If, like me, you find yourself endlessly dreaming about Africa, Botswana likely occupies a special place in your imagination. Unlike many safari destinations that follow distinct high and low seasons, Botswana offers truly exceptional wildlife experiences all year round. Each month unveils a new layer of magic, making Botswana safari holidays perfect for every type of traveller.

I’ve been travelling to Botswana for over 20 years and I'm still continually amazed by how its diverse landscapes deliver unforgettable adventures in every season. Whether you're planning a romantic escape or a once-in-a-lifetime family safari, understanding the rhythm of Botswana's seasons is the key to planning the perfect African safari itinerary.

Let me take you on a journey through Botswana's most iconic safari regions – and show you why this exceptional country should be at the top of your safari wishlist, no matter when you travel.

Botswana's Unique Landscape: Shaped by Time

Botswana's landscapes are the product of ancient geological forces. Much of the country lies on top of the vast Kalahari Basin – a sandy depression covering nearly 70% of the land. This seemingly barren environment is anything but lifeless, thanks to the dramatic interplay between desert and delta.

Tectonic shifts that shaped the East African Rift Valley also gave rise to Botswana's famous natural wonders: the Okavango Delta and the Makgadikgadi Pans. Once covered by massive super-lakes, northern Botswana's salt pans remain as shimmering reminders of a prehistoric world. This contrast between arid wilderness and seasonal wetlands has created one of the most biodiverse and dynamic ecosystems in Africa.

The Okavango Delta: Heart of Botswana Safari Holidays

A glowing orange sunset is reflected in the water of the Okavango Delta — 📸 : Delta sunsets are unbeatable

The Okavango Delta is Botswana's most iconic safari destination – a UNESCO World Heritage Site and the world's largest inland delta. This spectacular wetland pulses with life, changing dramatically throughout the year to offer world-class wildlife encounters in every season.

The Okavango Flood: A Seasonal Miracle

One of the Delta's most fascinating features is its flood cycle, which reaches its peak during Botswana's dry season. Originating in the Angolan highlands, rains from January to March slowly travel over 1,200 kilometres, finally arriving in the Okavango in late May and June – just when Botswana's internal water sources begin to dwindle.

As the floodwaters fan out, the Delta swells to nearly 15,000 square kilometres. This attracts an astonishing concentration of wildlife, making it one of the best places for a safari in Africa’s winter months.

Okavango Safari Activities

Mokoro safaris offer an iconic Botswana experience: drifting silently in a traditional canoe through clear water channels, perfect for close-up wildlife viewing.
Walking safaris allow exploration of the Delta's islands, guided by expert trackers.
Game drives showcase Botswana's megafauna – with elephants, lions, leopards, buffalo, and prolific birdlife among the highlights. Rhino are present but they are very hard to find.
Boat cruises venture deeper into the Delta's waterways, ideal for spotting hippos, crocodiles and waterfowl.
Horseback safaris let you splash through the channels and ride alongside zebra and giraffe in a truly unforgettable setting.

A man poles a dug out canoe through the Okavango Delta — 📸 : A Mokoro safari is the quintessential Okavango Delta experience

Best Time to Visit the Okavango Delta

Green Season (Nov–Mar): Lush landscapes, fewer visitors, baby animals and peak birdwatching.
Shoulder Season (Apr–Jun & Oct): Floodwaters arrive; excellent predator-prey interactions.
Dry Season (Jul–Sep): Classic Botswana safari conditions, best for mokoro and boat safaris, with cooler, comfortable temperatures.

Chobe National Park: Home of Giants

Chobe National Park is famous for its incredible elephant population – the largest concentration in Africa. The shimmering blue waters of the Chobe River acts as a year-round lifeline, particularly during the dry months when wildlife congregates along the banks.

Top Experiences in Chobe

River cruises provide the unforgettable spectacle of elephants swimming across the Chobe River, offering unique water-level photography perspectives.
Game drives explore diverse habitats from riverfront to woodland and the famous Savuti Marsh, while fishing expeditions offer the chance to catch the legendary tigerfish (catch and release).
Cultural visits connect you with local communities to learn about traditional Botswanan lifestyles, adding wonderful depth to your safari experience.

A small herd of elephant against a dusty background in Chobe, Botswana — 📸 : Chobe is famous for it’s elephant population

The Enigma of Savuti

Savuti, located in western Chobe, is a land of mystery. Its intermittent watercourse – the Savuti Channel – can remain dry for decades, only to flow again without warning. This shift transforms the ecosystem, attracting wildlife during wet years and challenging animals to adapt during dry spells.

Savuti is also known for its lion prides, which have been observed taking down elephants – a rare and astonishing behaviour that adds to the area's mystique.

Chobe Through the Seasons

Dry Season (May–Oct): Ideal for game viewing along the Chobe River; Savuti sees dramatic wildlife interactions.
Green Season (Nov–Apr): Colourful landscapes, newborn animals, and more intimate elephant encounters.

The Makgadikgadi Pans: Surreal Salt Plains

The Makgadikgadi Pans, remnants of an ancient super-lake, create a dreamlike safari setting unlike anywhere else in Africa. Despite their desolate appearance, these salt flats support surprising biodiversity.

Unmissable Experiences in Makgadikgadi

Quad biking across the vast salt flats during the dry season is a thrilling, otherworldly experience.
Meerkat encounters allow close interaction with habituated colonies.
San bush walks offer a cultural immersion, guided by descendants of Botswana's original inhabitants.
Horseback safaris across the pans provide a profound sense of freedom and space.

A group of Kalahari San bushmen sitting on the ground — 📸 ; A walk with the San in the Makgadikgadi Pans is an unforgettable experience

Makgadikgadi's Seasonal Changes

Wet Season (Dec–Apr): Seasonal rains attract flamingos and trigger Africa's second-largest zebra migration.
Dry Season (May–Nov): The pans harden, creating a lunar-like landscape perfect for quad biking, stargazing and sleep outs on the pans .

Central Kalahari Game Reserve: Botswana's Wild Heart

Covering an area larger than Switzerland, the Central Kalahari Game Reserve (CKGR) is one of Africa's last true wildernesses. Far from the crowds, CKGR offers a raw, immersive safari experience in a land of fossil riverbeds, golden grasses, and resilient wildlife. If you’re looking to learn more about the CKGR I highly recommend reading ‘The Cry of the Kalahari’, an iconic book written by Mark and Delia Owens about their research work there in the ‘70s.

What to Do in the Kalahari

Desert safaris seek out black-maned lions, cheetahs, bat-eared foxes and oryx.
San cultural tours reveal ancient desert survival skills and storytelling.
Night sky photography under pristine dark skies – perfect for astrophotographers.
Specialist safaris tailored to photographers and adventurers alike.

Kalahari's Secret Safari Seasons

Green Season (Dec–Apr): Surprisingly lush, with excellent game concentrations and fewer tourists.
Dry Season (May–Nov): Classic desert safari scenes and dramatic wildlife gatherings at waterholes.

A herd of elephants run toward a waterhole with an ostrich in the foreground — 📸 : A thirsty herd arriving at a waterhole in the Central Kalahari Game Reserve

Why Botswana Is Ideal for a Safari Holiday Year-Round

Botswana stands out among African safari destinations for offering superb game viewing in every season. Whether you visit in the dry months for concentrated wildlife sightings or during the green season for dramatic skies and newborn animals, there is always something extraordinary to experience.

Year-Round Safari Benefits

Exceptional Value in Green Season: Luxury lodges offer reduced rates, with world-class guiding and far fewer tourists.
Diverse Safari Ecosystems: From desert to delta, Botswana's contrasting landscapes ensure rewarding safaris all year.
Stunning Photography: Capture seasonal diversity – from dry savannahs to lush wetlands, dramatic clouds to golden sunsets.
Sustainable Tourism Model: Botswana prioritises low-volume, high-quality tourism, supporting conservation and local communities across all seasons.

Crafting Your Tailor-Made Botswana Safari

Timing is just one aspect of planning your ideal Botswana safari holiday. Whether you're after a romantic luxury escape, a multi-generational family adventure, or an off-the-beaten-track wilderness trip, the key lies in expert planning.

By combining regions strategically – pairing the Okavango's waterways with the stark beauty of the Makgadikgadi, or blending Chobe's drama with the solitude of the Kalahari – you can maximise your chances of extraordinary wildlife sightings no matter when you travel.

With Botswana's world-renowned conservation practices, luxurious tented camps, and spectacular biodiversity, every month offers a different but equally unforgettable safari experience.

Start Planning Your Botswana Safari Holiday Today

Are you dreaming of paddling silently through the Okavango Delta in a mokoro, photographing elephant herds along the Chobe River, or stargazing across the salt flats of the Makgadikgadi? I'm here to help you bring your dream safari to life.

As a seasoned safari planner with deep personal connections to Botswana, I'll help you choose the best time and the perfect combination of regions, lodges and experiences – tailored entirely to your preferences.

Get in touch today and let's design your bespoke, year-round Botswana safari adventure – the ultimate African wildlife journey awaits.

Botswana Safari Holidays: A Year-Round African Adventure