Gaborone, Botswana Climate & Monthly Averages

The climate of Gaborone

Gaborone averages 71°F (21°C) across the year, with 10.9 hours of sunshine a day and 13.6 inches (345 mm) of precipitation. The spread runs from July, at 71°F (22°C), to December, at 90°F (32°C).

Climate quick facts

• Hottest month: December - highs near 90°F (32°C)
• Coldest month: July - highs near 71°F (22°C)
• Decade extremes (2015-2024): 109°F (43°C) high · 33°F (0°C) low
• Wettest month: December (9 rainy days) · Sunniest: January (11.7 h sun/day)
• Climate type: semi-arid
• Annual swing: 12°C between the average warmest and coolest month · day to night: 14°C
• Months averaging 30°C or hotter: 6
• Average humidity: 48%

Temperatures through the year

Precipitation concentrates in December - 2.9 inches (74 mm) on 9 days - and thins out by August. July is the coolest month, with highs of 71°F (22°C) and lows near 44°F (6°C). At its warmest, in December, Gaborone runs to 90°F (32°C) in the afternoon and back to 69°F (20°C) by dawn. The gridded 2015-2024 daily record for this location tops out at 109°F (43°C) and bottoms at 33°F (0°C) - decade extremes, not all-time station records. Average highs hold at or above 30°C for 6 months of the year, September through February being the unbroken run.

Rain, sun and snow

Four of the twelve months pair mild highs with fewer than twelve wet days; the longest unbroken run is May through August. Relative humidity averages 48% across the year, drier than all but 5% of the 3496 cities in our dataset. Sunshine averages 10.9 hours a day over the year - sunnier than 93% of the 3496 cities in our dataset, peaking in January at 11.7 hours.

How Gaborone compares

• Afternoons run 14°C above the following night - a bigger day-to-night gap than 97% of the 3496 cities we track.
• Rain or snow reaches the ground on 47 days a year - fewer wet days than all but 8% of the 3496 cities we track.
• 60% of the year's precipitation falls in its wettest three months - more seasonal than 92% of the 3496 cities we track.

Ranked against every city in our dataset, each measured on the same ten-year window.

Best time to visit Gaborone

April to August is the sweet spot for Gaborone - temperatures sit either side of the peak heat rather than in it. Expect 76°F (24°C) in the afternoon and around 1 days of rain in a typical month of it. For the same question asked the other way round, see where else is warm in April.

Pack for Gaborone with lightweight, breathable clothing and serious sun protection. December nights average 69°F (20°C), so evenings rarely match the afternoons.