Weather & Climate in the Okavango Delta

Weather & Climate in the Okavango Delta

Landlocked, far from the coast and surrounded by higher altitudes, Botswana is a dry country; the Okavango Delta is indeed an oasis in an arid land. It be a mistake though to think that the Delta's greenery reflects a tropical climate.

The Delta's average annual rainfall is 450mm, two thirds less than that of its Angolan catchment area, and most of it falls between December and March in the form of heavy afternoon thunderstorms.

December to February are hot wet months with daytime temperatures as high as 40C, warm nights, and humidity levels fluctuating between 50 and 80%. From March to May the temperature becomes far more comfortable with a maximum of 30C during the day and mild to cool nights. The rains quickly dry up leading into the dry, cold winter months of June to August. Daytime temperatures at this time of year are mild to warm but the mercury quickly plunges as the sun sinks. Nights can be surprisingly cold in the Delta with temperatures barely above freezing.

September to November sees the heat and atmospheric pressure build up once more as the dry season slides into the rainy season. October is the most challenging month for visitors - daytime temperatures often push past 40C and the dryness is only occasionally broken by a sudden cloudburst.

Find out what all this means when it comes to the question of the best time to visit the Delta in our 'When to Go to the Okavango Delta' section.

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