Kalahari Desert

Kalahari Desert Weather in January

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

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Planning a journey to the Kalahari Desert, Botswana this January and curious over the weather conditions to await? Your essential details are found on this page, answering your query:

What to Expect in the Kalahari Desert in January

The Kalahari Desert, Botswana is a region in Botswana. January in the Kalahari Desert generally has very warm temperatures, with precipitation levels ranging from moderate to high.

Temperatures

You can expect very warm maximum daytime temperatures of around 33°C (91°F) and nighttime temperatures around 21°C (70°F) in Ghanzi. The temperatures mentioned for both day and night are typical averages. However some days might get even hotter. It's best to stay prepared by wearing cloths suitable for the warmth.

To learn more about the conditions in specific areas of the Kalahari Desert, 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 high rainfall in Ghanzi with 118 mm (4.6 in). Looking at the climate data spanning the last 30 years, this month sees the heaviest rainfall of the year in Ghanzi.

Average sunshine

Many locations offer abundant sunshine during this month. For instance, Ghanzi enjoys approximately 295 hours of sunlight, ideal for those seeking sunny weather.

Explore the Kalahari Desert by month

Pick a month to see the average temperature, rainfall and sunshine in the Kalahari Desert — and find the best time to visit. (based on Kang)

Best Places to Visit in the Kalahari Desert in January

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

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 the Kalahari Desert

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

Temperature range in the Kalahari Desert (January)

Precipitation variation in the Kalahari Desert (January)

Ghanzi

In January Ghanzi 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)
32°C (90°F)
Min temperature
20°C (68°F)
21°C (70°F)
20°C (68°F)
Monthly sun hours
267 hours
295 hours
283 hours
Monthly rainfall
79 mm (3.1 in)
118 mm (4.6 in)
107 mm (4.2 in)
Monthly rainy days
9 days
12 days
10 days
Weather conditions

Kang

In January Kang generally has very high temperatures with maximum daytime temperatures around 33°C (91°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
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 rainfall
66 mm (2.6 in)
72 mm (2.8 in)
68 mm (2.7 in)
Monthly rainy days
8 days
10 days
9 days
Weather conditions

Is your destination not in the list? Have a look at all destinations in the Kalahari Desert, 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 the Kalahari Desert in January.

City Weather Day temp Night temp Rainfall
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)

The Kalahari Desert weather in January: frequently asked questions

What is the weather like in the Kalahari Desert, Botswana in January?

In January, the Kalahari Desert, Botswana generally has poor weather conditions. Ghanzi sees daytime temperatures near 33°C (91°F), with nights cooling to roughly 21°C (70°F).

What is the average temperature in the Kalahari Desert, Botswana in January?

Daytime temperatures in Ghanzi peak at roughly 33°C (91°F) in January, dropping to about 21°C (70°F) overnight.

Does the Kalahari Desert, Botswana get a lot of rain in January?

Yes, January tends to be a wetter month in the Kalahari Desert, Botswana. Average rainfall in Ghanzi sits around 118 mm (4.6 in).

Is January a Good Time to Visit the Kalahari Desert, Botswana?

In our opinion, January may not be the ideal time to visit the Kalahari Desert, Botswana due to the typically tolerable weather in Ghanzi.

Generally speaking, May, June, July and August provide perfect weather in Ghanzi. On the other hand, the months of January, October, November and December tend to have poor weather conditions.

Interested in more climate information?

We have much more information about the climate in the Kalahari Desert.

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.

Bucket list

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