Best Time to Go

TemperatureWhen is the best time to go on an African safari?

Deciding when to go on African safari depends on what country you would like to explore and when you would like to take your trip. Seasons differ in Eastern and Southern Africa, but any time of the year an amazing safari can be planned if you are flexible about where you want to go to.

Tanzania:

Late June to October: during the dry season are the best wildlife viewing months
June and July: best chance of seeing the Great migration in the Serengeti
Late January to February: best time to see wildebeest calving
June to October (Dry Season): best time to visit the southern and western circuit parks
Year-round: Popular northern circuit parks
Best weather: June to October

Kenya:

Late June to October: during the dry season are the best wildlife viewing months
July to October: Usually the wildebeest migration reaches the Masai Mara
November to May: Low season
Year-Round: Great for wildlife viewing, but can differ for some parks.
Best weather: June to October

South Africa:

May to September (Dry Season): Best time to visit since wildlife congregate around waterholes and rivers
October to April: Best time for bird watching and bird migration
Best weather: April to May and September to October

Botswana:

May to September (Dry Season and Winter): Best time to visit Botswana’s most popular parks including Okavango Delta, Moremi, and Chobe
Year-round: wildlife viewing is good, but can different depending on park
Best weather: April and May

Uganda:

June to August and December to February (Dry Season): Best time for for gorilla trekking due to drier months and best time for wildlife game viewing
March, April and May: Peak wet season
Best weather: June to July and January to February

Rwanda:

June to September (Dry Season): Best months for wildlife game viewing and for gorilla trekking
October to May: Best time for chimpanzee trekking
Best weather: June to August

Namibia:

Namibia can be visited year-round- climate generally dry and pleasant
June to October (Dry Season): Best time for wildlife game viewing in all park especially in Etosha
October to April: Best time for migratory birds and bird viewing
Best weather: April and May

Zambia:

May to October (Dry Season): Best time for wildlife game viewing
November to April (Wet Season): Most parks and camps close down
June to September: Best time to visit Victoria Falls- water is mid-to-low and water spray does not block fall views
Best weather: April, May and September

Zimbabwe:

May to September: Best time to visit
May to October (Dry Season): Best time for wildlife game viewing
May to September: Best time to see Victoria falls- water is mid-to-low and water spray does not block fall views
Best weather: April, May and September