Best Time to Visit Botswana

The best time for game drives in Botswana is from June to October. Discover the country’s magnificent wildlife during these cool, dry months of the Southern Hemisphere's winter, which provide the perfect climate for exploration. Mild, sunny days are ideal for venturing into vast private concessions and renowned national parks, allowing you to experience the region’s iconic wildlife without the intense summer heat or the viewing challenges of the wet season.

What to Expect

• Optimal Viewing: Dry conditions and short grass make it much easier to spot animals from a distance.
• Predictable Wildlife: Animals congregate around shrinking rivers and waterholes, creating reliable and rewarding sightings, such as large elephant herds at waterholes in Chobe.
• Comfortable Temperatures: Mild, sunny days and cool mornings are perfect for long hours in an open safari vehicle.
• Active Predators: Begin your mornings tracking lions, leopards, and wild dogs as they return from their nightly hunts.
• Clear Skies: Expect bright, sunny days and dramatic, dusty sunsets, perfect for photography.
• Fewer Insects: The dry season means fewer mosquitoes and other bothersome insects.

Best Months

• June
• July
• August
• September
• October

Learn more by having a look at our Botswana safari tours.

The best time to experience the Okavango Delta's peak flooding is from June to August. These months offer the greatest chances to see the miraculous inland delta transform into a watery paradise. The floodwaters, having traveled for months from the Angolan highlands, arrive during Botswana's dry season, creating a unique and stunning ecosystem that defines the landscape and the safari experience.

What to Expect

• Peak Water Levels: Witness the delta at its fullest, with crystal-clear water spreading across the plains, creating a maze of islands and channels.
• Mokoro Excursions: Enjoy the signature Botswana experience of a silent, water-level canoe safari, gliding past waterlilies and tiny reed frogs.
• Unique Game Viewing: Explore temporary islands that become sanctuaries for wildlife and see elephants, antelope, and other animals wading through the floodplains.
• Superb Photography: Unforgettable opportunities to capture the reflections of the sky and wildlife in the glassy water.
• Water-Based Exploration: Vast areas of the delta become accessible by motorboat and mokoro, offering a safari perspective unlike any other.

Best Months

• June
• July
• August

Allow our Okavango Delta safaris to inspire your journey.

The best time for walking safaris in Botswana is primarily from June to October. There is no more exciting time to experience the bush on foot than during the dry season, when the vegetation is sparse and the ground is dry, making conditions safer and improving visibility. The air is cool and clear, and a sense of intimacy with the wilderness is palpable as you follow animal tracks with an expert guide.

What to Expect

• Better Visibility: Low grass and sparse bush make it easier and safer to see wildlife from a distance.
• Engage All Senses: Engage with the bush on a deeper level. Smell the wild sage, hear the alarm calls of birds, and touch the textures of the landscape.
• Expert Guidance: Learn about tracking, plants, and animal behavior from armed, professional guides who will interpret the smallest signs.
• Intimate Experience: Connect with the wilderness on a personal level by focusing on spoor, insects, and the subtle details of the ecosystem.
• Unique Perspective: See the landscape and its inhabitants from the ground up, a thrilling and humbling change from a vehicle.

Best Months

• June
• July
• August
• September
• October

Zicasso’s Specialized Safari Experiences includes a wealth of information on the different types of safaris.

The best time for birdwatching in Botswana is during the “green season,” from December to March. You will be treated to a celebration of color and sound during these months, as the resident bird populations are joined by migratory species from Europe and northern Africa. The summer rains have revitalized the landscape, creating a lush environment with abundant food sources, and many birds are displaying their vibrant breeding plumage.

What to Expect

• Migratory Species: Spot a huge variety of birds that have traveled from the Northern Hemisphere, including cuckoos and kingfishers.
• Breeding Plumage: See many birds, like weavers and bishops, in their most colorful and spectacular feathers.
• Lush Scenery: The green, vibrant landscape provides a beautiful backdrop for photography.
• Active Birdlife: Abundant food sources mean birds are highly active and easier to spot, with hundreds of species possible in a single day.
• Water Birds: The filling pans and delta are hotspots for flamingos, pelicans, herons, and storks.
• Sonorous Mornings: Wake up to a symphony of birdsong that fills the African bush.

Best Months

• December
• January
• February
• March

Learn more by taking a look at our Reasons You Should Choose Botswana for Your Safari.

The best times to combine a Botswana safari with Victoria Falls are from June to August. Enjoy the awe-inspiring spectacle of the falls when the water flow is still powerful, but the mist is reduced. This allows for clearer views and photography. You will experience impressive conditions and pleasant weather that aligns perfectly with the peak safari season in nearby Chobe and the Okavango.

What to Expect

• Impressive Water Flow: The falls are still thundering, offering a powerful sensory experience without the overwhelming spray of the peak flood from April to May.
• Clear Views: Less mist means better visibility and photo opportunities from the various viewpoints.
• Pleasant Temperatures: Mild, dry days are ideal for exploring the viewpoints, with luxurious lodges offering riverside relaxation.
• Sunset River Cruises: This is a prime time for boat cruises on the Zambezi River, spotting hippos and elephants.
• Easy Safari Combination: The season aligns perfectly with the best time for game viewing in Botswana's premier parks.

Best Months

• June
• July
• August

Browse our Botswana safaris with Victoria Falls to find out what is on offer in this glorious region.

The best time for family travel in Botswana is during the dry season, from June to September. These months provide the ideal ingredients for a successful family vacation: pleasant weather that’s not too hot for children, exceptional wildlife viewing that keeps all ages engaged, and a lower risk of malaria.

What to Expect

• Excellent Game Viewing: Dry, open conditions make it easy for children to spot their favorite animals, creating lasting memories.
• Mild Temperatures: Comfortable weather is perfect for outdoor activities and long game drives.
• Healthier Conditions: Fewer mosquitoes reduce the risk of malaria, a key consideration for families.
• Engaging Activities: Many lodges offer family-friendly activities like junior ranger programs, guided walks, and learning San culture.
• Unique Water Activities: The Okavango Delta offers boat and mokoro rides, which are great, safe activities for all ages.

Best Months

• June
• July
• August
• September

Learn more from our Botswana family safaris.

The best time for couples to visit Botswana is during the shoulder seasons, especially in June and September. During these times, Botswana exudes a deeply romantic ambiance, as the landscape glows under the African sun and a sense of adventure and intimacy pervades the safari experience. The wildlife is spectacular, the sunsets are breathtaking, and the lodges offer unparalleled luxury and seclusion with fewer crowds than the absolute peak.

What to Expect

• Romantic Landscapes: The vast delta, dramatic sunsets, and clear, starry nights create a magical backdrop.
• Intimate Atmosphere: Many camps offer private, secluded suites with plunge pools and stunning views.
• Exclusive Experiences: Arrange for private game drives, gourmet bush dinners under the stars, or sunrise hot-air balloon rides.
• Fewer Crowds: Traveling just outside the peak of July and August means a more private, exclusive feel at sightings.
• Lodge Value: These shoulder months can sometimes offer a better value proposition than the absolute peak season.

Best Months

• June
• September

For more information on what to expect if you are seeking a romantic getaway in Botswana, see our Botswana honeymoon packages.

The best time for seniors to visit the country is from June to October. During this dry season, you will experience comfortable weather and superb wildlife viewing, and the fly-in nature of a Botswana safari ensures travel is smooth. Choosing months just outside the peak of August, such as June or September, ensures a tranquil environment for a more relaxed and enjoyable luxury safari.

What to Expect

• Comfortable Climate: Mild daytime temperatures are ideal for game drives and relaxing at the lodge without oppressive heat.
• Thinner Crowds: Traveling in June, September, or October avoids the main tourist rush of July/August.
• Relaxed Atmosphere: A calmer season allows for a more leisurely pace, perfect for soaking in the experience.
• Excellent Viewing: Optimal conditions for spotting wildlife without strenuous effort, as animals gather at water.
• Smooth Travel: Fly-in safaris ensure comfortable, quick, and reliable transfers between destinations.

Best Months

• June
• September
• October

Let our Botswana safaris for seniors inspire you.

The best time to visit Botswana for spring and summer activities is from October to February. The vibrant "green season” transforms with the arrival of the summer rains, bringing lush scenery, newborn animals, and a spectacular show of birdlife. This period offers a unique and beautiful perspective on the Botswana wilderness, showcasing the circle of life in action.

What to Expect

• Zebra Migration: Witness the zebra and wildebeest herds as they congregate on the nutrient-rich grasses of the Makgadikgadi and Nxai Pans to graze and give birth.
• Bird Watching: Experience the peak of birding season as migratory species join Botswana's resident birds, many in their vibrant breeding plumage.
• Lush Photography: Capture the stunning, emerald-green landscapes that follow the rains, offering a vibrant and colorful backdrop for wildlife photography, often with dramatic skies.
• Newborn Wildlife: See a variety of baby animals, from wobbly zebra foals to tiny gazelles, taking their first steps, providing heartwarming and photogenic moments.
• Fewer Crowds: Enjoy a more intimate safari experience with fewer vehicles at sightings, along with the potential for lower prices at lodges and camps.

Best Months

• October
• November
• December
• January
• February

The best time for fall and winter activities in Botswana is from April to September. This time sees the end of the long rains and the peak of the dry season, offering exceptional wildlife viewing and pleasant, cool weather. From June to September is considered the ultimate time for a classic safari, as the landscape dries out and the Okavango Delta floods.

What to Expect

• Mokoro and Boat Safaris: Experience the Okavango Delta at its peak flood, gliding silently through the pristine, reed-lined waterways.
• Walking Safaris: Explore the bush on foot with an expert guide during the cool, dry weather, when low vegetation allows for safe and intimate encounters with nature.
• Classic Game Drives: Enjoy the quintessential safari experience with optimal conditions for spotting the Big Five as animals congregate around rivers and waterholes.
• Balloon Safaris: Float silently over the Okavango plains at sunrise for a breathtaking, bird’s-eye view of the vast landscape and the wildlife roaming below.
• Wildlife Photography: Capture iconic African images with golden light, dusty plains, and high concentrations of wildlife against the stark, beautiful backdrop of the dry season.
• Chobe River Safaris: Take a boat safari on the Chobe River, offering a unique perspective for viewing massive herds of elephants.

Best Months

• April
• May
• June
• July
• August
• September

Botswana is the embodiment of the luxury African safari. With pristine deltas, vast salt pans, iconic wildlife, and a focus on low-impact, exclusive tourism, it is one of Africa’s top destinations. From the Okavango to Chobe, the Kalahari to Linyanti, you can enjoy the most wonderful experiences.

With plenty to see and experience on your vacation, explore our comprehensive Botswana safari guide for invaluable insights, inspiring travel ideas, and practical tips to help you meticulously plan your dream trip. Our specialists are ready to ensure every moment perfectly aligns with your desires, transforming your luxury Botswana tour into an unforgettable journey.