When to go ...

Best time to go on safari in Southern Africa

In Southern Africa summer is wet and winter is dry. The wet and dry seasons have a significant effect on game conditions.

The dry season generally runs from May to October through the southern autumn, winter and into spring. Game conditions generally improve as the season gets drier and wildlife tends to concentrate near remaining water sources.

The wet season generally starts in November, and signifies the arrival of migrant birds as mammals disperse in search of fresh growth. The bush gets thick, insects flourish, birding improves, game viewing deteriorates. The summer rains are generally characterised by torrential rainfall followed by sunshine during the day. The wet season generally makes the remote areas more inaccessible.

We regard October and November as our "suicide months" with day time temperatures exceeding 40 degrees and not dropping below 30 degrees for nights on end. This time of year is exceptionally good for game, but you have to be quite dedicated to handle the heat! The rains usually start mid November.

 

Best time to go on safari in East Africa

There are two rainy seasons in East Africa (kenya and Tanzania), the first, known as the long rains is from April to June and the shorter season from late November through to December. Many properties in the game viewing areas do close during April and May, mainly due to bad road conditions.

The islands of Zanzibar are also affected during this period. The dry seasons are generally better for game viewing, as game concentrates around the water sources. The weather patterns play a major role in the great migration, as the animals follow the new grasses, which are dependent upon the rainfall.

Read more about the annual Wildebeest Migration.

 

 

 

Many people who want to travel to Africa often do not know when to visit which part of the continent. Different people visit Africa for different reasons, thus knowing when the Annual Migration is taking place, when the beaches of the Indian Ocean are perfect for snorkelling, diving or sailing, when is the best time for game viewing or when is best for Mountain Climbing or trekking is an important step before embarking on the journey. For those who wish to spend some time in the beach, it is especially important because trade winds that blow seasonally over the Indian Ocean affect coastal areas differently throughout the year.

Eastern and Southern Africa is a vast place with varied geographical dynamics occasioning varied climatic as well as topographic conditions. Some individual countries are so that they have individual variations. Some of the countries also share common international boundaries within which there is free movement of game. For example the spectacle of the annual migration of more than one million wilderbeast and zebras moving across the Serengeti and the Mara ecosystem, the former park being in Tanzania, the latter in Kenya.

If you are not sure where to go when, the following calendar will help you find out the best places to visit, and destinations to avoid during specific times of the year. This overview will help inform you on some general facts. However, it would be advisable in case of any doubts to talk to one of our travel consultants who will be able to guide you through the options and advise on local variations.

January

• This is a dry season in Kenya, Tanzania, and Uganda, hence excellent for game viewing.
• In Tanzania, it is the Calving Season, when thousands of wildebeests and zebras migrate to the Southern Serengeti to give birth in the plains. The Southern Parks of Tanzania, including Selous and Ruaha are hot, so we would rather not recommend them for heat sensitive persons.
• The coast of Kenya, Tanzania & Uganda is also dry & sunny, very good beach weather.
• The weather is great for trekking in Kenyan & Tanzanian hills and mountains, as well as for Gorilla trekking Uganda and Rwanda.
• Seychelles can be wet at this time of the year, though the rainfall tends to be short sharp downpours rather than continuous rain.
• There is an opportunity to observe Whale Sharks & Whales at Inhambane in Mozambique, which experiences some rain.
• It is cyclone season in the Southern Indian Ocean, so the coastline of Mozambique is likely to experience strong winds and may be also be wet. But you can still observe Whale Sharks & Whales at Inhambane.

 

February

• February is the height of the dry season in Kenya, Tanzania, and Uganda, hence excellent for game viewing in these countries.
• In Tanzania, Calving Season, when thousands of wildebeests and zebras migrate to the Southern Serengeti to give birth in the plains. The Southern Parks of Tanzania, including Selous and Ruaha are hot, so we would rather not recommend them for heat sensitive persons.
• The coast of Kenya, Tanzania & Uganda is also dry & sunny, very good beach weather.
• The weather is superb for trekking on Hills and Mountains in Kenya and Tanzania. Uganda and Rwanda good for Gorilla trekking.
• In Zanzibar, Tanzania, the Sauti za Busara Music Festival, a five-day extravaganza of diverse music, theatre and dance brings together people of all ages and backgrounds in celebration of the wealth and variety of Swahili music is held.
• Laikipia in Kenya hosts the Great Rift Valley Earth Festival, a weekend festival when art, music, creativity and imagination come together inspired by nature to heal rifts between peoples is also held.
• It is cyclone season in the Southern Indian Ocean, so the coastline of Mozambique is likely to experience strong winds and may be also be wet. But you can still observe Whale Sharks & Whales at Inhambane.
• Seychelles may be wet, with rains characterised by short sharp downpours rather than continuous rainfall.

March

• It is still the dry season, but towards the end of the month, the rainy season begins in Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda & Rwanda, characterised by a mix of showers and rain. Until the end of the month, the weather is likely to be good for game viewing in Kenya, Tanzania & Uganda.
• Lodges in Southern Tanzania close in mid March.
• It becomes less ideal for trekking due to downpours and slippery ground.
• Mozambique enjoys good weather inland but there is a strong possibility of cyclones along the coast, with one usually affecting the weather for about five days.
• Seychelles enjoys good beach weather and divers and snorkellers will enjoy the calm and excellent visibility of the sea.
  Opportunity to observe Whale Sharks & Whales at Inhambane in Mozambique.

April

• The rainy season in Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda, Rwanda & Zambia. This ushers in a beautiful green landscape, but due to long grass it's more difficult to see animals, very good though for bird watchers.
• After rains, clear skies and great views of the landscape and landmarks like mountains and horizons beyond.
• Many lodges close, especially in Southern Tanzania (including Selous & Ruaha) and Laikipia, Kenya, as it is very wet and roads become impassable.
• Uganda and Rwanda are experiencing heavy rains which can make gorilla trekking difficult due to rains and slippery ground.
• This is a good time for beaches in the Seychelles and Mozambique. The sea is calm and visibility excellent in the Seychelles for divers and snorkellers.
• In Mozambique, Whales & Whale Sharks can be observed at Inhambane, the latter also in the Bazaruto Archipelago.
• Due to the long heavy rains in Kenya and Tanzania coast, it is not recommended unless you are happy to read a book in the hotel lounge. Most lodges at the coast close during the rainy season.
• Victoria Falls is particularly impressive, since the flow of water is very high and spectacular. The rest of Zambia is hardly accessible because of bad roads and most lodges close.
• There are few tourists and rates are generally reduced in Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda.

May

• As May is still a season of rain in Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda, Rwanda and Zambia the landscape is blossoming, covered with beautiful greenery, but spotting of wildlife is made less easy by long grass and bushes.
• In the Serengeti, Tanzania, you might be lucky to witness the fascinating spectacle of thousands of Wildebeest and Zebras crossing the crocodile infested Grumeti River together with their new born.
• For bird watchers, however, it is an excellent time as birds have plenty to eat while they breed and build their nests.
• After rains, clear skies and great views of the landscape and landmarks like mountains and horizons beyond.
• This is a good time for beaches in the Seychelles and Mozambique. The sea is calm and visibility excellent in the Seychelles for divers and snorkellers. The Bazaruto Archipelago in Mozambique is great for observing Whale Sharks.
• Due to the possible long heavy rains, we would not vouch for a visit to the Kenyan and Tanzanian coast, unless one is contented reading a book in the hotel lounge.
• Most lodges close at the coast of Kenya and Tanzania, in Southern Tanzania (including Selous & Ruaha) and Laikipia, Kenya.
• There are few tourists and rates are generally reduced in Kenya, Tanzania & Uganda.
• Gorilla trekking is made difficult in Uganda and Rwanda due to slippery ground caused by heavy rains.
• Victoria Falls is remarkably outstanding, due to the heavy flow of water. Other parts of Zambia may be inaccessible due to impassable roads resulting in lodge closure.

June

• The Kenyan & Tanzanian Coast as well as Southern Tanzania may still be affected by rains. By mid June the rains are usually over and the small lodges on the Coast ofKenya & Tanzania and in Southern Tanzania re-open.
• The season is good for game viewing in Kenya, Tanzania & Uganda.
• In Tanzania the rains have brought lush ground for grazing and the animals are on the move. It is an excellent time to see the migration in the Western Serengeti in Tanzania, where there is a high likelihood to witness the fascinating spectacle of thousands of Wildebeest and Zebras crossing the crocodile infested Grumeti River together with their young calves.
• The Seychelles is sunny and warm, in the high 20°s, while Mozambique is also sunny and warm in the low 20°s.
• In Mozambique, Humpback Whales can be observed in the Quirimbas Archipelago, with Bazaruto Archipelago harbouring Whale Sharks.

July

• Dry season and very good for game viewing in Kenya, Tanzania & Uganda.
• In Western Serengeti in Tanzania, you may still witness the migration of thousands of Wildebeest and Zebras crossings over the crocodile infested Grumeti River.
• Tarangire in Tanzania offers very good game viewing, as it experiences a mini migration.
• It is fairly cold in higher areas and often misty in the morning, sunny in the afternoons (e.g. Nairobi & Amboseli in Kenya and Ngorongoro in Tanzania). This makes views less spectacular and often quite hazy. For example views of Mt Kilimanjaro and Mt Meru may be less clear.
• Uganda and Rwanda are good for Gorilla trekking. Kenya & Tanzania are excellent for trekking & climbing hills and mountain-ranges.
• Strong southerly Monsoon winds affect the coast making it great for Kite-surfing & Surfing. It, however, less suitable for diving, snorkelling and sailing as seas are rough.
• Mozambique is sunny and warm in the low 20°s with the Seychelles also being sunny and warm, in the high 20°s.
• In Mozambique, Humpback Whales can be observed in the Quirimbas Archipelago, while Whale Sharks can be found in the Bazaruto Archipelago.

August

• August offers great game viewing in Kenya, Tanzania & Uganda.
• More than one million Wildebeest and Zebras are migrating to the Northern Serengeti in Tanzania and into the bordering Masai Mara in Kenya.
• In Tanzania, Tarangire National Park is experiencing a mini migration and offer very good game viewing.
• High areas e.g. Nairobi & Amboseli in Kenya and Ngorongoro in Tanzania are likely to experience fairly cold and misty mornings. This make views of Mountains such as Mt Kilimanjaro and Mt Meru less clear. This nevertheless improves in the afternoons which are likely to be sunny.
• Strong southerly Monsoon winds affect the coast. This provides great conditions for Kite-surfing & Surfing, although rough seas will mean the conditions are less ideal for diving, snorkelling and sailing.
• Mozambique is sunny and warm, in the low 20ºs. The Seychelles is warm, in the high 20ºs.
• Humpback Whales can be observed in the Quirimbas & Bazaruto Archipelagos, of Mozambique.

September

• September is good for game viewing Kenya, Tanzania & Uganda. Large herds of thousands of Wildebeest and Zebras have migrated from Tanzania's Northern Serengeti into Kenya's Masai Mara; at this time crossing the crocodile infested Mara River. Other parks in Kenya & Tanzania are dry and animals are seeking water holes making it easy to see wildlife.
• Tarangire, Tanzania offers very good game viewing, as it experiences a mini migration. A good time to see large herds of elephant in this park.
• It is less cold compared to August and the skies are clear, making for good views of the landscape.
• The conditions are good for trekking in Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda & Rwanda.
• Kenyan and Tanzanian coastal destinations are dry and sunny and very pleasant weather.
• Strong southerly Monsoon winds affect the coast. It is therefore great for Kite-surfing & Surfing. Still less ideal for diving, snorkelling and sailing as seas are rough.
• Humpback Whales can be observed in the Quirimbas & Bazaruto Archipelagos, of Mozambique.

October

• October is excellent for game viewing in Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania.
• Fantastic views of the Migration in the Masai Mara in Kenya & Northern in Tanzania, with thousands of Wildebeest and Zebras are crossing the crocodile infested Mara River.
• Less cold compared to August and September and the skies are clear, revealing beautiful views of landscape.
• Good season for trekking in Kenya & Tanzania and quite suitable for Gorilla Trekking in Uganda & Rwanda.
• Wind on the coast of Kenya and Tanzania calms down, hence good for diving, sailing and snorkelling.
• Humpback Whales can be observed in the Quirimbas & Bazaruto Archipelagos in Mozambique. Whale Sharks & Whales are best observed at Inhambane in Mozambique.
• Indian Ocean islands and coastal destinations are good and getting hotter.
• Less busy than August and September as school holidays are over.

November

• Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania experience short rains, but are still good for game viewing.
• The Kenyan and Tanzanian coasts are warm and good, but you should expect some showers.
• In Kenya, Lamu which is a World Heritage Site plays host to the Lamu Cultural Festival, a three day cultural extravaganza featuring a myriad of activities including donkey races, dhow races, swimming, traditional dances, displays of handicraft, Swahili poetry, and music and theatre performances from both local and visiting artists sharing a united heritage.
• Kenya and Tanzania are less crowded as there are fewer tourists and the rates are lower. In Kenya most lodges in Laikipia are closed with some small lodges in other places also closing for renovation.
• In Mozambique, Humpback Whales can be observed in the Quirimbas Archipelago. Whale Sharks & Whales are best observed at Inhambane.

December

• The earlier part of December may be affected by short rains, but there is good game viewing Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania. New grass grows after the rains, drawing herds of thousands of wildebeest and zebra back to the southern Serengeti in Tanzania.
• The coasts of Kenya, Tanzania & Mozambique are warm, although experience some showers.
• Humpback Whales can be observed in the Quirimbas Archipelagos in Mozambique. Whale Sharks & Whales are best observed at Inhambane.
• Peak Season is Christmas and New Year attracting premium rates in lodges and everywhere being very busy.

 

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