Best Time to Visit Botswana for Safari + Worst Time (Month by Month)

Best Time to Visit Botswana for Safari + Worst Time (Month by Month). The months of May through October, known as the dry season, are ideal for a Botswana vacation. You may expect sunny, warm days with temperatures between 75 and 95 degrees Fahrenheit; however, keep in mind that the nights can get considerably chillier, so make sure to bring appropriate clothing.

The canals and waterways that Botswana is known for are formed when the Okavango Delta reaches its maximum water level during the dry season.

The rainiest months in Botswana are November through April. As long as you’re okay with the occasional downpour, traveling during the rainy season is still a fantastic idea because the lush greenery makes everything look more spectacular and you might even see some animals giving birth. Prices and the quantity of visitors are both down.

Best Time to Visit Botswana

I prefer June because the weather is consistent and the wildlife watching is amazing, even though many people go to Botswana in July and beyond. There is less crowding and several camps offer discounts during off-season. Botswana is a spectacular destination any time of year, thanks to its diverse animals and breathtaking landscapes.

Speak to a certified Botswana specialist to start planning your tailor-made vacation…

Russell, Africa Safari Specialist


The Best Time to Visit Botswana

Month-by-month guide for traveling in Botswana

Visiting Botswana in January

January is hot and muggy with lengthy periods of sunshine interspersed with brief, violent thunderstorms. During these storms, it could be refreshing to relax under a canvas canopy with a drink in hand and watch the lightning light up the sky. At this time of year, predators have a run for their money since migratory birds are back in the nest and grazer young are growing rapidly on the rich grass.

Visiting Botswana in February

The weather can be rather picturesque, with prolonged sunshine and dramatic storms, causing the mercury to climb. As the grasslands beckon plains wildlife, the Central Kalahari begins to awaken. A wide variety of animals gather near fruit trees as the fruit ripens in the hopes of savoring the sweet treat.

Visiting Botswana in March

By March, the rain has mostly stopped, and hot, dry days and nights have returned.

Visiting Botswana in April

Even though it’s still hot and sunny throughout the day, April brings cooler nights, which makes sleeping more bearable but leaves plenty of room to enjoy sunsets outdoors. Antelope mating season has begun, and the guys are having a field day trying to win over the females with their strutting and bickering.

Visiting Botswana in May

As the rains finally let up, the mercury begins to drop, and the days are no longer scorching. Night safaris might be chilly, so bring a jacket just in case.

Visiting Botswana in June

You can anticipate wonderfully balmy days that aren’t overly hot, and the nights are the only part of midwinter that get close to being cold in Botswana, unlike what you could experience in the northern hemisphere’s higher latitudes. Game is easy to see because to the diminishing waterholes, which attract both predators and prey.

Visiting Botswana in July

Days are getting warmer, while it’s still cool in the mornings and evenings. Even though we are in the dry season now, the floodwaters are starting to increase as water seeps down from Angola’s central highlands. Now is a great time to go mokoroing because the channels are filling up and you can go further and farther every day.

Visiting Botswana in August

During this time of year, Botswana typically has scorching days and unusually warm nights.

Visiting Botswana in September

During the day, you can anticipate clear blue skies, brilliant sunshine, and scorching temperatures; in the nights, you can anticipate mild temperatures. The plains wildlife fight an uphill struggle for existence as they are constantly pursued by predators, and the ground is covered with dust as the rains fade into oblivion.

Visiting Botswana in October

Temperatures can reach above 100 degrees Fahrenheit in the middle of the day in October, so events are scheduled accordingly. Every year, in an effort to stave off the inevitable decline in water levels, an enormous number of catfish make the long journey upstream, where they feed on smaller fish.

Visiting Botswana in November

The weather is scorching all day long, and the first half of the month is typically dry and dusty until the rains return the vegetation and wash away the dryness. During this time, many babies are born, and the predators that live in the area prey on them.

Visiting Botswana in December

Newborns in Botswana are able to develop weight rapidly and give themselves a better chance of surviving predators because thunderstorms and sudden downpours feed the grass.

Best Time to Visit Botswana

Wildlife viewing peaks between June and October

Visiting Botswana at any time of year is a fantastic idea, but the best time to see the animals is during the peak season.

From June to October, wildlife viewing is at its best in many regions, with concentrations of animals increasing as the amount of water on the outskirts decreases. Keep in mind that the nights in June and July, especially in the desert, can get downright chilly—but the days are usually sunny, mild, and just delightful.

In September and October, the temperature rises throughout the day and at night. By mid to late October, the daily temperatures reach a height of approximately 40˚C, but thankfully, it is always dry heat, not humid heat, which is a significant improvement.


BEST SAFARI in BOTSWANA (Chobe National Park)

Understand the seasons and take advantage of low rates

During the months of January through March, you can anticipate a relatively low volume of visitors while yet enjoying the same exceptional guiding and lodging services at off-season prices.

December through March is when Botswana receives the most of its precipitation. Even though it can be challenging to observe animals due to the thick vegetation, you will still encounter many of species, including newborn calves and many migrating birds. If you can, try to arrive in late April or early May when the weather is still mild during the day and clear at night.

Once a year in April or May, the Okavango experiences its annual “flood.” This causes the savannah to be flooded, leading to the creation of beautiful waterways that are ideal for exploring by Mokoro. As a result, the wildlife in the area comes to concentrate on a smaller number of islands. The amount and timing of rainfall also has a significant impact on local wildlife in the Linyanti Swamps, Selinda Spillway, and Savuti Marsh, influencing factors like the size of buffalo and elephant herds as well as the abundance of predators in the area.


What’s a SAFARI like in BOTSWANA

Botswana travel guides

Our travel recommendations will help you make the most of your stay in Botswana, one of the top safari destinations in Africa, whether you’re taking a family holiday, a luxury getaway, or there to witness the zebra migration.

Photographers will be in heaven in Botswana, thanks to the beautiful scenery and plenty of shooting ops on safari, while those with a taste for adventure may stay in mobile safari camps and experience life in the African wilderness. For a new angle on seeing the Big Five, we may also arrange walking safaris or water safaris through the Okavango Delta according to your preferences.

Inspiring Botswana Itineraries

The enthusiasm and expertise of our professionals for Botswana are passed on to our tour guides. On a regular basis, we make the journey here in search of novel encounters, uncharted territory, and hidden gems among the more popular destinations. While doing so, we compile recommendations and current data on the top-notch guides, the newest eateries and accommodations, and the most interesting modes of transportation.

Botswana Travel Advice

Botswana, a country in southern Africa, is home to more animals than humans. The Okavango Delta and Kalahari Desert, two of the world’s most beautiful landscapes, draw millions of tourists to the nation each year. However, Botswana has its own distinct culture and history that sets it apart from other African nations.

Places to Visit in Botswana

Safaris in Botswana are truly gratifying because to the diverse landscapes found inside the country’s parks and reserves. Using their first-hand knowledge, our professionals have explored every area of Botswana and can advise you on the top spots to visit during your safari.

Things to Do in Botswana

When planning a safari in Africa, one of the best places to go is Botswana. The Okavango Delta stands out among the other attractions. Traveling through its shimmering rivers on a mokoro, the native canoe, is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. In the Central Kalahari, you can go on a hunt for the enchanting black-maned lion.