Whether you’re looking to observe the Great Wildebeest Migration in East Africa, embark on a Big 5 safari, or enjoy a romantic honeymoon on the beach, timing is a crucial factor when it comes to your travel plans. Each season reveals a different quality of an African safari, from predator activity to lush green landscapes.The data provided below per month per destination draws from our first-hand experience with the travel seasons of Africa. Some seasons offer particularly ideal conditions when travelling on a luxury family safari.
JANUARY, FEBRUARY AND MARCH
Summer! Warm to hot and sunny with occasional thunderstorms.
APRIL
Late summer - warm
MAY, JUNE, JULY AND AUGUST
Cool to cold in Cape Town, variant temperatures on safari
SEPTEMBER
Early spring - warm
OCTOBER, NOVEMBER AND DECEMBER
Summer! Warm to hot and sunny
JANUARY, FEBRUARY AND MARCH
TOO HOT!
APRIL
Hot
MAY, JUNE, JULY AND AUGUST
Best time to travel
SEPTEMBER
Hot
OCTOBER, NOVEMBER AND DECEMBER
TOO HOT
JANUARY, FEBRUARY AND MARCH
Rainy and cyclone season
APRIL
Rainy season
MAY THROUGH TO NOVEMBER
Best time to travel
DECEMBER
Rainy season
JANUARY, FEBRUARY AND MARCH
Hot and rainy
APRIL
End of rainy season
MAY
Warm - great shoulder season
JUNE, JULY, AUGUST AND SEPTEMBER
Cool to warm - long dry season
OCTOBER
Starts to get very hot and humid
NOVEMBER AND DECEMBER
Hot and rainy
JANUARY, FEBRUARY AND MARCH
Hot and rainy - many camps close
APRIL
End of rainy season
MAY
Warm - great shoulder season
JUNE, JULY, AUGUST AND SEPTEMBER
Cool to warm - long dry season
OCTOBER
Starts to get very hot and humid
NOVEMBER AND DECEMBER
Hot and rainy
JANUARY, FEBRUARY AND MARCH
Hot and rainy - many camps close
APRIL
End of rainy season
MAY
Warm - great shoulder season
JUNE, JULY, AUGUST AND SEPTEMBER
Cool to warm - long dry season
OCTOBER
Starts to get very hot and humid
NOVEMBER AND DECEMBER
Hot and rainy
JANUARY AND FEBRUARY
Short dry season – Great Migration calving season in Southern Serengeti
MARCH, APRIL AND MAY
Long rainy season
JUNE
Long dry season – Great Migration in Central/Western Serengeti
JULY, AUGUST, SEPTEMBER AND OCTOBER
Long dry season – Great Migration in Northern Serengeti and Masai Mara
NOVEMBER
Short rainy season
DECEMBER
Short dry season – Great Migration calving season in Southern Serengeti starts in late December
JANUARY AND FEBRUARY
Short dry season
MARCH, APRIL AND MAY
Long rainy season
JUNE
Long dry season
JULY, AUGUST, SEPTEMBER AND OCTOBER
Long dry season – Great Migration in Northern Serengeti and Masai Mara
NOVEMBER
Short rainy season
DECEMBER
Short dry season
JANUARY AND FEBRUARY
Short dry season
MARCH, APRIL AND MAY
Long rainy season
JUNE
Long dry season
JUNE THROUGH TO OCTOBER
Long dry season
NOVEMBER
Short rainy season
DECEMBER
Short dry season
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