Things to Do in Botswana in January
January weather, activities, events & insider tips
Low Season · Budget Friendly
January Weather in Botswana
Temperature, rainfall and humidity at a glance
90°F (32°C)
High Temp
67°F (19°C)
Low Temp
5.6 inches (142 mm)
Rainfall
70%
Humidity
⚠ High mosquito activity increases malaria risk in northern regions (Okavango Delta, Chobe). Prophylaxis, repellent, and covered clothing at dusk and dawn are essential. Take your pills. Cover up.
⚠ Sudden, heavy thunderstorms can cause flash flooding on dirt roads, making some areas temporarily inaccessible. Always travel with a guide familiar with the conditions. Trust local knowledge. Turn back if needed.
Is January Right for You?
Weigh the advantages and considerations before booking
Advantages
- + The bush is at its most dramatic. Those 142 mm (5.6 inches) of rain turn Botswana's landscape from dusty khaki to a startling green, pulling out carpets of wildflowers and drawing herds of zebra, wildebeest, and elephant into the Okavango Delta's seasonal floodplains that are just beginning to fill.
- + You get the best of both worlds weather-wise. Mornings tend to be clear and good for a game drive, with temperatures around 19°C (67°F) and the air smelling of wet earth and crushed sage. Afternoon showers, when they come, are often theatrical 30-minute downpours that cool everything down and leave the air washed clean.
- + It's the quiet shoulder before the peak season. The international crowds that descend on Botswana in the dry winter months (June-October) are still at home, which tends to mean more space at the popular sightings and a slightly more relaxed pace on the roads and in the camps.
- + Birdlife is spectacular. Migratory species from Europe and northern Africa are still in residence, making the skies and waterways a riot of color and sound, from the shrieking calls of the African fish eagle to the iridescent flash of a malachite kingfisher.
Considerations
- − The weather is unpredictable. That 'variable' condition means you might get a string of hot, humid days with building clouds that never break, or you could get an afternoon where the sky opens up and turns a dirt road into a slick, impassable channel. Overland travel between parks can become an adventure in itself.
- − Mosquito activity is noticeably higher. The combination of warm temperatures and recent rainfall creates ideal breeding conditions. While malaria risk is present year-round in northern Botswana, January requires extra vigilance with repellent, covering up at dusk, and ensuring your accommodation has mosquito nets.
- − Some remote areas become inaccessible. The magic of the filling Okavango Delta also means some of the deeper, mokoro (dugout canoe) channels aren't fully navigable yet, and certain rustic camps in the Moremi Game Reserve might close their airstrips if the ground gets too soggy.
Best Activities in January
Top things to do during your visit
January in Botswana is a month of transformation. The air feels thick and humid, carrying the scent of damp earth and the distant, metallic promise of rain. Afternoon skies often darken with towering cumulus clouds, and the sound of thunder rumbles across the savanna, a prelude to the sudden, heavy downpours that define the summer season. These rains bring an increase of green to the landscape, turning the Kalahari scrub a brighter shade and filling seasonal pans. For visitors, the days are hot, often reaching the peak temperatures of the year. But the rhythm of life adjusts. Activities start early to avoid the midday heat, and there is a palpable sense of waiting for the evening cool. While no major festivals are documented for this month, the natural world is in a state of renewal, a contrast to the dry, dusty vistas of the preceding months. Traveling in Botswana during January requires an acceptance of the weather's variable nature. One moment you might be watching elephants stir up ochre dust in a beam of sunlight, the next you could be seeking shelter as a warm, torrential rain sweeps through, leaving the air clean and filled with the perfume of wet acacia. This is not the dry season for classic, concentrated game viewing. But it is a time of dramatic skies, prolific birdlife, and witnessing the land drink. It is also a period where the tourism pace in Botswana is different, with fewer visitors in many areas, allowing for a more solitary connection with the vast spaces. Planning involves flexibility and preparation for both intense sun and sudden rain.
Gaborone City Tour (Half Day tour)
guided_experienceA guided half-day tour through Gaborone provides a focused introduction to Botswana's modern capital. You will see the gleaming government enclave, hear the chatter of vendors at the Main Mall, and feel the contrast between the orderly civic centers and the lively, informal markets that pulse with city life. The tour grounds you in the nation's recent history and its contemporary ambitions.
It efficiently deciphers the layout and spirit of a capital city that is the economic and administrative heart of the country.
Insider tip: Begin your tour as early in the morning as possible to experience the city's markets at their most active and to avoid the peak heat of the January afternoon.
Multiday Tour From Gaborone: 2 day Gaborone Experience
day_tripThis two-day experience from Gaborone has a deeper immersion than a fleeting city tour, combining urban insights with a foray into the surrounding bush. You will spend a night under the expansive Botswana sky, likely hearing the nocturnal calls of jackals and feeling the cool night air settle after a hot January day.
It bridges the gap between the urban capital and the wild landscapes that define Botswana's identity, all within a compact itinerary.
Insider tip: Pack a light, waterproof layer for the evening. While days are hot, nighttime temperatures can drop noticeably, and January rain showers are always a possibility.
Around Gaborone Adventure
otherThe Around Gaborone Adventure pushes beyond the city limits to explore the varied terrains that characterize southeastern Botswana. Expect to see rocky outcrops, scrub forest, and perhaps small villages, feeling the red Kalahari sand underfoot and smelling the wild sage after a rain.
It reveals the varied ecology on the doorstep of the capital, showing that Botswana's wilderness begins just outside the urban fringe.
Insider tip: Wear sturdy, closed-toe shoes suitable for walking on uneven terrain, as the adventure likely involves some exploration on foot.
No.1 Ladies Detective Agency Literary Tour (Mma Ramotswe Tour)
guided_experienceThis literary tour invites fans to step into the world of Alexander McCall Smith's beloved novels. You will visit locations that inspired the stories of Mma Ramotswe, seeing the modest office on Zebra Drive, hearing tales of the author's research, and perhaps tasting a cup of bush tea.
It connects the fictional charm of the No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency series with the very real, gentle atmosphere of its setting in Gaborone.
Insider tip: Read at least the first novel before taking the tour to fully appreciate the references and the affectionate portrayal of Botswanan life.
Half Day Tour from Gaborone (Manyana Village Visit)
guided_experienceA journey to Manyana Village from Gaborone is a cultural encounter. You will see ancient San rock paintings preserved on sandstone hills, feel the texture of the rock under your hand, and hear explanations of the symbols from a local guide, connecting with a heritage that long predates the modern nation.
It has a tangible link to the deep human history of Botswana, far beyond the timeframe of safari lodges and capital cities.
Insider tip: The climb to the rock art sites involves some scrambling. Visiting in the cooler morning hours in January makes the ascent more comfortable.
1 Night Madikwe Game Reserve
otherA one-night excursion to Madikwe Game Reserve in neighboring South Africa has a concentrated safari experience. You will feel the thrill of spotting a lion pride resting in the summer grass, hear the guide's whispered commentary over the sound of the vehicle, and smell the wild rosemary in the air.
It delivers a complete, immersive big-five safari experience in a malaria-free reserve, easily accessible from Gaborone.
Insider tip: January is the wet season in Madikwe. The landscape is lush and beautiful. But animals can be more dispersed in the thick vegetation, requiring patience from your guide.
This month: Afternoon game drives in January may be interrupted by brief but heavy thunderstorms, which can be a dramatic part of the experience.
Where to Stay in Botswana in January
Hand-picked hotels across price tiers for January travellers.
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View Botswana Packing List →Essential Tips
Insider knowledge and common pitfalls to avoid
Insider Knowledge
Locals know that the best time for a game drive is just after a rain shower. Animals come out to drink from fresh puddles, the dust is settled, and the light for photography is soft and memorable. Watch the sky. Time it right.
If you're flying between camps on a small charter, sit on the left side of the plane flying north, and the right side flying south. You'll get the best aerial views of the Okavango Delta's labyrinth of channels. Claim your seat early. Bring your camera.
Don't shy away from the seasonal fruits. January might offer wild marula fruit, which you'll see elephants gorging on. Some lodges make a delicious marula jam or incorporate the fruit into sauces. Taste it. Elephants know best.
The afternoon siesta isn't just a Spanish tradition. Many safari camps schedule a quiet period after lunch when temperatures peak. Embrace it. Read on your deck, nap, watch the waterhole - this is the rhythm of a Botswana summer day. Slow down. Enjoy it.
Avoid These Mistakes
Packing only for heat. Those 19°C (67°F) mornings on an open game drive vehicle can feel downright chilly, when moving. Always have a fleece or light sweater within reach. Layer up. Wind bites.
Underestimating driving times between destinations. A distance that looks like 200 km (124 miles) on a map can take five hours in January if the rain has turned the track to thick, red mud. Always build in buffer days for travel. Plan flexibly.
Assuming you can just 'pop in' to a national park or reserve. All visits require pre-booked permits or reservations with a licensed safari operator. You cannot buy these at the gate. Book ahead. No exceptions.
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