5 Reasons To Visit Botswana During The Green Season

5 min

Author: Jemima Forbes

With a wealth of national parks – from the lush Okavango Delta to the arid lowlands of the Central Kalahari – it’s no surprise that Botswana is one of Africa’s most popular safari destinations.

June to September is traditionally considered the best time to visit Botswana: the weather is drier, temperatures cooler and animals are usually easier to spot in the sparse undergrowth. But if you want to experience this beautiful nation in an entirely different light, consider going in the green season (or wet season) between October and March instead. We sat down with our Southern Africa expert, Anja Füssel, who traveled there recently, to discover why this season is one of Botswana’s best-kept travel secrets.

1Enjoy great wildlife sightings

During Botswana’s dry season, animals trek for miles to find watering holes, but the green season is significantly more abundant. Heavy rains and dramatic storms infuse life into the landscape, particularly in arid locations like the Kalahari Salt Pans. With more greenery and water to go around, animals roam around the wilderness in herds. You might witness the great migration of zebras, as huge herds of these majestic creatures journey from north to south to graze on fresh ground. 

Many animals birth their young during the green season too. You can expect to see numerous baby animals in Botswana’s game reserves, from playful zebras to adorable adolescent antelopes. On Anja’s most recent trip, she even got to see teenage lion clubs! New life also signals a host of new predators. As is the ‘circle of life’, it’s not unusual to witness lions, cheetahs and wild dogs circling the vulnerable young in the hopes of securing their next meal. 

2Birders will have a lot to look forward to

Botswana is well-known for its impressive birdlife with over 400 bird species soaring across its skies during this season. Between October and March, many birds migrate from Asia, Europe and other areas of Africa to Botswana’s lush grasslands to nest and breed. Colorful kingfishers, swooping kites and noisy cuckoos can be glimpsed all along the meandering Chobe River. Other locations where you can expect a bounty of birdlife include the immense plains of the Okavango Delta and the wild wetlands of Savuti and Linyanti.

3The…