Botswana Travel Forum

Kia ora, travellers.
we are a couple of hardy, experienced, older travellers who will be spending two weeks in botswana in the Okavango, Chobe, Maun and on to Luangwa etc in July. We have been told it can be "very cold" at this time but are not sure what this really means. We are very limited in the luggage we can take so don't want to take heavy clothes if we don't really need them but do want to be warm enough, of course. Has anyone travelled there at this time of the year? We'd be grateful for any advice.

Trying to predict the weather can be difficult because of local on the day variations.
This information should be used as a guide only.
Here is the average weather for Botswana for this time of year.
Enjoy your holiday.

July
High 76f / 24c
Low 48f / 9c

Not bad during the day but cooler in the evening, you may need sweaters or a coat.

In my time in Southern Africa I have found "very cold" to be a relative term. I've been to Zimbabwe and South Africa a few times during their winter (in June) and the temperature has dropped to about 7-8 C. For me, this is not very cold, but if you are used to a warm climate OR if you are sleeping outdoors, it can be. If you are camping, you will need to bring warm clothes for nighttime.

You can have a look here:

http://www.wunderground.com/global/stations/68032.html

It will get relatively cold at night as previously said. A couple of layers (light jacket, long sleeve shirts) should do you. I always take a fleece blanket in my luggage. Takes up zero space and weight and is great for packing breakable souvenirs on the way back.

Have a great time!

Its really not freezing cold but the perception that its really cold is due to the fact that you would be staying a tent or campsite without heating. Sleeping in the cold at 2-6 c all night would really chill you out. Sometimes though when there is big cold front the temperature could go down to -6 c.

Its a totally different thing if you sleep in a heated tent or room and its -2 c outside. You wont feel the cold too much.

bong

Out in the desert at night the temperatures can fall to below freezing. When that's contrasted with a mild, sunny, crisp daytime that feels might cold. The winter is a good time to visit though because it's dry and vegetation is low so game viewing is good.

Most people wear layers peeling them off as it warms during the daytime.
Have a great trip.
Mike