Botswana

Botswana Weather in January

Average temperatures, rainfall, sunshine and the best places to visit in Botswana in January.

Are you planning a trip a to Botswana in January and wondering what kind of weather to expect? This page has all the details you need.

What to Expect in Botswana in January

January in Botswana generally has very warm temperatures, with precipitation levels ranging from moderate to heavy.

Temperatures

The average maximum temperatures are very warm and range from 31°C (88°F) in Kasane to 33°C (91°F) in Kang. Nighttime temperatures generally drop to 21°C (70°F) in Kang and 21°C (70°F) in Kasane. These night and day temperatures are average and some days may be even warmer. So be prepared and dress for the heat.

To learn more about the conditions in specific areas of Botswana, check out the map below.

Precipitation

In January, precipitation varies across different areas. From moderate rainfall in Kang with an average of 72 mm (2.8 in) to heavy rainfall in Kasane with 195 mm (7.7 in). Based on our climate, it is the month with the most precipitation throughout the year in Gaborone.

Average sunshine

Most destinations offer generous amounts of sunshine this January. For example, Gaborone gets approximately 288 hours of sunlight, perfect for anyone wanting bright, sunny days.

Explore Botswana by month

Best Places to Visit in Botswana in January

Click on a destination dot for more details. Toggle the map to compare temperatures or precipitation across Botswana.

perfect weather
pleasant
tolerable
unpleasant
poor

Perfect weather is subjective. On this map perfect weather has been defined with temperatures between 20°C (68°F) and 29°C (84°F) and not too much precipitation (less than 90 mm (3.5 in) a month).

Popular Destinations in Botswana

What is the weather like in January for some of the most popular destinations in Botswana?

Temperature range in Botswana (January)

Precipitation variation in Botswana (January)

Gaborone

In January Gaborone generally has very high temperatures with maximum daytime temperatures around 32°C (90°F), minimum nighttime temperatures around 21°C (70°F) and moderate monthly rainfall. So on average the conditions are pleasant that month.

December
January
February
Max temperature
32°C (90°F)
32°C (90°F)
32°C (90°F)
Min temperature
20°C (68°F)
21°C (70°F)
21°C (70°F)
Monthly sun hours
267 hours
288 hours
244 hours
Monthly rainfall
82 mm (3.2 in)
87 mm (3.4 in)
87 mm (3.4 in)
Monthly rainy days
10 days
11 days
9 days
Weather conditions

Francistown

In January Francistown generally has very high temperatures with maximum daytime temperatures around 32°C (90°F), minimum nighttime temperatures around 21°C (70°F) and moderate monthly rainfall. So on average the conditions are tolerable that month.

December
January
February
Max temperature
32°C (90°F)
32°C (90°F)
31°C (88°F)
Min temperature
20°C (68°F)
21°C (70°F)
20°C (68°F)
Monthly rainfall
102 mm (4 in)
100 mm (3.9 in)
101 mm (4 in)
Monthly rainy days
9 days
10 days
8 days
Weather conditions

Maun

In January Maun generally has very high temperatures with maximum daytime temperatures around 33°C (91°F), minimum nighttime temperatures around 21°C (70°F) and high monthly rainfall. So on average the conditions are tolerable that month.

December
January
February
Max temperature
34°C (93°F)
33°C (91°F)
33°C (91°F)
Min temperature
21°C (70°F)
21°C (70°F)
21°C (70°F)
Monthly sun hours
214 hours
245 hours
207 hours
Monthly rainfall
107 mm (4.2 in)
152 mm (6 in)
121 mm (4.8 in)
Monthly rainy days
9 days
13 days
11 days
Weather conditions

Mahalapye

In January Mahalapye generally has very high temperatures with maximum daytime temperatures around 32°C (90°F), minimum nighttime temperatures around 21°C (70°F) and high monthly rainfall. So on average the conditions are tolerable that month.

December
January
February
Max temperature
32°C (90°F)
32°C (90°F)
32°C (90°F)
Min temperature
21°C (70°F)
21°C (70°F)
21°C (70°F)
Monthly rainfall
90 mm (3.5 in)
102 mm (4 in)
85 mm (3.3 in)
Monthly rainy days
8 days
9 days
7 days
Weather conditions

Masarwa

In January Masarwa generally has very high temperatures with maximum daytime temperatures around 32°C (90°F), minimum nighttime temperatures around 21°C (70°F) and heavy monthly rainfall. So on average the conditions are tolerable that month.

December
January
February
Max temperature
33°C (91°F)
32°C (90°F)
32°C (90°F)
Min temperature
21°C (70°F)
21°C (70°F)
21°C (70°F)
Monthly rainfall
124 mm (4.9 in)
175 mm (6.9 in)
152 mm (6 in)
Monthly rainy days
10 days
13 days
12 days
Weather conditions

Is your destination not in the list? Have a look at all destinations in Botswana.

In our records: Botswana January extremes

Notable January records observed across cities in Botswana in our climate database (1985 – 2026). Historic readings can vary in quality, so treat these as illustrative.

  • In our records, the warmest January day in Botswana reached 44°C (111°F) in Maun on January 7, 2016.

Popular cities in January

Day & night temperatures, rainfall and average weather in Botswana in January.

City Weather Day temp Night temp Rainfall
Gaborone 32°C (90°F) 21°C (70°F) 87 mm (3.4 in)
Kasane 31°C (88°F) 21°C (70°F) 195 mm (7.7 in)
Francistown 32°C (90°F) 21°C (70°F) 100 mm (3.9 in)
Maun 33°C (91°F) 21°C (70°F) 152 mm (6 in)
Kang 33°C (91°F) 21°C (70°F) 72 mm (2.8 in)
Ghanzi 33°C (91°F) 21°C (70°F) 118 mm (4.6 in)

Botswana weather in January: frequently asked questions

What is the weather like in Botswana in January?

Botswana typically experiences tolerable weather in January, part of the season. Daytime highs in Gaborone average around 32°C (90°F), and temperatures drop to about 21°C (70°F) at night.

What is the average temperature in Botswana in January?

Average temperatures in Botswana during January range from a nighttime low near 21°C (70°F) to a daytime high around 32°C (90°F) in Gaborone.

Does Botswana get a lot of rain in January?

Rain is generally moderate to light in Botswana during January, with Gaborone averaging close to 87 mm (3.4 in).

Is January a Good Time to Visit Botswana?

In our view, January might not be the best time to travel to Botswana with often pleasant weather in Gaborone.

Generally speaking, the best visiting conditions can be found in April, May, June, July and August offering mostly perfect weather in Gaborone. The weather in January, February, March, October, November and December, on the other hand, tends to be tolerable.

Interested in more climate information?

We have much more information about the climate in Botswana.

Weather and climate has detailed information for every country in the world. Are you going to Botswana? Get detailed historical weather averages for many cities in Botswana.

Not sure yet where to go? We now have a tool which recommends destinations that suit your ideal travel conditions. Find out where to go with our weather planner.

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