The most outstanding feature of Botswana’s geography is the flat, verdant expanse of the Okavango Delta, often called the jewel of Africa, which flows into the pans of the Kalahari Desert, creating a fertile habitat for wildlife at certain times of the year.

The seasons in Botswana are reversed to ours in the United states, as it is deep in the southern hemisphere so that the warmest time there is winter here. Thus the best time to avoid the heat as well as the rainy season is April to October. Two of the world’s most acclaimed riding safaris are in the heart of the Delta: the Okavango Safari and Discover the Delta. The flat terrain is ideal for fast canters where one sometimes raises a cloud of spray in the shallow water and the area teems with wild game including many kinds of antelope, Cape buffalo, lion and crocodile.

Though the Okavango has a unique appeal there is excellent riding and game viewing in other parts of the country as well. You can spend a week on the Tuli Safari in the southwest where Botswana borders Zimbabwe and South Africa riding over a hundred miles in a huge game reserve with thriving populations of giraffe, kudu and sable antelope to name a few. There are also chances to view game like lion and cheetah from vehicles. The Kalahari Ride offers a fascinating view of another aspect of this diverse country. The wide open pans are ideal terrain for thrilling gallops and the semi-desert savannah is home to a wide array of animals from oryx to brown hyena. You can make a close approach to the charming meerkats which have become quite habituated to people. The wildlife is beautifully described in the delightful book by Delia Owens  called THE CRY OF THE KALAHARI.

Botswana is one of Africa’s top destinations for game viewing and is particularly well suited for horse riding safaris. Rated as the most politically stable, least corrupt country in Africa, it has one of the highest per capita GDPs and has probably done a better job of protecting its abundant wildlife than any other country on the continent. There is little poaching and it has the largest elephant herd in Africa which is free to roam unimpeded for hundreds of miles. Almost a quarter of the country has been set aside for national parks and tourism is an important part of the economy. A great financial advantage is rich gem diamond mines; after Russia it is the world’s largest producer.

  Peak Season

May, June, July , August, September, October


  Low Season

January, February, March, April, November, December


  Timezone in Botswana

Central Africa Time (GMT+2)


  International Airports

Maun Airport (MUB)


Climate in Botswana

The climate over most of southern Africa is temperate. Annual average rainfall is 400mm (16 inches), most of which is convectional in nature (heavy thunderstorms of short duration in the late afternoon and evening) and falls during the hot summer months (November–February).  Temperatures vary considerably on a seasonal basis.  During the winter months (May – August) early morning temps can drop as low as 41° F.  The days are, however, usually clear skied and balmy, with temperatures in the mid to high seventies. In the height of summer (October through February) midday temperatures can reach 106° F.  However, overcast and cloudy conditions typical of this time of the year, do offer some relief.  Fall (March through April) is climatically a very pleasant time of the year with moderate temperatures and perhaps a bit of rain – a leftover from the summer.

  Average Temperature

105 °F » 40 °F


 

Browse 4 Trips in the destination Botswana

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Okavango Safari

A luxury safari in the Okavango delta, an oasis teeming with an astonishing variety of bird, animal and plant life. Enjoy excellent riding with amazing wildlife sighting, with every... Read more

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Tuli Safari

This is a classic point-to-point horse safari in Botswana covering approximately 120 miles in the vast Mashatu Game Reserve in the Tuli Block. Mashatu is a privately owned wildlife... Read more

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Discover the Delta

Recently declared the 1000th World Heritage Site, the unique Okavango Delta is a horse rider’s Eden: as the floodwaters spread down into the Kalahari sands, the herds and bird... Read more

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African Explorer

Horseback riding in South Africa and Botswana includes good riding on two private game reserves, fine accommodations and evening meals around the campfire, making for a genuinely unforgettable African... Read more

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At the end of our trip, we spent 2 nights at a luxurious lodge in Kruger National Park, and despite the luxurious accommodations and 5 star facilities, it didn't come close to comparing to our experience in Botswana. In fact, after being on horseback for 10 days, the jeep safaris seemed too passive (almost boring), and even though we could view the animals at incredibly close distances because they are so acclimated to people, we found this a bit odd, almost like they weren't wild animals any more. Bottom line is that if I return to southern Africa, I will definitely return to the Okavango and I think I'd have to go by horse again.

Kathleen Deutsch

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