Botswana's Seasons

Cool and Dry

The cool and dry season (effecitively winter) in Botswana is from May to August. The temperature varies from around 14 to 26 degrees Celsius during the day and from 5 to 20 degrees Celsius at night. In dry areas, the rivers and water sources tend to recede and game viewing improves steadily at this time, and many of the roads in the remote areas are only passable during this dry spell. This is a great time to go on safari in Botswana, although visitor numbers do increase through July and August.  In the wetlands of the Okavango Delta, these months coincide with raised water levels as the floodwaters trickle down from Angola, which facilitates boat safaris and mokoro trips.

Hot and Dry

From September to November the second season is hot and dry. The game is quite concentrated to a few areas as the water sources are becoming very dry. If you can handle the heat, then this is a great time to come for game viewing. The temperature reaches the mid 40 degrees Celsius.

Wet Season

The final weather change comes between December and April, this being known as the wet season (emerald season). The onset of the rains makes the main rivers in Chobe and the Linyanti areas swell and a lot of the game in these areas leaves and heads southwards, where water is still plentiful. Migrating birds come to Botswana at this time of the year, which makes the wet season great for birdwatchers.  Many lodges in Botswana offer green season safaris at exceptional rates, and most lodges offer shoulder season rates from April to June, meaning this is a good time to visit if you are looking for the best value for money.  In the Okavango the waters are actually lower at this time of year, so many water-based lodges in the area lose the mokoro/ boat safari option.  These months are however, probably the best time of year to visit the Central Kalahari, as the rains bring vegetation, herds of antelope, and plenty of predators to the normally arid landscape.

To find out what the weather in Botswana is doing right now, click here.