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Weather & climate

Botswana: Weather & climate

The best time to visit Botswana

We're often asked “When is the best time to go to Botswana?", and the answer is complex. It will depend on many things including your interests, exactly where you want to visit and why you're travelling. One person's best time can be another's worst! However, often a concern about the weather underlies the question of 'the best time to go'. With that in mind, below is a broad guide to the climate of Botswana.

Please remember: These notes are based on annual climate records from the last 100 years or so. As the world experiences the increasingly dramatic effects of climate change, weather patterns across Africa are less and less predictable: we're seeing downpours in the middle of the dry season and extended droughts when rains would be expected. Indeed, if we had to base our expectations about weather patterns on just this century's records, it would often be hard to see what the seasons really are. Nevertheless, here are the broad outlines of what locals would expect:

Botswana's climatic pattern is typical of southern Africa, although its rainfall is less than that of countries further east. The rains in Botswana come mostly between December and March, when average minimum temperatures are in the low 20°s. Some days will be bright and sunny, some will have afternoon thunderstorms, and some will just be grey.

As with Namibia, April and May in Botswana are generally lovely, with the sky clear and the landscape green. Night temperatures start to drop during these months, especially in the Kalahari. Note that places in and around the Okavango tend to have less extreme, more moderate temperatures than the drier areas of the Kalahari.

From June to August the night-time temperatures in drier areas can be close to freezing, but it warms up rapidly during the day, when the sky is usually clear and blue. It's now very much 'peak season' for most safari areas: the land is dry in most areas so the animals congregate around the few available water sources.

This continues into September and October, when temperatures climb again, drying the landscapes and concentrating the game even more. This is the best time for big game safaris – although October can feel very hot, with maximum temperatures sometimes approaching 40°C.

November is difficult to predict, as it can sometimes be a continuation of October's heat, whilst sometimes it's cooled by the first rains; it's always an interesting month.

Weather in other African countries

For comparison, see similar climate charts and information for our other African destinations:

Kenya climate – Different weather pattern from Botswana.
Malawi climate – Very similar weather pattern to Botswana, with rain starting a bit earlier.
Mozambique climate – Very similar weather pattern to Botswana’s.
Namibia climate –Drier than Botswana, but following a similar pattern.
Rwanda climate – Completely different weather pattern from Botswana.
Seychelles climate – Completely different weather pattern from Botswana.
Cape of South Africa climate – Almost completely ‘opposite’ weather pattern to Botswana’s.
Tanzania climate –Different weather pattern from Botswana; Jan-Feb are much drier in Tanzania.
Zambia climate – Very similar weather pattern to Botswana, but with a slightly longer rainy season.
Zanzibar climate – Different weather pattern from Botswana, with two rainy seasons.
Zimbabwe climate – Weather follows a very similar pattern to Botswana.
<b>January</b>: one of the wettest months of the year; the humidity level is very high.
<b>February</b>: the rain is heavy, the bush is thick and it's a great time of year for birdwatching
<b>March</b>: often dry and sunny days, but thunderstorms possible.
<b>April</b>: a very fresh, green month; some rain but also clear weather.
<b>May</b>: the landscape is beautiful and green, the air is very clear with some rain around.
<b>June</b>: start of the peak season as the weather dries up, although nights can be very cold.
<b>July</b>: nights can be close to freezing, but during the day it warms up quickly.
<b>August</b>: a clear and dry month.
<b>September</b>: temperatures warming up; great time for game viewing.
<b>October</b>: the hottest month: average tempertures in the mid 30°C's.
<b>November</b>: an unpredictable month; can be really hot or cooling down with the first rain.
<b>December</b>: the rainy season begins.

January: one of the wettest months of the year; the humidity level is very high.

February: the rain is heavy, the bush is thick and it's a great time of year for birdwatching

March: often dry and sunny days, but thunderstorms possible.

April: a very fresh, green month; some rain but also clear weather.

May: the landscape is beautiful and green, the air is very clear with some rain around.

June: start of the peak season as the weather dries up, although nights can be very cold.

July: nights can be close to freezing, but during the day it warms up quickly.

August: a clear and dry month.

September: temperatures warming up; great time for game viewing.

October: the hottest month: average tempertures in the mid 30°C's.

November: an unpredictable month; can be really hot or cooling down with the first rain.

December: the rainy season begins.

Our top picks for holidays to Botswana

We'll always tailor-make your safari for you. Here are some of our favourites to inspire you.


Itinerary image

Wild Dog Safari

13 days • 5 locations
KASANE AIRPORT TO MAUN AIRPORT

An in-depth discovery of northern Botswana’s wilderness, from Chobe and the private Kwando Reserve to the Moremi and iconic Okavango Delta with a great variety of activities and wildlife.

US$12,230 - US$21,930 per person

Itinerary image

Porcupine Safari

11 days • 4 locations
MAUN AIRPORT TO MAUN AIRPORT

Visit dramatically contrasting landscapes boasting a variety of species during this exploration of Botswana’s top-safari destinations. A combination of national parks and private reserves allows for a range of activities.

US$10,710 - US$16,860 per person

Itinerary image

Spring Hare Safari

9 days • 3 locations
KASANE AIRPORT TO MAUN AIRPORT

An authentic and diverse safari to Botswana combining the Chobe Forest Reserve, Savuti Marshes and the Okavango Delta. Strong wildlife viewing, a variety of activities and excellent value camps.

US$7,290 - US$13,320 per person

Itinerary image

Large-spotted Genet Safari

9 days • 3 locations
MAUN AIRPORT TO MAUN AIRPORT

A luxury safari exploring the Okavango Delta and Linyanti–Savuti, two of the best wildlife viewing areas in Botswana, staying at three top camps renowned for their guiding for a first-class experience.

US$10,930 - US$23,640 per person

Itinerary image

Red Lechwe Safari

9 days • 3 locations
MAUN AIRPORT TO MAUN AIRPORT

Superb guiding from three fabulous camps full of character in three contrasting areas for a fabulous safari to the Okavango Delta and Kalahari Desert.

US$10,800 - US$28,240 per person

Itinerary image

Steenbok Safari

9 days • 3 locations
MAUN AIRPORT TO MAUN AIRPORT

A classic Botswana safari exploring the Moremi, Chobe National Park and Okavango Delta. Excellent wildlife viewing and a variety of activities from three of our favourite traditional tented camps.

US$7,260 - US$13,480 per person

Itinerary image

Pangolin Safari

8 days • 3 locations
MAUN AIRPORT TO MAUN AIRPORT

Three relaxed, local feeling camps in pristine settings – the Kwando Reserve and Okavango Delta. Guided by a driver and tracker at each, this a great trip for spotting Botswana’s top predators.

US$9,100 - US$16,340 per person

Itinerary image

Bushbuck Safari

8 days • 3 locations
MAUN AIRPORT TO MAUN AIRPORT

Discover three of Botswana’s best game-viewing regions with stays in the private Linyanti, Chitabe and Vumbura reserves. Intimate, smart camps offer a range of activities by which to discover these stunningly varied habitats.

US$13,570 - US$31,740 per person

Itinerary image

Reedbuck Safari

8 days • 3 locations
MAUN AIRPORT TO MAUN AIRPORT

Focussing on the Okavango Delta and combining the crème de la crème of Botswana’s camps – Zarafa, Vumbura Plains and Mombo – this is one of the finest safari experiences in Africa.

US$18,160 - US$36,280 per person

Itinerary image

Tsessebe Safari

7 days • 3 locations
MAUN AIRPORT TO MAUN AIRPORT

Visit three sister-camps in and around Moremi Game Reserve during this thorough exploration of the Okavango Delta. A range of activities provide excellent opportunity to observe the local birdlife, mammals and fauna.

US$8,240 - US$11,410 per person

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