Botswana’s climate is generally sub-tropical with light rainfall. Droughts are frequent. Summer (October-March) can be very hot, and the evenings also remain warm. Temperatures in winter (April-September) can drop quite dramatically at night and in the early mornings, but daytime temperatures are pleasantly warm.
As the central point of the country, Maun, gateway to the Okavango Delta, is a good indicator of weather patterns throughout Botswana.
Average Low/High Temperatures (ºF)
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
| Maun | 66/89 | 66/87 | 64/87 | 57/87 | 48/82 | 43/77 | 42/77 | 48/82 | 55/91 | 64/95 | 66/93 | 66/89 |
Average Rainfall (inches)
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
| Maun | 4.1 | 3.7 | 3.2 | 1.0 | 0.2 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.7 | 1.7 | 3.2 |
Kenya’s diverse geography means that temperature, rainfall, and humidity vary widely. Apart from the humid coast and the scorching and arid desert regions of the north, much of Kenya is enjoys warm days and cool nights year-round.
Nairobi and the Maasai Mara are good guides for climate throughout the parts of Kenya that you will be visiting. (Temperatures along the coast average 5-10ºF hotter, and humidity is much higher.)
NBO = Nairobi
MM = Maasai Mara
Average Low/High Temperatures (ºF)
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
| NBO | 57/80 | 57/83 | 59/82 | 60/79 | 58/77 | 55/75 | 53/74 | 54/75 | 55/79 | 58/80 | 59/77 | 58/78 |
| MM | 54/82 | 54/82 | 54/81 | 55/79 | 55/77 | 54/77 | 52/77 | 52/77 | 54/81 | 54/82 | 54/81 | 54/81 |
Average Rainfall (inches)
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
| NBO | 1.6 | 2.0 | 2.8 | 6.1 | 4.3 | 1.0 | 0.5 | 0.6 | 1.0 | 1.8 | 4.7 | 3.1 |
| MM | 3.7 | 3.9 | 5.7 | 8.3 | 6.1 | 3.7 | 2.4 | 3.1 | 3.7 | 3.9 | 6.1 | 4.5 |
Mozambique has two main seasons. The wet season (November-March) has an average monthly temperature of 79-84°F with cooler temperatures in the interior uplands. The dry season (April-October) is somewhat cooler. Rainfall is greatest (approximately 56 inches) over the western hills and the central areas.
We primarily operate on the Mozambican coast out of Vilanculos (VNX).
Average Low/High Temperatures (ºF)
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
| VNX | 74/87 | 74/88 | 73/87 | 69/85 | 64/82 | 60/78 | 59/77 | 62/78 | 66/80 | 69/82 | 73/85 | 74/86 |
Average Rainfall (inches)
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
| VNX | 5.9 | 6.3 | 3.1 | 1.6 | 1.4 | 1.0 | 0.8 | 1.0 | 0.4 | 1.6 | 2.4 | 5.5 |
Namibia’s climate is typically semi-desert with hot days and cool nights. During the winter months (May-September), it can get very cold at night and in the early morning. Average annual rainfall is less than two inches along the coast, about fourteen inches in the central interior, and 27 inches in the Caprivi. Mid-summer temperatures may rise to over 104°F. Along the coast, fog prevails from late afternoon until mid-morning.
As guidelines for the Namibia weather, three locations are listed below. The capital city of Windhoek is in the central highlands, the scenic town of Swakopmund is on the Skeleton Coast, and Sossusvlei is in the heart of the Namib Desert.
WDH = Windhoek
SWP = Swakopmund
SOS = Sossusvlei
Average Low/High Temperatures (ºF)
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
| WDH | 63/90 | 63/88 | 61/86 | 56/82 | 51/78 | 46/74 | 45/73 | 49/78 | 56/85 | 60/89 | 61/90 | 63/91 |
| SWP | 63/89 | 63/88 | 61/85 | 56/82 | 51/78 | 46/74 | 45/73 | 49/78 | 56/85 | 61/89 | 62/90 | 63/91 |
| SOS | 65/94 | 67/92 | 64/89 | 62/88 | 57/85 | 51/81 | 49/81 | 54/88 | 60/95 | 64/99 | 65/96 | 66/94 |
Average Rainfall (inches)
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
| WDH | 3.1 | 3.1 | 3.1 | 1.6 | 0.3 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.1 | 0.5 | 1.0 | 1.6 |
| SWP | 0.1 | 0.2 | 0.2 | 0.1 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.1 | 0.1 |
| SOS | 0.6 | 0.6 | 1.6 | 0.3 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.1 | 2.8 |
The Republic of Congo lies on the equator, so temperatures vary little year-round. The weather is governed by the annual cycle of wet and dry seasons…though it would be more accurate to call the seasons wet and “less wet.” For most of the country, it is rainy from October through May, with the most rain coming on the shoulders of this. June to September is less rainy.
Rainfall means that the air is clearer and the humidity is higher. Daytime temperatures during the rains are also typically higher. From June to September the air can be relatively hazy, with a white film of clouds covering the sky most days. Daytime temperatures are also a bit cooler, and humidity tends to be lower as well.
The capital city of Brazzaville is in far south of the country on the banks of the mighty Congo River. Odzala National Park is the low-lying jungles of the northeast.
BZV = Brazzaville
ODZ = Odzala
Average Low/High Temperatures (ºF)
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
| BZV | 73/88 | 72/89 | 73/91 | 73/91 | 73/89 | 69/84 | 67/83 | 69/84 | 71/88 | 72/88 | 72/88 | 72/87 |
| ODZ | 66/84 | 66/86 | 66/88 | 66/88 | 66/86 | 64/82 | 64/81 | 64/81 | 66/84 | 66/84 | 64/84 | 64/84 |
Average Rainfall (inches)
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
| BZV | 6.3 | 5.4 | 7.4 | 6.7 | 5.2 | 0.4 | 0.1 | 0.4 | 1.7 | 6.5 | 10.4 | 8.5 |
| ODZ | 3.5 | 4.9 | 6.8 | 6.8 | 6.8 | 3.5 | 1.6 | 2.4 | 7.8 | 9.8 | 4.3 | 4.3 |
Rwanda has a “temperate tropical highland climate,” with lower temperatures than are typical for equatorial countries because of its high elevation. Altitude has the largest impact on local temperatures, with the mountainous west and north generally cooler than the lower-lying east.
The country has two rainy seasons and two dry seasons each year. The rainy seasons tend to be from March to April and October to November, but this varies somewhat across the country, and it can rain any time of year. Travel can be slower—and gorilla tracking muddier!—in the rainy seasons, but the views are often better.
The capital city of Kigali is in the center of the country, and Volcanoes National Park is at higher elevations in the northwest.
KGL = Kigali
VNP = Volcanoes National Park
Average Low/High Temperatures (ºF)
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
| KGL | 60/80 | 60/81 | 60/80 | 61/79 | 61/79 | 60/80 | 59/81 | 61/82 | 61/83 | 61/81 | 60/79 | 60/80 |
| VNP | 60/79 | 59/79 | 61/79 | 61/76 | 62/76 | 59/77 | 59/79 | 60/80 | 61/78 | 60/78 | 60/76 | 60/78 |
Average Rainfall (inches)
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
| KGL | 3.0 | 3.6 | 4.5 | 6.1 | 3.5 | 0.7 | 0.5 | 1.2 | 2.7 | 4.2 | 4.4 | 3.0 |
| VNP | 4.5 | 4.1 | 6.5 | 7.5 | 5.5 | 2.2 | 1.8 | 2.8 | 4.7 | 7.2 | 7.5 | 5.1 |
The island nation of Seychelles enjoys a pleasant tropical climate year-round, and, since it is situated outside the cyclone belt, there are no weather extremes. The temperature seldom drops below 75ºF or rises above 90ºF.
From October to March, the islands are affected by the northwest trade winds, producing calmer and warmer seas. From May to September, the islands are affected by the southeast trade winds, and weather is generally drier and cooler but with choppier seas, especially on southeastern coastlines. The wettest months are December and January.
Mahe is the capital city and a good indication of weather throughout the islands.
Average Low/High Temperatures (ºF)
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
| Mahe | 76/85 | 76/86 | 77/87 | 78/88 | 78/86 | 77/84 | 75/83 | 76/83 | 76/84 | 76/85 | 76/86 | 76/86 |
Average Rainfall (inches)
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
| Mahe | 15.5 | 10.7 | 6.8 | 7.3 | 5.1 | 2.6 | 3.3 | 4.0 | 5.0 | 8.4 | 8.8 | 11.5 |
The weather in South Africa has two main biomes, the Cape and the rest of the country. The Cape is rainy and cool in the winter months (April-September) and dry and warm during summer months (October-March). The remainder of the country is dry and cool during the winter months, but wet and warm during the summer months!
Johannesburg, South Africa’s largest city, is in the central northeastern highlands (at about a mile in elevation!), while Cape Town is on the southwest tip of the country and is a good indication of weather of along the whole Cape. Kruger National Park is in the extreme northeast of the country and at somewhat lower elevation than Johannesburg.
JNB = Johannesburg
CPT = Cape Town
KNP = Kruger National Park
Average Low/High Temperatures (ºF)
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
| JNB | 52/86 | 51/84 | 47/82 | 41/78 | 35/73 | 29/69 | 29/70 | 31/76 | 35/83 | 41/85 | 45/85 | 49/86 |
| CPT | 60/82 | 60/84 | 57/80 | 53/77 | 49/71 | 45/67 | 43/65 | 46/67 | 47/69 | 51/74 | 55/76 | 59/80 |
| KNP | 68/90 | 68/89 | 65/88 | 59/84 | 50/81 | 45/77 | 45/77 | 48/81 | 54/86 | 61/89 | 64/90 | 67/91 |
Average Rainfall (inches)
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
| JNB | 5.1 | 3.9 | 3.7 | 2.2 | 0.5 | 0.4 | 0.2 | 0.2 | 1.1 | 0.3 | 0.5 | 4.2 |
| CPT | 0.6 | 0.7 | 0.9 | 1.7 | 2.8 | 3.8 | 3.4 | 3.2 | 1.7 | 0.1 | 0.0 | 0.7 |
| KNP | 4.0 | 3.9 | 2.6 | 1.3 | 0.6 | 0.2 | 0.4 | 0.3 | 0.7 | 1.5 | 2.9 | 3.6 |
Tanzania’s climate is predominantly tropical. Across the country it is hottest from October to February, and the coolest months are June to August. There are two rainy seasons: the “long rains” are from mid-March to May, and the “short rains” are from November to January.
Coastal areas like Dar es Salaam along with the islands of Zanzibar and Pemba are generally hotter and more humid than inland regions. Sea breezes make the coastal climate relatively pleasant from June to September.
Arusha is in northeastern Tanzania, in the shadow of Mount Kilimanjaro. The famous Serengeti National Park is a large region in the north central part of the country. Zanzibar is a popular tropical island off the central coast.
ARU = Arusha
SNP = Serengeti National Park
ZNZ = Zanzibar
Average Low/High Temperatures (ºF)
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
| ARU | 50/84 | 51/84 | 53/81 | 57/77 | 52/72 | 48/70 | 49/69 | 48/72 | 47/76 | 51/80 | 51/81 | 50/81 |
| SNP | 59/81 | 59/81 | 61/81 | 61/79 | 61/77 | 57/77 | 55/75 | 55/77 | 57/81 | 59/82 | 59/81 | 61/82 |
| ZNZ | 73/90 | 73/91 | 73/90 | 75/86 | 73/84 | 72/84 | 70/84 | 68/84 | 68/86 | 70/88 | 72/88 | 73/88 |
Average Rainfall (inches)
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
| ARU | 2.3 | 3.3 | 7.0 | 14.5 | 8.3 | 1.3 | 0.6 | 0.8 | 0.8 | 1.4 | 4.4 | 4.0 |
| SNP | 3.6 | 3.8 | 5.2 | 5.0 | 2.4 | 1.1 | 0.5 | 1.0 | 1.1 | 1.5 | 3.5 | 4.1 |
| ZNZ | 3.3 | 2.2 | 5.9 | 15.2 | 10.0 | 2.8 | 2.0 | 2.0 | 2.0 | 3.7 | 8.5 | 7.3 |
For optimal trekking conditions to observe mountain gorillas and chimpanzees, plan your visit to Uganda during one of its two dry seasons: December to February or June to August. These months also offer excellent game viewing, though September and October are ideal for spotting large herds gathered around rivers and waterholes due to the sparse vegetation. Bird watching is enjoyable year-round, but if you’re interested in migratory species, the best time to visit is between November and February.
BWI = Bwindi Impenetrable Forest
Temperature (ºF) – These are the average lows and highs:
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
| BWI | 60/79 | 59/81 | 61/81 | 61/78 | 62/80 | 59/81 | 59/80 | 60/81 | 61/82 | 60/80 | 60/79 | 60/76 |
Average Rainfall (inches) – This varies according to the year and your location:
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
| BWI | 0.4 | 1 | 0.9 | 1.1 | 0.6 | 0.3 | 0.1 | 0.2 | 0.4 | 0.6 | 0.8 | 0.7 |
Zambia’s winter lasts from May to September with dry and sunny days, that are cool to warm, while evening temperatures will drop. October and into November can be exceptionally hot until the first rains break. The rainy season is from November to March. While the weather starts to dry up a bit, April can still bring showers.
Safari areas such as the Lower Zambezi National Park and the South and North Luangwa National Parks share a similar weather and climate. These safari areas tend to be a few degrees warmer than Livingstone, where you can see the mighty Victoria Falls.
LVI = Livingstone LUA = South Luangwa
Temperature (ºF) – These are the average lows and highs:
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
| LVI | 66/86 | 66/86 | 64/86 | 59/86 | 50/82 | 44/78 | 43/78 | 49/83 | 58/91 | 66/91 | 66/91 | 66/87 |
| LUA | 68/90 | 68/88 | 66/90 | 64/90 | 66/88 | 54/86 | 52/84 | 54/86 | 59/95 | 68/104 | 72/99 | 72/91 |
Average Rainfall (inches) – This varies according to the year and location:
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
| LVI | 8.0 | 7.0 | 4.0 | 2.0 | 0.2 | 0.1 | 0.0 | 0.1 | 0.2 | 0.8 | 3.9 | 7.5 |
| LUA | 7.7 | 11.3 | 5.5 | 3.6 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 1.9 | 4.3 | 4.3 |
Generally, days are bright and sunny and the nights clear and cool. November to April are the summer months (which is also the rainy season) while winter is from May to August (which usually brings dry weather). September and October are very hot and very dry. The winter months from May through August, can bring freezing temperatures (below 0°C sometimes) in the early morning and evenings. The weather patterns at Victoria Falls can be used as an indicator for general weather and temperatures across Zimbabwe.
VFA = Victoria Falls
Temperature (ºF) – These are the average lows and highs:
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
| VFA | 63/89 | 63/86 | 64/88 | 57/84 | 50/84 | 44/77 | 43/77 | 46/82 | 57/91 | 64/93 | 64/87 | 63/87 |
Average Rainfall (inches) – This varies according to the year and your location:
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
| VFA | 8.5 | 7.3 | 3.9 | 1.7 | 0.2 | 0.1 | 0.0 | 0.1 | 0.2 | 0.8 | 3.9 | 7.5 |
