Home › Botswana › Best time to visit
Best time to visit Botswana: month by month
Short answer
May to October, the dry season, is best for game viewing: no rain in the data from April to September, days of about 25–30°C and animals around the water. It is also the most expensive time; October is very hot (about 36°C), and June–July nights fall to about 9°C or lower.
Month by month
| Month | High | Low | Rainy days | Crowds |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 29°C | 19°C | 17 | low |
| Feb | 30°C | 19°C | 14 | low |
| Mar | 29°C | 19°C | 7 | low |
| Apr | 30°C | 16°C | 0 | medium |
| May | 28°C | 12°C | 0 | medium |
| Jun | 26°C | 10°C | 0 | high |
| Jul | 25°C | 9°C | 0 | very high |
| Aug | 29°C | 12°C | 0 | very high |
| Sep | 34°C | 16°C | 0 | very high |
| Oct | 36°C | 20°C | 1 | high |
| Nov | 36°C | 21°C | 4 | medium |
| Dec | 33°C | 21°C | 10 | medium |
Temperatures and rainy days: Copernicus ERA5 averages, 2021–2023. Crowd levels are our estimate.
Season by season
Spring (Sep–Nov)
Hot and dry, with highs of about 34–36°C in September and October; excellent game viewing, then the first rains in November.
Summer (Dec–Feb)
The green season: about 29–33°C with 10–17 rainy days a month, newborn animals, migratory birds and lower lodge prices.
Autumn (Mar–May)
Rains fade, the Delta floods begin to arrive and temperatures ease to about 28–30°C; good value in April and May.
Winter (Jun–Aug)
Dry and sunny, highs of about 25–29°C and cold nights (around 9–12°C average lows, near freezing in places); peak safari season.
Events worth planning around
- Okavango Delta flood peak in the Delta (around June to August)
- Zebra migration on the Makgadikgadi and Nxai pans (green season, roughly December to April)
- Botswana Day public holiday (30 September)
When to avoid
Avoid October if you dislike extreme heat, and avoid the peak of the rains (January–February) if you want easy self-driving, as some tracks become impassable.
Some links on this page are partner links. If you book through them TonyPlan earns a small commission — the price you pay is exactly the same.
Common questions
What is the best time to visit Botswana?
May to October for game viewing; June to August is the peak.
Is the green season worth it?
Yes, for lower prices, birds, newborn animals and the zebra migration, though some tracks flood.
How cold does it get on safari?
June and July nights can approach 0°C in places; bring warm layers for early drives.