safari takes you wild camping through the Delta and Chobe, and ends at the spectacular Victoria Falls in Zimbabwe. Check availability and book here!

☀️ Botswana in May to October: Winter (Dry Season)

This is the peak season for safaris, as the dry weather draws wildlife to shrinking waterholes, giving you clear sightings. Cooler temperatures are comfortable, especially in the mornings and evenings.

• Weather: Cool, dry months with clear skies, minimal rainfall, and mild temps, ideal for safaris.

• Safari Okavango Delta/Chobe: The Delta floodwaters from Angola reach the southern regions in June and July, so there are abundant water sources that draw wildlife from all around.
  
  The cool temperatures, sparse vegetation, and diminishing waterholes create prime wildlife viewing conditions, especially for game drives.

• Central Kalahari Game Reserve: As the desert landscape dries up, wildlife congregates around the remaining waterholes, making predator-prey interactions easier to spot. The cooler weather makes extended game drives more comfortable, too.

• Nxai and Makgadikgadi Pans: The pans dry out and reveal a harsh desert environment, attracting fascinating resilient desert species adapted to these challenging conditions. These can include springbok and oryx, bat-eared foxes, aardwolves, and brown hyenas.
  
  The focus shifts from wildlife density to the vast landscapes and survival strategies of these species. This is also an excellent time to see the meerkats!

• Gaborone: The weather is mild and dry, perfect for exploring outdoor markets and local culture without the discomfort of heat or rain.

• Cost & Crowds: Higher due to the peak safari season, so book early.

🚁 If you’re short on time, this 3-Day Tour of the Okavango Delta is perfect! Spot wildlife from a mokoro and safari vehicle, take a helicopter ride over the area, and sleep in the African wilderness. Check availability and book your spot here!

Average Botswana Temps

🌡️ Temperatures vary across Botswana, as the types of landscapes do, but here are the typical average temps you can expect:

Month	Okavango Delta (°C, mm)	Chobe NP (°C, mm)	Central Kalahari GR (°C, mm)	Nxai/Makgadikgadi Pans (°C, mm)	Gaborone (°C, mm)
January	32°C, 120 mm	32°C, 120 mm	34°C, 80 mm	34°C, 80 mm	32°C, 100 mm
February	31°C, 100 mm	31°C, 100 mm	33°C, 70 mm	33°C, 70 mm	31°C, 80 mm
March	31°C, 80 mm	31°C, 80 mm	32°C, 60 mm	32°C, 60 mm	30°C, 70 mm
April	30°C, 30 mm	30°C, 30 mm	30°C, 30 mm	30°C, 30 mm	29°C, 40 mm
May	28°C, 10 mm	28°C, 10 mm	28°C, 10 mm	28°C, 10 mm	27°C, 10 mm
June	26°C, 0 mm	26°C, 0 mm	26°C, 0 mm	26°C, 0 mm	25°C, 0 mm
July	26°C, 0 mm	26°C, 0 mm	26°C, 0 mm	26°C, 0 mm	25°C, 0 mm
August	29°C, 0 mm	29°C, 0 mm	29°C, 0 mm	29°C, 0 mm	28°C, 0 mm
September	33°C, 5 mm	33°C, 5 mm	33°C, 5 mm	33°C, 5 mm	31°C, 5 mm
October	34°C, 15 mm	34°C, 15 mm	34°C, 10 mm	34°C, 10 mm	32°C, 10 mm
November	33°C, 50 mm	33°C, 50 mm	33°C, 30 mm	33°C, 30 mm	31°C, 50 mm
December	32°C, 100 mm	32°C, 100 mm	32°C, 80 mm	32°C, 80 mm	32°C, 80 mm

Summing it Up: Best Time of Year to Visit Botswana

Whether you’re hoping to get up close to African wild dogs, have your heart set on a ride through the delta on a mokoro, or have dreamed of seeing meerkats in the wild, there’s a good time for it in Botswana.

And if your plans don’t line up precisely with the seasons above, not to worry. Like everywhere, seasons in Botswana are approximate. And really, any time’s a good time to visit Botswana.

Happy travels!

Keep reading:

➵ 34 Fun & Interesting Facts About Botswana
➵ 21 Fun Facts About The Okavango Delta
➵ The Best Things to Do in Maun 2024
➵ Photos to Inspire You to Visit Botswana

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