Best Time To Go On Safari

The landscape is lush and green after the short rains, attracting a plethora of bird species and making it a fantastic month for bird watchers. Wildlife can be harder to spot due to the thick vegetation. However, in the Southern Serengeti, the wildebeest calving season begins, offering unique sightings of newborn animals and predator interactions. An excellent time to be in Tanzania, but conditions might be challenging in Southern Africa due to rainfall.

Recommended: Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda, Rwanda and Central Kalahari in Botswana

Continues to be a great month for witnessing the Great Migration and calving in the Serengeti, with high predator activity. The lush landscapes offer stunning photographic opportunities. It’s also an ideal time for safaris in Kenya, where the weather is drier compared to Tanzania. However, some areas, particularly in Southern Africa, are still experiencing heavy rainfall, which may affect accessibility.

Recommended: Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda, Rwanda and Central Kalahari in Botswana

The wet season is at its peak in much of East Africa, leading to challenging travel conditions but rewarding with rich landscapes, excellent birdwatching opportunities, and favourable lighting conditions for photography, especially in rainforest regions like Uganda and Rwanda for gorilla trekking. The migration in Tanzania continues to offer spectacular wildlife viewing, although the heavy rains may limit access to some areas. At this time of year South Africa is starting to come into its own, with shorter grasses and cooler temperatures.

Recommended: South Africa and Central Kalahari in Botswana

This month sees some of the heaviest rainfall across much of Africa, making safari travel difficult in many regions. However, it’s a great time for gorilla trekking in Uganda and Rwanda, as the rainforests are at their most lush. Safaris in Namibia and South Africa may be more appealing as these areas receive less rainfall.

Recommended: South Africa

The rains start to subside, making way for the early dry season. It’s a transition period with fewer tourists and still-green landscapes. Wildlife begins to congregate around water sources in Zambia, Zimbabwe and Botswana, offering improved sightings. However, in East Africa, safari conditions improve as the heavy rains decrease but conditions are less than ideal.

Recommended: South Africa, Namibia, Botswana, Zimbabwe

The start of the dry season across most of Africa, offering some of the best wildlife viewing conditions, especially in Southern and East Africa. Vegetation is less dense, and animals gather around waterholes, making them easier to spot. Cooler temperatures in the mornings and evenings enhance the safari experience in countries like Namibia, Botswana, South Africa, and Tanzania.

Recommended: All destinations

Peak safari season in Southern and East Africa due to dry weather and excellent wildlife viewing. This is the best time to witness the Great Migration in Kenya and Tanzania. However, it’s also the tourist high season, so expect more crowded conditions. In Southern Africa, countries like Botswana and Zimbabwe offer exceptional safari experiences with large herds of elephants and other wildlife.

Recommended: All destinations

Continues to be an excellent month for safaris across Africa. The weather remains dry, and wildlife viewing is at its peak, especially in Botswana’s Okavango Delta and Zimbabwe’s Hwange National Park. The Great Migration is a highlight in Kenya’s Masai Mara. However, the dry landscape in some areas may not be as picturesque for those interested in lush scenery.

Recommended: All destinations

The dry conditions persist, offering great wildlife viewing opportunities. The Great Migration is still a major attraction in Kenya. The weather starts to warm up, making early morning and late afternoon safaris more comfortable. Zambia’s South Luangwa National Park offers exceptional leopard sightings.

Recommended: All destinations

The end of the dry season brings hot and dry conditions, concentrating wildlife around the few remaining water sources. This makes for excellent game viewing but can be uncomfortably hot for some travelers. The Great Migration starts to move back to Tanzania, offering spectacular crossings of the Mara River.

Recommended: Kenya, Botswana, Zimbabwe, Namibia, South Africa

The short rains begin, revitalizing the landscape and dispersing wildlife, which can make game viewing more challenging. However, this month marks the start of the birding season, with many migratory species arriving. It’s a quieter time for safaris with fewer tourists and can offer a more private experience, especially in Tanzania and Kenya.

Recommended: South Africa

The landscapes are turning green again, and while the wildlife is more dispersed, the beauty of the landscape and the presence of migratory birds make safaris rewarding. It’s the beginning of the festive season, so some areas might be busier. South Africa and Namibia offer stable weather conditions and good wildlife viewing opportunities, making them excellent choices for a December safari.

Recommended: South Africa, Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda and Rwanda