The delta's rhythm is shaped by its annual flood. Water from Angola's summer rains arrives between June and August — right in the middle of Botswana's dry, cool winter. This is the peak season for wildlife viewing: animals cluster around the shrinking water, the bush is thin, and the skies are clear. Nights can be cold, dropping to near freezing in June and July.
The wet season from November to March brings afternoon thunderstorms, green landscapes, and migratory birds, including huge flocks of carmine bee-eaters. It is the best time for birding but the worst for driving — many tracks flood and some camps close entirely. The shoulder months of April, May, and September offer a good compromise between access and wildlife density.