Arguably the best safari experience in Southern Africa, Botswana does boast some magic wilderness areas. Learning when the Best time to visit Botswana is, will give you insight in working with us to plan your safari. On a safari to Botswana you can expect big…
Arguably the best safari experience in Southern Africa, Botswana does boast some magic wilderness areas. Learning when the Best time to visit Botswana is, will give you insight in working with us to plan your safari. On a safari to Botswana you can expect big herds of large mammals including elephant, buffalo as well as a healthy and vibrant predator population .. all in the back drop of some of Africa’s most beautiful settings.
Rainy season: November-April (summer) - During the wet season, the air is hot and humid reaching almost 40°C (104°F) during the day and comfortable temperatures in the evenings. The amount of rainfall varies during this season, decreasing from around 600mm in the north-east to 200mm in the dry south-westerly regions of Botswana.
Dry season: May –August (Winter) – Winter days are warm and clear with temperatures often reaching a high of 25° C (77°F). The evenings are usually colder, hitting the 0°C (32°F) mark at times.
The Annual Okavango Flood: Between June and August each year, the Okavango Delta experiences it’s annual flooding, as rainwater that has fallen in Angola makes its way down the Kavango River. During this time the Delta swells to three times its permanent size where approximately 11 cubic km (2.6 cubic mi) of water flows into the Delta attracting animals from far and wide, thus creating one of Africa’s greatest concentrations of wildlife.
Look out for elephants and other wildlife on guided game drives, nature walks or from the decks of a Chobe Houseboat in the Chobe National Park-renowned for its immense elephant population and wild beauty. Fish or float your way around the tranquil water channels of the Okavango delta by a traditional dug-out canoe called a moroko, or experience the beauties of the delta from a higher perspective of a hot-air balloon. Revel in the rush of adrenaline on a quad-biking safari on the Magkadigkadi Pans. Explore the basalt cliffs known as Solomon’s Wall in the Tuli Block, or enjoy some birding as this area is home to over 350 bird species.
With so many different safari activities available in Botswana, below is table of activities and the areas they can be experienced
Botswana’s safari areas cover large swathes of the country. Below is a basic map depicting the main ones
Chobe National Park
Located in the north of the country, Botswana’s first national park is known for its biological diversity and stunning scenery. The best time to visit is during the drier season with flora and fauna converging on the Chobe River to drink, eat and play, whilst still budding with life from the summer rainfall.
Savuti & Linyanti
Savuti and Linyanti are two marshy areas within the Chobe National Park. With Savuti in the west and Linyanti in the north-western corner of the park, both provide great game viewing prospects of the annual zebra migration and large cat concentration that meander through the park’s unique landscape.
Okavango Delta
The Okavango Delta is Botswana’s inland river delta and a World Heritage Site that does not feed into the ocean, but rather into the Kalahari Desert. After flooding, the water slowly subsides creating a wilderness sanctuary that attracts a number of unique species.
The best time to visit is just after the rainy season (and after the flooding) where the lily covered ponds and countless waterways create a wetland ecosystem offering guests the chance to spot animals and birds, such as the Wattled Crane and the Lechwe buck.
Makgadikgadi Pans
The Makgadikgadi Pans is a combination of wide open salt pans and desert sand. During the drier months, the pans are covered in a salt and clay-like crust, whilst during the wetter months, are covered in water and marshy grassland. The best time to visit depends on the types of activities you wish to do. During the summer the lake-like environment attracts a diverse range of animals from meerkats to pink-flamingos, yet the winter is exceptional for quad-bike excursions, nature walks and unique photo opportunities.
Central Kalahari Game Reserve (CKGR)
This is the second largest reserve in the world filled with a wild beauty of golden grasses, fossilised river valleys and a number of game species. Lion, cheetah and Oryx are just a few of the animals spotted within this reserve. The best time to visit is slightly after the wet season as the vegetation is lush and the wildlife is in abundance. It is also when calving season occurs giving visitors a chance to see fuzzy new-borns enter the world.
Tuli Block
The Tuli block is a hidden gem lodged between South Africa and Zimbabwe, filled with a rich history and thriving scenery. This area is a budding hot-spot for travellers as majority of the privately owned game-farms on this natural land, cater solely to tourists. Dotted with countless baobab trees and rocky topography, the Tuli Block is a must see all year round for its profusion of wildlife and easy accessibility by road, from all major cities in Botswana and South Africa.
Contact us to assist you in planning your tailor-made Botswana safari itinerary
