When is a good time to travel to Botswana?

Botswana’s climate is semi-arid. Though it is hot and dry for much of the year, there is a rainy season, from November to March. Rainfall tends to be erratic, unpredictable and highly regional. Often a heavy downpour may occur in one area while 10 or 15 kilometres away there is no rain at all. Showers are often followed by strong sunshine so that a good deal of the rainfall does not penetrate the ground but is lost to evaporation and transpiration.

‘Pula’, one of the most frequently heard words in Botswana, is not only the name of Botswana’s currency, but also the Setswana word for rain. So much of what takes place in Botswana relies on this essential, frequently scarce commodity.

Maun

Chobe National Park

Botswana’s safari seasons

HIGH (DRY) SEASON – July, August, September and October

1	2	3	4
	Warm and sunny weather with moderate temperatures		Nights can be particularly cold in July
	Sunshine and blue skies		October is typically the hottest month
	Lower Malaria risk
	Water sources are lower. Animals tend to gather around water holes.

SHOULDER SEASON – April, May, June and November

1	2	3	4
	End of the wet season		Grass can be high which can impede the viewing of wildlife
	Pleasant Temperatures		November can be very hot
	Still chance to see animals around water holes		Nights can be very cold in June
	Rutting season for some antelope

LOW (WET) SEASON – December, January, February and March

1	2	3	4
	February is an excellent time for bird watching		Hot and humid weather (November to March are the hottest months)
	Heavy but short downpours		More challenging to spot wildlife
	Localised afternoon thunderstorms		More mosquitoes about
	Possibility of seeing new born animals		Peak wet months January and February

When to visit Botswana’s national parks and game reserves

It is true to say that there are national parks and game reserves in Botswana for every season and for every interest, making Botswana the ideal safari destination at any time of the year. The dry season draws the wildlife to congregate along the life giving waterways, and the rainy season attracts the herds to the lush new grass on the floodplains.

Excellent	Good	Fair	Poor	Closed

	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
Moremi Game Reserve
Okavango Delta
Linyanti and Kwando
Central Kalahari Game Reserve
Makgadikgadi Pans National Park
Savuti (Southern Chobe)
Nxai Pan National Park
Chobe National Park
Tuli Block

When is a good time to travel to Botswana?

Botswana’s safari seasons

When to visit Botswana’s national parks and game reserves

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