This is part of our global guide to the Best Places to Go in 2024—find more travel inspiration here.
The best times of year to visit beautiful Botswana
26.10.2023 - 16:41 / lonelyplanet.com
From the watery wilderness of the Okavango Delta to the sweeping semi-arid savanna of the Kalahari Desert and the lunar-like salt pans of Makgadikgadi, Botswana offers superb wildlife-watching year-round.
The best time to visit Botswana depends on what you want to see, which parks you hope to visit and your budget. Do you long to see endangered African wild dogs, lion prides on the hunt or one of the largest migrations in Africa? Perhaps you dream of drifting along reed-fringed waterways on a mokoro (narrow dugout canoe) or bouncing over glittering salt pans on a quad bike? Would you rather avoid the crowds? Do you plan to take your kids?
Don't underestimate how hot and dusty it can be during the dry season, how easy it is to get stuck in the mud when it rains or how bone-chillingly cold desert nights can get. But whatever the time of year, the wild creatures and epic landscapes here will blow your mind.
Spectacular wildlife spotting, bone-dry weather and Northern Hemisphere school vacations combine to make July and August the busiest months in Botswana. In June and July, meanwhile, campsites fill up with safari-loving South Africans.
The dry winter season runs roughly from April to October, with endless blue skies, warm days and cold nights. June through August are the coolest months (around 25°C/77°F), and temperatures can drop below freezing at night, with stellar stargazing in the Makgadikgadi Pan. This is also when the flood peaks in the Okavango Delta. In July and August, the delta water surface area can swell to three times that of nonflooding periods. At the height of the dry season, wildlife congregates around these seasonally high flood waters and at permanent water sources such as the Kwando River and Chobe River; roads and tracks throughout the country are easier to navigate than in the rainy season. There are no mosquitos, so it's a good time for family adventures.
From September, the heat gradually builds, reaching its peak in October when the mercury can hit 40°C (104°F).
The barbel run occurs in the Okavango Panhandle at this time of year too, when water levels start to drop after winter's floods. As the river recedes, barbel fish flush out small baitfish from the papyrus, chasing and trapping them against reed beds in a carnivorous fish frenzy, followed by countless hungry birds. The timing varies yearly depending on the flood but typically occurs between September and October.
The shoulder-season months are a time of transition between the wet and dry seasons, meaning the weather can be unpredictable. Still, Botswana never has shortage of wildlife action, and lodges often reduce their prices, making trips in this period a great value for money.
From December to March, the summer rains –
The website maxtravelz.com is an aggregator of news from open sources. The source is indicated at the beginning and at the end of the announcement. You can send a complaint on the news if you find it unreliable.
Top Autors
Popular Topics
cntraveler.com
08.11.2023 / 00:13
Sleeping Under the Stars on a Mobile Safari Through Botswana
I have been watching a pride of nine lions slowly waking up from their siesta. The adolescent siblings playfully nudge one another. One stretches against a log, reminding me of my dog back home, almost prompting me to hop out of the open-sided Land Rover and get closer. But then I catch a glimpse of a paw the size of my head, with claws so sharp they could slice through mosquito netting with no effort at all, and I’m reminded that this is Botswana’s Moremi Game Reserve, home to a rich array of wildlife like bush elephants, leopards, plains zebra, giraffe—and I am just a guest here.
cntraveler.com
02.11.2023 / 21:39
This New 80-Day Rail Trip Is an Epic, Round-the-World Journey Aboard 7 Luxury Trains
Imagine taking nearly three months to meander across Africa, Asia, Europe, and North America, reveling in the romantic atmosphere of first-class train travel all the while. From your individual suite on board—or a seat in a gleaming bar car—you’d soak in the unique landscapes of each continent that whoosh past your window, making stops to explore historical marvels, UNESCO World Heritage Sites, and picturesque cities.
lonelyplanet.com
01.11.2023 / 10:27
Botswana with kids
Botswana makes for a memorable trip with kids. From quad biking across Makgadikgadi Salt Pans to encounters with elephants, lions, and giraffes, few countries can match it for variety.
insider.com
01.11.2023 / 00:21
Here are the best travel TikTokers you must follow for cost-saving tips and inspiring adventures
While Instagram has long been the hotspot for influencers posting their luxurious travels to faraway destinations, TikTok is slowly dominating this space. The hashtag for "travel" videos has amassed over 220 billion views.
lonelyplanet.com
31.10.2023 / 14:29
How to get around in Botswana, from 4WD safaris to canoe tours
Botswana is famed for its enormous expanses of pristine wilderness that have been given over to fence-free national parks and private game reserves, allowing its abundant wildlife to roam free. But what’s the best way to explore the country?
lonelyplanet.com
30.10.2023 / 17:07
The best times to visit Bali based on your travel goals
With awe-inspiring scenery, dense layers of culture, plenty of sun, surf and sand, and balmy temperatures year-round, Bali calls out like a beacon to adventurers, sun-seekers, and travelers who like to truly immerse themselves in the countries they visit. Whatever your travel tastes, you'll find rewarding things to see and do in Bali at any time of year.
forbes.com
30.10.2023 / 13:37
New Survey Highlights The World’s Ten Most Popular Natural Wonders
Which natural wonders are most sought after by travelers? The experts at Titan Travel have noted the popularity of world-famous natural wonders on Instagram and TikTok, as well as Google search volumes and Tripadvisor, to reveal the world’s natural wonders perceived as most worthy of a visit.
lonelyplanet.com
30.10.2023 / 07:11
When is the best time to visit Sri Lanka?
If anywhere deserves the title of a true year-round destination, it’s Sri Lanka.
lonelyplanet.com
29.10.2023 / 19:47
The 8 best road trips in Botswana
Flying in for a few nights at a splendid luxury lodge is a marvelous way to see the remote corners of beautiful Botswana, but to truly enjoy this country’s monumentally wild spirit, it’s all about taking to the open road.
lonelyplanet.com
29.10.2023 / 15:55
The best time to visit Bolivia
From towering mountains and semi-arid forests to serene salt flats, from the jungles of the Amazon to some of the highest cities in the world, Bolivia has a lot to offer – and the weather patterns to match.
breakingtravelnews.com
29.10.2023 / 07:41
Eight locations across the globe are named Wildlife Heritage Areas
World Animal Protection and World Cetacean Alliance have launched a new global program, working in coalition with responsible travel businesses and wildlife charities, to forever change the way people view and understand wildlife.