Best Time to Go to Botswana for a Safari

The peak of the rainy season with an average rainfall of over 100mm a month, January is one of the least favourable times to visit Botswana. Temperatures are cooler and downpours can be somewhat unpredictable, it is much harder to see wildlife as it is more scattered, hiding in the long grasses.

In the more north easterly parts of the Chobe National Park rainfall is the most extreme and south western parks such as Kgalagadi, on average, receive notably less rainfall. Gemsbok are the emblem of Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park and are often seen in larger groups during the rainy season. They are forced to search out fresh vegetation and become nomadic so you will see them regularly during game drives here.

If you have a particular interest in birds, the rainy season could be the best time for you to visit. Birds of prey are also famous at Kgalagadi, seeking out their targets and going in for the kill, a spectacular sight for birdwatchers and photographers.

Being off-season, January is a significantly cheaper time to visit, although some lodges and camps may be closed.

February continues the peak rainy season with heavy and sometimes long showers. Rains can perpetuate whole days in February which is unlike other months in Botswana, so you may prefer to travel at another time of year.

Wattled cranes have their biggest stronghold in the Okavango Delta and African skimmers are often seen swooping down to catch their prey, which can be a fantastic sight for avid bird watchers and photographers. Hot and humid days often make way for thunderstorms throughout the month which creates moody, cloudy backdrops for landscape photography. Depending on the severity of the downpours, dense areas of water may flood during February making some routes inaccessible and driving conditions more difficult.

The best reason to visit Botswana in February is the zebra migration, this sees hundreds of Burchell’s zebra making their way from the Boteti River (south of the Okavango Delta) and arriving into the Makgadikgadi and Nxai Pans.

If you are a fan of zebra this can be a sight to rival the great wildebeest migration of the Serengeti and Masai Mara. The pans have been transformed from arid to shallow streams and the big predators follow their prey down to the Kalahari. You may also be lucky enough to see some of the herbivores give birth during this time as the season generally lies between December and March, but this is not guaranteed.

Summer steadily comes to an end in March with temperatures cooling down and rains dropping off.

Moisture and heat still remain though so this is the peak time for mosquitoes, wear lightweight long-length clothing with closed ankles and wrists if possible. Mosquitoes are more prevalent around damp areas, and lakes and rivers in particular, so you may want to plan you safari around this. If you are looking to travel with children it is worth taking into consideration the numbers of mosquitoes and the risk of malaria and perhaps look at travelling at a different time of year if possible.

Large groups of zebra will remain in the Kalahari in March after their migration from the Boteti River so sightings of these are high. This also means chances of spotting predators targeting zebra will also be higher than other times of year, especially lions.

March can be unpredictable if you are looking to combine your Botswana safari with a trip to Victoria Falls. . Water levels are high due to the recent rainy season however, if rains continue then there will be too much mist and cloud coverage to get good views of the falls so it may be better later in the year.

April is a shoulder season between summer and winter, seeing a period of transition between the hot yet rainy days of summer and the more pleasant days of the winter season. The cooler days and warmer evenings equals a happy medium between the two main seasons.

The cooler April mornings are an ideal time to spot rhino feeding on the remaining green foliage before landscapes dry out towards the end of the month, and further into the dry season.

Rhinos are generally relaxed slow-moving animals and catching them feeding is a good time to take some photos of these fascinating creatures. Weather and game viewing improve from April onwards and all lodges and camps will be open.

There is almost no rainfall throughout May and, as watering holes dry up, animals head towards more permanent sources of water. Daytime temperatures range from 25°C to 30°C but may be slightly cooler in the Okavango Delta due to the plentiful water supplies bringing temperatures down.

May is arguably as good as the peak season, but without the cooler temperatures. This is an ideal time to head to the Chobe River or Okavango Delta to see varied wildlife and the Kwara Concession to look out for wild dogs, known to hunt in large packs.

One of the most striking birds in Botswana, the crimson-breasted shrike, can be spotted across the country but is commonly seen in the Makgadikgadi Pans and Central Kalahari regions. These can be difficult to access during the rainy season but the ground should have dried up enough by May for you to have full access to these great birding areas.

If you are looking to combine your Botswana safari with a trip to the magnificent Victoria Falls, May is the best time to visit due to the high water levels making the thunder of the falls even more significant.

As winter continues, temperatures decline further but humidity can vary greatly across the country and also throughout the month so it can be difficult to predict. Generally sunny and warm with cooler mornings and evenings so remember to pack plenty of layers. Early afternoon temperatures will still stand at around 25°C so will be relatively warm by European standards, but not to the scorching levels of the latter months. As we come into the peak season, the numbers of tourists increase and prices will continue to rise.

June is the best season for guided walking safaris in private concessions, especially the Linyanti region, giving you the chance to stay in mobile tented camps and be right in the action. Elephants also congregate in the Chobe and Savuti region.

July is the peak month to travel to Botswana as it is an ideal time for game viewing, but with the increasing numbers and prices, availability is more limited. It is best to try and arrange Botswana safaris for July well in advance as availability becomes limited with the start of the summer holidays.

For those seeking out dry climates rather than particularly warm ones, July can be perfect. With less than 10% of the annual rainfall in Botswana, watering holes dry up further condensing game and birdlife to smaller areas.

Despite sightings being more likely, other game drive vehicles will probably be hovering around similar locations. However, our guides will aim to get you in the right places at the right time so you have optimal game viewing. Due to low levels of rain mosquitoes are almost non-existent at this time. July can also be a great time to take a mokoro ride in one of Botswana’s wet camps such as Pom Pom or Kanana, these camps offer scenic views, great game and bird viewing.

As the winter season progresses in Botswana, there will be clear skies with temperatures likely to be below 10°C in the mornings and evenings, even dropping down to freezing overnight. There may be frost on the ground when you wake for your early morning drives but you will be provided with warm cosy blankets and there will be pretty landscapes for photography and as the sun rises it will start to thaw out.

Between August and September vibrant southern carmine bee-eaters arrive and their pinkish-red plumage can be seen across the savannahs. Camps in Botswana vary greatly throughout the year and some camps will be 50/50 water/land ratio in August whereas others will be 100% land or 100% water based so it is important to decide what activities you wish to partake in.

The hot, dry, subtropical desert climate of Botswana is epitomised in September and despite the sunshine, there may be the occasional thunderstorm. Temperatures in September start to creep back up and maximum temperatures can head back above 30°C in the height of the day.

September is one of the last months that you can enjoy walking safaris and mekoro rides which give you a different perspective of the wildlife as you navigate waterways, past thirsty elephants drinking from the same body of water you are floating in.

The ratios of water/land based activities changes somewhat from August to September and then again into October so if you have particular camps you want to visit or activities you want to participate in please ask our destination specialists for advice.

October is the beginning of the transitional season with notably high temperatures. This generally sits at around 34°C but can surge to 44°C+ making it too hot for some. Humidity varies greatly in winter but is usually at a pleasant level throughout October as spring unfolds. For more moderate temperatures in October head to the Okavango Delta where the climate is tempered by the plentiful water yet still remains warm. ​​

Game viewing is easy during October; landscapes are clearer due to the vegetation having been grazed-down throughout the dry winter and animals gather around what water still remains in the parks. This gives the big cats good opportunities to hunt as it is easy to catch their prey. If you can handle the heat, look out for the hippos enjoying basking in the sun.

Spring in the Okavango gives you the opportunity to see, and more noticeably, hear, the stunning lilac-breasted rollers during their breeding season. These multi-coloured birds are loud and abundant throughout the Okavango region during spring and it is a delightful sight to behold. ​​Prices usually remain at peak levels throughout October but may start to drop towards the end of the month and into November.

November sees the beginning of the summer season in Botswana with minimum temperatures rising. Temperatures can peak at 40°C+ which can be too much and is important to consider if you are thinking about travelling in November. Unlike most summers, this is when the rains begin. November is not quite the peak rainy season though, this comes later in around January and February.

In November, look out for leopards lounging up in the trees, trying to get some much needed respite from the summer heat. Our favourite spot for leopards in Botswana is Chief’s Island on Moremi Game Reserve.

November prices drop significantly in Botswana, with some camps and safaris being as much as a third less than the peak season.

From December onwards herbivores tend to give birth meaning sightings of new born antelope such as gemsbok and impala are common but also subsequently, more predators are on the lookout. This means sightings of lion, leopard and cheetah are likely, particularly in the Kalahari parks and your guide will be on hand to spot them in the wilderness.

December is a great time for botanists and birdwatchers alike because many trees and flowers will be coming into full bloom and landscapes will be lush and verdant. Many migratory birds such as kingfishers, cuckoos and kites arrive and can be seen whirling their way around the parks.

It is important to note that December has quite high humidity in the mornings so although temperatures are more moderate than November, looking at around 20°C - 33°C, humidity will make early drives slightly more uncomfortable. Throughout the day humidity will decline and with rains bringing extra relief afternoons are likely to be pleasant. December can be an ideal time to get away to a warmer climate over the festive period with the benefit of a reduced price, although not all camps and lodges will be open.