{"id":8997,"date":"2019-07-04T10:58:14","date_gmt":"2019-07-04T09:58:14","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.tucan.travel\/blog\/?p=8997"},"modified":"2020-09-15T14:40:57","modified_gmt":"2020-09-15T13:40:57","slug":"best-time-to-visit-botswana","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.tucan.travel\/blog\/2019\/07\/best-time-to-visit-botswana\/","title":{"rendered":"Best time to visit Botswana"},"content":{"rendered":"

We picked Botswana<\/a> in the \u2018Green Season\u2019 for our honeymoon adventure last December and discovered some amazing benefits for visiting this time of year! From the beautiful colours of wildflowers in the Central Kalahari to the adorable tiny new-borns of the Delta. And with fewer travellers and safari vehicles around, it\u2019s worth getting to know what each season has to offer before you go. We stayed at\u00a0https:\/\/www.kwando.co.bw\/tau-pan<\/a>\u00a0and\u00a0https:\/\/www.sanctuaryretreats.com\/botswana-camps-stanleys<\/a> comparing the wilderness of the desert to the rich diversity of the delta and were not disappointed! Keep reading for tips on the best time to visit Botswana.<\/p>\n

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A hippo wandering through the plains in Botswana<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Green Season<\/h2>\n

Rain<\/h3>\n

Botswana\u2019s green season is generally from December through to March. Although we prepared for showers, they were very sporadic and some days we had no rain at all. They need rain for the land, so whenever a downpour came we did a rain dance with the locals! We were also told that animal sightings were going to be tougher to spot because they hide in the thick, lush grassland but we actually had incredible experiences each day; especially in the Kalahari desert where animals such as the Kalahari black-maned lion gathered near our camp – you could hear them roaring at night!<\/p>\n

Baby Animals<\/h3>\n

The highlight of travelling in the ‘green season’ has to be the birth of baby animals. In the delta, we saw playful warthogs, young impala, zebra hiding behind their mothers and baby lion cubs. You could sit and watch them all day but you also realise how vulnerable they are with predators at large on the hunt. You never know what might happen and this makes the green season one of the best times to visit Botswana.<\/p>\n

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Lion cubs in Botswana<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Low Prices<\/h3>\n

If you decide to travel in the low season you will be pleasantly surprised as it’s a much more affordable time of year to visit Botswana. The lodges offer good deals and rates significantly drop after peak season. The game viewing is just as plentiful and it is more budget-friendly – a hidden gem!<\/p>\n

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The stunning views from Kafunta Lodge in Boswana<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Less Crowds<\/h3>\n

Botswana is committed to sustainable wildlife conservation and the lasting impact of keeping visitor numbers low to protect this special wilderness. You won\u2019t see crowded parks and congested safari vehicles on paved roads any time of the year in Botswana. In the green season, you’ll be lucky enough to have the reserves and watering holes all to yourself. It’s the perfect time of year for a honeymoon couple! Our guide helped us track a leopard into the stillness of the night, just for us!<\/p>\n

Dry Season<\/h2>\n

Peak Season<\/h3>\n

Botswana\u2019s dry season typically runs from June to October and is considered the most popular time to visit. You can expect bright blue skies and sunshine with incredible sunsets and cosy nights sitting around the campfire. The great advantage is that the grassland is sparse which makes animals easy to spot. You can sit quietly by a watering hole in the delta or cruise along the Chobe river and watch as animals flock to the water. It’s important to book at least 8 months in advance to experience Botswana at this time of year – but you\u2019ll need to prepare for the high price tag to match!<\/p>\n

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An elephant strolls near the Chobe River<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Delta<\/h3>\n

Confusingly, the floodwaters of the Okavango Delta start arriving in the dry season, and not the green season as you may think! The floods come all the way from sub-Saharan Africa and it takes a few months for them to slowly reach the lagoons and waterways of the delta. As the camps are in remote locations, you’ll likely have to travel by light aircraft to each location which is a very exciting element and gives the very best views of the delta from high above as you watch elephants and hippos swimming in the river below.<\/p>\n

Mokoro<\/h3>\n

As the delta floods rise to their peak, it is prime time to enjoy the ultimate water-based activity, the mokoro! You can take a tranquil water safari on a traditional dugout canoe along the reed channels to spot wildlife in abundance such as crocodiles, hippos and many birds. It is a great way to work your way through the delta and a highlight for any wildlife lover!<\/p>\n

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Cruising through the Okavango Delta on traditional mokoros<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Walking Safaris<\/h3>\n

If you are interested in the exhilarating experience of a safari on foot, then the dry season is the best time to go because the short grass will give you once in a lifetime predators sightings! A professional guide can show you how to identify tracks and animal smells so you really become a part of the experience and not just an observer! In the Kalahari desert, you can walk with the San Bushman to learn about their lifestyle in this amazing wilderness.<\/p>\n

Tucan Travel<\/a> offer 5 different tours to Botswana<\/a>. The shortest trip <\/a>lasts 11 days and travels through other neighbouring countries in Africa<\/a> (Zambia<\/a>, Zimbabwe<\/a> & South Africa<\/a>) – you even get to visit the famed Victoria Falls! Our longest tour (Highlights of Africa<\/a>) takes 53 days and hits all the good spots from Nairobi<\/a> to Cape Town<\/a>. View our tours to Botswana here<\/a>. And if none of them take your fancy, build your own itinerary with our Tailor-Made<\/a> Africa specialists.<\/p>\n

Anneka is a Tailor-made Specialist for Tucan Travel. She has travelled solo and on group tours mostly through Africa, Indian subcontinent and South America.<\/i><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

We picked Botswana in the \u2018Green Season\u2019 for our honeymoon adventure last December and discovered some amazing benefits for visiting this time of year! From the beautiful colours of wildflowers in the Central Kalahari to the adorable tiny new-borns of the Delta. And with fewer travellers and safari vehicles around, it\u2019s worth getting to know […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":89,"featured_media":9006,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":[],"categories":[6,4,1225,2,3],"tags":[],"yoast_head":"\nBest time to visit Botswana - Tucan Travel Blog<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Are you planning a holiday to Botswana? 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