The northern part of the country experiences a tropical type of climate and thereby receives much higher rainfall per annum (500-700mm) than other regions. The eastern region has a semi-arid, sub-tropical climate with rainfall varying from 400-500mm per annum. The western region, covering the Kgalagadi Desert, is the driest part of the country with average annual mean rainfall less than 250mm in the extreme southwest. The rainfall season lasts from November to March, with January and February generally regarded as the peak months. October and April are transitional months. Almost all the rainfall occurs during the summer months (November-March) while the winter period (May-July) accounts for only 10% of the annual rainfall.

The summer season is characterised by frequent rain and thunderstorms, very hot days and nights, usually cooling-off after the rain spells. Day temperatures can reach 35 degrees Celsius, or higher in some places. The heat is tolerable, due to very little humidity. The winters are dry and cold, especially at night. Winter temperatures can fall as low as 2 degrees Celsius, especially in the southwestern region. Occasionally, sub-zero temperatures may be recorded in the latter region.

The major portion of the vegetation of the country is categorised as savannah, with numerous sub-divisions. There are special habitats such as the aquatic grassland of the Okavango Delta (northwest); the grassland of the Makgadikgadi salt pans (north-central), and the deciduous forests of the Chobe District (northern corner). Botswana is known for its abundance and variety of wild animals, which occupy the vast wilderness areas dedicated for their conservation.

As a result, Botswana has often been described as the last great reservoir of plains game in Africa. Most of Africa's large mammals are found here: lion, leopard, cheetah, elephant, giraffe, zebra, hippoppotamus, rhinocerus, African buffalo, hyena, and at least twenty-two species of antelope. Many species are abundant enough to be utilised as a source of meat, skins, and other useful animal products.

Trophy hunting also occurs, and commercial management of wildlife has been introduced to gain sustained income from this resource. About 17% of Botswana's land area has been set aside for National Parks and Game Reserves. The elephant population is currently estimated at over 104 000, the largest in the world.