When it’s time to plan any adventurous trip to the wildlands, timing is everything. Unlike man-made marvels, nature doesn’t hold reservations or prepare for the arrival of VIPs. Its untamed and pure nature can let you observe a few wonderful visions to inspire stories for generations to come, but only if you spot it at the right time.
Sure, there are a few evergreen scenes, such as the magma rumbles of Mt. Kilimanjaro or the sunset over the ocean water in Zanzibar. Yet, the most visually striking events would require you to plan ahead when booking your vacation. Want to know the best time to visit Africa for a safari? Then this is just the guide you need.
Introduction to African Safari Seasons
Africa is home to a wide range of flora and fauna, creating a balanced ecosystem with natural resources. They interact with each other in fantastic ways to create scenarios that you might only imagine in a fever dream. Whether it’s a massive flock of pink flamingos resting off the banks of the Congo or a million-strong wildebeest herd moving across the Serengeti, you need to be in the right place at the right time to make the most of your African adventure. There are three primary safari seasons in Africa:
Dry Season (May to November)
This is the peak season for safaris in Africa. The dry season means that most of the temporary water sources dry up, and most animals have to get out to drink water from lakes and rivers. The warmer weather gives way to thinner vegetation, allowing for better visibility, and the daylight is also plentiful to get the best shots.
Wet Season (November to April)
While the wet season (also known as the green season) doesn’t offer a lot in terms of wildlife in the open, it does have its advantages. Since there is less rush and fewer crowds, you are bound to get a less expensive safari package. You can also time your visit right to spot the newborns of various species, such as an African lion cub or a cute little giraffe calf. There is also the bonus of increased conversations with farmers and fishermen who typically sell their freshest harvest.
Shoulder Season (April to June)
The shoulder season is the transition between wet and dry, which means that the weather is quite unpredictable. However, you are bound to get lower prices than the peak season, and a chance to indulge in a few unique vistas that only occur during this time. A notable example is the Victoria falls, where the water spray doesn’t block the mountain views and let you observe migratory birds from the Northern plains in clear skies.
Weather Patterns and Their Impact on Safaris
In addition to the wide range of flora and fauna, Africa is the centerpiece for the most significant atmospheric phenomena on Earth. As such, it’s rather easy to predict weather patterns when trying to reserve your seats for a safari. There are two primary considerations you need to keep in mind: rain and temperature. The sections below can provide you with a detailed view.
Dry Season vs. Wet Season: Understanding the Differences
You can get a varied difference in experience when booking a safari in the wet or dry season. The dry season is the best opportunity to spot most animals in the wild, but also the one where you might be competing with a large crowd of tourists for bookings in famous African safari destinations.
A couple of notable ones include the Kruger National Park in South Africa and the Masai Mara National Reserve in Kenya. Also, you might need a bit of luck if you’re booking a stay close to the Serengeti National Park during the Great Migration in May.
On the other hand, the wet season makes for fewer fauna sightings, but also draws less crowds trying to get the perfect picture frame from their cameras. If you’re looking for some peace and quiet, this is the perfect season for a safari in Africa.
While the coastal regions might be in for high winds, the inland stays are quite pleasant. If you’re lucky, you can even spot a few rare sightings of migratory birds and young ones of the Big Five playing across the plains.
Temperature Variations Across African Safari Destinations
Daily temperature variations are quite extreme in the arid regions, such as the Sahara and the Kalahari. You might get some reprieve during the wet season, but the weather is quite extreme during the day.
The temperatures can reach 50 degrees C (122 degrees F) during the day in the desert regions, whereas the Tibesti Mountains record as low as -15 degrees C (5 degrees F) at night. So, it’s a good idea to pack both sunscreen and an insulated sleeping bag if you’re planning to visit during summer or late spring.
If you consider the coastal areas, the beaches of Zimbabwe are more pleasant during the dry season. The average daily temperature peaks at 26.5 degrees C (79.7 degrees F) for both wet and dry seasons. Aside from the occasional strong winds, you can visit for a pleasant beachside vacation any time of the year.
Regional Breakdown of Safari Timing
Now that you understand the various weather and temperature patterns across Africa, let’s break down each region to assist with the best time to visit Africa for the safari that you desire.
East Africa: Kenya and Tanzania
East Africa holds the most promising prospects of capturing the Big Five of Africa (African lion, African Elephant, African buffalo, African leopard, and African rhino). Kenya and Tanzania are home to the most famous safari destinations, including the Serengeti National Park, the Masai Mara National Reserve, and the Ngorongoro crater.
The best time to visit these beautiful vistas depends entirely upon your preference. The dry season is when the Great Migration makes its way here, but you might be hard pressed to put up with a few crowds from May all the way to September. However, the shoulder season offers some reprieve, and you can get a week-long holiday package for much cheaper.
Southern Africa: Botswana, South Africa, and Namibia
The Southern part of Africa is home to both arid deserts and lush jungles, making for a wide range of environments to explore. Botswana is best known for the Okavango Delta, which is best experienced between May and October. It allows you more visibility through the forests while offering plenty of opportunity to watch rare birds migrate from the North.
Namibia is well known for hot deserts, but still has plenty of natural beauty to offer. The Skeleton Coast and the Etosha National Park have good visibility with several animal species in the open. Also, there is something rather calming about vast expanses of deserts that still have so much flora and fauna thriving within the ecosystem.
While the temperatures in the day can go in excess of 40 degrees C (104 degrees F), the nights can get quite chilly. Therefore, it’s best to have a thermal blanket or an insulated sleeping bag handy.
In South Africa, the Kruger and Addo National Parks attract a large safari audience in the dry season. It is the place to visit if you want to get massive herds of African elephants in your shots. If you want a more solitary and less expensive experience, it’s best to book your vacation during the shoulder season. However, you may expect a few rain showers during those days.
Central Africa: Rwanda and Uganda
The varied landscapes of Rwanda and Uganda open up opportunities for unique safaris in Africa. In addition to traditional off-roading and camping activities, you can indulge in gorilla and chimpanzee tracking across the Kibale and Queen Elizabeth national parks. In addition, the region is one of the best places to spot hippos and crocodiles near river banks during the dry season.
The rains during the wet season might cause vast areas to submerge, but it’s not something to let your hopes down. You can go on boat safaris and witness a few unique scenarios in the season, such as antelopes swimming across short streams or baboons taking their afternoon naps in the trees.
Wildlife Viewing Opportunities
The most significant attraction to African safaris is undoubtedly the fauna. Here are a few wildlife viewing opportunities in Africa that make for prime safari material.
The Great Migration in the Serengeti and Masai Mara
The Great Migration is an annual phenomenon in which massive herds of buffaloes, wildebeests, zebras, and other mammals migrate South during the dry season (since most of the rivers dry out and the grass becomes near unfit for their daily nutrition).
In accordance with it, several predators like lions and hyenas also come out across the plains to feast on the prey, much like a free-for-all buffet in Vegas. While they might not take down entire herds, they pick the specimens well within their grasp (often the youngest or the oldest) as the rest of the herd moves on.
As the wet season approaches, the grass in the North regrows and the group begins the migration back North. During both the migration periods, the Serengeti and Masai Mara reserves are the best place to spot the Migration, owing to open grasslands and lack of mist or fog in the air.
Big Five Sightings in Southern Africa
The Big Five are the most popular African fauna, sort of like the poster children for every African safari. They are the African lion, the African leopard, the African elephant, the African buffalo, and the African rhino.
While it requires perfect timing to spot all five in the same region at the same time, there are a few instances that work in your favour. For example, the Great Migration might make them all appear in the same vicinity if you book your safari during the dry season. In addition, a few game reserves, such as the Manyara National Park in Tanzania, have them all within the same region for ecosystem preservation and wildlife conservation purposes.
Gorilla Trekking Seasons in Uganda and Rwanda
If you wish to see how smart and inventive primates can be, it’s a good idea to book a gorilla or chimpanzee trekking safari in Uganda or Rwanda. Both the activities let you get up close and personal with them safely, so much so that you can observe their minute-to-minute schedule with your own eyes.
Just be sure to pack light and mind the cleanliness of your environment. Throwing out garbage or offering food may offend such primates (Yes, they’re that smart!), as the rangers assigned to the preserve take good care of that. Also, don’t forget to tip your safari staff a little extra if they deliver a unique experience not mentioned on the brochure.
Off-Peak Safari Benefits
There is a reason why certain time slots throughout the year attract the most crowds across African safaris. Still, there are several benefits in booking your safari during the off-peak months. A few notable ones include:
Fewer Crowds
It’s cool to socialise with like-minded tourists during your safari. However, if you prefer a quieter experience, off-peak months may offer some peace and maybe opportunities for the more shy species (such as leopards and cheetahs) to come out when there isn’t anyone around.
Cost Savings
Without massive bookings, travel agencies that offer safaris are more likely to offer discounts and group deals to make up for lost revenue. There is also a chance that the hotels may have luxury suites for cheaper, and the beachside resorts offer their premium villas without much expense. The locals are also less overwhelmed, and more likely to offer you more efficient treks with better insights into the area.
Unique Wildlife Behaviours
You don’t want to disturb wild animals with massive crowds if you wish to witness their natural state. In addition to spotting rarer species, off-peak months allow to witness events that would never be possible in a crowd. An elegant example is a lioness teaching her cubs how to hunt gazelles. Trust me, it’s a cute sight to behold and something to remember for decades once you experience it firsthand.
Special Considerations for Safari Timing
There are a few considerations that may augment your safari experience for the better if you book at specific dates.
Bird Watching Seasons
While resident birds can be found all year round, migratory birds have a fixed period when they flock from one location to the next. The Northern Hemisphere avian species can be spotted migrating to the South between September to March. On the other hand, birds from the South migrate North during the rainy season.
Calving and Birthing Periods
Most African mammals have their mating season between June and August. Thus, the best time to spot young giraffe calves or hyena pups is during the wet or shoulder season. Although, a few species can be the outliers, such as the cheetahs who only give birth during the end of the dry season (usually October or November), or the crocodiles whose eggs hatch usually in early May.
Cultural Festivals and Events
You need only check online as to the dates of various cultural festivals and events that take place across Africa throughout the year. Although, there are a few unique, lesser-known events that draw in fewer crowds.
One of them is the Bushfire Festival in Swaziland. It’s a 3-day long music festival that takes place in late May or early June. During this time, you not only get to enjoy the latest artistic creations from the continent, but you can also indulge in various cuisines, as food trucks and carts from various countries bring their culinary delights.
Another is the Lamu Donkey Race held on a Kenyan island. Even if you don’t prefer to watch these quadrupedal behemoths duke it out on the race track, you can still relax on the beach or take on the various water sports held on the island during the months of June and July.
Key Takeaways
Experience unparalleled wildlife encounters during the optimal seasons, from the Serengeti’s Great Migration to the lush landscapes of Ngorongoro Crater. It all depends on what kind of experience you’re looking for and when.
Whether it’s a climb on the Ngorongoro crater or a pleasant sunset on the beaches of Zanzibar, we can help plan your next adventure with us to experience Africa’s wilderness during the prime safari seasons. We guarantee unforgettable wildlife sightings and memorable experiences.
Contact us today for personalized safari planning and explore Africa’s top safari destinations with confidence, knowing you’ve chosen the best time for your adventure.
