Climate
Life in Botswana relies on the very unpredictable and erratic rains that generally fall between November and March. The country’s climate is classed as semi-arid and the weather patterns are very regional. 
 
Summer (November to March) is when 90% of the country’s rain falls, the cloud cover that comes with the rains is a wonderful break from the high summer temperatures. Temperatures can get up to 38-45°C in summer and the high humidity can make this feel even hotter. During the summer moths humidity levels can rise to 80%, often dropping off in the late afternoon. The amount of rain that falls during these months very much depends on the region, with Chobe receiving the most and the Kalahari receiving the least. 
 
Winter is classed as May through to August, and is the country’s dry season. Days are sunny but considerably cooler with temperatures of 20 to 28°C. Be warned, with no cloud around night time temperatures plummet, particularly in June, July and August. If you are getting up early for morning game drives expect to experience temperatures between 6 and 10°C. In the southwest of the country it can get even colder with below freezing temperatures often experienced in July and August. 
 
The shoulder months of September/October and April are mostly dry with cooler days than summer and warmer days compared to winter. 
When is the best time to visit Botswana?
Often guests ask us ‘when should we visit Botswana?’ There is no straight forward answer to this. The answer largely depends on where in Botswana you want to visit and what your interests are. Have a look at the summary table below and our season and popular destination breakdown in the next tabs.
A Botswana Safari in the wet season
  • The plains come to life with the rains, with all of the plants taking advantage and blooming. That said this does make wildlife viewing more difficult with denser bush and taller grasses. 
  • With the first rains come the first births, you can expect to see lots of cute baby impala, wildebeest, zebra and other herbivore species.
  • With all of the new babies around predator sightings can often be great as they follow the family herds.
  • Migratory birds flock in their thousands, attracted by the rains and the large water bodies formed. So there is a huge diversity of bird life. 
  • Clouds and thunderstorms make for moody and dramatic backdrops for budding photographers. 
  • Rain showers can be heavy but very short lived so game drives can be interrupted by the occasional down pour, but with high temperatures, this can often be a temporary relief from the heat. Just be sure to have a waterproof bag for your camera and binoculars. 
  • Wildlife is less reliant on permanent water sources so often spread out during the summer season. 
  • With higher grass levels in some areas guided walking safaris will be restricted or unavailable for safety reasons.
  • In some areas game drives may be restricted to certain areas because of water levels. 
A Botswana Safari in the dry season
  • As winter goes on the bush thins out and grasses get shorter making it easier to spot wildlife. 
  • Permanent water sources become very active with animals congregating around them. 
  • Game drives and guided walks will not be restricted. 
  • Early morning games drives will be very cold especially June to August, in some areas temperatures often drop below freezing, so be prepared. 
  • You can expect clear sunny days most days, with cooler more pleasant temperatures and lower humidity. 
Makgadikgadi Pans, Kalahari
  • Summer rains transform these dry pans creating huge shallow lakes that attract flamingos and pelicans in their thousands. 
  • The surrounding landscape bursts into life with the rains, creating vast green plains. 
  • Huge herds of zebra also migrate to the pans early in the year, and invariably they are followed by the predators that depend on them. 
  • Best time to visit this area for keen birders is November to April. 
  • For those more interested in activities on the pan such as quad biking and sleep outs, or maybe a meeting with some of the charismatic resident meer cats, these activities and others are mostly limited to the dry season. 
Okavango Delta
  • The delta provides animals with everything that they need all year round and offers some magnificent game viewing. 
  • Moremi Game reserve has access to the delta and permanent water sources, making it an excellent year round destination. 
  • After summer rains on the Angolan highlands the delta swells to almost three times its normal size, but due to the vast distance the water has to travel (1,200km) the water only reaches the delta in the Botswanan dry season (June to August).
  • During the dry season the delta is home to huge herds of elephant, buffalo and an array of other game species and the predators that follow them. ​
  • When the delta is full it can be explored both on land and by mokoro, offering very different ways to experience the delta and its wildlife.
  • Rains between November and April attract an array of birds, making this the best time of year for birding enthusiasts. 
  • If you are keen to catch one of the deltas famous tiger fish, the fishing season is also November to April.
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