This guide may contain affiliate links. At no cost to you, they allow me to provide these free and, even if I do say so myself, expert guides based on almost two years of travel in Africa. For a broader view, don’t miss my complete guide to travel in Africa.
While not often first on the list when it comes to southern Africa’s top safari destinations, Botswana has a lot to shout about. An African success story, here is a country that is peaceful, stable and forward looking. With attractions including the Okavango Delta, Chobe National Park and the Kalahari, Botswana also offers some of Africa’s most luxurious camps. Is Botswana a year-round destination or should it be saved for a particular season? Here’s my guide to the best time to visit Botswana. Then head to my thoughts on how many days to spend in Botswana.
Seasonal guide to the best time to visit Botswana
The climate in Botswana is relatively stable both across the country and across the year.
Whether you explore Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park in the far south, Central Kalahari Game Reserve at its heart, or Chobe in the north, temperatures vary little.
Daytime temperatures never usually fall below 22°C (72°F). They rise to an average of 34 or 35°C (95°F) and can hit 40°C (104°F). Predominantly dry heat, these temperatures are easy to escape by seeking shade.
The hottest months of the year are October and November. These months see the switch from the May to October dry season to the November to April green (or wet) season.
For the coolest temperatures, head to Botswana in June or July. These months correspond with the depths of Botswana’s winter.
At any time of year, you’ll likely find blankets covering hotel and camp beds. That’s because it gets seriously chilly by night.
With morning game drives often starting before daybreak (between 6 am and 7 am), most operators provide thick fleece ponchos to wear. Taking your own windproof and warm clothing is also advisable.
Visiting Botswana during the dry season
The dry season seems like the obvious time to visit Botswana – after all, it is by definition dry.
And it’s fair to say that the dry season is normally considered the best time to visit Botswana. Between May and October the country receives almost no rain, with the vast majority recorded in October.
Importantly, the dry season is also when the waters of the Okavango Delta are at their highest. That’s because it takes a full six months for the Delta to flood after the rains fall on the Angolan highlands.
For the typical delta experience of encountering hippos, elephants, lions and other wildlife by mokoro pole-punted canoe, the dry season is the best time to visit Botswana.
Elsewhere, the reducing number of waterholes help to concentrate game, making it easy to spot.
The downside of travelling to Botswana between May and October is the increased competition for accommodation as visitor numbers rise. In addition, July and August see prices rise too.
June is heralded as being both quieter and cheaper, although I still found Chobe National Park to be busy in May.
As the gates opened at 6 am, after a very cold drive from Kasane, there were about a dozen vehicles competing to be the first to enter the park.
Visiting Botswana during the green season
If it’s the dry season that’s considered the best time to visit Botswana, is it even worth considering the green season? Are there any benefits to visiting Botswana between November and April?
Well, yes, there is. For one thing, visitor numbers are well down on their dry season peak. This also means hotels and camps drop their prices to attract custom.
Temperatures tend to be slightly higher than during the dry season, settling into averages in the low 30s Celsius (high 80s F) for almost the entire period.
But the rain which makes this season green isn’t anything much to worry about. January sees the most rainfall. 128 mm (5 inches) falls around Chobe and 76 mm (3 inches) in the more arid Kalahari and Makgadikgadi Pans.
Falling as showers, the rains in Botswana are nothing like the life-stopping wet seasons of other parts of Africa, except for January and February.
At the same time, Botswana almost glows with fresh foliage, and its herds of everything from buffalo to zebra grow in size as calves are born. Migratory birds are also busy nesting at this time of year, especially around January.
When is the best time to visit Botswana?
To a certain extent, the best time to visit Botswana depends on what you’re looking to get out of your trip. For guaranteed sun and safaris on the Okavango Delta, you’ll want to visit during the dry season of May to October. But November to April is also largely a great time to visit for a variety of reasons. These include watching the birth of new life and dramatic skies.
Pingback: How many days do you need in Botswana? - Encircle Africa