Things to Do in Botswana in May
May weather, activities, events & insider tips
May Weather in Botswana
Is May Right for You?
Advantages
- Peak game viewing season - May marks the heart of Botswana's dry season when animals congregate around permanent water sources. You'll see massive elephant herds (sometimes 100+ individuals) at Chobe River, and predator sightings jump significantly as vegetation thins out. Water levels in the Okavango Delta are rising through May, creating that perfect balance of accessible channels and concentrated wildlife.
- Comfortable daytime temperatures of 20-25°C (68-77°F) make walking safaris and mokoro trips genuinely pleasant, unlike the scorching 35°C+ (95°F+) heat that arrives by September. You can actually enjoy a full-day game drive without feeling completely drained by midday.
- Lower accommodation rates than June-August peak season - you're looking at savings of 15-25% compared to the absolute peak winter months, while still getting excellent game viewing. Many lodges haven't hit their July-August premium pricing yet, and you'll have more availability for last-minute bookings.
- Minimal rainfall and clear skies mean consistently excellent photography conditions. With only 10 rainy days averaging 51 mm (2.0 inches) total, you're unlikely to lose safari time to weather. The air is crisp and dust hasn't built up yet, giving you those crystal-clear sunrise shots that get hazier as the dry season progresses.
Considerations
- Nights get genuinely cold - dropping to 5-10°C (41-50°F) in the Delta and Kalahari. That 20°C (68°F) average low is misleading because pre-dawn game drives can hit near-freezing. Most tourists underpack for this and spend their first morning safari shivering in a fleece that's nowhere near warm enough.
- School holidays in Southern Africa (late April into early May) can create brief crowding at popular spots like Chobe National Park and Moremi. The first week of May specifically tends to see more South African families before their winter term starts, though it clears up quickly after mid-May.
- Some camps in the deeper Delta channels may still have limited water access in early May. The flood is arriving but hasn't peaked yet, so certain remote areas that are spectacular by June-July might require longer mokoro journeys or still be operating on their dry-season itineraries. Always confirm current water levels when booking Delta camps for early May specifically.
Best Activities in May
Chobe River Game Viewing
May is exceptional for Chobe because you get the best of both worlds - excellent elephant concentrations along the riverfront without the July-August tourist crush. The Chobe River becomes the primary water source, drawing those famous mega-herds. Boat safaris in May offer close encounters with elephants swimming and drinking, plus hippos, crocodiles, and incredible birdlife. The cooler temperatures mean animals are active throughout the day rather than hiding in shade. Water levels are stable and high enough for comfortable boat navigation.
Okavango Delta Mokoro Expeditions
May sits in that sweet spot where floodwaters are rising through the Delta channels, opening up routes that were inaccessible in March-April, but you're not yet competing with peak-season crowds. The traditional mokoro (dugout canoe) experience is magical in May - gliding through crystal-clear channels with comfortable temperatures, excellent bird activity as migrants arrive, and the landscape transforming from dry to lush. Walking safaris on Delta islands are still productive because game hasn't dispersed into harder-to-reach areas yet.
Makgadikgadi Pans Exploration
The vast salt pans are bone-dry in May, creating surreal lunar landscapes perfect for photography and quad biking. This is actually ideal timing because you avoid the wet season mud (November-March) but temperatures are still tolerable for daytime activities on the exposed pans. You can walk out onto the endless white expanse of Sowa Pan or Ntwetwe Pan, visit habituated meerkat colonies in the early morning, and experience the eerie silence of one of Africa's largest salt flats. Night skies here are phenomenal - zero light pollution and crystal-clear winter air.
Walking Safaris in Moremi Game Reserve
May offers perfect conditions for walking safaris - cool mornings, low grass from the dry season, and active wildlife. Walking with an armed guide through Moremi's mopane woodlands and floodplains gives you an intimate perspective impossible from a vehicle. You'll track animals by spoor, learn about smaller ecosystems (insects, birds, plants), and experience that adrenaline rush of encountering elephants or buffalo on foot. The physical exertion is actually manageable in May's 20-25°C (68-77°F) temperatures, unlike the exhausting heat of September-October.
Khama Rhino Sanctuary Visits
This community-run sanctuary near Serowe offers virtually guaranteed rhino sightings - both white and black rhinos - which is increasingly rare across Africa. May is excellent because cooler temperatures mean rhinos are active and visible throughout the day rather than hiding in thick bush. The sanctuary is far more affordable than premium private reserves (making it perfect for budget-conscious travelers), and you're directly supporting community conservation. It's also conveniently located if you're driving between Maun and Gaborone or Francistown.
Kalahari Desert Cultural Experiences
May offers comfortable conditions for exploring the Kalahari's red dunes and meeting San (Bushmen) communities. Daytime temperatures are warm but not scorching, making bush walks to learn about traditional survival skills actually enjoyable. The clear winter skies provide spectacular stargazing, and you might spot black-maned Kalahari lions, meerkats, and desert-adapted antelope. Cultural programs with San trackers offer insight into one of Africa's oldest cultures - learning about medicinal plants, traditional hunting techniques, and storytelling around evening fires.
May Events & Festivals
Maitisong Festival
Botswana's premier performing arts festival typically runs in late March through early May in Gaborone, though exact dates vary yearly. If your May trip catches the tail end, you'll experience local theater, dance, music, and poetry celebrating Botswana's creative culture. It's a rare chance to see contemporary Botswana beyond the safari circuit. Performances happen at Maitisong Theatre and other venues around the capital. Even if you miss the festival itself, Maitisong Theatre often has performances worth catching if you're spending time in Gaborone.