Honey, let's get one thing straight – Botswana is always fabulous! Your safari experience, however, will take on new heights depending on when you visit. Whether you're craving an intimate, water-based getaway or a thrilling land safari, Botswana will tickle any adventurer's fancy. As your LGBTQ+ Travel Experts, we're spilling the tea on the best times to experience Botswana in all its glamorous glory. So, sit back, relax, and get ready for the inside scoop on Botswana's seasonal showstoppers!
Take your front-row seat to Botswana's fab show
June to October: It's Dry (the Good Kind)
Visiting Botswana in winter is like being in the front row at a RuPaul's Drag Race All Stars showdown – think Katya Zamo, Bianca Del Rio, and the Queen herself, RuPaul. This is the season where Botswana pulls out all the stops. With no rain to steal your thunder, the landscape transforms into a sparse, jaw-dropping setting where the wildlife takes centre stage. Expect trees to shake off their foliage and wildlife to be out in full force. This is Botswana's version of an unhinged, high-stakes All-Stars finale, and you're invited.
Every wildlife sighting is an "encore" moment, Image Credit: Mashati Main Camp
What You Can Expect
In winter, large herds of wildlife flock to the Okavango Delta, which, fabulously enough, is at its peak during the dry months. Watch as predators play out their survival of the fiercest act, lurking in the shadows, ready to pounce. Dra-ma! You'll also get the chance to indulge in Botswana's iconic water-based experiences – think glamorous sunset cruises and serene Mokoro rides.
The Chobe River also steals the spotlight, with elephants and buffalo parading daily by the hundreds. Meanwhile, the southeast showcases the glamour of the Makgadikgadi Salt Pans, a glittery masterpiece that will rival any drag queen's sequins.
Highlights
- Prime time for safari with dazzling game viewing
- Exclusive water-based safaris in the Okavango Delta
- Comfortable, dry days, perfect for adventuring
Ideal for
This season is perfect for safari first-timers looking to check off those big game sightings and families seeking an adventure without the summer heat. Winter's your season if you want guaranteed thrills. Safaris get even hotter when the weather cools down!
The expert guides make every game drive an exceptional experience
November to March: Green Is Your Colour
If winter is Drag Race, then Botswana's summer is Fashion Week, and honey, the runways are green. Rainstorms roll in like the paparazzi, flashing their thunder and lightning, transforming the plains into a vivid wonderland. The once-starved landscapes burst into lush greenery, inviting antelope and their newborns to strut the catwalk. Behind them? Fierce predators who are ready to steal the show. Migrant birds also arrive in droves, doubling the avian population and giving birders their own showstopping spectacle.
Predators on the prowl, Image Credit: African Bush Camp
What You Can Expect
During the rainy season, the drama is real. Zebra and wildebeest embark on their epic migration south, predators in hot pursuit. Meanwhile, the Makgadikgadi Salt Pans turn into a scene from a fantasy, with flamingos and pelicans making their grand entrance for the breeding season.
If you want to catch the action without the rain, the Mashatu and Tuli Block regions remain fabulous year-round, offering safari magic in a drier, camera-ready setting.
Highlights
- Exceptional birdwatching with rare migrant species
- The start of calving season, with predators in full hunt mode
- Migratory season turning the pans into a birding paradise
Ideal for
If you live for drama, this season is for you. Perfect for wildlife lovers who aren't afraid of the heat, birders, and photographers ready to capture Botswana's summer runway show.
From amateurs to experts – we're here for it all!
April and May: The Shoulder Season
If you're a fan of Miss Congeniality, you'll remember Miss Rhode Island sharing her favourite "date" by saying, "April 25th, because it's not too hot, not too cold. All you need is a light jacket." Well, sweetie, if you're strutting through Botswana in April, you might need more than just a cute jacket!
April and May are the "wildcard" months. Summer rains may vanish, ushering in fabulous game-viewing in cooler, more comfortable conditions. But if the rain lingers, it turns into a magical two months perfect for exploring the game-rich Kalahari. Either way, you're in for a wild and luxurious time, with wildlife popping against lush landscapes minus the scorching heat.
It's wildlife galore out here
What You Can Expect
Autumn in Botswana brings wildlife moving to permanent water sources, and that's where the magic happens! These seasonal shifts guarantee stunning game-viewing opportunities, expertly led by your fabulous safari guides and trackers.
Although autumn might not always be the superstar season for safari, if you're looking for the inside scoop, this is prime time to explore the entire country. With fewer travellers crowding the scene, you'll find incredible accommodation specials and breathtaking scenery. Botswana's always going to serve up something spectacular!
Highlights
- Fewer travellers mean exclusive experiences and luxury specials
- Fabulous game viewing near permanent water sources
- The Okavango Delta's water levels are at their peak
Ideal for
Adventurous souls ready to play the weather game, jet-setters seeking to explore it all, honeymooners craving a romantic Delta escape, and photographers looking to capture the magic.
Escape to the enchanting Delta world, Image Credit: Little Sable
So, When is the Most Fabulous Time to Visit Botswana?
Darling, let's be real – Botswana is an all-year-round safari superstar! Whether you're dreaming of a chic water-based safari or a more glamorous land-based game-viewing extravaganza, the truth is Botswana will always deliver. Every safari experience here is a showstopper, and it's bound to be sensational!
So, don't be shy – reach out to our fabulous Travel Experts and spill the tea on the kind of safari adventure you're manifesting! We're here to make sure it's nothing short of extraordinary!
