Weather in Gaborone

Planning your day or a trip to Gaborone? In this section, you will find the most up-to-date weather information, including detailed forecasts and useful weather charts, to ensure your stay is as comfortable as possible.

The climate in Gaborone, the capital of Botswana, is characterised as semi-arid. This means the city enjoys plenty of sunshine throughout the year, with hot summers and mild, dry winters. The weather here features distinct seasons, which is important to consider when planning your trip.

The summer period, lasting roughly from October to March, brings high temperatures to Gaborone, often rising above 30°C. This is also the time when the bulk of annual rainfall occurs, although it is usually not heavy and comes in the form of short showers, especially in December, January, and February. Winter, from May to September, offers pleasantly warm days, yet nights can be quite chilly, with temperatures dropping to 6-10°C. This season is distinguished by an almost complete absence of rain, particularly from May to September, making it very dry.

Gaborone experiences a noticeable annual temperature variation, typical of a semi-arid climate. Generally, the hottest months are January (average temperature 25.8°C), November (25.4°C), and December (25.7°C). During this period, daytime highs often rise above 30-32°C. The coolest weather settles in June and July, when average temperatures hover around 14.1-14.4°C, and night-time lows can drop to 6-7°C, making these the coldest months of the year.

The summer season in Gaborone, lasting roughly from October to March, brings consistently hot weather. During the day, the thermometer regularly exceeds the 30°C mark, reaching peak values in November (up to 32.1°C) and January (up to 31.4°C). Nights in the summer months remain quite warm, with minimum temperatures fluctuating in the 17-20°C range. Although summer is the season with the highest rainfall, the heat is often felt as a dry heat, especially on days when there is no rain.

Winter in Gaborone, occurring from May to September, is characterised by pleasantly warm weather during the day and significantly cooler nights. Daytime maximum temperatures in the winter months usually range from 22°C (in June-July) to 26°C (in August), creating very comfortable conditions for outdoor activities. However, as darkness falls, the air temperature drops noticeably, and night-time lows can fall to 6-10°C, especially in the coldest months – June and July. This significant diurnal temperature range is a characteristic feature of the winter period in Gaborone, so travellers should be prepared for chilly evenings and mornings by having appropriate clothing.

Gaborone observes a distinct seasonality in rainfall distribution throughout the year, which is typical of its semi-arid climate. The city experiences a clear rainy season falling during the summer months, and a prolonged dry season in winter.

The rainy season in Gaborone usually lasts from late October or November to March. It is during this period that the majority of annual precipitation falls, although the total amount remains relatively low. The wettest months in terms of rainfall are February and December, when an average of 3 mm falls. January follows with 2 mm of precipitation. In terms of rain frequency, December leads with about 13 rainy days, followed by January (about 11 days) and February (about 9 days). Precipitation at this time most often takes the form of short showers, which can be quite intense but usually end quickly.

The dry season covers the period from May to September. During these months, rain becomes a rarity. July, August, and September are completely dry – on average, not a single millimetre of precipitation falls during these months, and the number of rainy days is zero. May and June are also practically devoid of precipitation (0 mm), with one potential rainy day. Transitional months, such as April and October, are characterised by minimal precipitation (1 mm); however, in October, an increase in the number of rainy days (up to 4 days) is already noticeable, signalling the approach of the wet season.

When planning a trip to Gaborone, it is important to pack a wardrobe suitable for its semi-arid climate with hot summers and mild winters characterized by cool nights. Regardless of the season, you will need light, breathable clothing made from natural fabrics, comfortable walking shoes, high SPF sunscreen, a hat, and sunglasses to protect against the intense African sun. For the summer months (roughly October to March), when daytime temperatures regularly rise above 30°C, pack shorts, t-shirts, light dresses, and sundresses. Given that this is also the period with the highest rainfall, especially from December to February, do not forget a light raincoat or a compact umbrella in case of short but sometimes intense downpours.

The winter period in Gaborone (from May to September) is distinguished by pleasantly warm days, yet evenings and nights can be quite chilly, with temperatures dropping to 6-10°C. The key principle when packing for this time of year is layering. During the day, you will be comfortable in t-shirts and light shirts, but for the evening and early morning, be sure to take a sweater, fleece jacket, or light coat. Long trousers will also be very useful. Since the winter months (especially June-September) are characterised by an almost complete absence of precipitation, you will most likely not need an umbrella. However, due to the dry air, skin moisturiser and lip balm may come in handy.