Botswana is Africa's premier safari destination, home to the stunning Okavango Delta and massive elephant herds in Chobe National Park. This landlocked Southern African nation offers pristine wilderness, diverse wildlife, and a commitment to conservation tourism.
Botswana has a subtropical semi-arid climate with warm to hot temperatures year-round and a distinct dry season from May to October. The country experiences extreme temperature variations — summer days (December-February) can reach 40°C+ in the Kalahari, while winter nights (June-July) drop to near freezing. Rainfall is concentrated in the summer wet season (November-April), transforming the landscape from dusty brown to vivid green. The north (Okavango, Chobe) receives more rainfall than the south and Kalahari.
Best time to visit
Best: May to October (Dry season)
Peak Season: May to October (Dry season)
Shoulder Season: April and November
Avoid: December to March (Green season)
Best Reason:
Avoid Reason:
Month-by-month weather
Typical conditions throughout the year.
January
32°C/90°F
Hot wet season peak; afternoon thunderstorms; very green; flamingos at Makgadikgadi; malaria risk elevated
February
31°C/88°F
Still wet and hot; baby animals across the country; good for birdwatching; lush vegetation
March
29°C/84°F
Rains tapering; landscape at greenest; Okavango water rising from Angolan rains; good value
April
25°C/77°F
Shoulder season — excellent conditions; comfortable temperatures; good wildlife and scenery; reasonable prices
May
21°C/70°F
Dry season beginning; vegetation still partly green; cool evenings; good wildlife viewing starting
June
17°C/63°F
Peak season begins; cold nights (5-10°C); clear skies; excellent wildlife at water; busiest month
July
17°C/63°F
Coldest month; exceptional wildlife concentrations at rivers; peak safari season; book far in advance
August
21°C/68°F
Warming up; still excellent wildlife; Kuru Dance Festival; peak season continues with high prices
September
26°C/79°F
Very hot and dry; vegetation sparse; wildlife highly concentrated at water; dramatic predator action
October
30°C/86°F
Hottest and driest month; uncomfortable heat in Kalahari; wildlife spectacular near water but exhausting
November
29°C/84°F
First rains arrive; dramatic electric storms; baby animals beginning; green season prices starting
December
31°C/88°F
Wet season in full swing; good for flamingos and birds; Christmas holiday crowd; 40% lower lodge prices
The seasons
What to expect in each part of the year.
Spring
Months: Sep-Nov
Temperatures rising rapidly toward summer. Vegetation still dry in September, green shoots appearing by November. Wildlife increasingly active at water sources. Hot, dry, and very dusty in October.
Summer
Months: Dec-Feb
Wet season with afternoon thunderstorms bringing lush green landscapes. Temperatures 30-40°C with high humidity in north. Flamingos arrive at Makgadikgadi. Baby animals everywhere. Safari prices drop significantly.
Fall
Months: Mar-May
Rains tapering off, greenery at its peak in April. Temperatures moderating pleasantly. Water levels high in Okavango Delta from Angolan rains. Excellent birdlife. Shoulder season with good value.
Winter
Months: Jun-Aug
Peak safari season with no rain, clear blue skies, and wildlife concentrated at permanent water sources. Days warm (20-25°C), nights cold (5-10°C in south, below zero possible in Kalahari). Highest prices.
Crowds & peak times
When to expect tourists and when to avoid them.
- High Season
- June-October (dry safari season)
- Shoulder Season
- April-May and November
- Low Season
- December-March (wet/green season)
Major events & festivals
Time your visit around what matters.
Zebra Migration - Makgadikgadi Pans
Second-largest terrestrial migration in Africa. Thousands of zebras and wildebeest move from Boteti River to Nxai Pan as rains create temporary waterholes. Predators follow, creating exceptional wildlife viewing.
Maitisong Festival
Botswana's premier arts festival celebrating music, dance, theatre, and visual arts. Week-long event featuring local and international artists. Held at Maitisong Theatre in Gaborone.
President's Day
National holiday celebrating President Seretse Khama's birthday. Public celebrations, traditional music and dance, and ceremonies across the country. Major government events in Gaborone.
Botswana Independence Day
Celebrates independence from Britain (1966). Major celebrations in Gaborone including military parades, traditional performances, and fireworks. President's speech and national pride.
Maun International Arts Festival
Multi-day celebration of African arts, music, and culture in the gateway to the Okavango Delta. Live music, dance troupes, visual arts exhibitions, and craft markets.
Kuru Dance Festival
Unique festival celebrating San Bushmen culture. Traditional dances, storytelling, music, and crafts from various San communities across southern Africa. Authentic cultural immersion.
Flamingo Breeding - Makgadikgadi
Massive flamingo colonies (sometimes 50,000+) breed on Sua and Ntwetwe pans when flooded. Pink carpets of birds create surreal landscapes. Peak varies with rainfall.