What are you looking for?

Botswana Safari in December

Africa's best authentic tailor-made safaris

December brings a good chance of rain, with heavy showers usually popping up in the afternoons. It’s the last month in the second shoulder season before Botswana re-enters its low season. While the game life might not be as bustling this month, the zebra migration is a must-see!

If you’re looking for an exciting spot to explore, don’t miss Nxai Pan National Park. It’s a lovely place to see giraffes, springbok, and hartebeest in their natural habitat.

Weather in December

Dark thunder clouds forming over Chobe National Park in Botswana
December brings a good chance of rain and heavy showers | Photo: nini via Getty

Temperatures start to cool from the previous high months. Rain is much more prevalent, and the wet weather can make wildlife viewing challenging. Heavy thunderstorms occur for short periods, but this often brings a welcome drop in temperatures.

Average Weather in December

Temperature Celsius Fahrenheit Rainfall
Min 19℃66℉2.6 inches
Max 33℃91℉6.3 inches

Destinations to Visit in Botswana During December

Zebras pictured in Nxai Pan National Park, Botswana | Photo credit: Nxai Pan Camp
During the wet months, animals migrate to the pans | Photo credit: Nxai Pan Camp

Linyanti Reserve

The Linyanti Reserve houses four of the Big Five. In December, animals such as zebras are more prevalent, as the zebra migration tends to occur during the wet months. This is the start of their migration, which ultimately ends at Nxai Pan National Park and Makgadikgadi Pans National Park.

Nxai Pan National Park

During the wet months, the animals migrate to the plains, and since the parks in Botswana aren’t fenced, the wildlife experience is authentic. Elephants and lions are present here, as well as giraffes, springbok, hartebeest, impala, and oryx. While December is part of the wet season, this month is the best time to see wildlife in Nxai Pan National Park. Herbivores give birth to their young, which attracts predators.

Makgadikgadi Pans National Park

The rainy weather makes it a perfect time to visit Makgadikgadi Pans if you want to go on a safari to see birds. At this time, flamingos are thriving, and the wet weather is always an excellent opportunity for photography.

Activities to Do in Botswana During December

  • Game drives
  • Birdwatching safaris
  • Observing animals in wildlife hides
  • Photographic safaris
  • Zebra migration safaris

Ready to plan your tailor-made safari?

933 Reviews - 5/5 Stars

Craft your journey with the expertise of our dedicated Africa Safari Experts

Start Planning

What Our Guests Have to Say?

Read recent reviews from travellers who have planned and booked their trips with us

star-iconstar-iconstar-iconstar-iconstar-icon
Trustpilot review

"Bianca, thank you for making this a wonderful trip. When we contacted Discover Africa we did not know what to expect. It was the best decision we could have made. The attention to detail made the trip go smoothly. When I asked a question, and there were man..."

Janet Orr, United States•29 Sep 2026•

Read More
star-iconstar-iconstar-iconstar-iconstar-icon
Trustpilot review

"I booked a safari with Discover Africa. Adelle did a great job of finding me lodges that suited my budget, also within driving distance to the River Mara, so I was lucky enough to see a migration river crossing. The trip went so smoothly from the moment I l..."

John, United States•24 Aug 2026•

Read More
star-iconstar-iconstar-iconstar-iconstar-icon
Google review

"My son Max and I just returned from an incredible trip to South Africa and Mauritus, and I can't say enough about how exceptional Susan Veldman was throughout the entire process. From the very beginning she listened to what we wanted and designed an itinera..."

Debby Anziano, United States•05 May 2026•

Read More
star-iconstar-iconstar-iconstar-iconstar-icon
Trustpilot review

"We worked with Discover Africa to arrange our first ever Safari. Chrizaan from Discover Africa did a tremendous job in first understanding our requirements and wishes and then translating them into the perfect trip for us! Everything was organized to the..."

Elke Bregler, United States•21 Apr 2026•

Read More
star-iconstar-iconstar-iconstar-iconstar-icon
Trustpilot review

"We booked our safari trip through Justin van Wyk from Discover Africa, and we couldn’t be happier with the experience. He organized and booked everything from A to Z, so we didn’t have to worry about anything at all. Throughout the entire trip, we stayed..."

Gianluca, Switzerland•12 Apr 2026•

Read More
star-iconstar-iconstar-iconstar-iconstar-icon
Safari Bookings review

"All bookings were at luxurious and convenient places. The camp tents are beautifully decorated with a rustic look and feel. Food service were amazing for most part. The bush drives are as best as it could be given the rainy season etc. Punctuality has been ..."

George Jacob, Canada•10 Mar 2026•

Read More
View All Testimonials

Our safari traveller reviews are independently verified and sourced from trusted third-party review platforms.