Things to Do in Botswana in June
June weather, activities, events & insider tips
June Weather in Botswana
Is June Right for You?
Advantages
- Peak game viewing season - June marks the height of Botswana's dry season when animals concentrate around permanent water sources like the Chobe River and Okavango Delta channels. You'll see elephant herds 50-100 strong at waterholes, and predator sightings increase dramatically because there's less vegetation cover. Guides report this as the most reliable month for wild dog sightings in Moremi.
- Okavango Delta floods reach their peak - the annual floodwaters from Angola arrive in June, transforming the delta into an expansive wetland paradise. Water levels are typically 1.5-2 meters (5-6.5 feet) higher than dry season lows, opening up mokoro (traditional canoe) routes that aren't navigable other times of year. The contrast between the surrounding dry landscape and this aquatic oasis is genuinely spectacular.
- Comfortable daytime temperatures for safari activities - those 20-25°C (68-77°F) temperatures mean you're not baking in open safari vehicles during midday game drives. Morning drives start chilly around 5-8°C (41-46°F) but warm up nicely by 9am. You'll actually appreciate the afternoon warmth rather than hiding from it, and walking safaris are pleasant throughout the day.
- Virtually no mosquitoes - the dry conditions and cool nights mean malaria risk drops to nearly zero in most safari areas. You'll still want prophylaxis if visiting northern wetlands, but realistically, you won't be swatting mosquitoes during sundowners or dinner. This is a huge quality-of-life improvement compared to the summer months when they're relentless.
Considerations
- Premium pricing across the board - June sits squarely in high season, so expect lodge rates 40-60% higher than March or November. A decent mid-range safari camp that costs USD 400 per person in April jumps to USD 650-700 in June. Flights from Johannesburg or Cape Town also spike. If budget is tight, you're paying peak prices for peak conditions.
- Booking pressure is intense - the best camps and mobile safari operators fill up 8-12 months ahead for June dates. By January 2026, you'll find slim pickings at popular properties in Moremi, Savuti, and private concessions. Last-minute travelers often get stuck with either very expensive lodges or less desirable locations. This isn't a month you can wing.
- Cold early mornings require serious layering - that 5am game drive departure happens when it's 5-8°C (41-46°F), and you're sitting in an open vehicle moving at 20-30 km/h (12-18 mph) creating wind chill. Tourists consistently underestimate how cold this feels. You'll see people shivering in hoodies while guides wear down jackets. The lodges provide blankets, but you need proper layers underneath.
Best Activities in June
Okavango Delta Mokoro Excursions
June is absolutely the month for traditional mokoro canoe trips through the delta's flooded channels. Water levels peak this month at 1.5-2 meters (5-6.5 feet), opening up narrow channels through papyrus and reed beds that are inaccessible during low-water months. You'll glide silently past lechwe antelope, spot crocodiles basking, and watch elephants crossing between islands. The experience is meditative and gives you a completely different perspective than vehicle safaris. Water is clear enough to see fish, and birdlife is phenomenal - malachite kingfishers, African jacanas, and herons everywhere.
Chobe River Sunset Boat Safaris
The Chobe River in June offers possibly the best riverine game viewing on the continent. Animals come to drink in predictable patterns because it's one of the few permanent water sources, and you'll see massive elephant herds - sometimes 200-300 individuals - congregating on the banks between 3pm and sunset. Buffalo herds, hippo pods, and crocodiles are guaranteed. Boat safaris give you eye-level perspectives you can't get from land vehicles, and the light during golden hour is perfect for photography. Water levels are stable and high enough for boats to navigate close to the banks.
Walking Safaris in Private Concessions
June's mild temperatures and dry ground make this the ideal month for guided bush walks. You'll cover 5-8 km (3-5 miles) over 2-3 hours, tracking animals on foot with armed guides who teach you to read spoor, identify trees, and understand the smaller ecosystem details you miss from vehicles. The grass is shorter in June, visibility is excellent, and you're not dealing with muddy trails or oppressive heat. Adrenaline spikes when you encounter elephant or buffalo on foot are unmatched. This is available only in private concessions and some national park areas with licensed guides.
Makgadikgadi Pans Exploration
June is perfect for visiting the vast salt pans because they're completely dry and accessible. You can walk out onto these ancient lake beds that stretch to the horizon - it's genuinely otherworldly, like standing on another planet. The scale is difficult to comprehend until you're there. Guides take you to Kubu Island, a rocky outcrop with ancient baobabs and archaeological sites. You might encounter habituated meerkat groups that allow close observation. Night drives reveal brown hyenas and aardvarks. The dry conditions mean you can access areas that become impassable mud in summer.
Savuti Marsh Predator Viewing
Savuti in June is legendary for predator concentrations. The marsh dries out, concentrating prey animals, which attracts resident lion prides, leopards, and spotted hyena clans. This area has some of Africa's most dramatic predator interactions - lion-hyena confrontations are common, and if you're lucky, you might witness hunts. The famous Savuti lion prides are known for taking down young elephants. Birdlife includes massive flocks of migratory species. The landscape is stark and beautiful, with dead trees from when the channel dried up decades ago creating dramatic silhouettes.
Cultural Visits to San Bushmen Communities
June's pleasant weather makes this a comfortable time for half-day cultural experiences with San communities near the Kalahari. You'll learn traditional tracking skills, see demonstrations of fire-making and tool-crafting, and hear about medicinal plants. These visits provide important context about Botswana's indigenous peoples and their adaptation to harsh environments. The experiences are arranged through community tourism initiatives that provide income to San groups. It's a worthwhile counterpoint to pure wildlife focus, though obviously touristy and somewhat staged.
June Events & Festivals
Zebra Migration Through Makgadikgadi
June typically marks the later stages of the zebra migration as thousands of animals move south through the Makgadikgadi ecosystem toward the Boteti River. This is one of Africa's longest terrestrial migrations - roughly 250 km (155 miles) - but receives far less attention than the Serengeti. You'll see herds numbering in the thousands, along with following predators. The exact timing varies by 2-3 weeks depending on rainfall patterns, but June usually offers good viewing opportunities along the Boteti River area.