Across East and Southern Africa, there is always a wonderful destination for a safari throughout the year. Planning the ultimate safari requires not only choosing the right destination but also timing it to the perfect month for wildlife sightings, climate, and peak safari experiences. Each region in Africa has unique weather patterns and wildlife highlights at different times of the year. From witnessing the Great Migration in Tanzania to gliding through the Okavango Delta’s floodwaters in Botswana, here’s a broad calendar to help you decide where to safari for the best experiences across Africa.
January to March: East Africa, Cape Region and Botswana
For the best wildlife viewing at the beginning of the year, East Africa, Botswana, and the Cape Region are top destinations according to the safari calendar. In East Africa, the short rains should have passed, resulting in lush landscapes throughout Kenya and Tanzania. Expect warm, dry days and excellent wildlife sightings. Although Uganda and Rwanda are humid, they still offer great opportunities for gorilla and chimpanzee tracking, with vegetation that is thick yet manageable.
– Kenya & Tanzania: This is the time of year to witness calving season in the southern Serengeti in Tanzania. Hundreds of thousands of wildebeests and zebras give birth, attracting predators, including lions, cheetahs, and hyenas, creating dramatic predator-prey interactions. In the northern Serengeti and Masai Mara, you can expect excellent wildlife viewing of the resident wildlife and with fewer other vehicles.
– Uganda & Rwanda: These two beautiful countries tend to be dry and humid at this time of year, though there is a chance of rain throughout the year. This is a wonderful time for gorilla and chimpanzee tracking, as vegetation is thick but manageable. Other national parks in each country also provide wonderful wildlife viewing and birding opportunities.
– Botswana: In Botswana you can expect hot days with the chance of summer rains which tend to arrive in the form of storms which clear the air. The light is fantastic and the green season brings newborn animals, often with plenty of predator action as a result. Birdlife flourishes with many migratory birds seen at this time of year and the Makgadikgadi salt pans are transformed with a carpet of nutritiously rich grasses and hundreds of zebra that have migrated from the Chobe Region of the country.
– Cape Region, South Africa: The Cape Region, including Cape Town, Winelands and Garden Route, enjoys its peak summer season where you can expect clear, warm days and balmy evenings. Ideal for a safari and city combination, as summer weather is perfect for coastal exploration, wine tasting, and visiting the surrounding mountains.
April and May: South Africa, Botswana and Namibia
April and May mark the beginning of the dry season in Southern Africa on the safari calendar, with cooler temperatures and clear skies. Rainfall has subsided, making the landscapes lush but accessible, especially in Zimbabwe, Zambia, and Malawi as they transition into safari season.
– South Africa: The end of the rainy season in northern South Africa brings with it warm, dry days and comfortable temperatures at night. Wildlife viewing improves in Kruger National Park and surrounding reserves as vegetation starts thinning out and access throughout the national parks and wildlife areas improves.
– Botswana & Namibia: With the advent of the dry season the landscape remains lush and the Okavango Delta in Botswana starts to flood – usually at the start of May. The combination of green landscapes and clear skies make for beautiful photography. In Namibia, wildlife congregates around waterholes, the clear blue skies contrast sharply with the red of the sand dunes, providing amazing photographic opportunities. Etosha becomes a hotspot for large elephant herds.
June to October: All Safari Countries in Full Swing
This is the height of the season across Africa with dry conditions throughout the prime safari countries. As the year progresses the temperature rises and with the vegetation getting sparser and water sources reducing, animals congregate in increasingly large numbers around the remaining water sources including river and waterholes. Highlights include;
– Kenya & Tanzania: The Great Migration has moved north through the Serengeti and reaches the border with the Masai Mara in Kenya, usually by late July. This is the time of year that you can witness the dramatic river crossings as the wildebeest and zebra cross between the Serengeti and the Masai Mara.
– Uganda & Rwanda: Gorilla and chimpanzee trekking are optimal in the dry season, with clearer paths and reduced vegetation. This is the best time of year to spot other primates and forest species, too.
– Botswana: The Okavango Delta reaches its peak flood levels, offering exceptional water-based safari experiences like mokoro (traditional dugout canoe) rides and boat safaris through the winding channels. Chobe National Park transforms into a bustling haven for large herds of elephants, often gathering in impressive numbers along the riverbanks. Meanwhile, the Makgadikgadi salt pans return to their dry, lunar-like landscape, attracting a surprising array of wildlife. Desert-adapted species thrive here, with the iconic habituated meerkats being a special highlight for visitors.
– Zimbabwe & Zambia: This is the prime time of year for wildlife viewing in these countries. The national parks in both, including Mana Pools, Hwange, South Luangwa and Lower Zambezi, offer rich and varied wildlife viewing with leopards, wild dogs, large herds of elephant and buffalo and plentiful lions, all seen on a regular basis. Both countries boast exceptional walking safaris, allowing up-close experiences with wildlife. Victoria Falls, located on the border, is also at its peak flow in June, making for spectacular views.
– Namibia: This year-round destination is a paradise for adventure seekers, with diverse landscapes and a wide range of activities to suit every traveller. The dry season brings exceptional wildlife sightings, especially in Etosha National Park, where animals gather in large numbers around the park’s iconic waterholes, creating thrilling opportunities for close encounters. The stunning desert landscapes, from towering dunes to rugged mountains, glow in the crisp winter light, making it a dream for photographers looking to capture Namibia’s unique beauty.
– Malawi: Safari season is at its peak, with plenty of wildlife activity around water sources in the national parks, including Liwonde and Majete. Lake Malawi remains a draw for beach relaxation and water activities, providing a great safari and beach combination.
October to December: Wide Range of Destinations, with Some Timing Considerations
As the year comes to an end, October marks the end of the dry season on the calendar, and rains start in November across some regions, which brings life back to the landscapes but may limit wildlife-viewing in some areas due to access.
– Botswana & Namibia: October is dry and hot in many areas, making it a good time for spotting large elephant herds. In November, migratory birds begin to arrive, adding to the biodiversity.
– South Africa: As spring unfolds, South Africa’s bushveld comes alive with fresh blooms and vibrant greenery, setting a stunning stage for wildlife viewing in Kruger National Park and other renowned reserves. The Cape Region is also coming into its own with warmer weather and the end of whale-watching season along the coast, making this the perfect time to pair a northern safari with coastal adventures in the Cape. From breathtaking landscapes to diverse wildlife, South Africa offers an unforgettable mix of experiences in the spring.
– Zimbabwe & Zambia: The heat of October brings with it exceptional wildlife viewing as the wildlife congregates in ever-increasing numbers around the remaining water sources, which brings the predators in as well. November marks the start of the emerald season with sporadic rains, bringing lush landscapes and newborn animals. This is the “secret season” for photography, with dramatic skies, fewer people and excellent birdlife.
Final Thoughts
Each month in Africa unveils unique landscapes, weather patterns, and wildlife spectacles, as noted on the safari calendar. From lush green seasons, filled with newborns and migratory birds, to drier months when animals gather in high numbers around precious waterholes, Africa offers incredible safari moments year-round. Planning your visit to align with specific wildlife events—like the Great Migration’s thrilling river crossings or tranquil mokoro rides in the Okavango Delta—can make for an extraordinary experience. However, don’t overlook the quieter off-season months. Travelling during these less-busy times often offers rewarding encounters, fewer crowds, and hidden gems that reveal Africa’s quieter magic. Each season has something unforgettable to offer.
If you would like to chat about planning a holiday to Africa or the Indian Ocean, please do get in touch with Lucinda and she would be delighted to help.
