The Okavango has two calendars running at once. The rain falls locally from roughly November to March. The flood, which comes from rain in Angola months earlier, arrives in Botswana from around April and peaks between June and August. The result: the delta is at its fullest when the rest of Botswana is at its driest — which is exactly why wildlife pours in.
The short answer: June to October for classic game viewing and high water, and November to March for birds, newborns, green landscapes and lower prices.
The Okavango Delta month by month
| Month | Day / night | Water | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 31 / 19 °C | Low, rising locally | Green season: storms, birds, newborns |
| February | 30 / 19 °C | Low | Lush and hot; lowest prices |
| March | 30 / 17 °C | Rising | End of the rains; quiet and good value |
| April | 29 / 13 °C | Rising | Shoulder season; flood arrives in the north |
| May | 27 / 8 °C | High | Cool, clear; a great-value shoulder month |
| June | 25 / 6 °C | Peak | Flood peaks; cold mornings, excellent game |
| July | 25 / 5 °C | Peak | Prime time — busiest and priciest |
| August | 28 / 8 °C | High | Superb wildlife; dry and dusty |
| September | 33 / 13 °C | Receding | Hot days, concentrated game |
| October | 35 / 18 °C | Receding | Very hot; dramatic predator action |
| November | 33 / 19 °C | Low | First rains; migratory birds arrive |
| December | 32 / 19 °C | Low | Green season begins; calving season |
Temperatures are typical averages for Maun and vary from year to year; water levels depend on rainfall in Angola.
Dry season & high water: June to August
This is the Okavango’s signature season. The flood fills the channels and floodplains, mokoro trips run everywhere, and wildlife concentrates along the water as the surrounding bush dries out. The days are sunny and pleasant, but mornings and nights are cold — often close to freezing in June and July. It is also the most expensive and busiest time; book well ahead.
Late dry season: September to October
The water begins to recede, the heat builds (October regularly exceeds 35 °C) and animals crowd around the remaining pools. Game viewing can be spectacular, especially for predators. Some mokoro areas become shallow.
Green season: November to March
The rains bring afternoon storms, green landscapes and thousands of migratory birds. Many antelope give birth, attracting predators. The flood is at its lowest, so water activities are limited in some areas and some tracks are muddy. The reward: much lower prices and far fewer visitors. Malaria risk is higher.
Shoulder season: April to May
The rains end, the flood starts to arrive and temperatures are pleasant. Wildlife is more dispersed, but prices are lower than in peak season and the light is beautiful. Excellent value.
Best time for…
- Mokoro trips: May to September, when the water is high.
- Game drives and predators: July to October.
- Birdwatching: November to March, when migrants arrive.
- Chobe elephants: August to October.
- Makgadikgadi zebra migration: the rains (December–April) on the pans, the dry season along the Boteti.
- Victoria Falls: March to May for volume, August to December for views and Devil’s Pool.
