When is the best time to visit Botswana?

The best time to visit depends on where you go. Chobe National Park: May & August; Gaborone: August & September; Kasane: May & July; Maun: May & August; Okavango Delta: May & August.

Which month is best overall in Botswana?

Averaged across our 5 destinations in Botswana, the strongest months are May, June, July. Individual places can shift a month or two earlier or later — each destination page lists its own peak.

How are the Botswana travel scores calculated?

Every city is rated 0-10 per month using ERA5 climate normals - temperature, precipitation, humidity, daylight, and days with 6+ hours of sunshine.

Best Time to Visit Botswana: Weather by Month

01 · Botswana

About Botswana

Kalahari sands and the inland Okavango Delta dominate landlocked Botswana in southern Africa. Chobe National Park, the Moremi Game Reserve and the Makgadikgadi salt pans are the main wildlife areas, with the Tsodilo Hills holding rock art. The dry winter months from May to September bring the best game viewing as animals gather at water, October and November are hot, and the green season from December to April is wetter with newborn animals and birds.

Did you know?

Botswana is one of the world's largest diamond producers, a discovery made just after independence.
More than a third of the country is protected, including the Okavango Delta and the Kalahari's salt pans.
The Makgadikgadi pans host one of Africa's largest zebra migrations each year.

Weather

Botswana: weather by month

Warmest month: November (29°C). Wettest: January (139 mm). Best overall score: May (9.8/10).

Month	Avg temp	Rain	Sunny days	Score
January	25°C	139 mm	29	6.3/10
February	27°C	56 mm	28	7.2/10
March	26°C	96 mm	28	6.6/10
April	24°C	42 mm	24	8.6/10
May	21°C	4 mm	22	9.8/10
June	18°C	1 mm	18	9.5/10
July	18°C	1 mm	20	9.5/10
August	21°C	0 mm	26	9.4/10
September	25°C	1 mm	30	7.9/10
October	29°C	10 mm	31	6.7/10
November	29°C	64 mm	30	6.1/10
December	28°C	131 mm	31	5.2/10

Travel Tips

01Best time & timing: Climate scores swing from 5.2/10 in December to 9.8/10 in May; the safest picks are May, June, July.
02Weather & what to pack: Expect around 21°C and 4 mm of rain in May, with roughly 22 bright days. Pack light clothing, a hat and real sun protection.
03Crowds & value: Peak-season pricing concentrates in May. For better value, April scores 8.6/10 at lower-season rates.

Things to do in Botswana

Botswana. Live activities and tours from GetYourGuide, matched to this destination.

FAQ

Frequently asked

When is the best time to visit Botswana?: The best time to visit depends on where you go. Chobe National Park: May & August; Gaborone: August & September; Kasane: May & July; Maun: May & August; Okavango Delta: May & August.
Which month is best overall in Botswana?: Averaged across our 5 destinations in Botswana, the strongest months are May, June, July. Individual places can shift a month or two earlier or later — each destination page lists its own peak.
Which cities in Botswana does bestime.to cover?: We currently score 5 destinations in Botswana: Chobe National Park, Gaborone, Kasane, Maun, Okavango Delta.
How are the Botswana travel scores calculated?: Every city is rated 0-10 per month using ERA5 climate normals - temperature, precipitation, humidity, daylight, and days with 6+ hours of sunshine.

Climate data: Open-Meteo ERA5 historical archive, the five most recent complete years (2021–2025). Scores are monthly averages for that window, not forecasts, and short-window precipitation can differ from longer-term normals. “Sunny days” count days with at least 6 hours of measured sunshine — they are not dry days.

Curated in Botswana