When people ask us, “When should I go on safari in Botswana?” our answer is always the same: anytime. Every month brings its own beauty, and the “best time” really depends on your personal preferences, on your budget, the length of your safari, and what you want to experience most. We believe that Botswana is indeed an all-year destination. And we promise, game viewing is good in all seasons.

Dry or High Season (May – October)

This is classic safari time. Clear blue skies, little to no rain, and thinning vegetation make for incredible wildlife viewing as animals gather at the remaining waterholes. Cool mornings and evenings mean you’ll want to layer up, but the reward is spectacular predator activity and dramatic elephant herds in Chobe and the Okavango Delta. This is also the perfect time to witness Africa’s second largest zebra migration in the Makgadkikgadi National Park, when thousands of zebra make their way to the Boteti River and spend a few months along the dry river bed with its pumped waterholes, the only reliable source of water in this harsh area.

• June–August: The Delta floods arrive, filling channels and lagoons. Mokoro and boating are at their absolute best, while wildlife congregates along permanent water.

• September–October: Bush is sparse, prey is concentrated, and predator action is at its most dramatic. October can be hot, but it’s also one of the most electrifying times for game viewing.

Emerald or Green Season (November – March)

With the summer rains, the Okavango Delta comes alive in a way that feels almost magical. Fresh grasses carpet the floodplains, trees burst into leaf, and migrant birds arrive in dazzling numbers. This is also calving season, when antelope and other plains game give birth — and predators shadow their every move. Expect dramatic skies, glowing sunsets, and some of the most atmospheric photography opportunities of the year.

• November–December: The first storms transform the Delta into a lush paradise. Game viewing is active and intense, with newborns attracting predators. It’s also when the big zebra herds begin their movement south towards the Makgadikgadi Pans, a reminder of Botswana’s incredible wilderness connectivity.

• January–March: The Delta remains green and full of life, with birding at its very best and predator-prey drama unfolding daily. At the same time, the Makgadikgadi and Nxai Pans host one of Africa’s great spectacles: the zebra and wildebeest migration across the open salt pans — a breathtaking seasonal add-on to any Delta safari.

It’s also excellent value: safari camps offer lower rates, the bush feels wonderfully remote, and many lodges now feature air-conditioning, making hot afternoons more comfortable.

Shoulder Season (April & May)

A secret favorite. The air is crisp, mornings are cool, and the bush still holds some greenery. Wildlife sightings improve as water levels rise, and April remains a quieter month with fewer visitors. By May, however, more travellers have discovered what was once a best-kept secret — that it is one of the most stunning times of the year. For travelers who want a balance of beauty, exclusivity, and value, this season is gold.

A Note on the Okavango Delta

The Okavango’s magic lies in its floods. While the rains fall in Angola in January and February, the water only reaches the Delta between April and June. Peak water levels are usually from mid-June to mid-August, creating those iconic mokoro channels and glittering lagoons.

For more information on this amazing ecosystem visit the National Geographic website.

How Long Should You Stay?

A Botswana safari isn’t just about what you see, but how deeply you experience it. We believe the best time to travel to Botswana is anytime. Depending on your personal preferences you might want to combine several countries, our recommendation is always to travel at a slower pace. Our credo is “less is often more”:

• 5–6 nights: Perfect if you want to focus on one region. Many guests combine this with a visit to Victoria Falls, Cape Town, or even Mozambique’s beaches.

• 7–10 nights: The sweet spot — enough time to explore two to three different ecosystems such as the Okavango, Linyanti or Savuti, and the Kalahari or Makgadikgadi.

• 12–14 nights: For those who want it all. This allows a deeper dive into Botswana, usually we recommend to start in the Falls (Zimbabwe or Zambia), continue across the border to Chobe and then dive deeper into two or three different regions like Moremi / Khwai, the Okavango Delta and of time and budget allows the Linyanti or Makgadikgadi Salt Pans.

Our top tip? Slow down. The longer you linger in one place, the more relaxed you feel, the better your sightings, and the richer the safari becomes.

Family Safaris in Botswana

Botswana is wonderfully family-friendly, with many camps welcoming children from six years and older (some even younger, with special arrangements). Some activities like walking and mokoros are not suitable for kids of a younger age, we will make recommendations depending on how old your children are to make sure you have the time of your life.

There’s something truly magical about experiencing Africa as a family. We’ve had the joy of organising many family safaris, and our guests are often surprised at just how special it feels — slowing down, reconnecting, and sharing unforgettable moments with loved ones in the wild.

We recommend a gentler pace, expert guides who make children feel at home, and camps with spacious family units designed with comfort and togetherness in mind. A safari isn’t just a holiday — it’s an adventure your family will remember for a lifetime.

Ready to Start Planning?

At Safari Specialists, we believe the magic of Botswana is best experienced at a slower pace. That’s why our curated safari collection includes a wide variety of itineraries — from shorter journeys that combine Botswana with highlights like Victoria Falls, Namibia, or Cape Town, to longer explorations that immerse you deeply in the Okavango, Linyanti, and the Kalahari or the Makgakgadi Salt Pans.

Whether you’re dreaming of a pure Botswana adventure or a safari that spans across several of our destinations our team is happy to create the perfect itinerary for you.  We’ll help you design a journey that balances time, budget, and expectations — always with the goal of making your safari both seamless and unforgettable.

Explore our Safari Collection and contact us on info@safarispecialists.net or reach out on our “Live Chat” on our website to chat to one of our specialists in real time.