I fell in love with safari on my very first journey to Africa. I stayed at MalaMala in South Africa and noticed the Massive 5 throughout the first two days. I used to be hooked, and I’ve been going again ever since. Alongside the best way, I’ve learnt that selecting the very best time to go on safari could make or break your journey.
The query I’m requested most about safari just isn’t the place to go, however when: what’s the finest time to go on safari? The reply depends upon what you wish to see, the place you wish to go and the way a lot you wish to spend, as a result of Africa’s safari calendar modifications dramatically from month to month and nation to nation. The Nice Migration strikes in a large loop by Tanzania and Kenya. The Okavango Delta floods in the course of the dry season. Among the finest camps in Zambia shut fully in the course of the rains.
That is my month-by-month information to the very best time to go on safari in Africa, with the place to go in each month of the 12 months, the very best time to go to every safari nation, the camps and lodges I’ve stayed at, and why July in Botswana is my favorite month of all.
The Fast Reply: When Is the Finest Time to Go on Safari?
- Finest general: June to October, the dry season throughout most of East and Southern Africa
- My choose: July in Botswana
- Finest for the Nice Migration river crossings: July to October within the northern Serengeti and Masai Mara
- Finest for new child animals and predator motion: January to March within the southern Serengeti
- Finest for gorilla trekking: June to September and December to February
- Finest worth: November to April, the inexperienced season
- Finest for images: the inexperienced season for color and light-weight; the dry season for sightings
Dry Season vs Inexperienced Season: Which Is the Finest Time for Safari?
Most of Africa’s safari locations have two foremost seasons, and understanding them is the important thing to planning your journey.
Dry season (roughly June to October)
Because the land dries out, the grass thins and animals collect round rivers and waterholes, making them far simpler to seek out. That is peak safari season, and the costs replicate it.
- Execs: the very best wildlife viewing, sparse vegetation, fewer mosquitoes, decrease malaria threat, cool mornings and heat, sunny days.
- Cons: the very best costs, the busiest camps, and really chilly early mornings in Southern Africa.
Inexperienced season (roughly November to April)
The rains deliver the bush again to life. Many animals give start, migratory birds arrive, and the panorama turns lush and inexperienced.
- Execs: decrease costs, fewer guests, child animals, dramatic skies and a number of the most stunning mild for images.
- Cons: afternoon storms, thicker vegetation that may make wildlife tougher to identify, and a few camps and roads closed.
One necessary exception: the Okavango Delta in Botswana floods within the dry season, not the moist, as a result of the water takes months to journey down from the Angolan highlands. I’ll come again to why that issues.
African Safari Calendar at a Look
| Month | The place to go | Spotlight |
|---|---|---|
| January | Southern Serengeti (Tanzania), South Africa | Wildebeest calving season begins |
| February | Southern Serengeti (Tanzania) | Peak calving and predator motion |
| March | Makgadikgadi Pans (Botswana), Serengeti | Zebra migration in Botswana’s salt pans |
| April | South Africa, Botswana’s Kalahari | Quiet, inexperienced, nice worth |
| Might | South Africa, Botswana | The beginning of the dry season |
| June | Botswana, Zimbabwe, Tanzania, gorilla trekking | Floodwaters arrive within the Okavango |
| July | Botswana, Kenya, Tanzania, Zambia | My choose: peak flood and peak dry season |
| August | Masai Mara, northern Serengeti, Botswana | Mara River crossings |
| September | Zambia, Zimbabwe, Masai Mara, Botswana | Predators at shrinking waterholes |
| October | Zambia, Zimbabwe, Namibia, South Africa | Sizzling, dry and intense sport viewing |
| November | South Africa, Kenya | First rains and child animals |
| December | South Africa, Botswana, Southern Serengeti | Inexperienced season and the festive season within the bush |
The Finest Time to Go on Safari: Month by Month
January
The place to go: Southern Serengeti and Ngorongoro (Tanzania); South Africa’s personal reserves | Climate: Sizzling, with quick afternoon showers | Finest for: Predator lovers, child animals, inexperienced landscapes
Spotlight: The wildebeest herds collect on the short-grass plains of the southern Serengeti and round Ndutu as calving season begins.
Good to know: It’s summer season and the wet season in South Africa, so anticipate lush landscapes and afternoon storms there.
January is a superb time to start out the 12 months within the bush. In Tanzania, the Nice Migration is settled within the south, and the grasslands are lively. In South Africa, the reserves are inexperienced and the impala and different antelope have younger in tow.
The place I stayed: For a basic Serengeti expertise, learn my evaluation of Serengeti Home evaluation.
February
The place to go: Southern Serengeti and Ndutu (Tanzania) | Climate: Heat, with a dry spell between the quick and lengthy rains | Finest for: Massive cat motion, first-time Migration viewers
Spotlight: Peak calving season: lots of of 1000’s of wildebeest calves are born in only a few weeks, and the predators are by no means far behind.
Good to know: Calving season is among the finest occasions of the 12 months in Tanzania, so e book camps close to Ndutu nicely forward.
If you wish to see predators in motion, February is difficult to beat. Lions, cheetahs and hyenas comply with the herds, and the sheer variety of new child calves means there may be motion every single day.
March
The place to go: Makgadikgadi and Nxai Pans (Botswana); Serengeti (Tanzania) | Climate: Heat and inexperienced, with rain | Finest for: Repeat safari-goers, photographers, worth seekers
Spotlight: 1000’s of zebra migrate throughout Botswana’s Makgadikgadi Pans, one among Africa’s nice lesser-known migrations.
Good to know: The lengthy rains start in East Africa in the direction of the tip of March, and a few camps begin to shut.
March is one among my favorite months for one thing completely different. The Kalahari turns inexperienced, the zebra migration arrives, and the sunshine over the salt pans is extraordinary. It is usually the time to search for meerkats.
The place I stayed: San Camp on the Makgadikgadi Pans is among the most magical locations I’ve ever slept, and it’s the place to see the meerkats.
April
The place to go: South Africa; Botswana’s Kalahari | Climate: Cooling down, with the rains easing in Southern Africa | Finest for: Worth seekers, honeymooners, fewer crowds
Spotlight: Inexperienced landscapes, quiet camps and a number of the finest charges of the 12 months.
Good to know: April and Might are the lengthy rains in Kenya and Tanzania. Many East African camps shut, so that is the time to deal with Southern Africa.
April is shoulder season in Southern Africa: the rains are ending, the bush continues to be inexperienced, and costs are decrease than they are going to be in a couple of months. It’s a good time to go in case you are travelling on a price range, or just need camps to your self.
Might
The place to go: South Africa (together with Kruger and the Sabi Sand); Botswana | Climate: Dry, sunny days and cooler nights | Finest for: First-time safari-goers, households
Spotlight: The dry season begins and the vegetation thins, making wildlife simpler to identify.
Good to know: Shoulder season charges are sometimes nonetheless out there in Might. It’s a candy spot earlier than peak season pricing.
Might is among the most underrated months for safari. The dry season is starting, the climate is nice and the crowds haven’t but arrived.
The place I stayed: Within the Sabi Sand, Singita Boulders evaluation is safari at its most refined. Within the Higher Kruger, Royal Malewane evaluation is among the most interesting lodges in Africa.
June
The place to go: Botswana; Zimbabwe (Hwange and Victoria Falls); Tanzania; Rwanda and Uganda for gorillas | Climate: Dry, with chilly mornings and heat afternoons | Finest for: Wildlife lovers, gorilla trekking, Victoria Falls
Spotlight: The floodwaters attain the Okavango Delta, and Victoria Falls continues to be thundering after the rains.
Good to know: June is the beginning of peak season. Charges rise and the very best camps e book out early.
June marks the start of the basic safari season. In Tanzania, the herds transfer in the direction of the Grumeti River within the western Serengeti. In Botswana, the delta begins to fill. And in Rwanda and Uganda, the dry season makes gorilla trekking a bit simpler underfoot.
The place I stayed: For an evening beneath the celebrities because the delta fills, examine my keep within the Botswana Skybeds.
July (My Decide)
The place to go: Botswana (Okavango Delta, Chobe, Linyanti); Kenya; Tanzania; Zambia | Climate: Dry, clear and sunny, with chilly mornings | Finest for: Everybody
Spotlight: Peak floods within the Okavango mix with peak dry season, bringing animals to the water in enormous numbers.
Good to know: Mornings in Botswana might be near freezing, so pack layers, a heat jacket, a beanie and gloves.
July is my month. I clarify precisely why under.
The place I stayed: Within the Okavango Delta, andBeyond Sandibe, andBeyond Nxabega and Sable Alley are all fantastic bases for a July safari.
August
The place to go: Masai Mara (Kenya); northern Serengeti (Tanzania); Botswana | Climate: Dry and sunny | Finest for: Nice Migration river crossings
Spotlight: The Mara River crossings, when the herds plunge into crocodile-filled water, are at their most dramatic.
Good to know: August is the busiest month within the Masai Mara. Select a camp in a personal conservancy for fewer autos at sightings.
If the Nice Migration is in your bucket record, August is the month most individuals dream of. Crossings are by no means assured, because the herds transfer on their very own schedule, however your likelihood is excessive from late July to September.
The place I stayed: For the Mara River crossings, Angama Mara evaluation sits on the sting of the Nice Rift Valley escarpment, andBeyond Bateleur Camp is basic safari magnificence, and Cottar’s Nineteen Twenties Safari Camp is pure classic romance. · andBeyond Bateleur Camp evaluation · Cottar’s Nineteen Twenties Safari Camp evaluation
September
The place to go: South Luangwa (Zambia); Mana Swimming pools (Zimbabwe); Masai Mara; Botswana | Climate: Sizzling and dry | Finest for: Strolling safaris, predator sightings, photographers
Spotlight: Water sources shrink and wildlife concentrates round them, so predator sightings are glorious.
Good to know: September is among the finest months for strolling safaris, particularly in Zambia, the birthplace of the strolling safari.
September is an distinctive month throughout Southern Africa. The bush is at its driest, the animals are concentrated and the sport viewing is intense.
October
The place to go: Zambia; Zimbabwe; Etosha (Namibia); South Africa | Climate: Extremely popular and dry, earlier than the rains | Finest for: Severe wildlife lovers, photographers
Spotlight: The tip of the dry season brings enormous concentrations of animals to the final remaining water.
Good to know: October might be extraordinarily sizzling, particularly within the Zambezi Valley. Select a camp with a plunge pool.
October just isn’t for everybody, however for wildlife lovers it’s spectacular. In Namibia’s Etosha, the waterholes are busy all day lengthy.
The place I stayed: Pair Etosha with the dunes of Sossusvlei and a keep at andBeyond Sossusvlei Desert Lodge.
November
The place to go: South Africa; Kenya | Climate: Sizzling, with the primary rains | Finest for: Child animals, worth seekers, birdwatchers
Spotlight: The primary rains flip the bush inexperienced nearly in a single day, and the antelope give start.
Good to know: Many camps in Zambia and the extra distant components of Zimbabwe shut for the wet season from round November.
November is a time of change. The warmth breaks, the rains arrive and the bush transforms. In South Africa, it’s impala lambing season, which suggests loads of infants and loads of predators.
December
The place to go: South Africa; Botswana; southern Serengeti (Tanzania) | Climate: Sizzling and inexperienced, with afternoon storms | Finest for: Households, festive season, photographers
Spotlight: Lush landscapes, new child animals and migratory birds, plus the herds returning to the southern Serengeti.
Good to know: The Christmas and New 12 months interval is peak season for a lot of camps. E book early.
There’s something particular about spending the festive season within the bush. South Africa’s personal reserves are a beautiful selection for households over the vacations.
The place I stayed: End a South African safari in Cape City at Ellerman Home, Tintswalo Atlantic or Beautiful George, or learn my comparability of Ellerman Home vs The Silo.
Why July Is the Finest Time to Go on Safari (in My Opinion)
Of in all places I’ve been on safari, Botswana is my favorite. There may be nowhere as uncooked and actual. And July is the month I’d select above all others.
Right here is why. The rains that fall within the Angolan highlands between January and March take months to make their approach down into the Okavango Delta. By July, the floodwaters have arrived, simply as the remainder of Botswana is at its driest. Animals journey from all around the area to the water, and the delta, a UNESCO World Heritage Website, turns into one of many richest wildlife areas on earth.
- The most effective of each worlds: water-based safari by mokoro and boat, plus basic sport drives on dry land.
- Big concentrations of wildlife: elephant, buffalo, lion, leopard and wild canine are all drawn to the water.
- Excellent climate: clear skies, heat sunny days and no rain.
- Fewer mosquitoes: it’s the cool, dry season, with a decrease malaria threat.
- Low-volume tourism: Botswana limits customer numbers in its finest areas, so that you share sightings with only a few different autos.
The one draw back? July is peak season, and the very best camps e book out a 12 months or extra forward. If July is your dream, begin planning now.
Learn extra: why Botswana ought to be your subsequent safari · my favorite safari lodges in Botswana · Sandibe Okavango Safari Lodge evaluation · Botswana Skybeds evaluation
The Finest Time to Go on Safari by Nation
Botswana
Finest time: June to October for the delta and Chobe; December to April for the Kalahari and the zebra migration. My favorite month is July.
Learn extra: Sandibe Okavango Safari Lodge evaluation · Sable Alley evaluation · San Camp evaluation · Nxabega Okavango Tented Camp evaluation · find out how to see the meerkats in Botswana
South Africa
Finest time: Might to October for the very best sport viewing in Kruger and the Sabi Sand; November to March for inexperienced landscapes and new child animals. South Africa is a year-round safari vacation spot.
Learn extra: the very best safari lodges in South Africa · Singita Boulders · Royal Malewane
Kenya
Finest time: July to October for the Nice Migration within the Masai Mara; January to February for dry, sizzling climate. Keep away from the lengthy rains of April and Might.
Learn extra: the place to go on safari in Kenya · Angama Mara · Giraffe Manor
Tanzania
Finest time: January to February for calving season within the southern Serengeti; June to October for the dry season and river crossings within the north. Keep away from April and Might, when many camps shut.
Learn extra: what to know earlier than you go to Tanzania · Serengeti Home
Zambia
Finest time: June to October, with September and October the height for strolling safaris. Many bush camps shut in the course of the rains.
Zimbabwe
Finest time: July to October for Hwange and Mana Swimming pools. Go to Victoria Falls from round March to June for probably the most water.
Learn extra: a information to Victoria Falls
Namibia
Finest time: June to October for Etosha, when animals collect on the waterholes.
Learn extra: find out how to plan a visit to Namibia · andBeyond Sossusvlei Desert Lodge evaluation
Rwanda and Uganda
Finest time: June to September and December to February for gorilla trekking, when the paths are drier. Permits are restricted, so e book early.
The Finest Time to Go on Safari for Your Journey Type
- A primary safari: June to October in South Africa or Botswana, when wildlife is best to identify.
- The Nice Migration: January to March for calving in Tanzania; July to October for river crossings in Kenya and northern Tanzania.
- A honeymoon: June to October for safari, completed with a seaside in Zanzibar or Mauritius.
- Households: South Africa’s malaria-free reserves, within the faculty holidays.
- A safari on a price range: the inexperienced season, from November to April, when charges might be far decrease.
- Photographers: the inexperienced season for dramatic skies and color; the dry season for motion.
Learn extra: andBeyond Mnemba Island evaluation · the very best motels in Zanzibar
Ideas for Planning Your Safari on the Finest Time
- E book early. The most effective camps have a restricted variety of tents, and peak season books out 12 months or extra prematurely.
- Keep not less than three nights per camp. Extra time means extra probabilities for nice sightings.
- Mix two or three areas. A delta camp with a dry-land camp in Botswana, or a safari with a seaside, offers you selection.
- Take into account personal conservancies. They restrict autos, permit off-road driving and night time drives, and supply extra unique sightings.
- Pack layers. Even in Africa, dry-season mornings might be bitterly chilly in an open automobile.
- Test malaria recommendation. Communicate to a journey physician earlier than you go.
Learn extra: a newbie’s information to safari · what to pack for safari · how a lot to price range for a safari · the ten finest nations for safari · the 20 finest safari lodges in Africa
Finest Time to Go on Safari: FAQs
What’s the finest month to go on safari?
For many locations, the dry season from June to October provides the very best sport viewing. My private favorite is July in Botswana.
When is the very best time to see the Nice Migration?
From July to October for the river crossings within the northern Serengeti and Masai Mara, and from January to March for calving season within the southern Serengeti.
What’s the least expensive time to go on safari?
The inexperienced season, roughly November to April, provides the bottom charges in most locations. April and Might are sometimes the very best worth in Southern Africa.
Is it price occurring safari within the wet season?
Sure. The rain often falls briefly afternoon storms, the landscapes are stunning, there are new child animals in all places and you’ll share sightings with fewer folks.
When ought to I e book a safari?
E book 9 to 12 months forward for peak season, and even earlier for the preferred camps in July, August and September.
So, When Is the Finest Time to Go on Safari?
There isn’t a unhealthy time to go on safari, solely a unique expertise. If you’d like the basic safari with the very best likelihood of seeing as a lot wildlife as attainable, go within the dry season, between June and October. If you’d like worth, privateness and new child animals, go within the inexperienced season. And if you’d like my reply, it’s July in Botswana. I’ve by no means been wherever fairly prefer it.
