When to Go on Safari: A Month-by-Month Guide
"When is the best time to go on safari?" is usually the very first question I get.
The honest answer is that it depends on where you're going. Africa is huge, and the seasons are different in Botswana than they are in Kenya.
Here's how I help my clients pick the right month.
The Short Answer
For most of Africa, the dry season, roughly June to October, is the classic time to go. The grass is shorter, the trees are thinner and the animals gather around water, so they're much easier to find.
It's also high season. The best camps fill up first, so for these months I recommend booking 12 to 18 months ahead.
Best Months by Country
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Botswana | ||||||||||||
| South Africa (Kruger) | ||||||||||||
| Cape Town | ||||||||||||
| Namibia | ||||||||||||
| Zambia | ||||||||||||
| Zimbabwe | ||||||||||||
| Kenya | ||||||||||||
| Tanzania | ||||||||||||
| Rwanda (gorillas) |
Pick your month and your country together.
Month by Month
January and February
The Great Migration's calving season in Tanzania's southern Serengeti, when thousands of wildebeest are born and the predators are never far behind. Kenya has a dry spell, and Rwanda is drier too. Cape Town is at its summer best. Much of southern Africa is hot and rainy, and some camps in Botswana close for part of the season.
March to May
The long rains in East Africa, with April usually the wettest month. This is low season, with lower rates and fewer people. By May, Botswana, South Africa and Namibia are drying out and coming into their best months.
June to October
Prime time almost everywhere. Botswana's Okavango Delta has its highest water from about July to October, which is perfect for mokoro (dugout canoe) trips. In Kenya and Tanzania the migration moves north, and the famous Mara River crossings are most likely in August and September. Rwanda's dry season makes the gorilla trails easier, and the falls at Victoria Falls are clearer to see than in the misty peak-flow months. Nights and early mornings can be cold, so bring layers.
November and December
The start of green season in southern Africa. The landscape turns green, baby animals arrive and the birding is wonderful. Kenya and Tanzania have their short rains, which usually come and go. It's also a great time to combine safari with Cape Town or a beach.
Don't Rule Out Green Season
- Lower rates at many lodges and camps
- Fewer vehicles at sightings
- Newborn animals and dramatic predator action
- The best birding of the year, with migrant birds arriving
- Lush, green scenery and beautiful skies for photos
The trade-offs: it's hotter, afternoon storms are common, and some remote camps close. It works best when you choose the right country and camp for the month, which is exactly what I help with.
My Biggest Advice
Pick your month and your country together. A safari in Botswana in August and one in Kenya in January can both be perfect, but the same month can be very different from one country to the next.
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