Best time to visit Botswana?
An important question to ask when planning your safari - what is the best time to visit? Botswana is a seasonal destination, as is the case with most of the countries in Southern Africa. The ebb and flow of these seasons is reflected in the behaviour of the wildlife... with the most obvious changes in the mammals, and birds.
For most of us a Safari is about the animals, and the scenery... not to mention just being out in the wilds of Africa! Here the very air is different - you get to experience nature at its most unspoilt, and beautiful.
The winter months of June, July and August are the driest, which means less water for both plant and animal. Yes, it can get very chilly at night (the Lodges and Camps make provision for this), but the day-time temperatures are still very pleasant (even hot).
The bush is drier, with little grass, and only the evergreen trees seeming to show any life. This means that due to this lack of water, the mammals in particular congregate around whatever sources are available... the Chobe River on the northern border, the Okavango Delta, and certain areas, such as Savute, that tend to have natural waterholes. And where the 'crowds' congregate (the plains game - antelope, zebra, and of course, elephant), you will also get the carnivores... lion, leopard, cheetah, wild dog and hyena, all of which pay their part in the cycles of like (and death) which make for such compelling game viewing.
For most of us a Safari is about the animals, and the scenery... not to mention just being out in the wilds of Africa! Here the very air is different - you get to experience nature at its most unspoilt, and beautiful.
The winter months of June, July and August are the driest, which means less water for both plant and animal. Yes, it can get very chilly at night (the Lodges and Camps make provision for this), but the day-time temperatures are still very pleasant (even hot).
The bush is drier, with little grass, and only the evergreen trees seeming to show any life. This means that due to this lack of water, the mammals in particular congregate around whatever sources are available... the Chobe River on the northern border, the Okavango Delta, and certain areas, such as Savute, that tend to have natural waterholes. And where the 'crowds' congregate (the plains game - antelope, zebra, and of course, elephant), you will also get the carnivores... lion, leopard, cheetah, wild dog and hyena, all of which pay their part in the cycles of like (and death) which make for such compelling game viewing.
Safari Seasons
Therefore, the winter months are seen as the Peak Season - generally speaking, more wildlife to see (or at least in greater numbers), but this also means that Safari costs are at a premium, and this is the time of year which also costs more, and is (understandably), busier. This can continue into September and October (generally the hottest month: 38°C/100°F).
As the movement of the wildlife is linked to the rains and increased vegetation, if the rains are early or late (the rainy or 'Green Season' is generally November to March), you may also get excellent wildlife (this includes the birds) sightings from April to November... most Lodges and Camps have reduced rates from about November or into December, making the Safari experience considerably more affordable.
The wettest months tend to be January and February, which are generally known for the afternoon downpours (in particular). The rains start reducing in March and April, and the temperatures (although still comfortable) start to drop. By May, the dry season has started, and it can be cold at night, but still very warm during the day (28°C/80°F).
As the movement of the wildlife is linked to the rains and increased vegetation, if the rains are early or late (the rainy or 'Green Season' is generally November to March), you may also get excellent wildlife (this includes the birds) sightings from April to November... most Lodges and Camps have reduced rates from about November or into December, making the Safari experience considerably more affordable.
The wettest months tend to be January and February, which are generally known for the afternoon downpours (in particular). The rains start reducing in March and April, and the temperatures (although still comfortable) start to drop. By May, the dry season has started, and it can be cold at night, but still very warm during the day (28°C/80°F).
So, what is the best time to visit?
Botswana truly has something to offer all year - and it may depend upon your specific interests (and budget) when you choose to travel:
perhaps for a first-timer the Peak Season (which can start from May and continue to October/ November) is best. You will have the chance to see both greater numbers in terms of species and volume.
Expect to pay quite a bit more for this, and you might want to look a fair time in advance - Botswana prides itself on low volume tourism in most areas, which means smaller properties, mostly in private reserves..... therefore the number of 'beds' is relatively small.
If, as happens to so many of us, you have been 'hooked' on Safaris... then you will be rewarded with visits during the Green Season (November to March). The bush is lush, grasses are in abundance, the birding is exceptional (Botswana boasts some 450 species). Of these, many are migrants, which only visit from November to March - and they do so in vast quantity... not just in the Okavango, but in the Makgadikgadi Pans, and parts of Chobe,
Accommodation rates are at their lowest, making Botswana a much more affordable destination. Some of the very best Camps offer extremely good rates. This means excellent value for money, providing a great opportunity for visitors who might not otherwise afford Botswana, or for the many returning visitors who would like to see a different side.
Nxai Pan offers probably the best game experience in Botswana during this period. The Nxai Pan and Kalahari regions are an important summer grazing destination for several species and research shows that plains zebra are once more making their way from the Pans to the fringes of the Delta. Nxai Pan is essentially the summer retreat of many animals from the northern regions of the Chobe and Okavango, as large herds of plains zebra and wildebeest join the resident species such as oryx, springbok, and impala (this is the only place where springbok and impala are found living naturally side by side). This increase of species, and numbers naturally attracts the predators, with lion being particularly visible.
The normally arid landscape of the Kalahari is transformed into a thriving paradise replete with dispersed herds of springbok and oryx attracted by the short, sweet grasses and the numerous water filled pans. Lower concentrations of wildlife are compensated for by the lower visitor numbers offering added exclusivity.
With the arrival of the rain comes new life as the birthing season begins for many of the antelope species in particular. Predators take advantage seeking out the vulnerable young as easy prey creating spectacular wildlife interactions.
In terms of birding - heronries and other nesting colonies are very active at this time of year and it is the peak breeding time for many of the colourful migrant birds. The Savute area of Chobe is a season of plenty with the zebra and buffalo there in large numbers.
In addition, the scenery is refreshingly lush and vibrant as the dust is washed away and trees and flowers burst into life. The retreat of the flood means that more varied habitats are accessible to explore on game drives.
The photographic opportunities are excellent – great colour, great light and outstanding subject matter.
During the Green Season Botswana enjoys an average of 13 rain days in a 120 day period which makes the chance of being rained on 1 in 9 or 10%. Put another way for the whole year Botswana has 347 sunny days in a year!
perhaps for a first-timer the Peak Season (which can start from May and continue to October/ November) is best. You will have the chance to see both greater numbers in terms of species and volume.
Expect to pay quite a bit more for this, and you might want to look a fair time in advance - Botswana prides itself on low volume tourism in most areas, which means smaller properties, mostly in private reserves..... therefore the number of 'beds' is relatively small.
If, as happens to so many of us, you have been 'hooked' on Safaris... then you will be rewarded with visits during the Green Season (November to March). The bush is lush, grasses are in abundance, the birding is exceptional (Botswana boasts some 450 species). Of these, many are migrants, which only visit from November to March - and they do so in vast quantity... not just in the Okavango, but in the Makgadikgadi Pans, and parts of Chobe,
Accommodation rates are at their lowest, making Botswana a much more affordable destination. Some of the very best Camps offer extremely good rates. This means excellent value for money, providing a great opportunity for visitors who might not otherwise afford Botswana, or for the many returning visitors who would like to see a different side.
Nxai Pan offers probably the best game experience in Botswana during this period. The Nxai Pan and Kalahari regions are an important summer grazing destination for several species and research shows that plains zebra are once more making their way from the Pans to the fringes of the Delta. Nxai Pan is essentially the summer retreat of many animals from the northern regions of the Chobe and Okavango, as large herds of plains zebra and wildebeest join the resident species such as oryx, springbok, and impala (this is the only place where springbok and impala are found living naturally side by side). This increase of species, and numbers naturally attracts the predators, with lion being particularly visible.
The normally arid landscape of the Kalahari is transformed into a thriving paradise replete with dispersed herds of springbok and oryx attracted by the short, sweet grasses and the numerous water filled pans. Lower concentrations of wildlife are compensated for by the lower visitor numbers offering added exclusivity.
With the arrival of the rain comes new life as the birthing season begins for many of the antelope species in particular. Predators take advantage seeking out the vulnerable young as easy prey creating spectacular wildlife interactions.
In terms of birding - heronries and other nesting colonies are very active at this time of year and it is the peak breeding time for many of the colourful migrant birds. The Savute area of Chobe is a season of plenty with the zebra and buffalo there in large numbers.
In addition, the scenery is refreshingly lush and vibrant as the dust is washed away and trees and flowers burst into life. The retreat of the flood means that more varied habitats are accessible to explore on game drives.
The photographic opportunities are excellent – great colour, great light and outstanding subject matter.
During the Green Season Botswana enjoys an average of 13 rain days in a 120 day period which makes the chance of being rained on 1 in 9 or 10%. Put another way for the whole year Botswana has 347 sunny days in a year!
