​Best Time To Visit – Central Kalahari GR

Anthony Ham
Expert
By Anthony Ham

Anthony is a renowned Africa expert and author of many Lonely Planet guidebooks, including the Botswana & Namibia guide.

Anthony is a renowned Africa expert and author of the Botswana & Namibia Lonely Planet guide.

Anthony is the author of the Botswana & Namibia Lonely Planet guide.

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The best time to visit Central Kalahari Game Reserve is during the wet months, from December to March. Wildlife migrates through the park with the seasons and during these months animals gather around the pans in the Deception Valley area. However, at this time, roads can get very muddy. In April and May, there are still a lot of animals around, but the roads tend to be in better condition.


25 Central Kalahari Safaris
Best Time December to March (Best wildlife viewing in Deception Valley)
High Season July to October (The park rarely gets crowded, but high-season rates may apply in lodges)
Low Season November to June (Low-season rates may apply)
Best Weather May to August (Less hot during the day with dry conditions)
Worst Weather January (It is hot, and it can be rainy)

April to October –Dry Season

  • April and May, in particular, are good wildlife-viewing months
  • The roads are in decent condition
  • It is cooler in the middle of the day from April to August
  • July to October is high season, and some lodges might charge high-season rates
  • It gets very dry and dusty

Wildlife Photos

View Photos (19)
+17 Photos Want To Visit

November to March –Wet Season

  • The pans in Deception Valley fill up, and animals gather to drink
  • There are many baby animals, which attract predators
  • This is the best birding time as migrants are present
  • It is very hot
  • Roads become very muddy and sometimes impassable
  • Afternoon thundershowers can interfere with activities

Wildlife Photos
+17 Photos

Best Time To Go by Major Park

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Want To Visit Central Kalahari GR?

25 Central Kalahari Safaris