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When to go

Best time to visit Central Kalahari

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

Central Kalahari in January

Wet Season — one of the best times to visit

  • Day and night temperatures are high with moderate humidity, rainfall is at its peak for this desert environment.

  • January welcomes in the birth of the next generation towards the end of the month.

  • A time of high activity amongst the predators as they take full advantage of the walking buffet.

  • Vegetation is green, wild flowers are in bloom and birds are in their breeding plumage.

Central Kalahari in February

Wet Season — one of the best times to visit

  • Day and night temperatures are high with moderate humidity, rainfall is at its peak for this desert environment.

  • The perfect time to view the newborns, as they find their wobbly feet.

  • A time of high activity amongst the predators as they take full advantage of the naive newborns.

  • Vegetation is green, wild flowers are in bloom and birds are in their breeding plumage.

  • During the green season there are more insects and mosquitoes around, luring out a host of unique insectivores.

Central Kalahari in March

Wet Season — one of the best times to visit

  • There is low humidity with high temperatures, rainfall begins to drop with shorter periods of bad weather.

  • The ideal time to visit the Central Kalahari, plenty of game to view with high predator activities.

  • Wildlife is in pristine condition, migratory birds are present and enjoying the lush green vegetation.

  • Unique desert flowering species, barking gecko's and the chirping rain locusts make an unusual but fascinating change to the more traditional safari.

  • During the green season there are more insects and mosquitoes around, luring out a host of unique insectivores.

Central Kalahari in April

Wet Season — a good time to visit

  • Temperatures are still high in April, with rain taking the form of irregular afternoon showers.

  • The end of the wet season has arrived, as long as there is grazing and water available, wildlife will remain in the area.

  • Vegetation dries and thins, providing the perfect conditions and opportunities to view the area's wildlife.

  • Clarity improves for photography, showcasing the breath-taking landscapes of this wonderfully different wilderness.

Central Kalahari in May

Dry Season — a good time to visit

  • May is a transition month, temperatures begin to drop from the extremes and rain is almost nonexistent.

  • Water sources begin to dry, animal densities drop but there are still interesting encounters with the unique resident species.

  • Great time to enjoy the bushman experience, with an arid landscape, clear blue skies and moderate temperatures.

  • Clarity improves for photography, showcasing the breath-taking landscapes of this true wilderness.

Central Kalahari in June

Dry Season — a good time to visit

  • Temperatures are comfortable but have dropped considerably at night, with morning frost on occasion, rainfall dry's up.

  • The animals are spread out over large areas, but this is a good month to view the many unique desert species not often seen elsewhere in Botswana.

  • Great time to enjoy the bushman experience with clear blue skies and moderate temperatures.

  • The air is thin and still, creating the perfect time to photograph the unique local species, as well as the inspiring landscapes.

  • The night sky is at its most impressive, with shooting stars and the Milky Way taking centre stage.

  • Dont forget to pack a warm jacket for this time of year.

Central Kalahari in July

Dry Season — a good time to visit

  • Nights are cold with occasional frost, day temperatures are comfortable and rainfall dry's up.

  • The animals are spread out over large areas, but this is a good month to view the many unique desert species not often seen elsewhere in Botswana.

  • Great time to enjoy the bushman experience with clear blue skies and moderate temperatures.

  • The air is thin and still, creating the perfect time to photograph the unique local species, as well as the inspiring landscapes.

  • The night sky is at its most impressive, with shooting stars and the Milky Way taking centre stage.

  • Pack a warm jacket for the chilly early mornings and night time.

Central Kalahari in August

Dry Season — a good time to visit

  • The coldest night temperatures have passed, with the daylight hours warming considerably, rain is still very unlikely.

  • The animals are spread out over large areas, but this is a good month to view the many unique desert species not often seen elsewhere in Botswana.

  • There are very few insects and mosquitoes around during this time of year.

  • The air is thin and still, creating the perfect time to photograph the unique local species, as well as the inspiring landscapes.

  • The night sky is at its most impressive, with shooting stars and the Milky Way taking centre stage.

  • Don't forget to pack a warm jacket for this time of year.

Central Kalahari in September

Dry Season — a good time to visit

  • Temperatures start to climb, with rain being unlikely in the month of September.

  • The animals are spread out over large areas, but this is a good month to view the many unique desert species not often seen elsewhere in Botswana.

  • There are very few insects and mosquitoes around during this time of year.

  • The air is thin and still, creating the perfect time to photograph the unique local species, as well as the inspiring landscapes.

  • The night sky is at its most impressive, with shooting stars and the Milky Way taking centre stage.

  • Pack a warm jacket for the chilly early mornings and night time.

Central Kalahari in October

Dry Season — a quieter time to visit

  • Temperatures reach their peak with humidity starting to climb towards the end of the month, it is unlikely that the rains will fall in October over the Kalahari.

  • The dry landscape will burst into life should the first rains arrive, animals move back into the area as it becomes more hospitable.

  • Wildlife is in need of rain after the dry season, spread over large distances, survival is an everyday struggle.

  • An interesting month for photography, there is high humidity, with the landscape at its most extreme before the arrival of the first rains.

Central Kalahari in November

Wet Season — a good time to visit

  • Temperatures are hot and relatively humid with the first rains of the year falling in the form of afternoon showers.

  • This can be difficult to predict as weather can come early or late depending on the year.

  • This is the start of the 'green season' with wildlife migrating back into the game reserve to feed on the newly shooting grasses.

  • Insects become more prevalent at this time of year but remain lower than other parts of Botswana.

  • Known for interesting cloud formations and spectacular electrical storms illuminate the nights sky.

Central Kalahari in December

Wet Season — one of the best times to visit

  • Temperatures are hot and relatively humid with rain falling in the form of afternoon showers.

  • This is the start of the 'green season' with wildlife migrating back into the game reserve to feed on the newly shooting grasses.

  • Migratory birds have returned, creating a hive of activity as they display for the opposite sex.

  • Insects become more prevalent at this time of year but remain lower than other parts of Botswana.

  • Known for interesting cloud formations and spectacular electrical storms illuminate the nights sky.

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