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Botswana is blessed with a huge variety of wildlife, flourishing flora, adventure locations and untamed safari experiences, making it one of the most rewarding wildlife travel destinations on the planet. To get the most out of your trip it is important to know the best time to visit Botswana.
The period from June to August is winter, marked by cold temperatures, especially during the night and in the early mornings. It’s two key seasons are the wet and the dry season.
✔ The Wet Season
January and February are the wettest months with continuous spells of rain. The daytime temperature reaches around 32°C, with the humidity level between 50 to 80 percent. In March, however, the rainfall decreases and the temperature starts to cool down. In April the nights become cooler with the day temperature remaining at around 30°C. This is a transition period from summer to winter, accompanied by a decrease in the amount of rainfall, which makes it a great time to visit Botswana’s national parks to spot the multitude of animals and birds.
✔ The Dry Season
During the dry season, which is also the peak time for safari travel, is from May to October. There is plenty of water in the Okavango Delta system and many camps focus on boating activities during June and July. The dry season from April to October is good for game spotting when the bush becomes drier and starts to thin out. Animals will also tend to congregate at permanent water sources at certain times of the day, so visiting the waterholes becomes a feature of game drives.
Best Time to Visit the Okavango Delta, Botswana
The Okavango Delta can be visited throughout the year but the variety of wild animals that you can spot depends on the timing of your visit. The Okavango Delta also has a wet and a dry season. The beginning of the summer, the wet season, kicks off with spectacular thunderstorms in November. Huge moody dark clouds build and then explode, releasing heavy downpours that start to turn the dry bush lush green and colourful.
The Delta becomes home to migratory birds, escaping the European and northern hemisphere winters. This is a great time for birders as all kinds of birds start building nests and breeding. Accommodation rates can be higher during this time, therefore always pre-book your stay to save money and to avoid any inconvenience. It isn’t the best time for a wildlife safari because the thick green bush makes it hard to spot animals. The wet weather also turns the tracks slippery, muddy and mostly impassable. In April and May, the rains tail off and the temperate drops, heralding the end of the rainy season.
The dry season from May till October is the best time to visit the Okavango Delta for several reasons. The average temperature is lower, with bright sunny days making it ideal for morning and afternoon game drives. Chances of rain are close to zero, but early in the season climate change could affect the standard pattern.
The Okavango Delta water levels swell due to the arrival of the Angolan floodwaters, peaking in the panhandle in April and reaching the central region in July. The vegetation thins out during the dry season, which makes it easier for viewing wild animals. The best time to visit the Okavango Delta is from July to October when you can expect superb wildlife viewing experience along with the best opportunities for boating and canoe safaris.
Recommended Reading: Reasons to Visit Botswana in the Summer and Winter Season
Botswana Safaris
Delta Explorer – River Safari
- 4 Days
A 4-day guided camping safari in the stunning Moremi Game Reserve, exploring this amazing area by boat,...
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Country:Botswana,
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Departures:Array
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Length:4 Days
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Start/end:Start/end in Maun
10-Day Botswana Desert Camping Safari
- 10 Days
Visit Botswana's desert regions of Tsodilo, Kalahari, Makgadikgadi Pan and Nxai Pan on this adventure....
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Country:Botswana,
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Departures:Year Round
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Length:10 Days
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Start/end:Start/end in Maun
Chobe Day Trip From Victoria Falls
- 1 Days
A Chobe Day Trip is a full day safari experience that includes a cruise on the Chobe River and a game...
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Country:Botswana,
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Departures:Year Round
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Length:1 Days
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Start/end:Start in Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe or Livingstone, Zambia, end in Victoria Falls
6 Days Home of Baobab Safari
- 6 Days
Enjoy the beauty of Botswana on this camping safari. Your first camping spot is Lekhubu Island in the...
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Country:Botswana,
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Departures:Year Round
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Length:6 Days
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Start/end:Start in Maun, end in Maun
14-Day Northern Botswana, Vic Falls & Hwange Self-Drive
- 14 Days
An unforgettable safari from wildlife-rich Moremi, Savuti and Chobe, across to Zimbabwe's Victoria Falls...
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Country:Botswana,
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Departures:Year Round
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Length:14 Days
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Start/end:Start/end in Maun
Chobe National Park Day Trip
- 1 Days
Our day trip to Chobe National Park, which is an 8-hour day trip from Livingstone in Zambia to Botswana's...
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Country:Botswana,
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Departures:Year Round
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Length:1 Days
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Start/end:Start/end in Livingstone
12-Day Northern Botswana & Caprivi Self-Drive
- 12 Days
At the wheel of your 4x4 self-drive vehicle, explore the incredible areas of Moremi, Savuti and Chobe...
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Country:Botswana,
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Departures:Year Round
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Length:12 Days
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Start/end:Start/end in Maun
Zambezi Queen Houseboat Safari
- 3 Days
Enjoy a truly unique and adventurous river safari along the Chobe River in Botswana on the 5-star Zambezi...
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Country:Botswana,
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Departures:Year Round
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Length:3 Days
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Start/end:Start/end in Kasane
3-Day Okavango Delta Expeditions Trip
- 3 Days
Experience camping in the wilderness of the spectacular Okavango Delta. Transfer to the camping area...
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Country:Botswana,
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Departures:Year Round
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Length:3 Days
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Start/end:Start/end in Maun
Southern Africa Highlights Safari
- 11 Days
On this fantastic fly-in safari explore the very best of what southern Africa has to offer, from the...
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Country:Botswana, South Africa, Zambia,
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Departures:Year Round
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Length:11 Days
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Start/end:Start in Maun, end in Cape Town