When to go to Africa
Are you beyond eager and excited and practically jumping at the bid to plan your ultimate bucket-list worthy trip to Africa, but you have absolutely no idea when the best time is to go? Don’t worry, we’ve got your back!
Africa is a massive continent made up of 54 countries and several pristine safari destinations. Each African country varies greatly by region, season (including seasonal highlights), wildlife, and safari experiences – Africa is known for its vast and glorious diversity after all.
This means what you want to do, see, explore, discover, and experience on your trip to Africa, as well as the specific and /or multiple safari destinations and African countries you would like visit, wildlife spectacles you’re eager to see, and unforgettable safari adventures you’d like to experience on your trip, holiday, or getaway to Africa is by far one of the most important factors to consider when planning when the best time is to go to Africa.
In addition, the best time to go to Africa also depends on your individual tastes, travel needs and requirements, and interests. For instance, you might prefer cool temperatures and warm log fires to the hot summer African sun. Or you might be more interested in bird watching than seeing the Big 5 in all their glory. Cost is also another important factor to take into account when planning your trip to Africa. The peak season often means higher prices and larger crowds – for these reasons, many people prefer travelling in the quieter months. However it all comes down to you – it is YOUR African safari trip after all.
Wildlife Spectacles & Bucket-List Worthy Adventure Experiences
That’s not all! Have you ever wondered when the best time is to visit the remarkable Okavango Delta? Or when to see the mighty and magnificent Victoria Falls in full flood? Have you always dreamt of seeing the Great Wildebeest Migration through Tanzania’s Serengeti National Park and Kenya’s Maasai Mara, witnessing up-close sightings of the renowned African Big5 (lion, leopard, elephants, buffalo, and rhinos) in their natural habitat, particularly while exploring the Kruger National Park in South Africa?
Perhaps you’ve always wanted to go endangered Mountain Gorilla trekking in the forests of Rwanda and Uganda, bare witness to the thunderous Victoria Falls on the Zambezi River bordering between Zambia and Zimbabwe which provides a habitat for several unique wildlife species, walk in the wilds in Zambia, see the largest population of elephant herds in Botswana’s Chobe National Park, experience the Great Bat Migration from the Congo Basin to Kasanka National Park in Zambia, observe the most prolific big cat sightings in Kenya’s famed Masai Mara Game Reserve, or go on the ultimate safari adventure in the evergreen jewel of the Okavango Delta? Africa has no shortage of spectacular wildlife spectacles, sightings, and up close encounters, most of which you won’t find anywhere else in the world than right here in the heart of the African bushveld.
With so much to conder, we’ve compiled a guide on the best time to visit Africa – for all top safari and Indian Ocean Island destinations.
**Note: This guide is intended as a guideline only and shows our favourite times of the year to visit various African locations and safari destinations.
Overview of the Best Time to Visit Africa:
Kruger National Park:
- May, June, July, August, September, October, November
Cape Town:
- January, February, March, April, October, November, December
The Garden Route:
- January, February, March, April, October, November, December
KwaZulu-Natal:
- March, April, May, June, July, August, September
Victoria Falls:
- January, February, March, April, May
Devil’s Pool:
- January, August, September, October, November, December
Okavango Delta:
- June, July, August, September, October
Chobe National Park:
- July, August, September, October
Namibia:
- August, September, October, November, December
Masai Mara – Wildebeest Migration:
- August, September, October, November
Serengeti – Wildebeest Migration:
- January, February, March, April, May, June, July, August, December
Gorilla Trekking:
- January, February, June, July, August, September
Zanzibar:
- June, July, August, September, October
Mauritius:
- July, August, September
Seychelles:
- February, March, April, May, June, July, August, September, October, November
Madagascar:
- April, October, November
Maldives:
- January, February, March, April, December
In addition, we’ve also compiled a guide on when the best time is to go to Africa based on the different seasons (wet season VS dry season & peak season VS low season), as well as various wildlife experiences and safari highlights in each country and safari destination.
The Season
The time of year/season is one of the top factors to consider when planning your safari trip to Africa. While Africa is known for its stunning year-round climate, primarily consisting of warm sunny days, certain countries, and even regions within those countries, experience different climates and seasonal changes.
Africa’s seasons can be divided into two distinct seasons: wet season and dry season. It is important to know what time of year each country and/or region experiences its dry and wet season as each season will offer safari-goers a vastly different experience.
Dry & wet season in Southern & East Africa
| Southern Africa | East Africa | |
| Safari Destination |
|
|
| Dry Season | May to October | January to March and June to October |
| Wet Season | Around November to April | Around April to June and November to December |
Dry season in Southern Africa typically takes place between May and October while the wet season takes place from December to March. Dry season is generally considered the best time of year to visit the various safari destinations located in Southern African.
Dry season highlights:
- Prime time for wildlife sightings as game viewing is at its peak (apart from Namibia which is great all year round).
- Optimal visibility due to sparse vegetation.
- The concentration of animals around water sources are at their highest. As the water levels are extremely low during dry season, wildlife will gather around the park’s surrounding water sources, offering visitors incredible and rewarding game viewing opportunities.
- Lovely and mild day-time temperatures and minimal rain.
- The risk of malaria is at its lowest.
- Best time of the year for walking safaris; providing visitors with a unique perspective of the region’s wildlife and surrounding scenery.
- Water levels reach its peak in the Okavango Delta, creating waterways and channels Botswana is famed for. This is the perfect time for mokoro, boating & canoe safaris
- Peak migration period for animals to the Okavango Delta.
Wet season highlights:
- Lush greenery and stunning surrounding scenery due to high rainfall.
- Parks are filled with new-born wildlife.
- Great time for bird watching as migrant birds are present and in breeding.
- Excellent photography opportunities due to scenic surroundings.
- Wet season is also low season in the parks which means the parks are far less crowded and lower rates apply.
- Peak predator season due to increased new-born wildlife.
Wildlife Experiences & Safari Highlights
Great wildebeest migration at the Serengeti National Park
Choosing the best time to visit a specific African country or safari destination depends on what you want to see and do on your trip as well as the safari and wildlife experiences you wish to tick off your bucket-list.
Here are the best times of the year to see some of the top wildlife experiences and seasonal spectacles in both Southern and East Africa.
|
Southern Africa |
|
| Experience | Best time to go |
| Safari in South Africa, Botswana, Zimbabwe, and Zambia | May to October |
| Safari in the Kruger National Park | May – November |
| Cape Town beach holiday | November to March |
| Victoria Falls in full flood | February to July |
| Zebra migration in Botswana | November to February |
| Whale watching in South Africa | July to November |
| Mozambique beach holiday | May to November |
| Okavango Delta | June to October |
| Chobe National Park | July to October |
| Namibia | August to December |
|
East Africa |
|
| Experience | Best time to go |
| Tanzania for the Great Wildebeest Migration safari in the Serengeti | January to September & December |
| Kenya Wildebeest Migration in the Masai Mara | July to November |
| Most Kenya safari destinations and the major Tanzania safari areas | January to March | June to October |
| Gorilla trekking in Uganda and Rwanda | Year-round | Cooler months of January, February, June, July, August, September are typically the best time |
| Tanzania’s coast, Zanzibar, and other islands | June to March |
Peak Season VS Low Season
While some people prefer to travel in the peak or high season months, others like to plan their trips during the quieter months when the national parks, reserves and lodges are less crowded. Both the peak season and the low season offers safari goers a unique safari experience – It all comes down to your personal preferences, travelling style and requirements.
|
Southern Africa |
|
| Country | Low Season |
| South Africa | May to October |
| Botswana | November to April (excluding Christmas and New Year) |
| Zimbabwe | November to March (excluding Christmas and New Year) |
| Zambia | May, June, and November |
| Malawi | January to the end of April |
| Mozambique | March to June |
| Namibia | December to March, May, and part of June (excluding Christmas and New Year) |
|
East Africa |
|
| Country | Low Season |
| Kenya | March to June, November, and the start of December |
| Tanzania | March to June, November, and the start of December |
| Uganda | April and May |
| Rwanda | April, May, and November |
If you’re debating whether to travel to Africa during peak season or low season, here are some of the main benefits of each season.
| Peak or High Season | Low or Green Season |
| +/- June to October | +/- November to May |
| Highest rates | Lowest rates |
| Need to book up to a year in advance especially if you’re looking to secure the best accommodation options | No need to book so far in advance |
| Coldest, driest weather | Hottest, wettest weather |
| Premium game viewing & exceptional wildlife sightings. Drier conditions and thinner vegetation make game easier to spot. Game also don’t venture far from water sources making them easier to find | The dense greenery, thicker vegetation and often over-grown park conditions make game more difficult to spot. As low season typically coincides with rainy season, there are more water sources available. This means animals wander further (as opposed to dry season when they stay close to the limited number of water sources), making them harder to find. |
| Not many new-born wildlife species | Lots of new-born wildlife |
| Not the best time for bird watching. Only endemic bird species are present in the park | Great time for birdwatching as both endemic and migratory birds can be spotted |
| National parks, game lodges and reserves can become extremely crowded | Least crowded time of year with much lower visitor numbers. You are often the only vehicle at a sighting |
| High predator activity | More availability of accommodation |
| Great Wildebeest Migration: River crossings take place at Grumeti & Mara in Masai Mara in Kenya | High predator activity due to increased new-born wildlife |
| Great Wildebeest Migration: Rutting & calving in the Serengeti in Tanzania |
