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Best Time to Visit Botswana (Month by Month)

Botswana Safaris Botswana
  1. January: Fair
  2. February: Fair
  3. March: Fair
  4. April: Good
  5. May: Excellent
  6. June: Excellent
  7. July: Excellent
  8. August: Excellent
  9. September: Excellent
  10. October: Good
  11. November: Good
  12. December: Good
  1. Excellent
  2. Good
  3. Fair
  4. Poor

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. The waters of the Okavango are at their highest from July to October, which is the ideal time for wildlife viewing there. The southern, drier parks of the Kalahari are generally best visited from December to May.


406 Botswana Safaris
calendar Best Time
April to October (Okavango, Moremi, Chobe), December to May (Central Kalahari, Khutse, Kgalagadi)
clock High Season
July to October (Will not feel too crowded, except for Chobe)
percentage Low Season
November to June (Some lodges and camps close from January to March; Kalahari parks may vary)
sun Best Weather
May to August (Less hot during the day, with dry conditions)
raincloud Worst Weather
October and November (Very hot), January and February (Peak of Wet season)

April to October Dry Season

  • There’s less vegetation and animals gather around water, making them easier to spot
  • The skies are clear, rain is rare, and there are fewer mosquitoes
  • Even though most people visit during the Dry season, the parks still feel uncrowded, except for the bustling Chobe riverfront area
  • The Okavango Delta is at its best with high water levels, making trips possible
  • Early morning and evening are cold in June, July and August

November to March Wet Season

  • The scenery is greener
  • Although wildlife is easier to spot in the Dry season, you’ll still see plenty of animals
  • Expect to see many newborn animals and migratory birds
  • Rates are lower during this season
  • Except for during January and February, rains don’t usually interfere with your trip
  • During January and February, the rain can continue for days
  • It gets very hot in October and November
  • Some lodges and camps close down during part of the Wet season

Wildlife Photos

Cheetah cubs Elephant kicking up dust +48 Photos

Best Time To Go by Major Park

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 other, drier parks are best visited during, or just after, the Wet season when fresh grasses attract wildlife.

  1. Excellent
  2. Good
  3. Fair
  4. Poor
  1. Central Kalahari GR
    1. January: Excellent
    2. February: Excellent
    3. March: Excellent
    4. April: Excellent
    5. May: Excellent
    6. June: Good
    7. July: Good
    8. August: Good
    9. September: Good
    10. October: Good
    11. November: Good
    12. December: Excellent
  2. Chobe National Park
    1. January: Good
    2. February: Good
    3. March: Good
    4. April: Good
    5. May: Excellent
    6. June: Excellent
    7. July: Excellent
    8. August: Excellent
    9. September: Excellent
    10. October: Good
    11. November: Good
    12. December: Good
  3. Makgadikgadi Pans NP
    1. January: Good
    2. February: Good
    3. March: Good
    4. April: Good
    5. May: Good
    6. June: Good
    7. July: Good
    8. August: Good
    9. September: Good
    10. October: Good
    11. November: Good
    12. December: Good
  4. Moremi Game Reserve
    1. January: Fair
    2. February: Fair
    3. March: Fair
    4. April: Good
    5. May: Good
    6. June: Good
    7. July: Excellent
    8. August: Excellent
    9. September: Excellent
    10. October: Excellent
    11. November: Good
    12. December: Good
  5. Nxai Pan National Park
    1. January: Excellent
    2. February: Excellent
    3. March: Excellent
    4. April: Good
    5. May: Good
    6. June: Fair
    7. July: Fair
    8. August: Fair
    9. September: Fair
    10. October: Good
    11. November: Good
    12. December: Excellent
  6. Okavango Delta
    1. January: Fair
    2. February: Fair
    3. March: Fair
    4. April: Good
    5. May: Good
    6. June: Good
    7. July: Excellent
    8. August: Excellent
    9. September: Excellent
    10. October: Excellent
    11. November: Good
    12. December: Good

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406 Botswana Safaris