Best Travel Time for Botswana
Climate, Weather and Tips for Your Botswana Trip
Climate, Weather and Tips for Your Botswana Trip
With Botswana, you can expect a fascinating travel destination characterized by geographical contrasts. From the dry savannahs of the Kalahari Desert to the waterways of the Okavango Delta, the African landlocked country presents itself as extremely versatile. The dry and hot climate of Botswana not only shapes the entire annual cycle but also the migration behavior of wildlife. Alongside the dry season, with pleasantly mild temperatures, the rainy season can also offer exciting safari adventures depending on your destination.
Here you will find out how to determine the best travel time for Botswana and your planned activities – practical tips included.
Seasons and Climate in Botswana
Botswana is located in the Southern Hemisphere of the Earth. Thus, the seasons run in the opposite direction to the Central European standard. While we prepare for the cold season, the summer rainy season begins in Botswana. When summer arrives in Europe, southern Africa experiences its winter. Unlike other places in the world, the year in Botswana does not divide into four classic seasons.
The defining seasons are the rainy season from December to March and the dry season from May to September. Typical for summer in Botswana are high temperatures of up to 35 degrees Celsius during the day. Even at night, it rarely cools down noticeably with an average of 20 degrees Celsius. The mild, low-rainfall southern winter is considered the best travel time for Botswana if you want to visit the Chobe National Park or the Okavango Delta during your trip.
Seasons: Dry Season and Rainy Season
January to March: Characteristic for the rainy season is the midsummer climate with hot daytime temperatures and warm tropical nights. Heavy rains usually last only a short time and cause the Kalahari savannah to bloom. The birth of many young animals makes this region of Botswana a sought-after travel destination now.
April to June: With up to 10 hours of sunshine daily and pleasant daytime temperatures of 25 to 30 degrees Celsius, the transitional period to the southern winter is shaped. The number of rainy days per month steadily decreases and is already near zero by June. The Kalahari Desert is in full bloom. Overnight stays in lodges are significantly cheaper in April than in other months. The low season still prevails in Botswana. If your travel time for Botswana falls in June, make sure to pack warm clothing. Nights can cool down significantly with single-digit temperatures.
July to September: With the dry season comes the best months for a safari in Botswana. Prices in high season are above the annual average. In return, you can also expect ideal conditions for numerous wildlife sightings during game drives and guided bush walks. Especially in the Chobe National Park and the Okavango Delta, there is much to see now. Pleasant average daytime temperatures of 25 to 30 degrees Celsius allow safari fans to breathe easy. As in June, there can still be cold nights in July.
October to December: The rainy season begins, and with it, Botswana enters the hottest months of the year. Temperatures around 35 degrees Celsius are now the norm, and the number of monthly rainy days steadily increases. Single temperature spikes of up to 40 degrees Celsius are possible. Strong thermal activity encourages showers and thunderstorms. On days without rainfall, you can look forward to up to ten hours of sunshine.
The Best Travel Times in Botswana by Regions
Between dry savannah and wetlands, mopane forests and marshes, Botswana's diverse ecosystems provide an optimal habitat for numerous species. Do you want to see the famous Big Five, admire large elephant herds, or observe exotic birds? Your chances are quite good here:
Okavango Delta
The Okavango Delta, one of the most impressive wetlands in the world, is a paradise for nature and animal lovers and also an excellent area for birdwatching. During the dry season from May to October water from Angola's highlands floods the winding river arms and vast plains. In the months of June to September the water levels in the delta are at their highest, which is why these months are considered the best travel time for the Okavango Delta. This facilitates boat trips and mokoro tours, where you can experience the diverse wildlife up close. Keep an eye out for colorful songbirds, storks, ibises, hippos, and crocodiles. On land, with a bit of luck, antelopes, giraffes, zebras, buffaloes, lions, and cheetahs may cross your path.
| Climate Table Okavango Delta | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average Day Temperature (°C) | 33 | 33 | 32 | 32 | 29 | 27 | 26 | 29 | 33 | 36 | 35 | 34 |
| Average Night Temperature (°C) | 19 | 20 | 18 | 15 | 11 | 7 | 7 | 10 | 15 | 19 | 20 | 20 |
| Sun Hours per Day | 8 | 8 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 10 | 10 | 11 | 11 | 11 | 9 | 9 |
| Rainy Days per Month | 12 | 11 | 7 | 4 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 7 | 9 |
Chobe National Park
Even in the Chobe National Park you can see particularly many wild animals during the dry season. In the months of May to October massive herds of elephants gather at the Chobe River. The roads are usually easily passable and the view of the Big Five is unobstructed. While lions, cheetahs, and spotted hyenas roam the area, hippos and crocodiles frolic in the water. The lower humidity makes game drives particularly pleasant at this time of year.
| Climate Table Chobe National Park | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average Day Temperature (°C) | 32 | 32 | 31 | 29 | 27 | 25 | 25 | 28 | 33 | 35 | 34 | 32 |
| Average Night Temperature (°C) | 18 | 18 | 17 | 15 | 10 | 7 | 7 | 10 | 15 | 18 | 19 | 18 |
| Sunshine Hours per Day | 8 | 8 | 9 | 9 | 10 | 10 | 10 | 10 | 10 | 9 | 9 | 8 |
| Rainy Days per Month | 10 | 9 | 7 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 3 | 6 | 9 |
Kalahari Desert
The Kalahari Desert is a fascinating region with endless dune landscapes and an amazing adaptability of flora and fauna. With the heavy rainfall in the rainy season, the Kalahari Desert comes to life. Between November and April the otherwise sparse dry savanna literally blooms. Despite sometimes very high temperatures, the air movement provides a slight cooling. Colorful flowers line the reddish shimmering dune landscape. Antelopes can be seen in the fresh grass with their young. Unlike in the dry season, the wildlife is more active throughout the entire desert area. Sufficient water sources are now available in many places. This is also the best time to spot the famous Kalahari lions.
| Climate Table Kalahari Desert | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average Day Temperature (°C) | 35 | 34 | 32 | 29 | 25 | 22 | 22 | 26 | 31 | 34 | 35 | 35 |
| Average Night Temperature (°C) | 20 | 19 | 17 | 13 | 7 | 3 | 3 | 6 | 11 | 16 | 18 | 19 |
| Sun Hours per Day | 9 | 9 | 9 | 10 | 10 | 10 | 11 | 11 | 11 | 10 | 9 | 9 |
| Rainy Days per Month | 7 | 6 | 5 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 3 | 4 | 6 |
By choosing the optimal travel time for the respective regions of Botswana, you can ensure that your adventure will be unforgettable. Whether you want to experience the majestic elephants in Chobe National Park, the lush water landscapes of the Okavango Delta, or the unique beauty of the Kalahari - each region has its own special highlights and best travel times.
The best travel time for various activities in Botswana
Game drives or bird watching, boat safaris or guided tours? You can explore Botswana's wilderness with its characteristic flora and fauna in many ways. The best months for your safari in Botswana can easily be determined using this overview:
Classic Safari and Wildlife Observations
The Dry season in the Southern Winter provides you with pleasantly mild daytime temperatures and dry road conditions for the best safari conditions. Wildlife gathers in large numbers at the central water sources. Elephant fans can now admire the gentle giants in herds. In their slipstream: predators like lions and cheetahs.
Water Activities and Mokoro Tours
The high water level in the Okavango Delta favors boat trips on the winding river courses during the dry season. In traditional dugout canoes, you glide almost silently through the landscape. Exotic birds, hippopotamuses, and reptiles hide in the riverside thickets. You can photograph them in peace and capture your memories for eternity.
Adventure and Outdoor Activities
Do you love to set out and keep your eyes and ears open? In the dry season, with its long sunny days, you will find plenty of opportunities to do so. Join knowledgeable guides on their excursions into nature and discover birds, insects, and other animals that you might otherwise easily overlook. Do you appreciate contrasting photographic subjects? The rainy season, with its rapid changes between sun and rain, gives your shots special depth.
More Tips and Recommendations for Your Botswana Trip
While the peak season in the Southern Winter attracts with numerous sunny hours and ideal safari opportunities, the subtropical summer is rainy and calm. Use October and November as well as February to April to take advantage of attractive offers. Lodges and flights can often be booked at significantly reduced prices during this time. Prices rise again during Christmas and New Year. However, Botswana also offers a summer contrast program to the Central European winter.
The rainy season in the Southern Hemisphere offers additional advantages: with consistently high temperatures, packing becomes easier. Light clothing is completely sufficient during this time of year. In the low season, you can also enjoy Botswana's nature and biodiversity undisturbed. For the Southern winter, you should plan on cozy sweatshirts and jackets - at least for the refreshing nights. No matter which month you travel in: Botswana tempts year-round with breathtaking flora and fauna.
Would you like to learn more about this dream destination? Feel free to contact us!
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