THE SEASON AHEAD
September is one of my favourite times to be in Botswana. The dry months bring shrinking water sources, drawing elephant, buffalo and lions towards rivers, so the game viewing can be exceptional. In the Okavango Delta, water levels remain high enough to explore the channels and lagoons by boat, while game drives reveal dusty tracks, bleached grasses and herds idling in the shade as the day warms.
An evening mokoro trip is always a highlight. There is something incredibly calming about gliding through the reeds with little more than the dip of your paddle, birdsong and the occasional splash at the water’s edge. It is that sense of tranquillity I value most, and the way it stays with you long after you have left the Delta. Elsewhere, the mood becomes more celebratory around Botswana Day, when towns and villages mark independence with music-fuelled parades and public ceremonies.
As the months progress, the heat builds and the first storms begin to transform the landscape. Green shoots spread across the plains, migratory birds fill the wetlands and antelope begin appearing with tiny, unsteady calves at their sides. Further south, the rains draw zebra and wildebeest onto the grassland around Makgadikgadi and Nxai Pan, bringing this arid corner of Botswana vividly to life.
Samantha – September 2026
WHERE AND WHEN
When is the best time to visit Botswana?
Botswana can be visited year-round, but the best time to visit is during the dry season of May to October. The drier conditions on land draw out more animals, making this a fabulous time for game viewing. Meanwhile the waters of the Okavango Delta are rising (peaking between June and August), allowing you to enjoy boat safaris and mokoro canoe excursions through the extensive network of waterways. Temperatures at this time of year are pleasant, with mild days and cool nights. In the peak of the dry season, daytime temperatures sit at around 18C (64F) in the north of the country, a few degrees cooler in the south, with very cold nights in the Kalahari Desert.
Botswana’s green season falls between November and April, with the heaviest rainfall usually occurring between December and February. The rains generally take the form of heavy afternoon showers and occasional thunderstorms. Temperatures are significantly warmer at this time – often reaching 35C (95F) by day in the peak of the rainy season. The advantages of visiting Botswana in green season are more attractive prices, welcome splashes of colour in the parched lands of the south, and opportunities to see young animals. Calving season brings more predator action initially, but this is followed by the endearing sight of baby animals growing stronger and finding their feet. This season is also great for birdwatching.
Where are the best places to visit in Botswana?
The Okavango Delta is usually at the top of the wishlist for Botswana, and rightly so. The Delta’s pristine channels, lagoons and islands support an astonishing concentration of wildlife—from elephants and hippos to big cats, wild dogs, and over 400 species of bird.
To the north, the Selinda Reserve is a place of extraordinary biodiversity, offering superb predator sightings in an exclusive setting. Nearby, the Linyanti and Chobe areas boast vast floodplains and Africa’s largest elephant herds, especially along the Chobe River. Eastward lie the ethereal Makgadikgadi Salt Pans, where surreal white landscapes and meerkat encounters make you feel like you are in a different country entirely. The Central Kalahari Reserve, meanwhile, unveils endless grassy plains, desert adapted wildlife, and ancient San culture. Our specialists can advise how best to incorporate these regions into a Botswana private tour, tailored to your specific interests and the amount of time you have.
