Temperature

• The Kalahari is in the southern hemisphere, experiencing winter from June through September and summer from December to March. Night temperatures in the winter can drop to freezing, and daytime temperatures average in the high 70s Fahrenheit. Daytime summer temperatures can exceed 115 degrees with nighttime temperatures dropping into the 60s. For most, winter is the best time to visit.
  
  

Rainfall

• Like the Sahara, the Kalahari was once much wetter. The Makgadikgadi Pan was actually a huge lake that dried up only a few thousand years ago. Today rainfall is quite rare, with areas of the desert only reaching a handful of inches per year. The non-desert basin receives substantially more rainfall and supports fairly diverse vegetation and animal life. The rainy season is in February and March with the driest season in July and August.
  
  

Extreme Weather

• Heavy rainstorms are quite rare in the Kalahari, but sandstorms are common. Sandstorms are best to avoid or outrun in a vehicle, but travelers in the Kalahari during dry season should be prepared with goggles and masks. Once in a sandstorm, it is best to stop your vehicle because of highly reduced visibility. With caution, sandstorms are not especially dangerous.
  
  

Geography

• The Kalahari climate varies throughout its geography. The driest, hottest region is the southwest around the Botswanan and South African border. The wettest is in the northeast around the Okavango Swamps and Makgadikgadi Pan. Portions of the Kalahari basin in the north are actually classified as wetlands, with seasonal inundation attracting a wide variety of animal species. In the west, the dry Skeleton Coast is the world's largest contiguous body of sand.