The Best Time To Go On An African Safari

The Best Time To Go On An African Safari

Alongside the obvious where should we go and what should we do questions, the next most popular question we are asked at Africa Travel is what is the best time of year for an African safari?

Knowing when is the best time to visit Africa is crucial, and could make or break any vacation, so to simplify an answer to a complex question, Africa Travel have put together a guide of the best times to visit each of the countries in Africa that we feature. We have taken into account, weather, temperature, wildlife viewing, and seasonal events in our selections so that, for example the best time for safari in Tanzania can easily be identified.

When is the best time to visit each African country?

Tanzania

The best months for viewing wildlife in Tanzania are during the Dry season from late June to October. For the best chance of seeing the wildebeest migration in the Serengeti the time to visit is between June and July and the time to see the wildebeest calving is late January to February. The southern and western circuit parks are best visited during the Dry season, unlike the more popular northern circuit parks that can be visited throughout the year. Tarangire is the only exception since its wildlife viewing is considerably better in the Dry season.

Kenya

The best months for viewing wildlife in Kenya are during the Dry season from late June to October. For the best chance of seeing the wildebeest migration in the Masai Mara, the time to visit is between August and October when the wildebeest move back to the Serengeti in Tanzania. The wildlife viewing throughout Kenya is good all year-round, however, it can differ from park to park.

South Africa

The best months for viewing wildlife in South Africa are during the dry season from May to September. Animals are easier to spot due to the fact they are concentrated around waterholes and rivers, and this is the low season so parks are less crowded. To avoid the crowds, South African school holidays are best to be avoided.  Even in the wet season from October to April, the scenery is green and beautiful and rain falls only in short afternoon showers.

Botswana

The best months for viewing wildlife in Botswana are during the Dry season from May to September. The Okavango Delta, Moremi and Chobe are Botswana's most popular parks. For visiting the Okavango, it is best to travel from June to October as at this time it is flooded. Wildlife viewing is good year-round, but this can differ for some parks. Even in high season tourist numbers ae not overwhelming.

Uganda

The best time to visit Uganda is from June to August, and from December to February. This is the dry season when gorilla trekking is at its easiest.  Avoid in March, April & May when roads and tracks are often impassable.

Rwanda

Similar to Uganda – try to avoid visiting Rwanda between March and May, but aim instead for June, July, August & September. October is the best month of chimpanzee trekking.

Namibia

Namibia is a dry, year-round destination which can be easily visited at any time. Prime safari season is July to October, but be aware that the temperatures in January can be very oppressive.

Zambia

Peak season for game-viewing in Zambia is from June to October, when the weather is also at its best. Many areas and safari lodges are closed during the wet season from November to April, whilst the Victoria Falls are best seen between June and September.

Malawi

The best months for viewing wildlife in Malawi are during the Dry season from May to October. The Liwonde National Park, Majete Wildlife Reserve and Nyika National Park are Malawi's most popular parks. For viewing wildlife please keep in mind that the month of October is extremely warm, except for Nyika National Park which can become colder in the dry winter months.

Zimbabwe

Only to be really avoided between November and March, safari goers should aim to visit Zimbabwe in the Dry season months of  June, July, August, September & October, with the period from May to September the best time to view the Victoria Falls.

Best time to go on safari – month-by-month 

The seasons may differ greatly in Eastern and Southern Africa, but for those who are simply looking for the best safari experience and the best time to travel to Africa, and don't mind where they visit, we have also created a useful month by month guide to the best game-viewing opportunities in Africa.

January
This is prime time to go on safari in East Africa - Kenya, Tanzania, and Uganda. As the weather is dry the animals congregate in large numbers around the permanent sources of water, with the migration – of wildebeest and zebra, found in the northern areas of Tanzania.

February
Another great month to go on safari in Tanzania as it is calving season in the Serengeti with many new-borns joining the masses of herds already there. This is arguably the best time to go to Tanzania.

March
This is another month when safari aficionados should stick to East Africa. It is still the dry season and the sheer volume of wildlife in this part of Africa cannot be beaten anywhere else at this time.

April
The rains hit the East in this month so switch focus to the South. Heavy rainfall means lush vegetation which means the animals are harder to spot, and it also means roads tend to become inaccessible. In Southern Africa the rains are finishing and the Victoria Falls are at their most majestic.

May
Safari-lovers travelling in this month should head to Zambia, which really opens for safari business at this time and Botswana’s Okavango Delta, which starts to flood in May, with high season prices yet to begin.

June
This marks the start of the best season to visit Southern Africa. Early mornings may be chilly but Botswana, Zambia, Zimbabwe & South Africa are readying themselves for high season.

July - September
We have lumped these three months together as they represent the best time for an African safari. Both East & Southern Africa are great destinations during this period; the Great Migration is in full swing in Kenya's Masai Mara, whilst the Game Reserves & National Parks of South Africa, Namibia, Botswana, Zambia & Zimbabwe are all at their finest. Europeans & Americans travel to Africa during these months so it can get busy, and bargains are hard to find.

October
The secondary rains hit East Africa at the end of this month, so visit Kenya or Tanzania at the beginning of October, or stay south in Zimbabwe, which is at its safari-best.

November
Southern Africa begins to get wet in mid-November so either squeeze in a visit to Botswana, head for the Kruger National Park in South Africa, or follow the Migration in Tanzania as the herds return to the Serengeti.

December
Christmas + safari = East Africa. Southern Africa can be very hot and very wet, so for some festive fun, Kenya & Tanzania should be at the top of everybody’s Christmas wish list.

Travel in the off season

Even though you may now know when the best time of year to visit Africa is, don’t completely disregard the off season. There are some massive benefits to visiting countries outside the peak season - reduced rates and fewer crowds being two obvious pluses, and  in terms of a safari experience, the wet season might mean more chance of you getting wet, but it might also mean a better chance of getting up close to the wildlife and enjoying the green landscape.

Why book your vacation to Africa with Africa Travel?

Now that you know the best time to go on African safari, it is time to contact Africa Travel. With over 30 years’ experience in creating tailor-made and bespoke holidays to the best countries in Africa, there is no one more qualified to advise of the finest safari destinations in Africa, or to organise an unforgettable safari holiday to Africa than Africa Travel.

We are able to advise on the best time to visit South Africa for a safari or the ideal time for safari in Kenya, and we have a wealth of specialist resources to help you book your perfect safari. We are trusted by more and more customers to create a memorable experience which is not just another holiday, but rather the best trip possible to Africa.

All of our staff have travelled extensively and you can trust that our personal recommendations will deliver the African holiday that you have always dreamed of. In addition to knowing the best time to travel to Africa, we know which are the safest African destinations to visit, and those African countries that are visa-free, and we can recommend the best luxury safari lodges in Africa. We organise exclusive and private tours, and arrange for the finest guides to escort you.