When is the best time to visit Botswana
You will need to know a few things before you decide when to travel to Botswana. Firstly, the country has a rainy season and a dry season which mark the rhythm of the wildlife. So if you want to enjoy the marvels of this country, it is best to avoid the rainy season.
The best time to travel to Botswana
Apart from having different reasons for travelling, and for visiting the different regions of this country, one thing is for certain: the best time to travel to Botswana is between May and September. During these months, temperatures are warm, but pleasant, which allows you to enjoy the country’s beauty and nature to the full. From October to April, the rains are heavy and the heat is extreme, so it is best to avoid this time.
Now, depending on your travel itinerary, whether you are going on a safari, exploring the towns, or visiting the Chobe National Park or the Kalahari Desert, some of the seasons in Botswana are more suitable than others.
Broadly speaking, we could say that Botswana has a sub-tropical climate with a large temperature range between day and night. It is not a humid climate, but it is desert-like, for which reason and depending on the region, it can become very hot during the day. In contrast, the nights are cooler, with the daytime temperature dropping substantially.
In the dry season, the temperature varies according to the month. In May, you will experience a minimum temperature of 10ºC and a maximum of almost 30ºC. From June to August, on the other hand, the minimum temperature is 6ºC and the maximum is 25ºC, for which reason you would need to take some warm clothing. In September and October, the last two months of the dry season, temperatures can reach almost 40ºC during the day.
But let’s see when to travel to Botswana, as depending on your chosen travel itinerary, there are certain aspects to keep in mind.
When to travel to Botswana to go on safari
If your trip to Botswana includes a safari, you need to be aware that the best months for this are from June to August. During these summer months, there will be hardly any rain and you will be able to see many animals in the wild. After all, this is the purpose of the trip.
Alternatively, if the idea is to complement the safari with some trekking, the best time would be from May to September. You will be surprised at the many trekking routes that you will discover in this African country.
When to travel to the Kalahari Desert
Once again, opt for the dry season (from May to September) to discover one of the most famous deserts in the world. This desert contains different reserves and natural parks where you can discover the wild fauna of Africa.
Without a doubt, of all the well-known parks, the Mabuasehube-Gemsbok National Park is a must-see if you visit the country. Avoid the months of the humid season if you want to see animals during your trip. It would be a shame not to be able to enjoy such a marvel.
When to travel to the Okavango Delta
To visit this jewel of Botswana, consisting of marshes, palm trees, lagoons and an endless amount of wildlife, the dry season is the best time. Therefore, between May and September would be the best time to travel to this area.
Alternatively, you need to keep in mind that July, August and September are the high season. This means that, if you want to visit the park when it is less busy, it would be best to go in April when there is less rain and fewer visitors.
When to visit the national parks
The dry season continues to be the best time for visiting the national parks in Botswana. Once again, from May to September is the best time to discover the nature reserves and the numerous species that inhabit them.
Places like the Chobe National Park, or the Makgadikgadi and Nxai, are the most beautiful in the whole continent. Here, the rainy season forces the animals to move away, for which reason your trip will be wasted if you choose these months.
When to travel to Gaborone
Any time is good for visiting the capital of Botswana, but in preference, the dry season is recommended. This way, you will be able to climb Kgabe Mountain and discover the city on foot with good temperatures and without the rain.
The maximum temperature averages 35ºC if you go from October to March, and drops to 27ºC in May. As a result, this would be the perfect month to visit the capital, as there will be hardly any rain.
On the other hand, some people advise you to travel to the country between May and August, and avoid September and October due to the high temperatures. If you want cheaper prices and less tourism, choose December to April, but then you run the risk of finding many routes are impassable due to the rains.