Fall in Gaborone really marks a big change from the hot, rainy summer to something drier and much more pleasant. You’ll get warm days that slowly cool off as fall goes on, with less rain and weather that feels a lot more settled than earlier in the year.
That’s why it’s such a good time for outdoor stuff or just wandering around the city. You don’t have to deal with the wild heat or the chilly winter air.
Temperatures usually start in the upper 80s Fahrenheit (about 30°C) in March, then work their way down to the mid-70s (mid-20s°C) by May. Rain fades away, leaving behind clearer skies and weather you can actually count on.
The sun sticks around, so you get plenty of daylight to explore or just relax outside.
This combo of warmth, sunshine, and less rain makes fall one of the best times to visit Gaborone. Whether you want to sightsee, take day trips, or just soak up the local vibe, fall gives you a nice, steady backdrop for it all.
Overview of Gaborone’s Fall Climate
Gaborone’s fall season feels the effects of its subtropical steppe climate. That means dry air, cooler nights, and shorter days. You’ll notice the temps dropping, rain backing off, and skies getting clearer compared to the muggy summer.
Steppe Climate Characteristics
Gaborone sits in a subtropical steppe climate (BSh). That means not much rain and pretty big swings between daytime heat and nighttime chill.
The city sits at about 1,000 meters (3,280 feet) above sea level, which helps keep the nights cool and the daytime highs from getting too crazy.
Rain barely makes an appearance in this climate, averaging just 510 mm (20 inches) per year. Most of that falls in summer. By the time fall comes around, the rainy season wraps up fast, and the air dries out.
Humidity drops off a cliff too, and by late May, those muggy days are pretty much gone. The dry air makes the cooler weather feel crisp, not clammy.
In real life, what does this mean? You get warm afternoons, cool evenings, and almost no rain in the fall. It’s a routine you can count on, and it makes being outside way more enjoyable.
Seasonal Weather Patterns
During fall, daily highs fall from about 87°F (31°C) in March to around 74°F (23°C) in May. Lows drop even more, from about 66°F (19°C) down to 44°F (7°C).
Clouds become less and less common. At the start of fall, maybe a quarter of days are cloudy, but by late May, skies are clear or mostly clear more than 90% of the time.
Rain doesn’t stick around either. Early March might still see 2–3 inches of rain, but by May, you’re looking at less than 0.5 inches.
Daylight shrinks by almost two hours over the season. Sunsets move from about 6:45 PM in March to 5:35 PM in May, so you might want to plan your evenings accordingly.
How Fall Differs from Other Seasons
Fall in Gaborone is way drier than summer, which brings the most rain and plenty of thunderstorms. Spring warms up and gets more humid, but fall heads the other way—cooling down, drying out.
Winter comes right after fall, and it’s cooler but stays dry, with highs in the low 70s °F (21–23°C). Fall basically helps you ease out of summer’s heat and into winter’s chill.
Compared to summer, when muggy days show up about 25% of the time, fall almost wipes that out. The air just feels lighter and way more comfortable.
Winds in fall are pretty steady, usually about 6–7 mph from the east. Spring can get gusty, but fall winds are mild and don’t cause much fuss.
Average Temperatures During Fall
Fall in Gaborone brings a steady cool-down. Hot days at the start mellow into mild afternoons and crisp nights. You’ll really feel the shift from summer heat to cooler winter-like weather, with both highs and lows dropping off.
Temperature by Month
March stays pretty warm, with highs around 87°F (31°C) and nights near 66°F (19°C). You still get a bit of that leftover summer heat.
By April, highs are closer to 80°F (27°C), and nights cool down to about 55°F (13°C). The difference between day and night gets more obvious, so evenings feel chillier.
May is the coolest month in fall. Highs reach about 74°F (23°C), and lows fall to 44°F (7°C). Early mornings can feel downright cold, so a jacket isn’t a bad idea before sunrise.
| Month | Avg High | Avg Low |
|---|---|---|
| March | 87°F / 31°C | 66°F / 19°C |
| April | 80°F / 27°C | 55°F / 13°C |
| May | 74°F / 23°C | 44°F / 7°C |
Daytime Versus Nighttime Temperatures
Afternoons in fall are usually comfortable, ranging from the mid-70s to upper 80s Fahrenheit. You can get outside and enjoy the day without sweating buckets, especially after March.
Nights, though, cool off a lot. At the start of fall, evenings are still warm, but by late May, it can dip into the low 40s. That big swing between day and night is classic Gaborone.
You’ll probably end up dressing in layers. Light stuff for the day, but definitely bring a sweater or jacket for after sunset. Travelers sometimes get caught off guard by how chilly mornings and evenings can feel.
Temperature Trends Compared to Annual Averages
If you look at the yearly average, fall temperatures in Gaborone drop steadily. The annual mean is about 70°F (21°C). Fall starts above that and ends below.
March sits warmer than the yearly norm, while May is cooler. This is the time when things really shift from the hot, rainy months to the dry winter stretch.
Fall also shows off Gaborone’s big diurnal range. While annual averages hide it, fall nights cool off way more than the rest of the year. It makes fall one of the most changeable times for daily comfort.
Rainfall and Precipitation in Fall
During fall, Gaborone dries out fast as the wet season ends and the dry months take over. You’ll see fewer rainy days, less total rain, and a big difference between the start and end of the season.
Rainy Days and Frequency
In early fall, especially March, you might still get a bit of rain. March usually has around 6–8 rainy days, with totals near 40–60 mm. So the start of fall can feel a little wetter.
By April, rain drops off a lot. Precipitation falls to about 20–30 mm, spread over just 3–4 days. Showers are less predictable and don’t last long.
May brings the dry season in full. You’ll barely see more than 1–2 rainy days, with totals under 10 mm. Some years, May is almost bone dry.
If you visit during fall, you’ll definitely notice the rain fading away as the weeks go by.
Wettest Month in Fall
March is the wettest fall month in Gaborone. Average rainfall hits about 50 mm, but it can change a lot year to year. Rain usually comes in short bursts, often late in the day or at night.
You’ll get about a week of rainy days in March. That’s way less than the wettest summer months, but it keeps things greener for a while.
Temps stay warm, so any showers dry up fast. If you’re traveling, rain probably won’t ruin your plans, but you might want to be ready for a quick downpour.
Driest Month in Fall
May is the driest month in Gaborone’s fall. Rain averages less than 10 mm, and some years, it barely rains at all. Rainy days are rare—maybe one or two—and skies usually stay clear.
This marks the start of the long, dry winter. By now, plants start to lose their lush look, and water sources shrink a bit.
If you’re into hiking or exploring, May gives you dry, predictable weather. You won’t have to worry about rain messing up your plans.
Humidity, Wind, and Sunshine
During fall, Gaborone shifts to drier air, lighter winds, and more hours of sunshine. These changes really affect how comfortable things feel outside.
Average Humidity Levels
Humidity drops off as fall goes on. March still has some leftover moisture, with relative humidity around 50–55%. By May, it drops to 35–40%, so things get much drier.
Mornings might feel a little humid in March, but afternoons are dry and pleasant. Lower humidity means you won’t feel sticky, making it nicer to walk around or sightsee.
Since rain disappears after March, expect fewer cloudy days and less moisture in the air. If you have sensitive skin or breathing issues, the dry air in April and May might feel a bit harsh, so bring some water and moisturizer.
Wind Patterns During Fall
Winds in Gaborone’s fall stay light to moderate. Breezes usually come from the east or southeast, with average speeds around 8–12 km/h. These winds clear the air and help keep afternoons cool.
March can bring slightly stronger winds as the rainy season wraps up, but things settle down by April and May. Gusty winds aren’t really a problem, so your outdoor plans should go off without a hitch.
That steady airflow helps dry things out and keeps clouds away, making fall a good time to be outside—whether you’re in the city or heading out to the countryside.
Sunshine Hours and Daylight
Sunshine gets better as fall moves along. In March, you’ll get about 8.5–9 hours of sun each day. By April and May, it’s closer to 9.5–10 hours, with clearer skies and less rain.
Daylight hours do get a bit shorter, but it’s not a huge drop. You still have long afternoons, which is great for sightseeing or just hanging out outside. The skies are usually bright and clear, so you can see across the city and out to the hills.
The sun stays strong, so even when it feels cooler, you’ll want sunscreen. Dry air and high UV can sneak up on you, so don’t forget to protect your skin.
Monthly Breakdown: Gaborone Fall Weather
During fall, Gaborone’s weather shifts from the dry, cooler season to the warmer, wetter summer. Rain starts to come back after the dry winter, daylight gets longer, and the UV index goes up, so sun protection matters.
September Weather Overview
September brings the change from winter into something more like spring in Gaborone. Daytime highs usually hit 26–28°C (79–82°F), while nights drop to about 10–12°C (50–54°F). The air still feels dry, but humidity starts to creep up.
Rainfall stays light, averaging 5–7 mm, and you might only see a couple of rainy days. Sunshine is strong—about 10 hours per day—and daylight stretches out to around 12 hours. The UV index rises, so sunscreen and a hat are a good idea if you’re outside.
September feels comfortable for outdoor plans since it’s not too hot and rain is rare. Mornings and evenings can still be a bit chilly, so tossing a light jacket in your bag isn’t a bad move.
October Weather Overview
October really turns up the heat in Gaborone. Daytime highs usually climb to 30–32°C (86–90°F).
At night, lows hover near 15–17°C (59–63°F), so evenings feel warmer than they did in September. The air gets stickier too, hinting that the rainy season is almost here.
Rainfall bumps up to about 10–15 mm. Showers are short and scattered, so they don’t usually last long.
You’ll still see plenty of sun, with 9–10 hours daily, but clouds start rolling in more often. The midday sun feels intense, since the UV index stays high.
There’s more daylight now, about 12.5–13 hours, which means extra time for sightseeing if you’re up for it. Gaborone starts to feel properly hot in October, so drinking water becomes even more important.
November Weather Overview
November really cranks up the heat—probably the hottest part of fall in Gaborone. Highs average 31–33°C (88–91°F), and lows sit around 17–18°C (63–65°F).
Humidity keeps rising, and the first real rains of the season usually show up.
You’ll see about 15–20 mm of rain, with a few days of showers or even storms. Sunshine drops a bit to 8–9 hours, but daylight stretches to almost 13.3 hours.
The UV index hits its peak, so you’ll want to stay protected from the sun.
November feels more like summer, honestly. The heat and rain both pick up, and sudden storms might interrupt outdoor plans.
The landscape finally starts to green up after months of dry, dusty weather, which is a relief for the eyes.
Travel Tips for Visiting Gaborone in Fall
Fall in Gaborone brings warm days, cooler nights, and not much rain. You can enjoy outdoor activities comfortably, but you’ll want to be ready for temperature shifts between day and night.
What to Pack
Pack light clothes for the daytime, since highs often hit the mid-20s °C (mid-70s °F). Short sleeves, breathable fabrics, and comfortable walking shoes make life easier.
Once the sun goes down, it can get chilly—sometimes below 10°C (50°F). A light jacket, sweater, or long-sleeved shirt will help you stay cozy in the evenings.
Layers are key, so you can adjust as the weather changes.
Even in fall, the sun in Botswana doesn’t mess around. Bring sunscreen, sunglasses, and a wide-brimmed hat.
A reusable water bottle also comes in handy since the air gets pretty dry and you can get dehydrated quickly.
Best Outdoor Activities
The dry season makes fall a fantastic time to get outside. You can hike up Kgale Hill for great city views or stroll through Gaborone Game Reserve to spot antelope, warthogs, and plenty of birds.
Picnics and outdoor meals are actually enjoyable now, since humidity is low and mosquitoes don’t bother you much.
City parks and gardens stay open and are easy to enjoy without the oppressive heat.
Day trips to nearby reserves, like Mokolodi Nature Reserve, are popular too. Roads usually stay dry and safe, so traveling around isn’t much hassle.
With clear skies, you get great visibility for photos and wildlife spotting, which is always a bonus.
Travel Considerations for the Season
You probably won’t need heavy rain gear in the fall since rainfall barely happens. Still, dust can be an issue, especially if you end up on rural roads.
If it’s windy, grab a scarf or face covering to keep the dust out of your face.
Try to plan your activities for the earlier part of the day. Mornings feel cooler, and honestly, the midday sun can sneak up on you, even if the temperature seems mild.
You’ll probably find it easier to book accommodation and flights now than in the summer. Attractions are less crowded too, which is always nice.
If you want to visit popular reserves or cultural sites, make sure you confirm your bookings ahead of time.