Seasonal Calendar | Botswana | Giltedge Golf & Safari

Botswana safari calendar

January: THE BUSH IS ALIVE

January is one of the wettest months in Botswana and is characterised by continuous rainfall for a few days and downpours in the afternoons.

The temperatures during the day reach an amazing 32°C/ 90°F. Perfect weather for a day in the bush.

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January, along with the rest of summer has been said to be ‘the best time to travel to Botswana’. The grass is green, the migrant birds are arriving and the antelope are giving birth to their young.

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If you are a bird lover then this is the time for you to visit with a huge influx of birds in the Okavango and Moremi.

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February: OKAVANGO DELTA IS BRILLIANT

February is also characterized by its very wet days and is still part of the rainy season. The days are warm and temperatures can reach 32°C/90°F. •

The wildlife tends to disperse but several destinations such as Chobe’s Savute region offer amazing summer game viewing because they lie on the path of the migrating zebras and therefore have front row seats to this amazing movement.

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February is a great time for predator sightings as they take full advantage of the abundance of inexperienced younger prey.

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March: THE STARS OF THE SHOW

March is a beautiful time to be in Botswana. The rains have stopped and all of the vegetation is well watered. The days consist of lovely, clear weather with few clouds. Even though the nights are cooler, the days are fairly warm with temperatures reaching 30°C/87°F. Visiting in March allows you to see why the Victoria Falls are truly one of the 7 wonders of the world.

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As the rains calm down in March, the game-viewing gets better with the animals returning to the more accessible dry areas.

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March is a quieter time at the resorts and this just means that those who do visit now will receive a much more personal experience, private drivers, lower rates and more flexibility in terms of bringing children on safaris.

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This would be an excellent time to visit the Victoria Falls because they are not yet at full volume and therefore there is high visibility and minimal spray.

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April: FIRST SIGNS OF SEASONS CHANGING

The seasons are definitely changing with clear skies and green landscapes. Temperatures at night are dropping and it’s definitely time to bring the woolly scarves.

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Possibly one of the better months to visit Botswana in summer, April is an amazing month where there will be afternoon showers but only one or two. Most days are warm with cool nights as the rains disappear for the next 4 months.

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The Chobe River and the Okavango Delta are popular spots to view game, many of the other water sources are drying up where these ones provide a more permanent source of water for all of the animals.

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May: FLOOD WATERS PROGRESS THROUGH THE DELTA

With May comes the dry spell where there is little to no rain during the entire season (May-October). Animal viewing is easier as the animals will gather around available waterholes and rivers that have not yet dried up. Flood waters from Angola start to reach the top of Okavango Delta and begin their slow and deliberate process through the Delta. Jackets are advisable for night drives. •

The slow movements of the water means that land-based camps can begin to offer a mix of land and water activities.

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May is a great time to see many different wild animals such as elephant, giraffe, buffalo, zebra, lions and hyenas. The land is dry and these animals will concentrate around the existing water holes. Where there are buffalo and zebra there are lions. This is a great opportunity to see them in action.

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June: AN EXCITING TIME

Note to self: pack winter clothes for morning and night time game drives- winter has arrived in full force with temperatures at 6°C/42°F during the day and below freezing at night. Be sure to pack a few summer clothes for the warm days where temperatures reach 25°C/78°F. •

Do not be misled by the sneaky cold weather in the mornings, by lunch time you will be wearing shorts and a T-shirt and wondering what all of the fuss was about.

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The African Wild Dog is so unique. If you are interested in watching them go about their daily routine then this would be the perfect time.

Up until September the dogs find themselves a permanent den where they will live.

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Predator sightings are frequent because there are many young, inexperienced prey

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July: ANIMALS CONGREGATE NEAR THE WATER

July shows a typical day in Botswana- sunny and clear. The average morning temperature is 6°C/42°F. Night temperatures can drop below freezing whereas afternoons will be more pleasant with temperatures around 25°C/78°F. •

If you are in for an adventure, the Mekoro and boat trips are perfect for you. Now that there is more water flowing in places that were dry and deserted months before, you can explore a completely different landscape seeing new and exciting angles of Botswana. Floating over lily covered lagoons with the sun on your back and the wind blowing through your hair is definitely something to experience.

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The mosquitos have gone along with the rain and damp surroundings…game viewing and boat trips are incredible.

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August: PLENTY OF ACTION AROUND

The length of the day is gradually increasing, with temperatures rising. Spring is on its way. •

The common factor in this month is that both visitor numbers and temperatures are increasing, even better, so are the concentrations of game. The peak game viewing time has arrived- with thirsty animals, trampled vegetation and no where for the animals to hide.

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Great herds of antelope, elephants and buffalo huddle around the remaining water sources while their predators stake them out. Can this month get any more exciting?

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September: WINTER IS ALL BUT GONE

Thank goodness for September, where the temperatures rocket up to 38°C/100°F. Don’t forget your sunscreen, hats and lots of water because this month is not getting colder or wetter any time soon… welcome to some of the hottest months in the year, with an occasional thunderstorm here and there.

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Don’t be discouraged by the baked and leaf-stripped landscapes, stifling days, sultry nights and blinding sunshine, if you can bear the heat then game viewing at this time ranks among the best in Africa-the Chobe River is at its elephant-packed best during this time.

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September is a fantastic time to see hungry lions and big herds of buffaloes, with abundant prey and numerous watering holes. Remember to bring your camera to take a shot of the action.

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October: VERY HOT & EXCELLENT GAME VIEWING

The landscape can look harsh and very dry during this time, but game viewing is easiest because grasses and foliage have withered or have been eaten, and animals are reliant on more limited water sources and therefore spotting them is easier. •

The heat is definitely here, morning game drives depart slightly earlier and night game drives depart slightly later to avoid the heat of the day.

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Even though it is very hot, spotting animals is a breeze because the vegetation is either eaten or trampled on, leaving the animals nowhere to hide. If they are hiding from the blazing sun look for them in a shady spot or near a water source.

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November: GREAT TIME FOR PHOTOGRAPHERS

With November comes the rains and an occasional afternoon thundershower. Temperatures drop in the morning to 20°C/69°F, but not to worry because they climb back up to 33°C/91°F in the afternoon.

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Game viewing continues to improve until the day of the first rains, normally around mid-November. However, this month is unpredictable with both wet and dry days.

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November is a very exciting month for both predators and prey. The Tsessebe and Impala Antelope give birth to their young, while the predators are hunting wildly. There is a lot of action to be seen so be sure to bring your cameras to capture the excitement.

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December: PANS ARE FULL & COLORS BRILLIANT

The rains become more regular with thunderstorms every few days. Summer has arrived in full blast and once again the landscape turns green.

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December brings a very cheerful time of the year, with the skies full of birds and the impalas and springbok giving birth to their young.

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If it is a safari that you are craving, then December brings everything together. The weather is hot but not too hot, and the land is wet but not soaking wet.

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Chobe’s Savute region is incredible at this time. You will see big cats and wild dogs along with many stripy zebra. What more can we ask for?

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