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When to go
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Botswana
One of the best times to visit is undoubtedly springtime (September to October), when the migrant bird species start appearing and the country’s thorny flora is in full bloom. However, weatherwise, September/October is the hottest and most humid time of the year in most of the country.
The flooding of the Okavango Delta from late December through to March (Botswana’s summer time) is a time of plenty, although it’s one of the worst times to travel. Prolonged rains can render 4WD tracks impassable and may also force the closure of the Chobe National Park and Moremi Game Reserve. Some lodges operating in and around the Okavango, Moremi and Chobe also shut up shop from December to February.
By autumn (March and April) the flood waters have reached the upper Delta. Days are clear, dry and sunny, but nights are cold. This is a great time for viewing wildlife as the animals rarely wander far from water sources. As autumn waxes into winter (May to August), the flood waters pass along the delta, usually reaching Maun some time towards the end of June. In the Kalahari, temperatures below freezing are normal at night-time, especially in July and August.
One final thing to keep in mind are the busy school holiday periods: ie about two weeks in April, one month around July and September and two months in December/January.
Namibia
Namibia’s desert hinterland is dry and arid although generally the mountainous Central Plateau (including Windhoek) is a bit cooler than the rest of the country. With 300 days of sunshine a year there isn’t really a ‘best’ time to visit Namibia. Having said that, the dry season from May to October is a good time for viewing wildlife. During these months you can expect clear, sunny days averaging around 25°C and cold desert nights. However, between June and August, the coastal towns of Swakopmund and Walvis Bay are subject to warm east winds which often create miserable sandstorm conditions.
There are two rainy seasons, the ‘little rains’ from October to December and the main rainy period from January to April. The latter is characterised by brief showers and occasional thunderstorms. January temperatures in Windhoek can soar to 40°C, and from December to March, Namib-Naukluft Park and Etosha National Park become very hot, which means that some of the long hiking trails are closed.
In the north, rainfall steadily increases, reaching its maximum of over 600mm per year along the Okavango River, which enjoys a subtropical climate. From January to March, the northeastern rivers of the Caprivi Strip may flood, making some roads either impassable or hard to negotiate.
School holidays are another busy period and places such as Swakopmund, are booked solid over Christmas and Easter.
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