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When to go

Best time to visit Central Okavango

Excellent
Good
Mixed
Best months: June–October · Wet season: January–April, November–December · Dry season: May–October

Central Okavango in January

Wet Season — a good time to visit

  • This is the wettest month of the year with an average of just 10 days of rain expected, providing a unique experience in this lush landscape.

  • Incredible birding and the start of the birthing season, providing excellent game viewing with high predator excitement.

  • The vegetation is lush and green, animals are in presine condition and birds are in full breeding plumage providing incredible photographic opportunities.

  • Make sure you have your insect repellent packed, the wet season is also mosquito season.

Central Okavango in February

Wet Season — a good time to visit

  • This time of year is the height of the wet season, on average rain falls only a couple of days a week, leaving plenty of time to explore this lush green paradise.

  • Good game viewing with high predator excitement during the birthing season.

  • The vegetation is lush and green, animals are in presine condition and birds are in full breeding plumage, providing incredible photographic opportunities.

  • Keep your insect repellent handy, particular in the early morning and late evening, as this is mosquito season.

Central Okavango in March

Wet Season — a good time to visit

  • March is still relatively hot and considerably drier than January and February, expect sporadic afternoon showers.

  • Still good predator excitement with many young antelope learning the harsh lessons of an unforgiving wilderness.

  • A great time for land based explorations with water based activities only available at a handful of camps.

  • Be sure to pack mosquito repellent at this time of year.

Central Okavango in April

Wet Season — a good time to visit

  • Temperatures start cooling with a handful of rainy days at the end of the wet season, welcoming in the floods from the North, indicating the start of the Delta flooding.

  • As birds look to migrate, game starts to make its way back into the region as other water sources become more scarce.

  • A great time of year to explore the Delta wilds by land before the flood waters rise too high.

  • Mosquito's are still around but not as prevalent, pack your insect repellent just in case.

Central Okavango in May

Dry Season — a good time to visit

  • The perfect time for delta explorations, flooding is approaching its peak towards the end of the month, providing the perfect conditions for water based activities.

  • Temperatures are comfortable with little to no rain expected.

  • The ideal time for photography, animals are in their prime after the season of plenty, however migratory birds are beginning to fly North.

  • Mornings and Evenings can be a little nippy at this time of year, a couple of extra layers will surface during the month of May.

Central Okavango in June

Dry Season — one of the best times to visit

  • Flooding is reaching its peak, creating one of the ideal months to visit this watery wonderland.

  • Temperatures are cool with little to no rain expected, making for comfortable safari conditions.

  • Wildlife of every shape and size migrate into the delta, taking advantage of this water source in the dry season.

  • Include a warm jacket in your essentials as morning and evening temperatures are chilly.

Central Okavango in July

Dry Season — one of the best times to visit

  • The height of the water levels are achieved, ensuring a great diversity of activity in the Delta region.

  • Temperatures are warm during the day with little to no rain expected.

  • Enjoy some of the best wildlife viewing on the planet with incredible variation and big game encounters.

  • Pack a warm jacket for the chilly mornings and evenings.

  • Without a cloud in the sky, stargazing is an absolute treat during the month of July.

Central Okavango in August

Dry Season — one of the best times to visit

  • The ideal time to visit this region with plenty of water around, leading to great water and land based safari, depending on your preference.

  • Temperatures are beginning to climb but still very comfortable, with little to no rain expected.

  • Enjoy some of the best wildlife viewing on the planet with incredible variation and big game encounters.

  • Include a warm jacket on your packing list because mornings can be chilly at this time of year.

Central Okavango in September

Dry Season — one of the best times to visit

  • The perfect time to visit the Delta, the flood levels have began their decline, increasing the size of the islands and the weather is ideal for game viewing.

  • Temperatures are warm with midday temperatures climbing, clear blue skies are still to be enjoyed.

  • Home to the best wildlife viewing in Botswana at this time of year, encounter a myriad of species, all on your doorstep.

  • Very few mosquitoes are present during this time of year, making for a carefree safari experience.

Central Okavango in October

Dry Season — one of the best times to visit

  • The flood levels begin to drop with the temperatures and humidity reaching their peak, expect some rainfall in the later days of the month.

  • Excellent wildlife viewing with incredible variation and big game encounters, the animals begin to disperse with the arrival of the rains.

  • Visibility is still good with sparse vegetation, making it easier to spot the animals of this region.

  • A full day in the bush is not recommended during October, as many of the bush species seek refuge from the midday heat.

Central Okavango in November

Wet Season — a good time to visit

  • Temperatures are still hot and humid with the first true rains of the wet season, it should be noted that in most cases rains are just passing afternoon showers.

  • Wildlife will start to disperse with the receding floodwaters, making the delta game viewing exceptionally good, instead of world class.

  • As vegetation becomes green wildlife becomes more difficult to spot but that much more beautiful photograph.

  • Be sure to include a water based camp on your itinerary, ensuring the complete Delta experience.

Central Okavango in December

Wet Season — a good time to visit

  • Temperatures are not as persistent with occasional afternoon showers soothing the heat of the day.

  • The "emerald season" is now in full swing, foliage is green and plentiful, flowers are in bloom and the migratory birds have returned.

  • The readily available water and green vegetation means animals enjoy prime condition, ideal for photographic enthusiasts.

  • Mosquitoes can be an issue at this time of year, be sure to pack some insect repellent.

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