Botswana Weather

When is the best time to go to Botswana?

It is complicated to say when is the best time of the year to visit Botswana, as the weather patterns across the country tend to vary, which in turn affects the surroundings and wildlife in the different areas. Below is the general guide on the climate in Botswana:

• The rains in Botswana generally come between December and March. Some days are sunny and can get a bit hot, and afternoon thunderstorms come during the rain days.
• April and May have a lot less rain, and are lovely months with clear blue skies and green bush. Not all places are comfortable at this time - the Kalahari tends to have more extreme temperatures.
• The cold season is June to August when night time temperatures drop (in some places even to freezing levels). The daytime temperatures are warm on average. the land is much drier and the wildlife is much easier to spot as the animals congregate around water sources.
• September and October comes with increased temperatures and more dryness. Even more game can be seen in safari areas.
• November can be a continuation of the dry spell or the beginning of the rain season, but it is generally quite hot.

Botswana Weather in Detail

The highest levels of rain are usually recorded in January and February. Sometimes, the rain is accompanied by thunderstorms and even hail (usually at the beginning of the rainy season). The annual rainfall varies from +/-150mm in the south west (Kgalakgadi Transfontier Park) to about 650mm in the north (Chobe area). The rain falls during the summer months mostly, with winter rains accounting for less than 10% of the total rainfall. The dry period runs from May to October, but can extend during drought periods which are quite common.

On occasion, the temperatures can reach 44°C (111°F), but generally, average temperatures vary between 28°C and 33°C (82.4 °F and 91.4 °F). Peak summer temperatures can reach between 35°C and 40°C (95°F and 104°F) in the months of October and December.

Winters (May to August) can be bitter in the south of Botswana, where frost occurs and instances of snowfall have been reported. Night-time temperatures here can reach freezing (0°C or 32°F), but day-time temperatures are at about 19°C (66°F). The northern temperatures are mild during winter, ranging between 22°C and 26°C.

Temperature ranges in Botswana vary greatly and are extreme in some parts of the country. The largest differences in temperature occurs in the southern part of Botswana. The table below shows the average temperature range in different areas of the country:

Botswana Weather Forecast

Last update: 20 September 2022

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