sca9

How cold does it get in Botswana in June? I am thinking of doing a 16-day camping "participation" safari through Botswana in early June-- but I'm concerned that nights will be too cold to camp in a tent. Would it be better to postpone my trip until August?

raelond

I am going to Botswana this June with Wilderness staying in tents. The nights can be cold and I plan to take thermal underwear to sleep in. Game drives in early morning and evening will be cool to cold and a warm jacket, hat and gloves are advised. However, during the day it should warm up nicely to between 70 to 78F (20-25C). Bring clothes that you can layer. I would rather have cool, crisp nights and warm days, than hot and humid.

Lin

sca9, I have read that June is the coldest month in Botswana. (I'm going this June.) I was there in July of 2004 and July/Aug of 2005, and IT WAS REALLY COLD at night. Still, the beds are warm. You just have to be prepared for (1) getting up and dressed without heat - I always kept my clothes for the next day under the blankets so they'd be warm when I put them on (2) beginning of morning game drive and end of evening game drive - bring your winter coat, a hat and scarf and gloves. You will take them off in about 2 hours in the morning. At night you'll probably put them on after sunset. But in my opinion, you definitely need more than a jacket. (3) If you need to use the toilet in the middle of the night, it'll be cold!! Don't drink too much before bedtime ha ha!

During breakfast and dinner there'll be a fire and you'll be fine. Daytime is nice and warm, can be 70s-80s F. You'll probably shower during the middle of the day since morning and night are too cold.

But do not let the cold crisp nights stop you. It's all incredibly worth it. If you're prepared with the correct clothing, and willing to endure a few minutes of discomfort here and there, you'll have an experience you'll never forget.

jcasale

We were in Botswana in late June last year and it was surprisingly nice. Yes, the nights were a bit chilly, but I was so warm in the tent that I had to throw off the down comforter. Obviously we were not roughing it - we stayed in a permanent tented facility with the Hemingway style tents. Still, I imagine in a "participation" safari you will still have a nice toasty sleeping bag. I brought long underwear for sleeping in and I stayed quite warm. In the mornings I put on layers and I did wear mittens on some of the mornings. By 9 or so I was starting to shed layers. By mid day most days I was down to shorts and a t-shirt or even tank top one day. So, your guess is as good as mine, but I found June to be quite nice weather-wise and the viewing was fabulous.

kitso

Found this chart of averadge monthly temp on http://www.safaris-botswana.info/luxury_safari.htm
It shows June as min 6 to max 25 in June.

sca9

Thanks for all the tips! I'll definitely get some long underwear and bring my coat, hats, and gloves (I'm from Minneapolis, so I've got a lot of those.)

What about August-- is it really that much warmer in August? Should I bother postponing my trip until then? I can get better airfare if I go in June...

Lin

August is still winter and as I said in my previous post, still cold. I'm sure there could be a warm spell but just as easily a cold spell so it's best to be prepared. In August it was in the 40's at night, which isn't THAT bad esp if you're from Minneapolis! But it'll still be chilly upon waking and when driving with the wind in your face.

Lin

jcasale, What camps were you in in Botswana last June, where you say the game viewing was fabulous?

DJE

sca9,

Also remember to take along your sun hat on all the game drives. As mentioned by others it does warm up considerably later in the morning and throughout the afternoon and it's very easy to get a sunburn, so sunscreen and a sun hat are essential.

Another advantage of the cold temps. is the decrease in insects. I don't recall seeing any mosquitos on our trip to Botswana during the month of July.

sca9

Thanks for the tip on mosquitos! It's great to know that there are fewer mosquitos in the winter months-- I'm normally a magnet for mosquitos and I was dreading the head-to-toe itching!