Northern Botswana Safari calendar

The bush is alive with activities.

 

March

• in Moremi game reserve, the Marula trees are fruiting which attracts bull elephants who wander from tree to tree in search of their favorite meals.
• hear the calls of the last of the migratory birds before they move to the northern hemisphere.
• witness hundreds of zebras and wildebeests moving through the Savuti marshland to Chobe river front.

Temperatures are still warm both day and night but the air is drier and the rains are less frequent.

 

April

• the trees have completed flowering and fruit is ripening over with massive sausages hanging from sausage trees.
• the impala Rut is in full swing and the impala noise continues throughout with the major clashes between rival males.
• baboons are often seen with impalas as they assist with safety.

Temperatures drop to 20 degrees but day time temperature rises up to 38 in some days.

 

May

• breeding herds of elephants increases in density as they visit the permanent water holes.
• buffaloes begin to group into large herds and visit water holes, move often as the seasonal pans start to dry up.
• flood waters from Angola start to reach the top of Okavango delta and begin their slow, deliberate progress through the delta.

Rains are over and the nights are cooler with temperatures averaging to 15 with day times rising to 35, jackets or something warm is advisable for night drives.

 

June

• most water holes are drying up across the region.
• the African wild dogs begins to search for their dens.
• animals and their predators are now concentrating at permanent water holes, as ND it’s exciting time in Botswana.

Temperatures have dropped to their coldest by the end of the month, with night temperatures reducing as low as 5. It’s very cold on early morning drives. Day time temperatures rise up to a comfortable 25

 

July

• soft early morning and evening, golden light combines with to provide excellent photo opportunities.
• the floods arrive in the Okavango delta after a slow path from the wet Angolan highland, thousand of kilometers away.
• mokoro and board trips became more exciting as new places can now be accessed.
• a special time of the the year.

The weather became typical in Botswana, sunny and clear skies. The days are marginally warmer and the nights are cold.

 

August

• birds such as herons and storks start to concentrate at Gadikwe and Xobega heronry island in the Okavango delta.
• limited space near water leads to tension between breeding birds of elephants.
• animal herds are getting larger.

The weather is warming up, even at night, with day time peaking up to 30 and night times rising to +10 or -10 degrees.

 

September

• carmine bee eaters and other migratory birds returns from winter ground.
• Okavango delta water starts to drop as water from Angola starts to subside
• the predators are busy as the season takes its toll.
• the sun shines the skies and it’s extremely dry.

Night temperatures rise to 15 and day time to 20 degrees Celsius.

 

October

• the Gadikwe and Xobega islands are in full swing of activities with thousands  of birds, breeding and beating.
• the pervading dust makes all scenes dramatic
• most antelopes and big games are expecting young ones.
• game viewing is exceptionally wonderful.

The hottest and most dryer month of Botswana, temps rising up to 28 by night and up to 45 degrees Celsius by day.

 

November to February

From November to February it’s rain season and hence less people go on vacation, but we will still do safaris if there’s booking.