Things to Do in Botswana in July

July Weather in Botswana

25°C (77°F) High Temp

20°C (68°F) Low Temp

51 mm (2.0 inches) Rainfall

70% Humidity

Is July Right for You?

Advantages

Peak dry season with clear skies - July has the lowest rainfall of the year, making it ideal for game drives with excellent visibility and animals congregating around permanent water sources
Perfect wildlife viewing conditions - vegetation is sparse and brown, making it easy to spot animals against the landscape. Predator activity is highest as prey animals gather at waterholes
Comfortable daytime temperatures around 25°C (77°F) - warm enough for early morning game drives without being uncomfortably hot during midday activities
Road conditions are excellent - all gravel roads in the Okavango Delta and Chobe are accessible by 2WD vehicles, and flight schedules to remote camps run without weather delays

Considerations

Peak season pricing - accommodation costs are 40-60% higher than March-May, with luxury lodges charging $800-1200 per person per night compared to $500-700 in shoulder season
High tourist volumes - popular areas like Chobe riverfront can have 15-20 vehicles at prime wildlife sightings, and advance booking 6-8 months ahead is essential for quality camps
Dust levels are extreme - fine Kalahari sand creates visibility issues on game drives and requires daily cleaning of camera equipment and constant hydration

Best Activities in July

Chobe National Park Game Drives

July offers the best wildlife viewing of the year in Chobe. The dry conditions force elephants, buffalo, and antelope to the Chobe River daily between 10am-4pm. Lions and leopards are most active during cooler morning hours 6-9am. The sparse vegetation means excellent photography opportunities with clear sightlines up to 500m (1,640 ft).

Booking Tip: Book full-day packages 3-4 months ahead through licensed operators. Expect to pay $150-250 per person for day trips from Kasane, including park fees. Morning drives (6am-11am) offer better predator activity, afternoon drives (3pm-6pm) focus on elephant herds. See current tour options in the booking section below.

Okavango Delta Mokoro Expeditions

Water levels in July are perfect - channels are deep enough for mokoro (dugout canoe) navigation but not flooded like in peak flood season. Wildlife concentrates on permanent islands, making walking safaris incredibly productive. The 20°C (68°F) morning temperatures are ideal for 3-4 hour mokoro trips followed by bush walks.

Booking Tip: Multi-day mokoro camping trips cost $200-400 per person per day through community trusts. Book 2-3 months ahead as licensed guides are limited. Fly-in options to remote concessions range $600-900 daily. All trips include certified guides and emergency communication equipment.

Makgadikgadi Salt Pans Stargazing

July's bone-dry conditions and minimal cloud cover create some of the world's best stargazing. The vast salt pans offer 360-degree horizon views with zero light pollution. Daytime temperatures of 25°C (77°F) drop to comfortable 10°C (50°F) at night, perfect for extended outdoor viewing sessions until 2am.

Booking Tip: Overnight camping experiences cost $180-300 per person including meals and equipment. Book through registered operators who provide warm sleeping gear rated for 5°C (41°F). Day trips from Maun cost $120-180 including sunset dinner on the pans. Transport requires 4WD vehicles.

Moremi Game Reserve Walking Safaris

The dry season concentrates wildlife around permanent water sources in Moremi, making guided walking safaris exceptionally rewarding. July's firm ground conditions allow access to areas impassable during flood season. Early morning walks (6am-10am) in 18-22°C (64-72°F) temperatures offer encounters with antelope, giraffe, and elephant on foot.

Booking Tip: Walking safaris require stays at registered camps within Moremi - expect $400-700 per person per night including guided walks and meals. Book 4-6 months ahead for July. Day walks from mobile camps cost $100-150 per person with armed guides. Minimum fitness level required for 8-12 km (5-7.5 mile) walks.

Central Kalahari Desert Cultural Tours

July's pleasant daytime temperatures make multi-day Kalahari expeditions comfortable. This is the best time to experience traditional San Bushmen culture, as communities are active during the dry season. The sparse landscape allows for incredible wildlife tracking experiences and traditional hunting demonstrations.

Booking Tip: Cultural tours cost $250-400 per person per day including community fees and certified cultural guides. Book through community-based tourism operators 6-8 weeks ahead. Multi-day camping expeditions range $300-500 daily. All tours include traditional meal preparation and overnight camping equipment.

Tuli Block Cycling Safaris

The Tuli Block's relatively flat terrain and firm July ground conditions create ideal mountain biking opportunities. Morning temperatures of 20°C (68°F) allow for 25-35 km (15-22 mile) rides between baobab trees and along the Limpopo River. Wildlife viewing from bicycle offers unique perspectives on antelope and bird species.

Booking Tip: Cycling safari packages cost $180-280 per person per day including bike rental and guide. Book 4-6 weeks ahead through licensed adventure operators. Day trips from local lodges cost $80-120 per person. All tours provide quality mountain bikes and safety equipment for varied terrain.

July Events & Festivals

Mid July

Maun Festival

Annual celebration of Botswana's cultural heritage featuring traditional dancing, local crafts, and regional cuisine. The festival showcases Tswana culture alongside performances from various ethnic groups including the San people. Evening performances run until 11pm with traditional beer brewing demonstrations.

Essential Tips

What to Pack

Lightweight merino wool layers - morning temperatures of 10°C (50°F) require warm clothing that packs small for game drives starting at 6am

High SPF sunscreen (50+) - UV index of 8 combined with reflective sand creates intense sun exposure during midday hours

Dust-proof camera bag with extra lens cloths - fine Kalahari sand penetrates everything and requires daily equipment cleaning

Insect repellent with 30% DEET - tsetse flies are active during warm afternoon hours around water sources

Comfortable closed-toe walking boots rated for 15 km (9.3 miles) daily - essential for bush walks and uneven terrain

Wide-brimmed hat with chin strap - necessary protection during open-vehicle game drives with wind speeds up to 40 km/h (25 mph)

Lightweight rain jacket - brief afternoon showers occur 10 days per month and can bring temperatures down 10°C (18°F) quickly

Binoculars with neck strap - wildlife viewing distances often exceed 200m (656 ft) in open savanna areas

Headlamp with red filter - for pre-dawn game drives and stargazing sessions without disturbing wildlife

Electrolyte tablets - dry air and dust require increased hydration beyond normal water consumption

Insider Knowledge

Book accommodations in March-April for July travel - quality lodges fill up 4-6 months ahead, and waiting until May means settling for less desirable properties or paying premium last-minute rates

Avoid scheduling flights through Johannesburg on Sundays - South African Airways reduces Maun connections on weekends, creating potential 24-hour delays during peak July travel

Bring extra batteries and power banks - remote lodges often limit generator hours to 6pm-10pm, and game drive vehicles don't always have reliable charging ports

Request northern-facing tent accommodations - these receive less direct afternoon sun and stay 3-5°C (5-9°F) cooler during peak heat hours between 12pm-3pm

Avoid These Mistakes

Underestimating dust exposure - tourists often pack insufficient lens cleaning supplies and fail to seal electronic equipment, resulting in damaged cameras and phones

Booking too many activities per day - July's intense wildlife viewing can be overwhelming, and most visitors benefit from limiting game drives to morning OR afternoon, not both

Wearing dark colors on game drives - black and navy clothing attracts tsetse flies and absorbs excessive heat during midday temperatures of 25°C (77°F)