In the world of high-end travel, there is a certain prestige associated with the peak season. Those researching safari destinations often find themselves chasing the same calendar dates, seeking the same cloudless horizons and the same crowded waterholes.
But for the discerning traveler, the one who seeks soul-stirring landscapes and a more intimate connection with the wild, there is a secret that the safari elite keep close to their chest.
It is called the green season.
Spanning from November to March, Botswana’s summer (often referred to as the emerald season) is a time of dramatic transformation. Many may be turned away by the promise of afternoon rains, but those in the know understand that this is when the Kalahari truly exhales.
Here is why your next safari adventure should be a green season escape.
A Palette of Emerald and Gold
In the dry winter months, Botswana is a study in sepia: beautiful, but parched. When the first rains break in November, the transformation is almost instant. The dust is washed from the air, leaving the kind of clarity that photographers dream of.
The arid earth sprouts into a carpet of lush grasses and vibrant wildflowers, turning the Savuti and the Okavango into a jade paradise.
The skies also become a work of art. Instead of the endless blue of winter, green season visitors are treated to towering cumulonimbus clouds and theatrical afternoon thunderstorms that roll across the plains, often followed by the most radiant sunsets you will ever witness.
The Miracle of New Life
If the dry season is about survival, the green season is about abundance. This is the time when the bush is overflowing with new life, when thousands of impala, tsessebe, and zebra give birth. There is nothing quite as heart-melting as seeing a wobbly-legged foal taking its first steps in the tall grass.
Naturally, this abundance of young prey draws out the big cats. For those who seek the thrill of the hunt, the green season offers some of the most intense predator-prey interactions. Leopard, lion, and cheetah are plentiful.
The arrival of the rains also signals the start of the great zebra migration, a spectacle of movement that rivals the Serengeti.
The Luxury of Exclusivity
One of the most significant prosof a low-season visit is the sense of privacy and exclusivity. In the peak of July, travelers are likely to find several vehicles at a prime sighting, whereas in February, you are often the only people for miles around.
This exclusivity extends to the lodges themselves. Many of Botswana’s most prestigious camps offer significantly lower rates and waive single supplements during these months. It is the perfect opportunity to experience ultra-luxury lodges that might otherwise stretch your budget.
Low season also means the discerning safari-goer experiences more personalized service as the guest-to-staff ratio shifts in your favor.
What to Expect
Although we advocate for the beauty of the green season, it is important to travel with a well-planned set of expectations.
- The Water Levels: Counter-intuitively, the Okavango Delta’s famous floodwaters arrive from Angola during the dry winter months. In the green season, local rains fill the pans, but the Delta channels are lower, or completely dry. This means that at certain camps, water-based activities like mokoro (dugout canoe) trips may be limited. If a mokoro glide is on your bucket list, we recommend choosing a permanent water camp.
- The Flora: The lush vegetation is stunning, but it does mean the wildlife is a bit harder to spot than when the trees are bare. You’ll rely more on your guide’s tracking skills, which, in our opinion, only adds to the authenticity of the experience.
- The Logistics: Some remote camps close during the height of the rains when the black cotton soil becomes very difficult to navigate, and can be impassable. However, the camps that remain open are well-equipped to handle the elements, offering cozy ponchos and gin and tonics to enjoy while watching the storm pass.
Packing for the Emerald Season
Your packing list will differ from a winter safari. Trade the heavy puffer jackets for lightweight waterproofs. The air is humid and warm, so breathable linens and cottons in neutral tones remain your best friends.
And, of course, a pair of high-quality binoculars is essential for spotting the migratory birds that flock to Botswana at this time of year.
Final Thoughts
Choosing the green season is an invitation to see Botswana at its most vibrant and lush. It is a time for those who prefer the sound of falling rain over the chatter of other tourists, and for those who find more beauty in a blossoming desert than a dry plain.
The dry season may offer easier sightings, but the green season has an emotional resonance that stays with you long after the mud has washed off your boots. It is, quite simply, Botswana in its most breathtaking form.
