The 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. The table below is a good indicator of weather patterns though most of Botswana’s regions.
As the central point of all these regions, and therefore a good indicator of weather patterns throughout, the tables below reflect the Okavango Delta’s (Maun) average annual climate.
Temperature (ºF) – These are the average lows and highs:
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
| 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) – This varies according to the year and location:
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
| 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.
The below tables show temperature and rainfall for Nairobi, which can generally be considered a good indicator for median weather. Depending on where you are in the country, temperatures may vary +/- 5°F.
Temperature (ºF) – These are the average lows and highs:
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
| 52/77 | 52/79 | 55/77 | 57/75 | 55/73 | 52/72 | 50/70 | 50/70 | 50/75 | 55/77 | 55/73 | 55/73 |
Average Rainfall (inches) – This varies according to the year and location:
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
| 1.8 | 2.0 | 4.0 | 8.1 | 6.3 | 1.8 | 0.7 | 1.0 | 1.0 | 2.1 | 4.3 | 3.2 |
Mozambique has two main seasons, one wet and one dry:
- The wet season (November-March) has a monthly average temperature between 79°F and 84°F with cooler temperatures in the interior uplands.
- The dry season (April-October; June-July) has temperatures averaging 64°F to 68°F.
- The average annual rainfall is greatest (approximately 56 inches) over the western hills and the central areas and is lowest in the Zambezi lowlands averaging 16 to 32 inches.
Temperature (ºF) – These are the average lows and highs:
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
| 77/88 | 77/88 | 75/87 | 72/85 | 67/82 | 63/79 | 62/78 | 64/80 | 67/82 | 71/85 | 74/87 | 76/88 |
Average Rainfall (inches) – This varies according to the year and location:
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
| 9.8 | 11.8 | 10.8 | 5.5 | 3.3 | 2 | 1.8 | 1.6 | 1 | 1.6 | 4.3 | 9.1 |
Namibia’s climate is typically semi-desert with hot days and cool nights. During the winter months (May-September), however, it can get very cold at night and in the early morning, particularly when on safari. The average rainfall is less than two inches along the coast, about 14 inches in the central interior, and 27.5 inches in the Caprivi. Mid-summer temperatures may rise to over 104°F. Along the coast, fog prevails from late afternoon until mid-morning.
Below is a rough guideline to understanding Namibian weather patterns, with the towns mentioned being a general indication of temperatures and rainfall in the country.
WDH = Windhoek SWP = Swakopmund
Temperature (ºF) – These are the average lows and highs:
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
| WDH | 63/86 | 63/84 | 59/81 | 55/77 | 48/72 | 45/68 | 45/68 | 46/73 | 54/79 | 57/84 | 61/84 | 63/88 |
| SWP | 54/72 | 57/73 | 54/73 | 48/72 | 46/72 | 46/72 | 45/70 | 43/66 | 45/66 | 46/66 | 50/70 | 52/72 |
Average Rainfall (inches) – This varies according to the year and location:
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
| WDH | 1.7 | 2.1 | 2.2 | 1.1 | 0.2 | 0.1 | 0.1 | 0.1 | 0.1 | 0.4 | 0.9 | 3.7 |
| SWP | 0.1 | 0.1 | 0.1 | 0.1 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.1 | 0.0 |
The Republic of Congo lies on the Equator, so temperatures vary little year-round. The seasons can be divided into two green seasons and two drier seasons.
Green Seasons: March-May and September-November
Rainfall during this period means that the air is clearer, and the humidity is higher. Daytime temperatures are typically higher, and November can be very wet.
Dry (Transition) Seasons: December-February and June-August
With limited rain during this period, the air can be relatively hazy, with a white film of clouds covering the sky most days. Daytime temperatures are typically cooler, and humidity tends to be lower than in the green season.
Below is a rough guideline to understanding Congolese weather patterns, with the towns mentioned being a general indication of temperatures and rainfall in the country.
BZV = Brazzaville ODZ = Odzala National Park
Temperature (ºF) – These are the average lows and highs:
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
| BZV | 70/86 | 70/88 | 70/90 | 70/88 | 70/88 | 86/77 | 68/84 | 68/84 | 68/85 | 68/86 | 68/86 | 70/86 |
| 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) – This varies according to the year and location:
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
| BZV | 6.1 | 5.5 | 6.4 | 7.9 | 6.9 | 3.0 | 1.1 | 5.1 | 8.9 | 10.0 | 7.7 | 5.0 |
| 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 season each year. The rainy seasons tend to be from March to April and October to November, but this varies in different areas and it can rain any time of year, especially in the gorilla parks areas. Travel can be slower—and gorilla tracking muddier!—in the rainy season, but the views are often better.
The below tables show temperature and rainfall for Kigali and Volcanoes National Park.
KIG = Kigali VNP = Volcanoes National Park
Temperature (ºF) – These are the average lows and highs:
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
| KIG | 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) – This varies according to the month and location:
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
| KIG | 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 islands enjoy a pleasant tropical climate year-round, and, as they are situated outside the cyclone belt, there are no weather extremes. The temperature seldom drops below 75ºF or rises above 90ºF. Globally changing climate conditions make it difficult to predict exact weather patterns. From October to March, the islands are affected by the northwest trade winds. This is when the sea is generally calm with warm tropical water. From May to September, the islands are affected by the southeast trade winds and weather is generally drier and cooler, characterized by choppy seas on the southeastern coast. The wettest months are December and January.
Temperature (ºF) – These are the average lows and highs:
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
| 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) – This varies according to the year and location:
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
| 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!
JNB = Johannesburg, CPT = Cape Town, KRU=Kruger National Park
Temperature (ºF) – These are the average lows and highs:
| 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 |
| KRU | 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) – This varies according to the year and location:
| 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 |
| KRU | 4 | 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. For the whole country, the hottest months are from October to February and the coolest from June to August. There are two rainy seasons: the long rains (mid-March-May) and the short rains (November-January). In high-altitude areas such as Kilimanjaro, temperatures can fall below freezing. Coastal areas are hot and humid, with an average daytime temperature of about 85°F. Sea breezes make the coastal climate very pleasant from June to September.
Temperatures and rainfall can vary widely based on the specific location within Tanzania’s diverse terrain, but below are the averages for Arusha = ARU, Serengeti National Park = SNP, and Zanzibar = ZNZ.
Temperature (ºF) – These are the average lows and highs:
| 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) – This varies according to the year and location:
| 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 |
