August is the heart of the dry season and the peak month of the high season for an African safari. Whether you are planning to witness the Great Wildebeest Migration in East Africa, the waterways of the Okavango Delta in Botswana or experience a Big 5 safari in Kruger National Park timing is important. Our guidelines are based on our expert, on-the-ground knowledge of Africa’s travel seasons.
KENYA AND TANZANIA
In Kenya and Tanzania August is the time of year when the wildebeest and zebra migration is typically in the north of the Serengeti National Park, in Tanzania; making its way towards the Masai Mara Game Reserve, in Kenya, where they will spend a couple of months.
RWANDA AND UGANDA
August are right in the midst of Rwanda and Uganda’s dry season (which takes place from June through to September). August is a very popular for booking gorilla trekking adventures because of the clear skies and sunny conditions.
BOTSWANA
The Okavango Delta is in peak flood from July to August and this also probably the best time for game viewing in all of Southern Africa.
NAMIBIA
The days start to warm up again in August, with game viewing in Etosha coming into its peak. The skies are cloudless.
SOUTH AFRICA
August is a great time to visit South Africa. August is peak game-viewing season in South Africa’s northern parks and reserves, such as Kruger National Park. Visibility in the bush gets better as wildlife starts to concentrate around the main water sources, making game viewing easier. However, in the south-western part of the country (Cape Town), August is late winter so be prepared for winter rain.
ZAMBIA AND ZIMBABWE
In Zambia, as the seasonal waterholes dry up, wildlife moves towards greener areas such as the Luangwa Valley and Kafue National Park. In Zimbabwe, Hwange National Park attracts large numbers of elephants, lions and other species as they also seek out waterholes.