Climate

 

Although it lies on the Tropic of Capricorn, Botswana boasts a varied and temperate climate, rather than a tropical one.

 

During winter, which begins at the end of May and ends in August, days are generally clear-skied and sunny, while nights can be cool or even rather chilly. In the Kalahari evening and night temperatures can drop below freezing point, especially in July and August, while temperatures are over 40° C during the rest of the year.

 

The country, mostly semi-arid, has a significant rainy season during the summer months, that is from the first days of November till the end of March. On average, rainfalls vary from a maximum of about 650 mm in the Chobe District, in the extreme north-eastern Botswana, to 250 mm in the Kalahari Desert. The rains tend to fall in brief, but heavy, thunderstorms. January and February are generally considered to be the rainiest months.

 

The in-between periods - April/early May and September/October - tend to be dry and agreeable temperatures are registered. However, September and October are marked by high temperatures and humidity in most of the country.

 

As a guide, the average temperatures you may experience are the following:

 

 

  • Summer: rainy season; brief, but heavy, thunderstorms; average temperature: 16-35° C

     

  • Autumn: tends to be dry; the days are cooler than in summer; the nights are warmer than in winter; mild temperature: 15-30° C

     

  • Winter: dry season; sunny days; mild temperature: 5-27° C

     

  • Spring: tends to be dry; the days are cooler than in summer; the nights are warmer than in winter; average temperature: 15-35°C

 

As there are no rainfalls between April and September, this is the best period to spend your holidays in Botswana: game viewing near the few damp waterholes left in the country is excellent, also thanks to the lack of thick vegetation.