Here’s a little insider tip: Botswana’s best safari season isn’t always the one everyone talks about. Between mid-November and the end of March, the so-called green season quietly transforms the landscape — and the experience. This is when you’ll find fewer crowds, thriving wildlife, and some of the best value for money in Africa, with luxury camps offering savings of up to 60%.

The green season in Botswana is a burst of life, transforming the land into a lush paradise. Dry savannas turn into fifty shades of green, while dramatic skies frame the scenery for breathtaking photography.

For many, Botswana carries the reputation of being out of reach when it comes to a luxury safari. But travel during this quieter, lesser-known season, and it suddenly becomes possible. While the northern hemisphere shivers through grey, cold winters, Botswana’s wilderness is carpeted in fresh grass. Vast herds of elephant and buffalo roam freely, and it’s baby season too — bringing thrilling sightings of predators on the hunt as newborn antelopes take their first steps.

It’s also a time when Botswana reveals a softer side of its beauty. Gentle shades of green sweep across valleys and plains, wrapping the arid terrain in serenity. For bird lovers, the green season is a feast: migratory species arrive in flocks, adding flashes of color and song to an already abundant resident birdlife.

So, while many travelers overlook this season, those in the know understand its magic: quieter lodges, extraordinary wildlife, dramatic scenery, and exceptional value. Botswana’s secret season truly offers more for less.

Take Advantage of Special Rates

For travelers, the green season offers a chance to enjoy luxury camps at discounted rates, making it an appealing option for those seeking a more affordable yet equally rewarding safari experience. Contrary to popular belief, this time of year holds its own charms. As your safari specialists, we assure you that traveling during the green season can be a wonderful choice, with rates offering up to 60% discounts compared to peak season, excellent photo opportunities, amazingly colourful skies, and delightful birdwatching moments.

Perfect for Photography

From December to March, Botswana receives its annual rainfall, transforming the landscape into a picturesque scene with varying shades of green and occasional bursts of dramatic weather. This creates a picturesque setting for photography enthusiasts, with opportunities to capture stunning wildlife moments against the backdrop of lush vegetation and vibrant rainbows. But do not worry, our rainy season can not be compared to rain in the northern hemisphere. We experience dramatic afternoon showers followed by stunning skies. The air clears, the high temperatures drop and become pleasant.

A Season of New Beginnings

During the green season, the land teems with life as plains game take advantage of the abundant grass for grazing and give birth to their young. While it’s heartening to witness the playful antics of newborns, it’s also a reminder of nature’s raw beauty, where predators seize opportunities for easy prey, offering both tender and intense wildlife encounters.

Haven for Bird Lovers

With the arrival of migratory birds from distant lands, Botswana becomes a haven for birdwatchers. Witnessing these feathered visitors in their breeding plumage and observing their nesting rituals adds an extra layer of fascination to the safari experience. Keep an eye out for a variety of bird species, each contributing to the rich tapestry of Botswana’s avian diversity. The migratory birds arrive with the first rains which can be as early as mid November.

Witness Nature’s Wonders

Every year, Botswana hosts one of Africa’s notable zebra migrations during the green season. While not as grandiose as the wildebeest migration in East Africa, it’s nonetheless a spectacle worth witnessing, with scattered herds dotting the landscape between the Okavango Delta, the Mababe Depression, Nxai Pan and the Makgadikgadi Pans.

Our team is here to assist with the creation of your dream safari. For personalized proposals and further details, reach out to us via live chat on our website or email us at info@safarispecialists.net.

Or visit our Safari Collection and find inspiration with our “Safari Specialist” selection, one example is the 9 nights Kwando Safari is based on their 5 Rivers special offering up to 60% discount for travel between December and March.

Here are some of the camps offering outstanding value for money during our “secret season”: