Things to Do in Botswana in April
April weather, activities, events & insider tips
Shoulder Season · Good Value
April Weather in Botswana
Long-run averages for April in Gaborone
83°F (28°C)
High Temp
56°F (13°C)
Low Temp
1.2 inches (30 mm)
Rainfall
70%
Humidity
9
Sunny-Day UV
⚠ Very high UV on sunny days: use sunscreen and seek shade at midday
Making the most of April in Botswana? Browse tours and activities in Botswana on GetYourGuide.
Is April Right for You?
Weigh the advantages and considerations before booking
Advantages
- + Summer rains have cleared. The Kalahari Basin smells of damp earth and sweet acacia. Daytime highs hit a pleasant 26°C. Game drives feel easy now.
- + The Okavango flood starts in late March from Angola. By April, new channels open for mokoro trips. Water is manageable, not yet too deep.
- + Last quiet month. You will share sightings with three vehicles, not twelve. Lodges still have space. Book now.
- + Nights drop to 13°C. Sleep on a raised deck, no fly. Stars blaze. Hyenas whoop. Fire crackles.
Considerations
- − Weather flips fast. One day cloudless, next day a violent storm turns the Maun-Moremi track into red paste. Small aircraft can ground for hours.
- − Green season moisture keeps mosquitoes active near water at dusk. Malaria risk is low inland but real. Use repellent and prophylactics.
- − Some seasonal camps in Central Kalahari or Makgadikgadi may stay closed. Roads can stay impassable well into April.
Short on time in April? See day trips around Botswana on GetYourGuide.
Best Activities in April
Top things to do during your visit
Okavango Delta Mokoro and Walking Safaris
April is the Delta sweet spot. Floodwater arrives, carving fresh papyrus channels. Yet levels stay below the impassable May peak. Your poler can still beach the mokoro for walks. Water is warm. You glide past red lechwe in lily fields. Dip of the pole. Elephant rumble. Post-rain greenery pops in photos under clear morning skies.
Booking Tip: Mokoro trips sell as lodge packages or through licensed Maun operators. April is transitional. Confirm water levels when booking. Some channels may remain closed. See booking section for multi-day safaris.
Chobe Riverfront Game Drives and Boat Cruises
Chobe Riverfront never fails. Yet April gives an edge. Inland pans dry, so game crowds the river without the brutal heat ahead. Mornings start at 18°C. Elephants dust-bathe in soft light. Boat safaris stay comfortable. Humidity stays low. Buffalo herds drink for hours. Summer migrants still colour the banks.
Booking Tip: Full-day tours leave from Kasane or Victoria Falls. Combine dawn drive with afternoon boat cruise. Reserve one or two weeks ahead. For intimacy, book small private charters. Check widget for current Chobe combos.
Cultural and Historical Tours in the Tswapong Hills
Tswapong Hills east of Palapye glow lush after rains. Hike to Manyana rock paintings or Moremi Gorge sacred pools. Wild sage scents the trail. Stop first at Khama III Memorial Museum in Serowe for context. April light is soft. Red sandstone cliffs and green valleys look their best.
Booking Tip: Day trips run from Gaborone or Francistown. You need a guide who knows the history. Roads can be rough after rain. Confirm vehicle clearance. See booking section for heritage specialists.
Birdwatching Safaris in the Linyanti Concessions
April is turnover month for birds. European and Central African migrants like carmine bee-eaters and woodland kingfishers still flash through the woodlands. Intra-African arrivals begin. Linyanti swamps mix water and woodland for high density. Temperatures suit long, still hides. No midday heat drives you away.
Booking Tip: Specialist birding safaris need early booking through dedicated operators. A sharp April guide knows exact leks and marshes. General drives still deliver. Browse widget for bird-focused tours.
Where to Stay in Botswana in April
Hand-picked hotels across price tiers for April travellers.
Public Holidays in April
Dates that affect opening hours, transport and crowds
Good Friday
Observed nationwide as a public holiday.
Easter Monday
Observed nationwide as a public holiday.
Packing Checklist
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Need the full list with shopping links?
Climate-specific gear, brand recommendations, and what to leave at home.
View Botswana Packing List →Essential Tips
Insider knowledge and common pitfalls to avoid
Insider Knowledge
Flying camp to camp on light aircraft? Pack meds, one change of clothes, and camera in a small, soft duffel. Hard suitcases rarely fit. Weight limit is 20kg/44lbs total. Main luggage may travel by road later.
The best sundowner spot is not always the guide's first choice. Spot a lone acacia on a termite mound facing west. Ask to stop. Guides like initiative.
In Maun or Kasane villages, skip the supermarket. Ask your guide for the top beef braai stand. Follow the longest local queue. Smoky, free-range beef and pap (maize porridge) define Botswana flavor.
Delta water levels shift fast. When a lodge says an activity is 'seasonal' or 'water-level dependent' in April, believe them. Have a flexible plan B. Add an extra game drive.
Avoid These Mistakes
Never shrug off 13°C (56°F). In an open game-drive vehicle at dawn, that feels freezing. Everyone forgets beanie and gloves. Pack both.
Safari wear alone won't cut it. If you overnight in Gaborone or Francistown, full khaki at a smart restaurant looks odd. Bring one smart-casual outfit.
Malaria risk varies. Okavango Delta is higher than Kalahari. See a travel clinic for area-specific advice. Take prophylaxis exactly as prescribed, even without mosquitoes.
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