Our Top Picks for January
Whether you are planning to witness the Great Wildebeest Migration in East Africa, experience a Big 5 safari in the Kruger National Park or spend your honeymoon in the Seychelles, timing is important. Our guidelines are based on our expert, on-the-ground knowledge of Africa’s travel seasons.
Kalahari Desert - Botswana
Season | High Summer | Average | Temperature for January | 28 Celsius | 82 Fahrenheit
What
Excellent birding, game viewing and the zebra migration in the now-green Kalahari Desert.
Why
January falls within Botswana’s intense rainy season, making animals hard to find in the northern parts of the country like Chobe National Park. The Kalahari is in the south, however, and being a desert, doesn’t receive the same level of rain. But what rain it does receive transforms it from red sand to green grazing, attracting predators, prey and plenty of migrant and resident birds.
When to book
The Kalahari is not nearly as visited as Botswana’s superstar wilderness areas, the Okavango Delta and Chobe. You should be able to get good accommodation and rates without booking too far in advance.
Good to know
Read our seasonal guide to planning your Botswana safari and our expert advice for amateur photographers on how to photograph birds on your safari.