Things to Do in Botswana in April

April Weather in Botswana

32°C (90°F) High Temp

18°C (64°F) Low Temp

45 mm (1.8 inches) Rainfall

55% Humidity

Is April Right for You?

Advantages

Exceptional birding season with over 400 species present - migratory birds are still abundant before departing in May, and breeding plumage is at its most spectacular. Carmine bee-eaters create massive colonies along riverbanks, and wetland species congregate in remaining water sources.
Lower accommodation rates compared to peak season (June-October) - expect prices 25-40% cheaper than high season. Many lodges offer 'green season' specials with third-night-free deals or complimentary upgrades, making luxury safari experiences more accessible.
Lush, photogenic landscapes with dramatic storm clouds and vibrant vegetation - the Kalahari transforms into grasslands dotted with wildflowers, and the Delta's waterways reflect stunning sunset colors. This is the most visually diverse time of year, contrasting sharply with the brown, dry winter months.
Fewer tourists at major attractions like Chobe National Park and Moremi Game Reserve - you'll often have sightings to yourself, and lodges operate at 40-60% capacity. This means better service ratios, more flexible game drive timing, and authentic wilderness experiences without vehicle congestion at predator sightings.

Considerations

Wildlife viewing is more challenging than dry season - thick vegetation provides cover for animals, and abundant water sources mean game disperses across wider territories rather than concentrating at predictable waterholes. Predator sightings require more patience and luck.
Some remote areas become inaccessible due to muddy roads - the Makgadikgadi Pans can be impassable after rain, and certain concessions in the Delta may close mobile camps. Self-drive safaris require 4x4 vehicles with high clearance, and recovery equipment is essential.
Afternoon heat can be intense during midday hours - temperatures peak at 32°C (90°F) between 11am-3pm, making game drives uncomfortable without air-conditioned vehicles. The UV index of 9 means sunburn risk is extreme, and heat exhaustion is a real concern for walking safaris during peak hours.

Best Activities in April

Okavango Delta Mokoro Excursions

April offers ideal conditions for traditional dugout canoe trips through the Delta's waterways. Water levels are rising but channels remain navigable without the strong currents of peak flood season. The combination of lush papyrus beds, active birdlife (African jacanas, malachite kingfishers, and pygmy geese are everywhere), and cooler morning temperatures makes this the perfect time for multi-hour paddling trips. Visibility into clear water channels allows you to spot tigerfish, bream, and occasionally crocodiles basking on banks. Unlike the crowded June-August period, you'll encounter minimal boat traffic.

Booking Tip: Book through registered operators offering full-day or half-day trips, typically costing 2,500-4,200 Pula (185-310 USD) per person including park fees and guide services. Reserve 14-21 days ahead as April is when lodges reopen after maintenance closures. Ensure operators provide life jackets, sun protection, and experienced polers who know current water levels. Morning departures (6am-7am) offer best wildlife activity and cooler temperatures. Reference the booking widget below for current mokoro tour options.

Chobe River Sunset Cruises

The Chobe River concentrates massive elephant herds in April as surrounding seasonal pans begin drying up. Afternoon boat safaris (3pm-6pm) offer spectacular viewing of 50-200 elephants crossing the river, bathing, and playing along the Namibian floodplains. Water levels are perfect - high enough for smooth navigation but low enough that wildlife congregates along accessible banks. Hippo pods are active and vocal, and crocodiles are frequently spotted. The golden hour light combined with dramatic April storm clouds creates exceptional photography conditions. Buffalo herds numbering in the hundreds drink at the water's edge.

Booking Tip: Sunset cruises typically cost 800-1,400 Pula (60-105 USD) per person for 2.5-3 hour trips departing from Kasane. Book through licensed operators with vessels holding maximum 12 passengers for better viewing angles - avoid large pontoon boats with 30+ tourists. Reserve 7-10 days ahead. Boats with upper decks provide superior photography positions. Bring binoculars and ensure the operator provides blankets for the return journey as temperatures drop quickly after sunset to 20°C (68°F). Check current river cruise options in the booking section below.

Makgadikgadi Pans Quad Biking

April represents the last opportunity before winter to experience the pans while they still hold shallow water from summer rains, creating mirror-like salt flats that stretch to the horizon. The dramatic contrast between flooded sections and dry crusty surfaces offers unique landscapes. Temperatures are warm but not the scorching 38°C (100°F) of October-November, making 2-3 hour rides comfortable. This is when flamingos arrive in massive flocks (sometimes 20,000+ birds) to breed on Sua Pan, creating pink horizons. Quad biking allows access to areas impossible to reach in regular vehicles, and the firm surface after recent rains provides excellent riding conditions.

Booking Tip: Half-day quad bike adventures typically range 1,800-2,800 Pula (135-210 USD) including equipment, guide, and transfers from Gweta or Nata. Book 10-14 days ahead through operators offering automatic quad bikes (easier for beginners) and safety briefings. Tours run early morning (6am-10am) or late afternoon (3pm-7pm) to avoid midday heat. Ensure operators provide goggles, helmets, and closed-toe shoe requirements. No prior quad biking experience necessary, but inform operators of fitness levels as rides can be physically demanding. See current quad biking options in the booking widget below.

Walking Safaris in Moremi Game Reserve

April's cooler morning temperatures (18-22°C or 64-72°F until 9am) create perfect conditions for guided bush walks. Vegetation is still lush, providing excellent tracking opportunities as animals leave clear spoor in damp ground. Unlike peak season's dusty conditions, April's landscape smells rich and alive. Walking safaris offer intimate encounters with smaller wildlife often missed from vehicles - ground hornbills, dwarf mongooses, and incredible insect diversity. Professional guides teach tracking skills, plant identification, and bush survival techniques. The reduced tourist numbers mean you won't encounter other walking groups, maintaining the authentic wilderness experience.

Booking Tip: Multi-day walking safari packages typically cost 8,500-15,000 Pula (630-1,110 USD) per person per night at mobile tented camps, including all meals, park fees, and armed guide services. Book 30-45 days ahead as walking concessions limit group sizes to 6-8 people maximum. Ensure operators employ guides with minimum 5 years experience and current first aid certification. Walks typically cover 5-8 km (3-5 miles) over 3-4 hours. Minimum age restrictions usually apply (12-16 years depending on operator). Fitness level required is moderate - ability to walk steadily for 90 minutes without breaks. Check current walking safari availability in the booking section below.

Birding Tours in the Okavango Panhandle

April represents peak birding season in Botswana with 400+ species present. The Okavango Panhandle near Shakawe hosts specialties impossible to find elsewhere in southern Africa - slaty egrets (endemic to the Delta), rufous-bellied herons, lesser jacanas, and brown firefinches. Migratory species like European bee-eaters and Wahlberg's eagles are still present before departing in May. Breeding plumage is spectacular, and dawn chorus (5:30am-7am) is at its most intense. The combination of papyrus swamps, riparian forest, and seasonal floodplains creates diverse habitats within small areas. Serious birders can record 150+ species in a single day.

Booking Tip: Specialized birding guides cost 1,200-2,200 Pula (90-165 USD) per person for full-day excursions including boat access to papyrus channels and packed lunch. Book through operators employing guides with Southern African Birding Network certification who provide quality optics (spotting scopes and binoculars). Reserve 14-21 days ahead and specify target species - guides can tailor routes accordingly. Early morning departures (5am) are essential for optimal activity. Multi-day birding packages (3-5 days) offer better value and access to diverse habitats. Bring field guides specific to southern Africa - Roberts Birds of Southern Africa is the regional standard. See current birding tour options in the booking widget below.

Khama Rhino Sanctuary Day Visits

April's moderate temperatures make this community-run sanctuary near Serowe ideal for self-drive or guided game viewing focused on white and black rhino conservation. The 8,585 hectare (21,200 acre) reserve offers guaranteed rhino sightings - something increasingly rare in Africa - along with giraffe, zebra, wildebeest, and over 30 bird species including secretary birds and kori bustards. Unlike the Okavango's dense vegetation, the sanctuary's open terrain ensures excellent visibility. Educational programs explain anti-poaching efforts and community benefits from wildlife tourism. This is Botswana's most accessible wildlife experience for travelers without luxury safari budgets.

Booking Tip: Entry fees are 180 Pula (13 USD) for international visitors, with guided game drives adding 400-600 Pula (30-45 USD) for 2-3 hour excursions. No advance booking required for day visits, but overnight camping or chalet accommodation (600-1,200 Pula or 45-90 USD) should be reserved 7-10 days ahead during April school holidays. Self-drive visitors need 2-3 hours minimum to cover the main loop roads. Guided drives in open safari vehicles offer superior rhino tracking and photography opportunities. Visit early morning (6:30am-9am) or late afternoon (3:30pm-6pm) for most active wildlife. Fuel and supplies available in Serowe, 25 km (15.5 miles) away. Check current sanctuary tour availability in the booking section below.

April Events & Festivals

Mid to Late April (typically third weekend, but confirm specific 2025 dates locally as timing varies)

Maun International Arts Festival

This annual celebration of Botswana's creative community showcases traditional and contemporary art, music, dance, and theater across multiple venues in Maun, the gateway to the Okavango Delta. Local artists display paintings, sculptures, and crafts incorporating traditional San motifs and wildlife themes. Live performances feature Botswana musicians playing traditional instruments like the segaba (stringed instrument) alongside modern Afro-jazz fusion. Food stalls serve local specialties including seswaa (pounded meat), morogo (wild spinach), and bogobe (sorghum porridge). This is an authentic cultural experience rarely attended by international tourists, offering genuine interaction with Botswana's creative community.

April 18-21, 2025 (Good Friday through Easter Monday)

Easter Weekend Celebrations

Easter falls in April 2025 (April 18-21), and Botswana's Christian majority celebrates with church services, family gatherings, and traditional feasts. Major towns like Gaborone, Francistown, and Maun host community events including Easter egg hunts for children and outdoor braais (barbecues). This is a public holiday period when many Batswana travel domestically, meaning popular national parks like Chobe experience increased local visitor numbers. Lodges and camps often prepare special Easter meals featuring traditional dishes alongside international cuisine. Some remote lodges close for staff holidays, so confirm operational status when booking.

Essential Tips

What to Pack

Lightweight, breathable long-sleeved shirts in neutral colors (khaki, olive, tan) - essential for sun protection with UV index of 9 and to prevent tsetse fly bites which are active in April around water sources. Avoid blue and black which attract tsetse flies.

Quality polarized sunglasses - critical for reducing glare on water during mokoro trips and river cruises, and protecting eyes from intense UV radiation. Bring a secure retaining strap as you'll be on boats frequently.

Two pairs of closed-toe walking shoes - one lightweight for game drives and one sturdy pair for walking safaris. April's damp ground means shoes get muddy quickly. Canvas shoes dry faster than leather but provide less ankle support.

Light fleece or windbreaker for early morning game drives and evening boat cruises - temperatures drop to 18°C (64°F) at dawn and after sunset. Open safari vehicles provide no wind protection at 30 km/h (19 mph) driving speeds.

Wide-brimmed hat with chin strap - baseball caps blow off in open vehicles and boats. Wide brims protect neck and ears from sunburn. Chin straps are essential as April winds can be strong, especially on the pans.

High-quality binoculars (8x42 or 10x42 magnification) - absolutely essential for birding and distant wildlife viewing. April's lush vegetation means animals are often partially obscured, requiring optics to appreciate sightings fully. Waterproof models protect against afternoon showers.

Lightweight rain jacket or poncho - while April averages only 5 rainy days, afternoon thunderstorms can be intense. Showers typically last 30-45 minutes. Pack something that compresses small for day packs.

SPF 50+ broad-spectrum sunscreen and lip balm - UV index of 9 means you'll burn in under 15 minutes without protection. Reapply every 2 hours during outdoor activities. Bring more than you think you need as it's expensive in Botswana (300-400 Pula or 22-30 USD for quality brands).

Insect repellent containing 30-50% DEET - mosquitoes are active in April around water sources, and malaria prophylaxis alone isn't sufficient protection. Tsetse flies are immune to most repellents but are deterred by movement and light-colored clothing.

Headlamp or small flashlight - essential for navigating camps at night as most lodges have minimal lighting to preserve night sky viewing and reduce disturbance to wildlife. Bring extra batteries as replacements are difficult to find outside major towns.

Dry bag (10-20 liter or 2.6-5.3 gallon capacity) for mokoro trips and boat safaris - protects camera equipment, phones, and documents from water splashes. Even non-waterproof bags help during unexpected rain showers.

Power bank (20,000+ mAh capacity) - many remote camps have limited charging hours (typically 6am-10am and 6pm-10pm only) running on solar or generator power. You'll use significant battery on cameras and phones during long game drives and boat trips.