Nothing beats seeing your favourite animals in the wild. But whether you’re most excited to spy a herd of mighty elephants or an elusive leopard, it’s well worth knowing what to expect on safari holidays at different times of the year. From the unparalleled animal antics of the dry season to the unexpected thrills of the seasonal rains, every month has distinct draws and drawbacks. In Africa, each country carves its own path when it comes to climate, and seasonality affects everything, from the activities on offer to the type of landscapes and wildlife you can expect to experience. Need help deciding on the best time to go on safari? Read on for our guide to visiting Africa’s most famous parks, whatever the weather…
1. Dry season
2. Shoulder season
3. Wet season
Dry season
Thanks to reliably cool, sunny weather guaranteeing spectacular game viewing, the dry season is always the most popular time to go on an African safari. Head to the watering holes, and you’ll see a plethora of thirsty animals jostling for a drink, ranging from the Big Five (elephant, rhino, buffalo, lion, leopard) to the Ugly Five (wildebeest, warthog, vulture, hyena, marabou stork). Although lodges might be laden with tourists and the landscape is a little less lush, you’ll have the best chance of spotting the cast of The Lion King at many of the continent’s popular parks.
While we could wax lyrical about any park during the dry season, here are a few highlights. Whether it’s trekking with the 380-plus mountain gorilla population in Volcanoes National Park or touring Akagera National Park for a glimpse of the country’s big game, June, July, and August are the best time to go on safari in Rwanda. Zimbabwe is another dry season delight, so head to the likes of Hwange, Malilangwe and Mana Pools to see wonderful wildlife, little and large. We can’t forgo mentioning the infamous Great Migration, either. Every month has its merits, but July, August and September in Tanzania host the dramatic wildebeest Mara River crossings as they thunder towards the plains of Kenya’s Masai Mara. Expect to see the circle of life in full swing, with life-and-death animal encounters galore.
Image by Olivier Romano
Shoulder season
Don’t fancy the crowds but still want pleasant weather? Shoulder season might be for you. Between March and May and October and December, tourists thin out, camps are more affordable, and days are generally dry, with bursts of rain and thunderstorms keeping the vegetation green (and tourists on their toes). On shoulder-season safaris, some animals will also start to emerge from their wintry slumbers, and visitors often get some unexpectedly great sightings.
In Tanzania, between September and October, our wildebeest friends begin their journey south to the northern Serengeti, so there’s another chance to see those spectacular predator-prey interactions. The calving season also begins in December, so why not plan your trip around the start of this action? Another top shoulder season spot is South Africa, which enjoys opposite seasons to the Northern Hemisphere. While rains are pouring in other parts of the continent between April and May, South Africa boasts balmy autumnal weather and fewer crowds – the shoulder season sweet spot. This is also the best time to go on safari in neighbouring Namibia if you want to take advantage of seasonal discounts. Head to Etosha National Park in April, where, thanks to the preceding rainy months, lush vegetation transforms the landscape and winter (the dry season) is around the corner. November in Namibia is another shoulder month to consider when the rains aren’t yet biblical, and the heat isn’t scorching; it’s one of the best times of year for wildlife watching.
Image by Andreas Hub/LAIF-REA
Wet season
While many might not think the rainy season is the best time to go on safari, we’re going to try and change your mind. Heavy rainfall and high temperatures deter the crowds, so you can forget competing against a queue of 4x4s for front-row animal action. So long, stratospheric flight costs and eye-watering camp prices – the wet season is the most affordable time to go on a safari holiday. Yes, it can be harder to spot animals among the tall grasslands and abundant leafage, but it’s when migrant species arrive in search of lusher lands and myriad bird species fill the treetops. The ‘green season’ is undoubtedly the best time to go on safari for budding photographers too. Animals’ furs contrast beautifully with the lush emerald lands, and heavy storm clouds form an atmospheric backdrop to any landscape shot.
Which parks flourish in the rain? February might be the peak rainy season in Botswana, but it’s also when the zebra migration—the longest mammal migration in Africa—occurs. Zealous zebra fans can observe as thousands of zebra journey to the Makgadikgadi and Nxai Pans (with big predators in pursuit) before returning north to the Okavango Delta. Zambia is another wet season wonder. Head to South Luangwa National Park between late November and April to embrace the fruits of the seasonal downpours: a landscape transformed into a flushed green oasis. The Luangwa River bursts its banks, colourful migratory flocks of birds arrive, herbivores give birth, and there’s (hopefully) not another tourist in sight.
Image by Getty Images
Written by Hannah Whitehall | Header image by Faustine Poidevin
