Botswana's best-kept secret!

Come with us on a green season safari!

It's lovingly called the green season - a time of year when Botswana is possibly at its finest, thanks to seasonal rains and an abundance of life everywhere you look. From December to April each year, rain creates unique and altogether enchanting experiences across the country, turning the dry, barren landscapes of winter into every shade of green imaginable. Also known as the secret safari season - this is an incredible time of year to be on safari in Botswana, with lush, verdant grasslands bursting with new life and the skies filled with migrant birds...

Any colour, as long as it's green...

Often overlooked by travellers who prioritise the dry season for its famed wildlife concentrations around water sources, the secret, green season offers an entirely different perspective on the country’s landscapes and ecosystems. The transformation that takes place during these months is profound, with lush greenery, dramatic skies, and a wealth of life everywhere you look. This is a time when Botswana reveals a softer, more intimate side, and if you come to visit us during these months, the rewards are plentiful.

The most immediate and striking aspect of the green season is the remarkable change in the environment. The parched, dusty landscapes of the dry season give way to vibrant, verdant expanses, with grasses growing tall and trees regaining their foliage. Seasonal rains replenish the land, turning it into a mosaic of rich greens that contrast beautifully with the deep blues of the skies and the amber tones of the evening light. 

The vast floodplains of the Okavango Delta and the surrounding areas fill with lush grasses, pans fill with water, and the rain brings new life into the network of permanent channels and lagoons, including the Khwai River and the Mbudi Channel which runs past Feline Fields Vintage Camp. This lush backdrop is a photographer’s dream, with the bright colours and dramatic contrasts providing endless opportunities for capturing the beauty of Botswana’s wilderness.

A sea of tranquillity

One of the key advantages of visiting us during the green season is the quietness! Outside of peak tourism season the Botswana wilderness becomes somehow more tranquil, offering a sense of real solitude and exclusivity. This quieter atmosphere allows for more intimate wildlife encounters, giving you the ability to observe animals at their own pace, undisturbed by human presence, creating a more immersive experience, giving you the sense that you have the wilderness to yourself.

Wildlife viewing during the green season is as rich and diverse as during the dry months, albeit in different ways. With the rains come an abundance of fresh grazing opportunities, and herbivores such as zebras, impalas, and wildebeest take full advantage of the lush pastures. 

The Kalahari, in particular, becomes a hotspot for these species, as large herds migrate to the area to graze on the fresh grasses. At Feline Fields Lodge we see an increase in plains game around the lodge during this time, and lots of leopard activity. We fully expect lions to return to the area in the near future, thanks to the rich supply of prey species which is steadily increasing, year on year.

New life everywhere

Of course, the green season is also the time of year when many species give birth, creating a remarkable wildlife spectacle. The influx of new life across the landscape is a highlight of the season, with young zebras, wildebeest, and impalas frolicking alongside their mothers. This baby boom is particularly attractive to predators, who take advantage of the vulnerable newborns, leading to intense hunting scenes that are often more dramatic than those witnessed in the dry season. 

The abundance of prey during this time ensures that predators like lions and hyenas are well-fed, and their activities can be observed at close range, making for thrilling game drives.

In addition to the mammal population, birdlife flourishes during Botswana’s green season. This period coincides with the arrival of migratory birds, adding to the already impressive list of resident species. Southern carmine bee-eaters, woodland kingfishers, and a variety of raptors make the green season a birdwatcher’s paradise. 

The lush vegetation and availability of water create ideal conditions for breeding, with many species showing off their vibrant plumage and engaging in courtship displays. The sound of birdsong fills the air, providing a serene soundtrack to the safari experience. For those who are passionate about ornithology, this season offers the chance to observe rare and elusive species in their natural habitats, often accompanied by the dramatic backdrop of Botswana’s flourishing wetlands and savannahs.

Spectacular skies

The weather during the green season adds a dynamic element to the safari experience. The rains are typically short but heavy, with dramatic thunderstorms lighting up the skies in the afternoons. These storms are often brief, leaving behind clear skies and refreshed landscapes that sparkle in the sunlight. The sight of a thunderstorm rolling across the horizon, with towering cumulonimbus clouds casting shadows over the plains, is a spectacle in itself. The air feels cleaner, the colours more vivid, and the scent of damp earth enhances the sensory connection to the environment. These fleeting storms create an atmospheric quality that is often lacking in the drier months, making the landscape feel more alive and constantly shifting.

The green season also presents an opportunity to witness Botswana’s landscapes in their most pristine and natural state. The dry season often leaves behind landscapes that, while dramatic, can feel harsh and unforgiving. In contrast, the green season reveals the country’s softer side, with blooming wildflowers, lush grasses, and heavy foliage creating a more vibrant and inviting environment. This period allows visitors to appreciate the full spectrum of Botswana’s natural beauty, from the stark contrasts of the Kalahari to the verdant floodplains of the Khwai region. The diversity of landscapes on offer during the green season is staggering, providing an ever-changing canvas of sights and sounds that captivate the senses.

A photographic paradise

In terms of photography, the green season offers unparalleled opportunities to capture Botswana at its most beautiful. The interplay of light and shadow during the rainy months creates dramatic contrasts, with stormy skies providing a moody and atmospheric backdrop to wildlife and landscapes.

The vibrant greens of the vegetation, the reflections on the water, and the soft golden light of the early morning and late afternoon make for stunning photographs. For professional and amateur photographers alike, the green season provides an abundance of subject matter, from the wildlife to the landscapes, with every detail magnified by the freshness and vitality of the environment.

Ultimately, a safari in Botswana during the green season is about embracing the unpredictability and vitality of nature. It is a time when the wilderness feels more untamed and alive, where every game drive brings the potential for surprise and discovery. While the dry season is often touted as the best time for safari due to its concentrated wildlife sightings, the green season offers a more immersive, intimate, and rewarding experience for those willing to explore beyond the traditional safari calendar.

It is a time when Botswana’s landscapes are at their most vibrant, its wildlife at its most active, and its atmosphere at its most dynamic. For travellers seeking a deeper connection with the natural world, a safari during Botswana’s green season offers a truly unforgettable adventure and from the minute you step into Botswana’s lush green world, you feel something different in the air. The sound of the rain softens the landscape, the smell of fresh earth rises with every step, and everywhere you look, life is bursting forth. You'll be surrounded by a sense of wonder that only nature, in its most fertile and flourishing state, can provide. It’s not just a safari, but a rare opportunity to see a vibrant wilderness spring back to life. 

Get in touch today to talk about your green season options and we hope to see you soon!