Botswana Travel Guide Best Time To Visit
Anthony is the author of the Botswana & Namibia Lonely Planet guide.
The Okavango Delta, Moremi Game Reserve and Chobe National Park are Botswana's most popular parks. The best time to visit them is from May to September, during the Dry season and winter, resulting in more moderate temperatures. In addition, the Okavango is flooded from June to October. Wildlife viewing is good year-round, but this can differ for some parks. See below to learn when to visit which park.
May to October Dry Season – Winter
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Less vegetation and animals concentrate around water, making them easier to spot
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The skies are clear, rain is rare, and there are fewer mosquitoes
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Even though most tourists visit during the Dry season, the parks still feel uncrowded, except for the bustling Chobe riverfront area
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Early morning and evening drives are cold in June, July and August
November to April Wet Season – Summer
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The scenery is greener, and there are lower rates during this season
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Although wildlife is easier to spot in the Dry season, you’ll still see plenty
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There are many newborn animals and migratory birds
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Except for January and February, rains seldom interfere with your trip
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During January and February, the rains can be continuous for days
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It gets very hot in October and November
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Some lodges and camps close down during part of the Wet season
Wildlife Photos
Cheetah cubs
© Michael PolizaElephant kicking up dust
© Maurizio Giovanni BersanelliYoung lion
© GehrimarYellow-billed stork in flight
© Ondrej ProsickyRed lechwes
© Michael PolizaElephant crossing a lagoon
© Chris RenshawHippo yawning
© Michael PolizaHerd of elephants walking
© LeamusLeopard
© SteveAllenPhotoGiraffes at dusk
© SteveAllenPhotoHippo yawning
© JohnCarnemollaElephants at sunset
© Ed PeetersLarge-spotted genet
© JohnCarnemollaBullfrog in a puddle
© niniWild dogs playing
© Liz LeydenHerd of red lechwes running through the water
© npoizotCheetah resting in tall grass
© 2630benLeopard
© Richard JuilliartAerial view of an elephant wading through the water
© Goldilock ProjectAerial view of elephants in the water
© Zaruba OndrejPeople on a mokoro trip looking at a bull elephant
© Ger MetselaarNile monitor
© Ariadne van ZandbergenElephant portrait
© Michael PolizaHerd of buffalo
© Michael PolizaLeopard close-up
© Michael PolizaZebras running
© Michael PolizaYellow-billed oxpeckers cleaning a buffalo's nose
© Michael PolizaYoung male lion
© Michael PolizaHerd of buffalo
© Michael PolizaPredator and prey, lion and buffalo
© Michael PolizaLions stalking buffalo
© Michael PolizaElephant portrait
© Michael PolizaHerd of buffalo
© Michael PolizaCattle egrets above a herd of buffalo
© Michael PolizaElephant bull in the Kaporota Lagoon
© Michael PolizaLeopard cub
© Michael PolizaBaboon with baby
© Michael PolizaKudu portrait
© Michael PolizaGiraffe with young
© Michael PolizaJuvenile spur-winged goose
© Michael PolizaLion caring for a cub
© Michael PolizaGiraffes at sunset
© Daan de HvDLion standing on a termite mound
© Rene BaarsMale lion resting
© Arnoud QuanjerAfrican elephants
© Arnoud QuanjerServal portrait
© Roger de la HarpeBaboon with baby drinking
© Villiers SteynLeopard lying on a riverbank
© Ariadne van ZandbergenTwo black-backed jackals
© Ariadne van ZandbergenGreater kudus fighting
© Ariadne van Zandbergen Best Time To Go by Major Park
Moremi, Okavango and Chobe are most popular and offer year-round wildlife viewing. They are at their best during the Dry season when wildlife is easier to spot, and the Okavango is flooded. The other, drier parks are best to visit during, or just after, the Wet season when fresh grasses attract wildlife.
- Central Kalahari GR
- Chobe National Park
- Makgadikgadi Pans NP
- Moremi Game Reserve
- Nxai Pan National Park
- Okavango Delta