The best time to visit Botswana is during the dry winter months of May to October when game viewing is at its optimum. During these months, as the dry season progresses, animals congregate more and more around available water sources. Botswana’s most popular parks are the Okavango Delta, Moremi Game Reserve, and Chobe National Park and the best time to visit them is from May to September when temperatures are more reasonable. Furthermore, the Okavango Delta gets inundated from June to October. While wildlife viewing is good all year, it does vary from park to park, depending on what you’re looking for.
We’ve compiled this latest blog post to help you decide on the best time to visit Botswana.
The best time to visit Botswana for wildlife watching
The busiest months in Botswana are July and August due to spectacular game viewing, dry weather, and school vacations — South Africans who enjoy safaris swarm the campsites during this period. The dry winter season, with its never-ending clear sky, pleasant days, and brisk evenings, lasts roughly from April to October. The Makgadikgadi Pan is at its coolest from June through August when temperatures average approximately 25°C and sometimes drop below zero at night.
The Okavango Delta’s seasonally high waters and other year-round water sources like the Chobe River attract wildlife during the height of the dry season when it is also easier to travel on roads and tracks across the entire nation. The absence of mosquitoes makes it an excellent time for family holidays, with a low risk of malaria.
Affordability during the shoulder season
The transition between the wet and dry seasons occurs between the shoulder months of April, May, and November, therefore the weather can be erratic during these times. However, Botswana never fails short of wildlife action, and lodges often lower their rates, making holidays during this time a fantastic deal.
The best time to visit Botswana for budget-conscious travellers
Summer rains, often known as the “green season,” which last from December to March, bring hot temperatures and frequent downpours, with January and February typically being the wettest months. It’s the least expensive time to go, but because there are fewer tourists, several lodges and campgrounds close, campsites get muddy, and many roads and trails become unusable.
Because of the abundance of foliage and water, animals may forage far and wide, making them more difficult to spot. Photographers, on the other hand, will enjoy the season’s gloomy skies and rich scenery. The yearly zebra migration is a must-see show, and with so many juvenile mammals nearby, there’s a good chance of prey-versus-predator combat.
The best time for bird watching in Botswana
During the summer season in Botswana, a huge number of migrating birds from the northern hemisphere flock to the Okavango Delta to mate and feed. The earliest migrants arrive in September, and by December, Botswana has 20% more birds than in the winter months. The area is quite lively from December to March, and the colours, sights, and sounds are marvellous.
The Okavango Delta is a birder’s delight that will appeal to both seasoned and novice enthusiasts. During September and October, carmine bee-eaters arrive from Central Africa and can be seen in their thousands in the Savuti Marsh.
