The call of the wild knows no season-it's always a good time for safari in Africa! But depending on when you go, you'll have the chance to witness different sides of the continent's breathtaking landscapes and extraordinary wildlife. From the thundering herds of the Great Migration in East Africa to South Africa's dramatic dry-season gatherings at watering holes, each time of year offers something unique.
Every time of year in Botswana comes with its own special characteristics, making for a wonderfully unique adventure and excellent game viewing no matter when you visit.
To help you plan your trip, here's a breakdown of what to expect throughout the year in Botswana:
Peak Season: April to October
Peak season is during the cooler and drier winter months, from April to early October, when wildlife of all stripes and spots congregate at fewer water sources.
The best time to visit the Okavango Delta, Moremi Game Reserve and Chobe National Park is during the Dry season (April to October). This corresponds to winter, when temperatures are more moderate.
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April to May is an ideal time to visit. By April the heavy rainfall has almost completely stopped across the country, and the landscape is still verdant. By mid-month the water levels in the Okavango Delta begin to rise. April is the beginning of impala breeding season, when the males start to size one another up for the attention of the females.
May is the start of the dry winter season. This month offers excellent game viewing, mild, dry weather and the campsites and safari parks are not too busy - as this is before peak season later in the year.
Seasoned safari-goers argue that May is the best time of year for game viewing-even better than the peak months of July and August. That’s because of the transition of water sources, from the sweeping plains to permanent supplies like the Chobe River and Okavango Delta, which usually reach full flow by this month. Little to no rainfall and cooler nights also allow for more pleasant sundowners and clear night skies.
June is another great month to visit Botswana. Late June marks the beginning of peak season, while July to October are the busiest times in the parks. It's advisable to book your spot in advance if you're planning to a safari at this very popular time of year. The climate is exquisite in June for outdoor activities and places to visit in Botswana, but the evenings do tend to get cold and certain areas in the Kalahari can drop below freezing after dark.
July is the perfect time to visit the famed Okavango Delta as well as the Moremi Game Reserve and Chobe National Park - wildlife in these areas can be found in greater numbers than other parts of the country at this time. The waters of the Okavango are at their highest from July to October, which is the ideal time for wildlife viewing there.
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While the bush thins and water sources dry up, the Okavango Delta is in full flood, making for some of the best game-viewing conditions on the continent. We enter the start of peak season, when the Okavango Delta reaches ideal water levels for congregating wildlife of every spot and stripe, as well as for traversing riverways by boat and canoe. Chobe National Park and Moremi Game Reserve are also in full wildlife-spotting swing.
August is a very dry time across the country, although towards the end of the month there is a chance of brief rain showers in the south. This is a very popular month in the game parks as the climate of Botswana is perfect for a safari towards the end of winter. The water levels in the Okavango Delta are high, and game viewing along the waterways is at its best.
September is one of the hottest and driest months of the year. Wildlife desperately seeks out scarce water and food supplies, this fight for survival ups the ante on game-viewing. Clear skies, perfect weather, and excellent game viewing both on land and by water are the order for the day.
Hundreds of elephants make their way to the Chobe and Linyati Rivers during September, as they rely on this water source for survival and can consume up to 200 litres (53 gallons) of water in one day. The days start to get very warm in September and the thin, dry vegetation makes for great wildlife viewing.
October offers rewarding sightings due to the lack of vegetation and water sources. When travelling to Botswana in October you will experience the hottest temperatures on the calendar. Despite the heat, this is still a very popular month for a Botswana safari, especially along the Chobe River which is famous for its thirsty herds of elephants along its banks.
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Green Season: November to March
The summer months, from November to March, known as the green season for its heat and rainfall, are marked by lush landscapes, migratory birds, grazers calving, and predators in wait.
In Southern Africa’s safari regions, the rainy season tends to start in mid to late November and continue until March.
November marks the start of the spring season. It's still very hot across the country but soaring rain clouds return, along with a host of migrant bird life. Once the rains do begin, the landscapes are filled with newborn wildlife, frolicking while predators circle.
December is the start of the summer season when the grazing land recovers and the greenery is plentiful.
The height of summer in Botswana can get hot, allowing for warm morning and night game drives, and humid, leading to afternoon thunderstorms that put on a spectacular show from the comfort of our luxurious safari camps.
January rainfall is unpredictable with heavy downpours. Most travel experts will tell you that January is not the most popular time to visit Botswana, but prices will be a lot lower than in peak season. This is a great time to take advantage of any safari specials on offer.
February is the wettest month of the year. The heavy rains turn the landscape into a lush, green paradise especially in the Central Kalahari Game Reserve. February is the start of breeding season in this reserve for the local antelope population, when you can view newborns taking their first steps.
As Botswana enters into peak rainy season, the Kalahari Desert teems with new growth and activity (Baby animals! Water lilies!), while the Okavango Delta shrinks, making for variable wildlife spotting but excellent bird-watching as hundreds of wattled cranes blanket the lush delta.
While visiting Botswana in March, you will experience a drop in temperature and steady rainfall.
Dropping temperatures and fewer afternoon showers usher in a slow end to summer, as grasslands reach peak greenery, herds of grazers (and their predators) migrate from the Boteti River to the Kalahari, and elephants head to the Okavango Delta to feast on ripened fruit. This time of seasonal transition makes for unique game-viewing opportunities, as wildlife begin to migrate according to the shifting landscape and male antelopes vie for female attention as their breeding season gets underway.
Year-Round Destinations
Moremi, Okavango and Chobe are most popular and offer year-round wildlife viewing. They are at their best during the Dry season when wildlife is easier to spot and the Okavango is flooded.
The Okavango Delta is truly a year round safari destination in Southern Africa.
Ngorongoro Crater Conservation Area - Another excellent location to visit any time of year, this conservation area in Tanzania is named after a huge extinct volcanic caldera within the conservancy.
We have our favorite year-round destinations that provide excellent wildlife viewing opportunities, and for the budget-minded, prices at your preferred safari destination can be more than 50% lower than peak season rates.
East Africa has a tropical climate influenced by its proximity to the equator and varying altitudes. There's no single "best time" for wildlife viewing-it all depends on what you want to experience!
South Africa is a spectacular destination year-round. Much like East Africa, there's no single "best time" to visit - each season offers its own unique advantages.
Here is a table summarizing the best times to visit Botswana for a safari, considering both peak and green seasons:
How Do I Plan A Botswana Safari? - Resort 2 Travel
| Month | Season | Description |
|---|---|---|
| April - May | Shoulder Season | Rainfall almost stops, landscape is verdant, Okavango Delta water levels rise, impala breeding season begins. |
| May | Dry Winter Season | Excellent game viewing, mild and dry weather, campsites and safari parks not too busy. |
| June | Peak Season Begins | Great climate for outdoor activities, evenings get cold, book in advance. |
| July - October | Peak Season | Ideal time to visit Okavango Delta, Moremi Game Reserve, and Chobe National Park, wildlife in greater numbers. |
| November | Spring Season Begins | Hot, rain clouds return, migrant bird life arrives, newborn wildlife frolics. |
| December | Summer Season Begins | Grazing land recovers, greenery is plentiful. |
| January | Green Season | Unpredictable rainfall, lower prices, safari specials available. |
| February | Wettest Month | Lush, green landscape, breeding season for antelope in Central Kalahari Game Reserve. |
| March | End of Summer | Drop in temperature, steady rainfall. |
Our Africa Specialists know every detail about our Botswana trips. They will be happy to answer any questions and help you choose the journey that’s right for you.
