When is the Best Time to Go on Safari? (note: Africa is a Year-Round Destination)
One of the first questions travellers ask me when planning an African adventure is, "When should we go?"
There is a common myth that safari season only happens for a few short months a year. Africa is vast, diverse, and prime for wildlife viewing 12 months of the year - it all comes down to aligning your holiday dates with the right region.
Whether you want to travel during school holidays, escape the winter cold, or celebrate a milestone, there is always an extraordinary safari waiting for you.
SOUTHERN AFRICA: Classic Wildlife & Emerald Seasons: (South Africa, Botswana, Zimbabwe, Zambia, Namibia)
Southern Africa experiences distinct dry and wet seasons, each offering a completely unique style of travel.
Dry Season (May to October): With a short, dry winter between June – August, this is classic game-viewing season. As water sources dry up across places like the Greater Kruger or South Luangwa, animals gather around waterholes, and bare trees make wildlife easy to spot. In Botswana, winter rains from Angola fill the Okavango Delta between June and August, creating world-famous water channels for mokoro (dugout canoe) safaris.
Green / Emerald Season (November to April): Don't write off the summer months! With hot days and terrific African afternoon showers brings lush greenery - this is calving season, meaning thousands of baby impala, zebra, and wildebeest, which attracts plenty of predator action. It’s also a paradise for birdwatchers and offers excellent value with fewer crowds.
Winter (June - August) – short and sharp with clear sunny days and cold crips nights. Cape Town can be very windy and stormy. Known as the high game viewing season due to the drying bush and waterholes.
EAST & CENTRAL AFRICA: Following the Rhythms of the Land: (Tanzania, Kenya, Rwanda, Uganda)
East Africa sits closer to the equator, offering pleasant temperatures year-round and wildlife experiences dictated by rainfall patterns.
The Great Migration (Year-Round): Many people think the Great Migration is a single event in July or August, but it is a continuous, year-round circuit.
January – March: The herds are in Tanzania’s Southern Serengeti for calving season (thousands of calves born daily!).
July – October: The famous, dramatic river crossings take place as herds move between the Northern Serengeti and Kenya’s Masai Mara. We carefully plan your accommodation around where the migration is expected to be.
Primate Trekking (Rwanda & Uganda): Mountain gorilla and chimpanzee trekking in dense rainforests can be done year-round, though the drier months (June–September and December–February) offer slightly easier trail conditions.
Planning by the Calendar:
January - March:
Best Southern Africa Destinations: Cape Town, Garden Route, Green Season Safaris (Kruger/Kalahari), Victoria Falls (Zimbabwe)
Best East & Central Africa Destinations: Serengeti Calving Season (Tanzania), Gorilla Trekking
April - May
Best Southern Africa Destinations: Victoria Falls (peak flow), Namibia, shoulder-season wilderness
Best East & Central Africa Destinations: Central Serengeti, quiet mid season travel time across Kenya, South Africa, Zimbabwe, Zambia
June – August
Best Southern Africa Destinations: Okavango Delta, Greater Kruger, South Luangwa (prime dry season), Zimbabwe
Best East & Central Africa Destinations: Mara River Crossings (Serengeti/Masai Mara), Gorilla Trekking, Kenya
September – October
Best Southern Africa Destinations: Chobe, Luangwa Valley, Hermanus (Whale watching in South Africa)
Best East & Central Africa Destinations: Masai Mara (Kenya), Tarangire & Northern Tanzania
November – December
Best Southern Africa Destinations: Cape Town summer kick-off, Kalahari, birding & predator action. Good time to visit in most countries at the start of the rains.
Best East & Central Africa Destinations: Short rains end; lush landscapes in Serengeti and Mara
How We Help You Decide
The Secret to Perfect Timing: You don't need to change your vacation dates to fit a safari - we simply select the destination that shines brightest during the exact month you want to fly.
When you work with Forage Safaris, we take the guesswork out of the map and calendar. We handle the intricacies of local seasons, flight connections, park logistics, and lodge selection so you can step straight into a seamless, tailored experience.
BIG TIP – plan early! The lodges and camps are mostly smaller boutique style accommodation, and they fill up fast.
Ready to explore your options? Whether you’re dreaming of a private custom itinerary or curious about joining our ‘Taste of Africa’ small group tour in April 2027, let us help you start designing your safari adventure.
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