Botswana enjoys a typical Southern Africa, sub-tropical desert type climate characterised by low rainfall and quite extreme temperature fluctuations between day and night.
With an average year round temperature of 28 degrees, 8 hours of sunshine a day and only 1.5 inches of rainfall a month Botswana's climate is very welcoming.
The Okavango Delta can be explored all year round, however certain experiences will be affected by the weather.
The driest months to visit Botswana are between July and October, when skies remain clear and the night sky is spectacular.
Night time temperatures can drop close to freezing in July & August but the wildlife is always seeking drinking water at this time of year, so it’s a fabulous time to spot game as the bush is thinner and the animals gather around the waterholes.
This time of year is prime time for visiting the private concessions in the Linyanti and the Chobe areas of Botswana.
Shoulder season in Botswana is April to June and in November when the climate remains warm and dry.
At this time of year the bush should be lush and green after the summer rains and game viewing remains consistently good.
The rains traditionally come in the summer months of December to March. The temperatures remain high, despite the rainfall which traditionally falls in the form of impressive afternoon thunderstorms.
The game viewing at this time of year is exceptional, with new life being born when the rains first appear in December in conjunction with the arrival of the migrant birds from the north.
Apart from the Christmas and New Year break, this time of year offers lower rates at most of Botswana's safari camps, so it’s a very good value time of year to visit Botswana.
During the summer months of December to March, the Central Kalahari and the Makgadikgadi Pans come into their own in terms of scenic wonder and wildlife.