Things to Do in Botswana in March
March weather, activities, events & insider tips
Low Season · Budget Friendly
March Weather in Botswana
Temperature, rainfall and humidity at a glance
87°F (30°C)
High Temp
63°F (17°C)
Low Temp
2.9 inches (74 mm)
Rainfall
70%
Humidity
⚠ Black-cotton soil roads become impassable within minutes of heavy rain - do not self-drive without recovery gear and a satellite communicator
Is March Right for You?
Weigh the advantages and considerations before booking
Advantages
- + The last green wash of the wet season - pans still hold water so wildlife spreads out, giving you shots of zebra反射 in mirror-calm pools that dry-season visitors never see
- + Lilac-breasted rollers and carmine bee-eaters are in full breeding plumage; March in the Okavango feel like someone turned the color saturation up
- + Lodges drop their shoulder-season rates around mid-March - you'll pay 25-30 % less than peak July yet still get the same guide, vehicle and gin-and-tony sunset
- + Nights drop to 17 °C (63 °F) so you sleep under a proper blanket instead of thrashing around in 30 °C heat - the bush is dead quiet except for the odd leopard cough
Considerations
- − Afternoon thunderstorms build fast. One minute you're photographing wild dogs at 14:00, the next you're skidding down a black-cotton-soil track that turns to axle-deep glue
- − Tsetngwe and Khwai mosquitoes are hungry after the rains - dusk game drives mean long sleeves and constant whining in your ears
- − Sky stays hazy from burn-off fires in Angola. That postcard cobalt backdrop you saw on Instagram is more a washed-out milky blue until the wind shifts
Best Activities in March
Top things to do during your visit
March in Botswana is a month of transition. The late summer air is thick with humidity, releasing the season's final rains. The land is a deep greens. Skies over Gaborone can shift from searing blue to a dramatic charcoal gray within an hour, with distant thunder promising relief from the afternoon heat. This is when the cultural pulse of Botswana quickens. The city prepares for the Maitisong Festival in early March, an explosion of performing arts. The scent of damp earth mixes with brass bands and choral harmonies from unconventional venues. For the traveler, March has a different rhythm. It is less about endless horizons and more about engaging with the living culture. Quieter discoveries thrive in this seasonal shift. Many travel guides for Botswana focus on the well-known wilderness. A visit in March reveals the compelling depth of its urban heart and nearby encounters. The question of what to do in Botswana besides safari finds a rich answer here. Options range from literary pilgrimages to village immersions, all set against warm days and balmy evenings. This is a time to experience Botswana not just as a landscape. But as a community. Plans can be made around a sudden downpour. The busy life of its capital becomes a destination in itself.
Gaborone City Tour (Half Day tour)
guided_experienceThe Gaborone City Tour condenses the capital's essence into a few hours. It moves from the solemn granite of the Three Dikgosi Monument to the lively chatter of the Main Mall. You will see the stark, modern lines of the National Assembly building. You will hear the focused silence of the National Museum and Art Gallery. This half-day journey provides the foundational narrative of Botswana, from pre-colonial chieftains to its modern identity.
It is the most efficient way to grasp the historical pride and contemporary ambition that defines this fast-growing capital.
Insider tip: Begin your tour early. Walk through the Main Mall markets before the midday sun peaks and the humid air becomes most noticeable.
Multiday Tour From Gaborone: 2 day Gaborone Experience
day_tripThis two-day immersion moves beyond Gaborone's central landmarks. You will feel the character of its surrounding areas. The experience might include the cool shade of the Kgale Hill acacia trees on a hike. It could include tasting the smoky richness of braai meat at a local spot as the evening cools. This is a deeper, more relaxed engagement with the region's offerings.
You gain a more complete sense of place. It stitches together urban landmarks with natural retreats and local dining scenes.
Insider tip: Pack a light rain jacket. A March afternoon shower can arrive swiftly, leaving the red earth smelling petrichor-sweet.
Around Gaborone Adventure
otherThe Around Gaborone Adventure pushes the boundaries of the typical city visit. It seeks out the dramatic rock formations and rural vistas that frame the capital. You will see the surprising contours of the landscape. You will feel the grit of sandstone underfoot at ancient sites. This tour answers the call for those seeking things to do in Botswana that engage the body as much as the mind.
It reveals the dramatic geology and quiet history lying just beyond the city's edge. This is a stark contrast to the urban environment.
Insider tip: Wear sturdy, closed-toe shoes. They are suitable for scrambling over dry, rocky terrain that can be slippery after a rain.
No.1 Ladies Detective Agency Literary Tour (Mma Ramotswe Tour)
guided_experienceFans of Alexander McCall Smith's novels can step into the world of Mma Precious Ramotswe on this literary tour. You will see the modest, real-life inspiration for the fictional Tlokweng Road Speedy Motors. You will imagine the red dust of the Kalahari she describes. The tour is a gentle, charming exploration of how a beloved fictional version of Botswana overlaps with the actual one.
It has a uniquely affectionate and personal lens through which to view the everyday landscapes and ethos of Botswana.
Insider tip: Have a cup of red bush tea at a stop along the way. Taste the earthy, caffeine-free brew that Mma Ramotswe would certainly approve of.
Half Day Tour from Gaborone (Manyana Village Visit)
guided_experienceThe Half Day Tour to Manyana Village travels to a site of deep historical significance. You can stand before ancient rock paintings depicting rhinos and giraffes in faded ochre. You will hear the guide's explanations echo slightly in the sandstone shelters. You will feel the protective coolness of the rock overhangs. It is a direct connection to the early inhabitants of this land.
It provides tangible access to Botswana's ancient artistic heritage. This is far removed from its modern cities and game reserves.
Insider tip: The low angle of the morning or late afternoon sun often makes the details of the rock art more visible. It is easier to photograph.
1 Night Madikwe Game Reserve
otherThis quick escape to the Madikwe Game Reserve in neighboring South Africa has a concentrated dose of classic safari atmosphere. You will hear the dawn chorus of birds erupt as the morning mist burns off. You will feel the thrill of spotting a lion's tawny coat through the brush. The evening brings the taste of a sundowner drink as the sky ignites with color.
It delivers a complete, luxurious safari experience. This includes game drives, lodge comforts, and prolific wildlife in a compact timeframe good for a short trip.
Insider tip: March can offer excellent value as a shoulder season. You will find lush greenery and fewer visitors. Animal spotting may require more patience as water is widespread.
This month: The reserve is in South Africa. Ensure your travel documents permit easy re-entry into Botswana.
Where to Stay in Botswana in March
Hand-picked hotels across price tiers for March travellers.
March Events & Festivals
What's happening during your visit
Early March
Maitisong Festival
Gaborone's performing-arts marathon spills into malls, church halls and a pop-up theatre in the Railways Museum. You'll hear Setswana gospel choirs followed by Afro-jazz brass bands - all for the price of a single bracelet pass.
Packing Checklist
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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
If a storm traps you in Maun, duck into the Old Bridge Backpackers bar - locals play pool for pula coins and the barman keeps a kettle of seswaa stew simmering that he'll ladle over sadza for the cost of a smile.
Book internal flights for morning slots. Afternoon build-up often delays 14:30 departures out of Kasane and you'll miss the last transfer boat to your lodge.
Carry a small bottle of vinegar in your day-pack; if you brush against mopane hairs while tracking wild dogs the sting vanishes after a 30-second vinegar rinse - trick I learned from a San tracker in 2012.
SIM cards from Orange cover the delta better than Mascom. But Mascom is stronger along the A3 highway to Francistown - grab both if you're self-driving.
Avoid These Mistakes
Assuming 'shoulder season' means empty parks - March is still school-holiday month for South Africa, so weekend sites like Chobe's Sedudu gate get bushy between Friday 14:00 and Sunday noon
Booking the cheapest delta lodge without checking access route. Some camps need a 45-minute boat ride across open water that becomes a roller-coaster in afternoon wind
Planning a dawn-to-dusk itinerary - guides will cut drives short at the first thunder crack, so you lose hours you thought you'd paid for
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