A hot time of year, with thunderstorms periodically clearing the air. The peak of the wet season brings lush grass and the chance to spot newborn animals and birds.
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The best time to visit Botswana
The best time to visit Botswana is from May to October. This is the dry season for the country, with warm temperatures throughout, and also when water levels are at their highest in the famous Okavango Delta.
Explore the best time to visit
- Jan
- Feb
- Mar
- Apr
- May
- Jun
- Jul
- Aug
- Sep
- Oct
- Nov
- Dec
Visiting Botswana in January
Visiting Botswana in February
It remains hot and wet throughout the country, with the Central Kalahari turning into lush grasslands. Fruit sweetens and many different species scour the trees for a tasty meal.
Visiting Botswana in March
The high temperatures continue but the rains start to abate as the rainy season draws to a close.
Makgadikgadi zebra migration
The second-largest migration in Africa sees vast herds of zebras constantly moving around Botswana in search of better pastures. March is when the herds are at their most active, leaving the Makgadkgadi Salt Pans as the rains draw to a close, heading north towards the Chobe and Okavango Rivers. The pans fill with a sea of migrating zebras as they begin their journey.
Visiting Botswana in April
Temperatures start to drop, and days become drier. Antelope are breeding at this time, and are visible trying to flaunt themselves to their respective females.
Visiting Botswana in May
The start of the dry season. A good time of year to travel with pleasant temperatures, before the peak season.
Visiting Botswana in June
The winter brings warm days but chillier nights, so it is worth bringing a jacket. There is very little rainfall now, so wildlife is easier to spot around watering holes.
Visiting Botswana in July
The driest and coolest month across the country, with almost no rainfall at all. The waters of the Okavango rise as the rains finally filter down from the mountains of Angola. The aridity means that there are fewer mosquitoes at this time of year.
Visiting Botswana in August
Temperatures rise again, meaning less chilly nights and hot days, still with very little rainfall. A great time to spot wildlife in the Okavango delta as the waters reach peak levels.
Heronries in the Okavango Delta
August sees an influx of birdlife to the Okavango Delta, but nowhere is quite as busy as the area’s heronries. These seemingly arbitrary locations attract massive congregations of nesting and breeding waterbirds, drawing many different species. Only a handful of these heronries are accessible, all of them by boat.
Visiting Botswana in September
Continued rising temperatures and clear blue skies make for hot days and pleasantly warm evenings. Much of the country becomes dry and dusty as it has now been many months since any significant rains. Wildlife can be spotted easily around receding watering holes.
Visiting Botswana in October
The hottest month with some temperatures close to 40C, and the first signs of rain approaching. Water levels fall in the Okavango delta, causing catfish to migrate upstream, feeding on smaller fish along the way.
Carmine bee-eaters in Southern Africa
As early as August, these pink and blue migratory birds begin to arrive in Botswana, Zambia and Zimbabwe. But their numbers build over the next couple of months, making October the best time to see them. Taking advantage of the dry weather, they burrow into dry river banks to build their nests, congregating in colourful colonies as they flit back and forth from their nests.
Visiting Botswana in November
The heat continues, as the rainy season begins. Greenery starts to return to the plains, and it is possible to spot some newborns.
Visiting Botswana in December
The rains return in full swing, with regular thunderstorms providing some relief from the heat. Grass carpets many of the landscapes, providing plenty of food for the young.
Botswana climate guide
Drag the slider to see monthly temperature and rainfall.
| Maximum Temperature (°C) | Monthly Rainfall (mm) | |
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Central Kalahari
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Chobe National Park
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Gaborone
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Makgadikgadi Pans, Kalahari
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Maun
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The Okavango Delta
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Explore Botswana
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Central Kalahari
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Chobe National Park
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Gaborone
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Makgadikgadi Pans
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Kalahari Desert
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Maun
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Okavango Delta
Botswana Holiday Suggestions
Our experts have created and curated these holiday ideas to get you started.
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