When's the best time of year to visit Botswana?
Tricky question. It’s best to start by asking yourself what you are most interested in seeing. Like any place, what is great for one person, may be another’s idea of hell.
Seasons on safari are normally determined by the best times to see wildlife. Botswana has a hot, wet summer (between October and April), and a cooler, dry winter (from May to the end of September). Winter is traditionally high season in terms of price and visitor numbers, while summer is the quieter off-peak (or “green”) season. Some places have introduced “shoulder” or “secret” season rates somewhere between high and low season. So choosing your time of year can make a big difference to your pocket. However, you need to know that you are also going to see what you are interested in. The following should give you an idea of when the ideal time to visit is, and if you need to discuss this further, don’t hesitate to pick up the phone.
During the summer, the rains fall, the grass grows lush and high and water is plentiful which means that the game is dispersed and tricky to spot amongst the vegetation. However, this time of year is scenically very beautiful as everything bursts into life. Between November and March, the Delta comes alive with migratory birds and so this is one of the best times to visit if you are an avid twitcher. For the botanists or those that simple love trees and flowers, December to May is when most plants flower and the bush is lush and green. You will need to prepare yourself for the prospect of a proper African downpour, though, and some areas will be off-limits as the roads can be pretty sticky. Temperatures can rise to 40°C during the day and remain at 25°C at night.
The winter months are much dryer with game concentrating at the depleting water sources. Un-obscured by tall grass, herbivores and carnivores are much easier to spot and it is also less likely that you will spend some time helping to dig the safari vehicle out of the mud. The pleasant temperatures mean that you can spend more time comfortably out and about too. Temperatures will normally be in the 20’s during the day and nights can be quite chilly.
The Okavango Delta has a perennial (permanent) core where there is always water, and a seasonal fan of channels which slowly dry up during the winter months. So the dryer the surrounding areas become, the more concentrated the wildlife is in the areas of permanent water. This makes parts of the Delta quite a good all-year destination but some areas will be better than others at certain times of the year. Some camps only operate in the dry winter months.
As with any destination, the best times of year command peak prices. It is possible to get a bargain if you are prepared to travel outside of these times and maybe risk the odd shower or the chance that you may not see wildlife-on-a-plate. The up-side is that you will probably have the place to yourself!
If you have a particular question about the best time of year, don’t hesitate to give us a call.
More articles that you might find helpful
What is there to see in the Kalahari?
I want to see birds in Botswana!
What are mobile safaris?
Where to go in Linyanti?
What am I paying for in Botswana?
For videos, articles, ideas and news from Africa:
Have a look at our blog at safarigeek.com
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