Best Time To Visit Central Kalahari

Climate And Weather Details of Central Kalahari

Though not a desert in its true sense, Central Kalahari experiences a hot desert-like climate. Along with that, the region follows the classic Botswana Safari season pattern. These seasons are:

• The dry season from May to October
• The wet season is from November to April.

Here, we are outlining different months and their associated temperature, rainfall, and characteristic features in the table below:

Falcon’s unveilings:

The dry and wet season of Central Kalahari influences the game viewing experience from year to year and season to season. Let us explain to you, how? The weather variation (rainfall pattern) affects the vegetation pattern which ultimately influences wildlife distribution and availability.

As wildlife viewing timings will always depend on the timing of rainfall, it is advisable to book your with Central Kalahari Safari Packages only careful consideration and necessary interaction with your tour operator.

Seasons Of Central Kalahari

The Central Kalahari seasons remain like the rest of Botswana or Africa. Typically, there are two seasons which we have explained in the above section. The months of May to October, which is the dry season of Central Kalahari are cold and dry. But the temperature keeps on increasing as the dry season progresses and it is usually hot in September and October.

The summers in Central Kalahari begin in November as the rains start pouring in the arid landscape transforming into a green and luscious surrounding. Wildlife will be seen moving around the Central Kalahari around this time. Unlike other Botswana Safari Destinations, the Best Time to Visit Central Kalahari is often considered this period of November to April.

This is because the herds gather in the Kalahari valleys to feed on the lush green grasses that come in plenty just after the rains. Also, wildlife tends to gather around the water filled in the pans to quench their thirst. Also, as herds appear, predators follow.

All this wildlife activity around the Central Kalahari in the wet season makes it the best time. And, not to forget to mention the migratory birds which are an additional highlight to the place which is already teeming with wild animals.

Falcon’s Insight: Although Central Kalahari Safari during the dry season is carried out, still it has its own set of demerits. As wildlife disperses all around the reserve due to scarcity of food and water in the winter, it is difficult to locate them on Kalahari Safari.

Having said that, Kalahari is never devoid of wildlife. They may be difficult to track down, but knowing their habits will certainly help to find them.

Month-To-Month Climatic Variations In Central Kalahari

From all the above discussion, it has been established that Central Kalahari can be visited all year round. So, let’s take you through all the months of Kalahari through this guide.

Central Kalahari in January and February: Wettest Months of Central Kalahari Game Reserve

The days are incredibly hot, but the nights are mild. The rains peak in January and last until May. Travellers on a Botswana Safari often consider January as the Best Time to Visit Kalahari despite it being the wettest month of the year.

Rains continue till February when people must tolerate the long showers and hot humid conditions. Still, February is often considered the Best Time to Visit Central Kalahari particularly if you are interested in safari activities and wildlife sightings. Travellers on Central Kalahari Safari will get to witness antelopes such as springbok, oryx and wildebeests.

Central Kalahari from March to May: Sight elusive wild animals

After the hot summer months, March welcomes the autumn in the Central Kalahari Game Reserve.  The temperature tends to cool down and the atmospheric conditions are more manageable for travellers on Central Kalahari Safari. But remember that rain has still not left the place and there are chances of late rainfall from March to May. Also, with less vegetation around, it is easier to sight elusive wild animals such as leopards, black-maned lions, and cheetahs on Kalahari Safari.

Special Tip for Falcon’s Guests: April and May are often considered the best month for planning Botswana Safari Tours. This is because the rains have pretty much reached a stand-still in the game reserve area and other destinations such as Okavango Delta provide perfect opportunities for safari activities with huge concentrations of animals around.

Therefore, you can choose our Central Kalahari Safari Packages for combined trips to both prominent locations. Or you can simply opt for Botswana Safari Packages around this time for experiencing the best of both places.

Central Kalahari from June, July to August: Rains cease, and safari activities begin.

Winters in Central Kalahari are not as cold as you would imagine. The mornings are good for going out on game drives and temperatures rise later in the day. With little or no rainfall around, these months are ideal for safari activities.

Travellers on Central Kalahari Safari are going to experience immense variation in temperatures throughout the day in June, with cold evenings and warm daytime temperatures.

July is ideal for safari activities in Central Kalahari Game Reserve. Antelopes such as springbok, wildebeest and kudu are on spread throughout the Kalahari and the predators such as lions and cheetahs follow them what you as an adventure lover will get to see is some intense action-packed drama.

August is the peak of the dry season with chilly cold nights that are devoid of moisture. Still, the game-viewing is popular with little grass in dry pan areas which makes space for some thrilling wildlife viewing on Kalahari Safari. Common sightings include small animals such as honey badgers and blacked-backed jackals.

Central Kalahari from September to October: Plants begin to bloom.

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The temperature in Central Kalahari gradually keeps on increasing throughout the month. The days are extremely hot and night temperatures don’t drop below freezing temperatures.

Thus, these times are often considered as a preparatory phase for the wet summer months that will come ahead during Central Kalahari Safaris.  

October denotes spring in Central Kalahari. It also suggests that dry conditions start to dwindle just before the wet summer months and the beginning of the plant blooming season. Still, October is extremely hot in Kalahari allowing you to witness more wildlife during your Central Kalahari Tours.

Central Kalahari in November and December: Best Time to Visit Central Kalahari

The wet summers begin in Central Kalahari in November. The temperatures during the day are high. This extremely hot condition is interspersed by late afternoon thunderstorms. The prevailing weather conditions are responsible for bringing out herds of animals to the localized watering holes to slake their thirst. Also, you are likely to spot lion pride waiting to pounce on ignorant prey.

December marks the mid of the rainy season in the Central Kalahari Game Reserve. Wildlife is often seen congregating around the water resources, which makes it easy to spot them. Despite being the hottest month of the year, a Central Kalahari Safari around this time will let you witness dry landscapes turn into lush green hues.

Falcon’s word of advice: If you are someone who can handle a bit of rain, then only consider Botswana Safari Packages to Central Kalahari around this time.

Best Time to Visit Central Kalahari as per Different Safari Activities

For wildlife viewing, the Best Time To Visit Central Kalahari is the wet season. The same remains for bird-watching activities too. While animals tend to visit the pans fulfilled with water in the wet season, migratory birds also visit the arid savannahs and make them a birding destination in the wet season. This essentially means the wet season of Central Kalahari has got everything that any safari enthusiast would ever like to witness, thus, making it the best time.

Below we have tabulated the popular Things To Do In Central Kalahari and their corresponding best time are also given for our reader’s convenience. Let’s go through them.

Our Suggestions on the Best Time to Visit Central Kalahari

Till now we have gone through all seasons and climate-related aspects for the Best Time to Visit Central Kalahari. Next up, we will give you an overall picture of how your Central Kalahari Safari will treat you like. Let’s take you through the two seasons of Central Kalahari and see what they have in store for you.

Dry Season: May to October

• From a wildlife viewing aspect, April and May is the Best Time to Visit Central Kalahari.
• The weather and climate of Kalahari will treat you well. You will experience cooler days.
• Even, the roads will be in the right conditions and easy to travel.
• High-season rates will be charged at some accommodations from July to October as lodges get busy.
• The atmosphere will be dry, and you will find dust all around during game drives.
• Expect higher rates in accommodation facilities.

Wet Season: November to April

• The pans in the popular Deception Valley area will be filled up with water. This attracts a huge number of wild to congregate around water resources to drink the water. All in all, the Best Time To Visit Kalahari for game-viewing.
• Animals tend to give birth to their young ones around the wet season. Predators of Kalahari are attracted to these young ones.
• Migratory birds are present in the Central Kalahari, making it the best birding time.
• Lodges are quieter and their rates are comparatively lower.
• The weather is hot during the wet season.
• Sometimes road might be muddy and impassable.
• The thunderstorms in the afternoon might interrupt your safari plans.

We hope that by keeping the above points in mind, we are sure that you will have an enjoyable time in Kalahari irrespective of the time of the year you choose to visit.

Experience the Best of Central Kalahari-Visit it in the Best Time

Choosing the Best Time to Visit Central Kalahari is the key factor when it comes to ensuring an enthralling safari experience in this region of Botswana. This is because, unlike other regions, the best time to visit Kalahari is the wet season, although it can always be visited all year round.

So, it always comes down to your preference and liking and what you want from your Botswana Safari Tours to Central Kalahari. Nevertheless, no matter what time of year you visit, you will see wildlife (maybe less or more, but you will see wildlife).

So, if you're planning a trip to Botswana, be sure to check out the Central Kalahari Safari Packages offered by us. Also, for the best outcomes of your safari, you can combine Central Kalahari with nearby safari destinations. For that, don’t forget to check out our Botswana Safari Packages.