fbpx
Travel Tips

Best time to go to Africa

 

Written by Julie Graham

When is the best time to go Africa? When traveling in Africa, timing is everything. And no, we’re not referring to the phrase “Africa time” – which, if you’ve travelled to the continent, you may have heard as a reference to the general more laid back attitude towards time. We’re referring to the ever-changing seasons and climate of this vast region that varies greatly according to each country’s altitude, topography, and it’s vicinity to the coastline. All these elements have a great impact on what travelers can expect at different times of the year in different parts of the continent. From tropical island getaways, and the best land-based whale watching in the world, to two of the Seven Natural Wonders of the World, we’ve compiled our very own African Wildlife Calendar that showcases the best time to go to Africa and its myriad of incredible destinations! 

January 

A Summer Holiday in South Africa

 

best time to go to Africa
Hiking in Cape Town

Voted as one of the best cities in the world, Cape Town is an unparalleled summer destination with world-class beaches and a host of outdoor activities for thrill-seekers, nature lovers and wine connoisseurs. The month of January is one of the warmest and driest months and the best time to visit South Africa. With clear skies and, with sunset only after 8pm, there are plenty of daylight hours to enjoy all this epic city has to offer!

February

Calving Migration Safari in the Tanzania

 

best time to go to Africa
Wildebeest and calve in the Serengeti

Witness nature taking its course as the survival of the fittest comes to the fore during the calving season in the Serengeti in Tanzania during the month of February. Considered one of Tanzania’s best safari experiences, February sees approximately 8,000 wildebeest calves born each day, introducing a host of predators like lion, cheetah and hyena who patrol the grasslands to make a meal of the vulnerable calves. This is undoubtedly one of the best safari experiences in Africa, and not for the faint-hearted!

Book a 7 day Wildebeest Calving Season Safari.

March

Green Season Safari in Botswana

best time to go to Africa
Pride of lions in the Delta, photo credit | Duba Plains

Considered the ‘low season’ in Botswana, the green season is a great time to see the region give birth to new life while taking advantage of much better rates. March falls towards the very end of the rainy season, and sees the country transformed into a lush green wonderland with many animals giving birth during this time. Elephants are abundant in the Okavango Delta as the great marula trees start to drop their fruit, and baby animals can be seen everywhere exploring their natural habitats for the very first time.

Find out more about the Green Season in Botswana here.

April

The Smoke that Thunders in Full Flow

best time to go to Africa
Aerial view of Victoria Falls at full capactiy

Zambia and Zimbabwe are the places to be between February and May when the mighty Victoria Falls – one of the Seven Natural Wonders of the World – can be witnessed in all its glory, flowing at full capacity. It is the peak high water season, and though Livingstone Island and Devil’s Pool are closed during this time, the sensory overload of the world’s largest sheet of water flowing at its greatest volume is a once-in-a-lifetime sight to behold. 

Experience Victoria Falls on our 10 day Botswana & Victoria Falls Adventure.

May

Safari Season in the Kruger National Park 

best time to go to Africa

Game drive in Kruger National Park

May marks the beginning of the dry season in the north of South Africa and is the absolute best time for a safari experience in the Kruger National Park and surrounding reserves. The weather is ideal – think sunny skies, no rain and mild daytime temperatures – and the game viewing is superb as vegetation begins to thin out and wildlife starts to congregate around waterholes. This time of year is also ideal for those who enjoy walking safaris and getting up close and personal with the beasts of the bush.

June 

The Great Wildebeest Migration in Tanzania

best time to go to Africa

Wildebeest herds crossing the Mara River

Head to the western and central parts of the Serengeti National Park to witness the greatest show on earth – the annual Great Wildebeest Migration, another of the world’s Seven Natural Wonders and a true spectacle to behold. June marks the end of the rainy season and the vast plains of the Serengeti are lush and green. This is traditionally the time when the wildebeest make their journey across the Grumeti River – an annual feast for the river’s large crocodiles!

Find out what to expect from the annual Wildebeest Migration here.

July

The Highest Sand Dunes in the World in Namibia 

best time to go to Africa

Sossusvlei in Namibia

Characterised by the endless desert landscapes and giant rolling red sand dunes that disappear into pristine coastlines, Namibia is home to the oldest desert in the world, which in turn is home to one of the country’s most famous attractions – Sossusvlei. Best experienced during the winter months, where the temperatures are mild and the skies clear, making for epic photographic opportunities, feast your eyes on the highest sand dunes in the world. With their unusual shapes and ever-changing colours, these marvels of nature are a must for any traveller’s bucket list. 

August 

Wildflower Season in South Africa

best time to go to Africa

Wild flower season in South Africa

An absolute showstopper, the flower season in the Western Cape of South Africa is one of the most breathtakingly beautiful natural sights to behold. Beginning in August, just before the onset of spring, the West Coast of the province transforms into a rainbow of colour as carpets and carpets of wildflowers burst into bloom in a plethora of vibrant shades and shapes. Flower enthusiasts flock every year to the West Coast National Park during this time, where the flowers can be seen in all their glory, together with a host of wildlife that call the park home.

September

Whale Season in South Africa

best time to go to Africa

Southern Right Whales in South Africa

Stick around after the wildflowers, and move towards South Africa’s Whale Coast where you will have the unique opportunity to witness some of the best land-based whale watching in the world from the coastal town of Hermanus or De Hoop Nature Reserve. The shallow, sandy coves and calm waters of the bay offer the ideal environment for Southern Right whales to start their three-year-long reproductive cycles, and thousands of whale-lovers arrive each year to witness the massive majestic mammals birthing and caring for their new-born calves. 

Find out more about the whale watching season in South Africa.

October 

The Great Wildebeest Migration continues in Kenya

best time to go to Africa

Wildebeest and zebra in the Masai Mara

By October, the Great Wildebeest Migration would have made its way into the world-famous Maasai Mara Game Reserve after an action-packed Mara River crossing. Once they do the crossing, they often stay for the first half of the month, crossing back and forth, making for some truly action-packed game viewing. By mid-October however, most of the migration tend to have made their way to the Northern Serengeti.

November

Island Getaway in Mauritius 

best time to go to Africa

Snorkeling in Mauritius

Summer in Southern Africa is a great time to combine a bush safari with a beach experience and November is one of the best months to pay a visit to tropical Mauritius. November is the start of the summer season and the weather is warm and dry. The seasonal change causes longer days with the sun rising very early and sun setting late in the evening. Think hours of soft sun and sand, warm waters, and tropical island paradise bliss and you’re almost there… 

December, one of the best times to go to Africa

Zebra Migration in Botswana’s Kalahari

best time to go to Africa

Zebra migration in Botswana, photo credit | Jack’s Camp

Visit the Makgadikgadi Salt Pans in Botswana in December to witness zebra herds of approximately 25,000 to 30,000 during the peak of the second largest wildlife migration crossing the Kalahari Desert. Coinciding with Botswana’s green season, the arid pans turn lush and green and the sight of these massive black and white herds moving across the desert on their 680km migration, through the verdant salt pans is truly magical. 

To make the most of your African holiday experience, it is well worth making sure your timing ensures you get the very best of what this incredible continent has to offer. Planning your trip around the best time to go to Africa can make all the difference! Have some dates in mind? Get in touch with one of Ker & Downey® Africa’s expert LuxVenture® Designers today to plan your next dream safari or beach escape that maximises all the region has to offer. 

barrons

best time to go to Africa

best time to go to Africa

best time to go to Africa

best time to go to Africa

barrons

best time to go to Africa

best time to go to Africa

best time to go to Africa

best time to go to Africa