January is one of the wettest months in Botswana and is characterised by continuous rainfall for
a few days and downpours in the afternoons. The temperatures during the day reach an
amazing 32°C/ 90°F. Perfect weather for a day in the bush.
 January, along with the rest of summer has been said to be ‘the best time to travel to
Botswana’. The grass is green, the migrant birds are arriving and the antelope are giving birth
to their young.
 If you are a bird lover then this is the time for you to visit with a huge influx of birds in the
Okavango and Moremi.
February is also characterized by its very wet days and is still part of the rainy season. The days
are warm and temperatures can reach 32°C/90°F.
 The wildlife tends to disperse but several destinations such as Chobe’s Savute region offer
amazing summer game viewing because they lie on the path of the migrating zebras and
therefore have front row seats to this amazing movement.
 February is a great time for predator sightings as they take full advantage of the abundance
of inexperienced younger prey.
March is a beautiful time to be in Botswana. The rains have stopped and all of the vegetation
is well watered. The days consist of lovely, clear weather with few clouds. Even though the
nights are cooler, the days are fairly warm with temperatures reaching 30°C/87°F. Visiting in
March allows you to see why the Victoria Falls are truly one of the 7 wonders of the world.
 As the rains calm down in March, the game-viewing gets better with the animals returning
to the more accessible dry areas.
 March is a quieter time at the resorts and this just means that those who do visit now will
receive a much more personal experience, private drivers, lower rates and more flexibility
in terms of bringing children on safaris.
 This would be an excellent time to visit the Victoria Falls because they are not yet at full
volume and therefore there is high visibility and minimal spray.
The seasons are definitely changing with clear skies and green landscapes.
Temperatures at night are dropping and it’s definitely time to bring the woolly scarves.
 Possibly one of the better months to visit Botswana in summer, April is an amazing
month where there will be afternoon showers but only one or two. Most days are
warm with cool nights as the rains disappear for the next 4 months.
 The Chobe River and the Okavango Delta are popular spots to view game, many of
the other water sources are drying up where these ones provide a more permanent
source of water for all of the animals.
With May comes the dry spell where there is little to no rain during the entire season
(May-October). Animal viewing is easier as the animals will gather around available
waterholes and rivers that have not yet dried up. Flood waters from Angola start to reach the
top of Okavango Delta and begin their slow and deliberate process through the Delta. Jackets
are advisable for night drives.
 The slow movements of the water means that land-based camps can begin to offer a mix
of land and water activities.
 May is a great time to see many different wild animals such as elephant, giraffe, buffalo,
zebra, lions and hyenas. The land is dry and these animals will concentrate around the
existing water holes. Where there are buffalo and zebra there are lions. This is a great
opportunity to see them in action.
Note to self: pack winter clothes for morning and night time game drives- winter has
arrived in full force with temperatures at 6°C/42°F during the day and below freezing at
night. Be sure to pack a few summer clothes for the warm days where temperatures
reach 25°C/78°F.
 Do not be misled by the sneaky cold weather in the mornings, by lunch time you will
be wearing shorts and a T-shirt and wondering what all of the fuss was about.
 The African Wild Dog is so unique. If you are interested in watching them go about
their daily routine then this would be the perfect time. Up until September the dogs
find themselves a permanent den where they will live.
 Predator sightings are frequent because there are many young, inexperienced prey
July shows a typical day in Botswana- sunny and clear. The average morning
temperature is 6°C/42°F. Night temperatures can drop below freezing whereas
afternoons will be more pleasant with temperatures around 25°C/78°F.
 If you are in for an adventure, the Mekoro and boat trips are perfect for you.
Now that there is more water flowing in places that were dry and deserted
months before, you can explore a completely different landscape seeing new
and exciting angles of Botswana. Floating over lily covered lagoons with the
sun on your back and the wind blowing through your hair is definitely
something to experience.
 The mosquitos have gone along with the rain and damp surroundings…game
viewing and boat trips are incredible.
The length of the day is gradually increasing, with temperatures rising. Spring is on its way.
 The common factor in this month is that both visitor numbers and temperatures are
increasing, even better, so are the concentrations of game. The peak game viewing time
has arrived- with thirsty animals, trampled vegetation and no where for the animals to
hide.
 Great herds of antelope, elephants and buffalo huddle around the remaining water
sources while their predators stake them out. Can this month get any more exciting?
Thank goodness for September, where the temperatures rocket up to 38°C/100°F. Don’t forget
your sunscreen, hats and lots of water because this month is not getting colder or wetter any
time soon… welcome to some of the hottest months in the year, with an occasional
thunderstorm here and there.
 Don’t be discouraged by the baked and leaf-stripped landscapes, stifling days, sultry nights
and blinding sunshine, if you can bear the heat then game viewing at this time ranks among
the best in Africa-the Chobe River is at its elephant-packed best during this time.
 September is a fantastic time to see hungry lions and big herds of buffaloes, with abundant
prey and numerous watering holes. Remember to bring your camera to take a shot of the
action.
The landscape can look harsh and very dry during this time, but game viewing is easiest
because grasses and foliage have withered or have been eaten, and animals are reliant on more
limited water sources and therefore spotting them is easier.
 The heat is definitely here, morning game drives depart slightly earlier and night game
drives depart slightly later to avoid the heat of the day.
 Even though it is very hot, spotting animals is a breeze because the vegetation is either
eaten or trampled on, leaving the animals nowhere to hide. If they are hiding from the
blazing sun look for them in a shady spot or near a water source.
With November comes the rains and an occasional afternoon thundershower. Temperatures
drop in the morning to 20°C/69°F, but not to worry because they climb back up to 33°C/91°F
in the afternoon.
 Game viewing continues to improve until the day of the first rains, normally around midNovember. However, this month is unpredictable with both wet and dry days.
 November is a very exciting month for both predators and prey. The Tsessebe and Impala
Antelope give birth to their young, while the predators are hunting wildly. There is a lot of
action to be seen so be sure to bring your cameras to capture the excitement.
The rains become more regular with thunderstorms every few days. Summer has arrived in
full blast and once again the landscape turns green.
 December brings a very cheerful time of the year, with the skies full of birds and the
impalas and springbok giving birth to their young.
 If it is a safari that you are craving, then December brings everything together. The
weather is hot but not too hot, and the land is wet but not soaking wet.
 Chobe’s Savute region is incredible at this time. You will see big cats and wild dogs along
with many stripy zebra. What more can we ask for?