Botswana Travel Information

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When to Go to Botswana

To get the most out of your next adventure it makes sense to consider some of the very local factors that combine to make up what you feel is the best time to travel to a destination. Many of these factors are very personal - some people prefer to travel when the weather is not too hot, or sites too crowded - others prefer to travel when a traditional local event is taking place. Taking into account the dates of public holidays can also make sense as these may have an impact on opening times of attractions, shops and restaurants, or might affect public transport or other services. Conversely public holidays can be a time of great local festivities and celebrations providing a feast of local expressionism and culture.

Climate

The climate of Botswana can be described as continental semi-arid. Due to the country’s location in the sub-tropical high pressure belt of the southern hemisphere in the interior of southern Africa far away from oceanic influences, rainfall is low and seasonal and diurnal ranges of temperature are high. The mean annual rainfall in Botswana varies from less than 250mm in the extreme southwestern part of the country to over 650mm in Kasane in the extreme north. The highest mean monthly maximum temperatures range between 32 and 35 degrees C and are generally recorded in the month of October in the northern parts and January for the southern parts. The lowest mean monthly maximum temperatures, which range between 23 and 25 degrees C in the north and 21 and 23 degrees C in the southern regions are recorded in June and July. They tend to increase northwards and eastwards.

Seasonality

Summer months are from November to March. This is the rainy season - with rains building up gradually during the day resulting in thunderstorms. Some roads do become impassible during the rains. Although not regarded as a prime game viewing period all the migrant bird species have arrived and landscape photography is at its best. Game is generally dispersed. From April to June days are hot with cooler nights and game viewing improves as wildlife starts to concentrate around waterholes and the bush starts thinning out. From July to August (winter) game viewing is near its best, days are dry and hot and nights cool. September and October are the hottest months and game viewing is at is prime, although the bush is extremely dry.

National Holidays

Date	Description
21 Mar 08	Good Friday
24 Mar 08	Easter Monday
01 May 08	Labour and Ascension Day
01 Jul 08	Sir Seretse Khama Day
21 Jul 08	President's Day (2 day holiday)
22 Jul 08	President's Day (2 day holiday)
30 Sep 08	Botswana Day
01 Oct 08	Botswana Day Holiday
25 Dec 08	Christmas Day
26 Dec 08	Boxing Day
01 Jan 09	New Year's Day
02 Jan 09	New Year Holiday

National Events

Event	Occurs	Description
Maitisong Festival	April	A cultural event of music, and dance performances in Gaborone.
National Music Eisteddfod	August	Choir singing, traditional dances and coming-of-age ceremonies at Selebi-Phikwe.
Maun Carnival	August	The carnival includes a colourful procession of floats and a air display.