When to Go to Botswana

Situated in the tropics and far from the sea, Botswana receives a great deal of sunshine and very little rainfall. Most of the country is semi-arid or arid (an area is classed as arid when there is more evaporation than rainfall).

So precious is rain in Botswana that the word for rain - pula - is Botwana's national motto and the name of its currency. Most of Botswana has a desert climate, with large temperature fluctuations between day and night, and between summer and winter. Like most of southern Africa, Botswana has summer rainfall.

Summer: Between November and April days are hot and generally sunny in the morning with possible afternoon thunderstorms. Daytime temperatures can rise to 38°C and night temperatures drop to around 20°C - 25°C. The afternoons can be very humid. The rainy season begins late in October/November and ends in March. The northern areas receive up to 700mm while the Kalahari Desert area averages as low as 225mm.

Winter: From May to October days are dry, sunny and cool to warm while evening temperatures drop sharply. Daytime temperatures generally reach 20°C and can drop as low as 5°C at night. Please note that exceptionally cold spells can occur (although this is the exception rather than the rule) so it is recommended to bring appropriate clothing, just in case!

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