Worst time to visit Gaborone
Some months in Gaborone are clearly tougher for travel — extreme heat, cold, drenching rain, or peak storm season. Here's what to skip.
Months to avoid
| Month | Why |
|---|---|
| January | very hot (31°C / 89°F)very wet (17 rain days) |
| February | very hot (30°C / 87°F)very wet (16 rain days) |
| September | very hot (30°C / 86°F) |
| October | very hot (32°C / 90°F) |
| November | very hot (32°C / 90°F) |
| December | very hot (32°C / 89°F)very wet (15 rain days) |
What to expect in the worst months
January. Highs in the 31°C range are tolerable in the shade but draining if you're walking all day. 17 rain days out of 31 means roughly 55% of days see measurable rainfall — plan flexible indoor backups for every outdoor day.
February. Highs in the 30°C range are tolerable in the shade but draining if you're walking all day. 16 rain days out of 28 means roughly 57% of days see measurable rainfall — plan flexible indoor backups for every outdoor day.
December. Highs in the 32°C range are tolerable in the shade but draining if you're walking all day. 15 rain days out of 31 means roughly 48% of days see measurable rainfall — plan flexible indoor backups for every outdoor day.
Better times to go
Better months: April (27°C, 9 rain days) · May (24°C, 4 rain days) · June (22°C, 2 rain days) · July (22°C, 2 rain days) · August (26°C, 1 rain days)
Better in the same region in January
If you're set on Africa in January, these cities have more comfortable conditions in the same window:
If you still have to go — what to bring
- Heat: UPF-rated long-sleeve sun shirt, refillable insulated bottle, electrolyte tablets, lightweight wide-brim hat. Plan indoor activities for 11 a.m.–4 p.m.
- Wet: Real rain shell (not a "water-resistant" jacket), packable umbrella, dry-bag for electronics, quick-dry layers. Pre-book indoor museums and food halls.
Related Gaborone guides
The positive counterpart: which months are great and why.