Generally speaking, safaris in Botswana are conducted year-round and can be further categorized into three distinct seasons: High, Shoulder, and Value Season (Green Season). Each of these seasons offers its own unique advantages and comes with an associated pricing structure. My personal favorite is the Value Season – a hidden gem in Southern Africa!
Understanding when to embark on a safari in Botswana is just as vital as choosing your destination.
Green Season:
The Green Season encompasses the non-peak period between November/December and March, providing an opportunity to witness remarkable wildlife moments while enjoying a cost-effective holiday.
Numerous websites refer to the period between December and March in Southern Africa as the “rainy season.” While technically accurate, this term requires clear contextualization. Rainfall in Southern Africa is relatively minimal when compared to most regions, given its semi-arid nature. Typically, the rain manifests as brief thunderstorms that dissipate almost as swiftly as they appear, frequently occurring in the late afternoon.
Temperatures remain consistently high, both during the day and at night. Game viewing gradually intensifies, particularly following the first rains (usually around mid-November). As the rains arrive, animals find relief and disperse to feed on new vegetation and drink from seasonal pans. The birthing season commences with tsessebe, followed by impala and lechwe.
Predators target the vulnerable young and engage in multiple hunts daily to satiate their hunger. The landscape offers abundant action and excellent visibility, with short green grass and trees teeming with vitality. This season proves especially delightful for photographers, with opportunities for capturing dynamic action, vibrant colors, and enhanced visibility.
Shoulder Season:
The period spanning from April to June, and sometimes extending into November, is commonly known as the Shoulder Season. Appropriately named, this season occupies the space between the Value Season/Green Season and the High Season.
The benefits of traveling during this timeframe are notable: you can anticipate minimal rainfall, and the temperature reaches an optimal point. In other words, it’s cooler than the Value Season/Green Season yet warmer than the High Season.
Regarding game viewing, this period presents an excellent opportunity to witness wildlife across Botswana. Even in April and extending into May, you might still encounter patches of green grass. While the vegetation isn’t as luxuriant as in the Value Season/Green Season, it is unquestionably greener and more vibrant compared to the High Season.
High Season:
High season in Botswana spans from July to the end of October, encompassing the winter months.
During this time, the floodwaters have reached the Okavango Delta, resulting in a significant impact. In both the Okavango and Moremi Game Reserve, wildlife populations become more concentrated. Areas like Linyanti, Savuti, Khwai, Boteti and Chobe Riverfront witness wildlife gathering along the watercourses.
The vegetation is at its thinnest during this season, enhancing the ease of wildlife sightings. The period from October until the first rains, usually in November, is when the bush is at its driest and wildlife is most densely concentrated. It’s worth noting that October holds the distinction of having the highest average temperature!
Rates during this period reach their peak. To ensure you secure your desired camps and lodges during the high season, it’s important to make your safari reservations well in advance; otherwise, you might face disappointment.
Keep in mind that during the high season, nighttime temperatures are notably low across the region. In certain places, the ambient temperature can drop considerably below freezing. Therefore, packing suitable clothing is crucial.
