Botswana in April?
What will a safari be like in April and May?
The first signs that the times are a changing – night temperatures drop to below 20˚C on average but day temperatures continue to rise up to 30-35˚C on some days. Its important to stay in camps located under big trees providing ample shade for tents. The cooler mornings with high relative humidity lead to wonderful early morning misty magic especially over the waters. The impala rut is in full swing and the impala noises continue right through the night with dramatic clashes between rival males. Baboon and impala are often together assisting the safety of the busy impala. The trees have completed flowering and fruit is ripening all over with the massive sausages hanging from the sausage trees. The reptiles are actively breeding and feeding in anticipation of the dry season about to start.
This time of year guarantees the arrival of the Okavango’s flood waters into the Delta and although they may not peak until June , this time of year is the most dramatic seasonal change and it is actually possible to see the flood waters encroach and cover the surrounding floodplains until there is nothing left but water and palm fringed islands.
Yet again, the animals spring to life, taking full advantage of the arrival of the new water as it flushes out rodents from their hibernation, making easy meals for all kinds of predators from stalks to cats!
The waters also rejuvenate the parched floodplains. Nutritious water dwelling plants emerge from underneath the Delta providing an alternative to the dry grasslands and woodlands. The plains game, especially lechwe, buffalo, zebra and wildebeest wade into the water, seeking out these new shoots. This is also the time of year that thousands of water lilies emerge for the first time, covering the water in blankets of stunning blue and white flowers.
As the flood levels arrive they also bring an array of underwater life; bream and other fish swim up the new channels awaking the attention of the fish-eating birds, especially the kingfishers, the cormorants and the African Fish Eagle. Bird life is prolific throughout the period as the water is packed with nutrients, providing a welcome source of food. Jacanas also spring to life, walking over the waterlillies as if walking on water.
One of the most interesting things about this time of year is the start of the rutting season of many species of antelope. Fights ensue, as the rams battle for control of the best grasses that will therefore invite the highest number of females in time for breeding.
The first signs that the times are a changing – night temperatures drop to below 20˚C on average but day temperatures continue to rise up to 30-35˚C on some days. Its important to stay in camps located under big trees providing ample shade for tents. The cooler mornings with high relative humidity lead to wonderful early morning misty magic especially over the waters. The impala rut is in full swing and the impala noises continue right through the night with dramatic clashes between rival males. Baboon and impala are often together assisting the safety of the busy impala. The trees have completed flowering and fruit is ripening all over with the massive sausages hanging from the sausage trees. The reptiles are actively breeding and feeding in anticipation of the dry season about to start.
This time of year guarantees the arrival of the Okavango’s flood waters into the Delta and although they may not peak until June , this time of year is the most dramatic seasonal change and it is actually possible to see the flood waters encroach and cover the surrounding floodplains until there is nothing left but water and palm fringed islands.
Yet again, the animals spring to life, taking full advantage of the arrival of the new water as it flushes out rodents from their hibernation, making easy meals for all kinds of predators from stalks to cats!
The waters also rejuvenate the parched floodplains. Nutritious water dwelling plants emerge from underneath the Delta providing an alternative to the dry grasslands and woodlands. The plains game, especially lechwe, buffalo, zebra and wildebeest wade into the water, seeking out these new shoots. This is also the time of year that thousands of water lilies emerge for the first time, covering the water in blankets of stunning blue and white flowers.
As the flood levels arrive they also bring an array of underwater life; bream and other fish swim up the new channels awaking the attention of the fish-eating birds, especially the kingfishers, the cormorants and the African Fish Eagle. Bird life is prolific throughout the period as the water is packed with nutrients, providing a welcome source of food. Jacanas also spring to life, walking over the waterlillies as if walking on water.
One of the most interesting things about this time of year is the start of the rutting season of many species of antelope. Fights ensue, as the rams battle for control of the best grasses that will therefore invite the highest number of females in time for breeding.
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