Botswana Safari in April: Lush Landscapes & Vibrant Wildlife

April marks a significant transition in the natural landscape as the rainy season concludes and the skies clear. Botswana has now entered its “shoulder season” for travel; its habitats are still green and lush from the summer rains, as the dry season hasn’t fully taken hold yet.

The month is particularly advantageous for birdwatching and wildlife observation. Early mornings and evenings are the most active times for game drives, presenting ideal conditions to witness interactions between predators and their prey. Bring along your binoculars to enhance your experience of the natural world during this dynamic season.

Weather in April

Safari vehicle observing a herd of elephants, Botswana. — April sees the weather begin to dry up, with only occasional rains | Photo: Getty

April begins to dry up, with only occasional rains. During the wet season, wild animals can be harder to spot, but as the weather improves in Botswana, so does the game viewing.

Average Weather in April

Temperature	Celsius	Fahrenheit	Rainfall
Min	14℃	57℉	0.5 inches
Max	31℃	88℉	1.2 inches

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Destinations to Visit in Botswana During April

Mokoro ride in Chobe | Photo credit: Linyanti Bush Camps — Linyanti Wildlife Reserve is a wetland paradise | Photo credit: Linyanti Bush Camps

Makgadikgadi Pans

Suitable to visit all year round, the Makgadikgadi Pans is a safari destination where you can see lions, leopards, and spotted hyenas, among other wild animals. April is the tail end of the wet season here, so some migratory birds and animals will begin making their way to their next destinations.

Linyanti Wildlife Reserve

Linyanti houses four members of the Big Five: buffalos, elephants, leopards, and lions. Situated in a corner of Chobe National Park, this wetland paradise includes a huge swamp, with narrow waterways providing ideal habitats for incredible birdlife, massive numbers of elephants, and river-dwelling creatures like crocodiles and hippopotamuses.

Chobe National Park

This month marks the start of the dry season in the north of Botswana, meaning wildlife becomes easier to spot. Chobe is a fantastic place to see large African animals such as elephants, giraffes, hippos, buffaloes, and zebras. It’s also a great spot to see rarer animals, such as wild dogs.

Activities to Do in Botswana During April

Game drives
Birding safaris
Walking safaris
Night game drives
Zebra migration safaris

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