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Wanna know when is the absolute best time to visit Botswana Okavango Delta?
As someone who has visited the Okavango Delta in different seasons, I can share with you when the best time to visit for the ultimate Botswana safari is.
Going on a safari of a lifetime in the Okavango Delta requires careful planning.
Like any traveller, you are probably doing all the research you can on everything you need to have the best Okavango Delta safari possible.
Aside from what to pack for your safari, ‘when to visit the Okavango Delta’ is one of the top questions safari travellers ask.
In this article, you are going to learn about the best time to visit Botswana Okavango Delta, Okavango Delta weather, Okavango Delta April, Okavango Delta in December and more.
After learning about this, you will be able to make an informed decision about when to visit the Okavango Delta Botswana.
This post is all about the best time to visit Botswana Okavango Delta.
Best time to visit Botswana Okavango Delta
The best time to visit Botswana Okavango Delta is without a doubt during the dry season.
As someone who has visited the Okavango Delta in different seasons, I can confidently say that for anyone looking for the best wildlife sightings, excellent weather, and good photography opportunities, I suggest visiting from May to September.
Although Okavango Delta safaris are year-round, when you visit does matter.
Imagine visiting during the rainy season, which, of course, there is nothing wrong with that, and you can definitely do, but you will not have the same experience as someone who visited during the dry season.
I visited in September, and that was the best choice. The weather was pleasant, and the entire trip was just magical.
I saw the highest concentration of wildlife I have ever seen. I saw all the animals I wanted to see except for rhinos.
As I mentioned before, Botswana rhino numbers are critically low, so there is a high chance you will not be able to see them unless you visit Khama Rhino Sanctuary.
Okavango Delta Weather
Although Botswana has two seasons, summer and winter, summer is the majority of the year, and winter is just three months (May, June, July).
In this section, I will group the weather in a way that’s helpful for someone planning a safari to Botswana, as follows,
Dry season
The wildlife viewing is exceptional during these months. I visited the Okavango Delta in December and September, in different years but in the same area. I stayed in Khwai Private Reserve, which is located in the northwest corner of the Okavango Delta.
The difference between these two months was unbelievable. I found myself wondering, ‘Where were all these animals in December?’
Additionally, the weather is nice during the dry season. That is a big deal because Botswana is generally hot, and it can get scorching at the peak of summer.
In short, the best time of the year to visit Okavango Delta is during the dry season.
Green season
The green season, or what you might call Botswana’s summer, comes with lower prices, be it for flights, accommodation, or activities.
Additionally, demand is low; hence, there will be fewer visitors. Botswana camps and lodges slash their prices during the green season.
Okavango Delta April
Did you realise that April was not mentioned in either the green or dry months? This is because April is an absolute gem and deserves its own paragraph. April in the Okavango Delta is underrated.
This transition month offers the best of both worlds: it’s not too hot, it’s not crowded, and prices are still reasonable.
Moreover, wildlife viewing starts peaking, so you will have some great sightings. On top of that, the water levels begin to rise as floodwater from Angola starts creeping in.
That means water safaris start to return. So, if you are torn between visiting in the green season versus the dry season, why not pick April?
Okavango Delta in December
I saw elephants, giraffes, antelopes, wild dogs, and even a leopard, which was exciting. I stayed at Tuludi camp, and it was a dream.
There were very few tourists. It is one of the most impressive safari lodges in Botswana, highly recommend it for anyone looking for a Botswana luxury safari experience.
Oh! Did I mention it is hot, like really hot, with daytime highs of 39 degrees Celsius. Also, December is one of the rainiest months, so there will be heavy showers during your trip.
Okavango Delta in November
If you are thinking of visiting in November, just know that this is the beginning of the rainy season, and rain in Botswana often comes accompanied by thunderstorms.
I understand that some people love the rain and are willing to travel during the rainy season. However, some wildlife will be difficult to spot; self-driving becomes a serious challenge due to muddy roads.
Best time to visit Botswana Okavango Delta: Birdwatching
I sounded so negative about November; however, there are some good things about November. On the positive side, although November marks the start of the rainy season, the rain lasts only briefly throughout the day, followed by sunshine.
Bird watchers are going to love this one. November is actually the best time to visit Okavango Delta for birdwatching.
This is the month when migratory birds return to the delta, and let me tell you from experience, the Okavango Delta is rich with birdlife.
Where is Okavango Delta in Botswana
Your next query might be: “Where is this place?” The Okavango Delta is located in the north-western part of the country, and it is one of the world’s largest inland deltas.
The Okavango Delta is also called the ‘pan handle’ due to its shape. That’s something I learned recently from my safari guide in the Okavango Delta.
Best time to visit Botswana Okavango Delta: How to get there
You can travel to Okavango Delta by flight or by road. However, some parts of the Okavango Delta are so remote that flying is a requirement.
Flying is the quickest and most convenient option, while travelling by road is the most affordable.
