Wildlife in July.
With seasonal water gone, animals crowd the Delta’s floodplains and the rivers. Lion, leopard and wild dog are easier to find and follow in the thinning bush, and the private concessions of the Linyanti and Delta give the best predator viewing.
On the Makgadikgadi, the zebra are gathered on the Boteti River. Elephant numbers on the Chobe and Linyanti keep building towards their peak later in the dry season.
Where to go in Botswana in July.
Okavango Delta
The flood is at its height: the best month for water camps and mixed water-and-land camps. See the Okavango Delta.
Moremi and Khwai
Predators concentrated on the floodplains around Xakanaxa and Third Bridge. See Moremi.
Linyanti, Selinda and Savuti
Private concessions with night drives, walking and wild dog. See the private concessions.
The Makgadikgadi
Zebra on the Boteti and the meerkats. See the Makgadikgadi.
July weather in Botswana.
| Average high | 25°C |
|---|---|
| Average low | 5°C |
| Average rainfall | Dry |
| Season | Peak season |
Dry, clear and sunny. Dawn can be close to freezing, and wind chill on an early game drive makes it feel colder; by midday it is warm. Nights in the Kalahari drop below zero.
Figures are long-term averages for Maun, the gateway to the Delta. See the full climate table.
Prices, crowds and booking.
Peak rates apply from July to October. July is one of the most in-demand months, and small camps of eight to twelve tents fill twelve to eighteen months ahead. If July is fixed, book as early as you can. If it is not, June gives much the same at shoulder rates.
What to pack for July.
Warm layers for early drives and evenings: a warm jacket, hat, gloves and scarf. Lighter clothes for the middle of the day. Low malaria risk, but take advice.
Our packing guide has the full checklist and the soft-bag rules for light aircraft.
Journeys that suit July.
- The Great Okavango: 10 days by light aircraft: Delta water, floodplain, Linyanti and Savuti.
- The Grand Botswana: 14 days, private and exclusive-use, every major ecosystem.
- Delta & Desert: 7 days: the Okavango, Moremi and the Kalahari, at any level.
Every journey is a private departure and can start on any day. We adjust the route to the month you travel.
