Best time to visit Botswana

January is the middle of Botswana’s summer and green season, so it’s a hot and wet month to visit. It boasts the highest rainfall of the year, with sweltering temperatures leading to spectacular (yet short) storms, followed by longer sunny intervals. Migratory birds and young grazing animals are abundant in January, and the lush landscapes make for fantastic photography opportunities. January and February offer excellent rates, so it’s a good time for budget-conscious travellers to visit.

The green season continues into February, which sees almost as much rainfall as January and the odd atmospheric thunderstorm. While not the best month for traditional game sightings, February offers fantastic birdwatching opportunities and sunny spells. The Kalahari Desert begins bursting into life, and it’s a great time to witness the annual zebra migration to the seasonal grasses of the Makgadikgadi Pans.

Botswana experiences less rainfall in March (especially towards the end of the month), but it’s still a hot time of year to visit. It’s another fantastic month to catch the zebra migration and predator-prey interactions, as well as brilliant birdwatching. March is still Botswana’s low season, so visitors can enjoy affordable rates at camps and lodges. Watch out for mosquitoes if you travel to Botswana in March, especially near bodies of water.

April marks the start of the shoulder season and is a good time to go on a safari in Botswana. Daytimes are hot and dry, but nights can be cooler, so you’ll want to pack layers for early morning and evening game drives. It’s antelope breeding season, so expect to see males jostling for female attention. The Okavango Delta is usually flooded thanks to seasonal inflows, drawing diverse wildlife to its waters.

May is another great shoulder season month for safaris in Botswana, with clear blue skies and pleasant temperatures predominating. Evenings and mornings are even chillier (especially in the Kalahari Desert), and wildlife sightings are excellent, with animals searching for permanent water sources. Compared to the peak high season (starting next month), April and May offer relatively good value for safari holidays.

Winter kicks off in June, with warm days and cold nights. With the start of peak season, visitors and prices increase, and it’s the best time to visit Botswana to see endangered African wild dogs, as it’s the denning season from June to September. Watch animals congregating at permanent water sources such as the Okavango Delta, Kwando River and Chobe River. The dry winter season is also a mosquito-free period, so it’s an ideal time for families to visit.

The dry (and high) season continues in July, which experiences pleasantly warm days with chilly mornings and evenings. Along with June, this is the coldest month of the year and is another very popular month for safari in Botswana, as animals are easy to spot at water sources and there’s less vegetation around. It’s a great time to head out on a magical mokoro (dugout canoe) ride in the Okavango Delta, which is at its best thanks to rising floodwaters – the delta can reach as much as three times its size during this period.

August is another peak wildlife viewing month, with temperatures rising once again. The delta remains at its fullest, so it’s the perfect time to glide along on a mokoro, passing parched animals seeking respite in the waters. Between July and September is also the best time to get up close and personal with mobs of meerkats in the Makgadikgadi pans, while the dry season’s clear skies make it a wonderful time for stargazing in the desert.

Enjoying similar conditions to August, September hots up even more, with bright, sunshine-filled days and warm, balmy evenings perfect for sundowners. Animals congregate around shrinking water sources, and predators prowl the dusty plains in national parks such as Chobe, so you can expect lots of wildlife action. Botswana Day, otherwise known as Boipuso, is celebrated on 30th September.

October’s intense heat might put off some travellers, but wildlife sightings are excellent for those who can stand it. Time game drives to early mornings and evenings to avoid peak temperatures that can climb above 40°C. It’s also around this time when visitors can witness the annual catfish run as they devour small baitfish on the receding floodplains of the Okavango Delta. Catch the fierce feeding frenzy (including birds and crocodiles), and even try your hand at tiger fishing.

As a shoulder season month, November can offer great value for money with reliable animal viewing, although the weather can be unpredictable. It’s very hot, and the first part of the month is dry, with seasonal rains usually arriving later in November. This revitalises the dusty plains with much-needed greenery. November is also the best time to visit Botswana to witness abundant animal births and the resulting predator action.

December sees the arrival of thunderstorms and more frequent rainfall, allowing vegetation to grow. Plentiful food and water mean newborns are well-nourished and grow quickly, but predator-prey action is still high. It’s another very hot month in Botswana, with migratory birds arriving for the wet season between December and March.