Ker & Downey Africa > Journal > Top destinations for a safari in June
June is the start of the dry season in Southern and East Africa, when landscapes are still verdant from the recent rains and wildlife starts to gather around permanent watering holes, creating thrilling wildlife encounters.
This month comes just before the start of peak safari season, meaning visitors can enjoy a more discreet and private experience with fewer crowds while still enjoying a superb selection of stunning safari destinations and experiences to choose from, from the vast Serengeti National Park to the spectacular Kruger Park and the otherworldly Skeleton Coast.
If you’re thinking of planning a June safari, we can help. As a leading travel operator, we boast decades of experience in helping discerning travel enthusiasts plan bespoke safari experiences in Africa. We excel at curating unique safari experiences while ensuring guests leave a positive, lasting legacy in Africa by only working with luxury accommodations and operators that meet the highest standards of conservation and sustainability. No matter the season or month you want to visit Africa, our team is standing by to help. Contact our travel experts if you wish to learn more about a safari in June.
“June is a hidden gem for safari-goers, offering fewer crowds, incredible wildlife encounters, and perfect weather,” says Sarah Morris, General Manager, Private Clients. “It’s the ideal time to experience Africa in its purest form.”
There’s a vast choice of safari destinations to pick from in June, however, some of the best include:
Tanzania’s vast Serengeti National Park comes alive with the Great Wildebeest Migration, with vast herds moving north toward the Grumeti River, where dramatic predator-prey interactions unfold. The Ngorongoro Crater, a wildlife-rich haven and UNESCO World Heritage Site, provides exceptional sightings of the Big Five, while Tarangire and Ruaha National Parks shine with high concentrations of elephants and big cats. With clear skies, cooler temperatures, and fewer mosquitoes, June offers superb safari conditions in Tanzania.
Best parks
With diverse experiences and fewer crowds, June is a prime time to explore South Africa’s best attractions. In Kruger National Park, thinning vegetation and scarce water sources draw animals to rivers and waterholes, offering excellent chances to see the Big Five. Beyond traditional safari experiences, Cape Town experiences cooler temperatures and occasional rainfall, but there are still plenty of crisp, clear days perfect for city exploration and venturing further afield to the Cape Winelands. The Garden Route is quieter but still breathtaking, while Gansbaai offers thrilling shark cage diving, offering a superb opportunity to come face-to-face with these mighty apex predators.
Best parks
Rwanda in June offers ideal conditions for an epic gorilla trekking safari in Volcanoes National Park. With drier trails and clearer skies, trekking to see the majestic mountain gorillas in their native habitat is easier and more comfortable. In Akagera National Park, game drives offer sightings of the Big Five, hippos, and abundant birdlife, while the stunning Nyungwe Forest is perfect for chimpanzee trekking and canopy walks.
Best parks
Bwindi Impenetrable Forest and Mgahinga Gorilla National Park offer excellent gorilla trekking conditions, with drier trails and clear visibility ensuring a more comfortable experience. In the Queen Elizabeth National Park, game drives reveal tree-climbing lions, elephants, and hippos, while Murchison Falls National Park showcases dramatic waterfalls and abundant wildlife. Kibale Forest is perfect for chimpanzee trekking, while birdwatching is spectacular across the country.
Best parks
A highlight of a trip to Kenya is the Great Wildebeest Migration in the Masai Mara. In June, the vast herds move from Tanzania’s western Serengeti to Kenya’s Masai Mara in awe-inspiring columns up to 4 kilometers long. The crocodile-infested Grumeti River crossing is a highlight of this spectacle, with incredible predator-prey interactions taking place. Beyond the Great Migration, Amboseli National Park is a Kenyan safari must, with its breathtaking views of Mount Kilimanjaro and large elephant herds roaming the plains, while Laikipia and Samburu offer unique species like Grevy’s zebras and reticulated giraffes.
Best parks
June marks the flooding of Botswana’s iconic Okavango Delta, creating a unique safari experience and the ideal time to enjoy Mokoro (traditional dug-out canoe) safaris. Explore the waterways teeming with wildlife, including hippos and crocodiles, as well as wild dogs, cheetahs, leopards, hyenas, and elephants that gather along the delta’s banks. Alternatively, head to Chobe National Park, renowned for its large elephant herds. With cooler temperatures in June in Botswana and clear skies, you are guaranteed to enjoy a superb safari experience.
Best parks
You will enjoy stunning desert scenery, adventure activities like dune climbing, and superb wildlife viewing opportunities in Namibia in June. In Etosha National Park, one of the largest national parks in Africa, wildlife congregates around waterholes, making it easier to spot majestic animals like elephants, lions, rhinos, and giraffes. The cool, clear weather is also ideal for exploring the dramatic landscapes of Sossusvlei’s red dunes and the otherworldly Skeleton Coast. The breathtaking mountainous region of Damaraland, a unique wilderness destination, is alive with sightings of desert-adapted elephants and black rhinos, ensuring thrilling wildlife encounters.
Best parks
Seeking June safari inspiration? Explore some of our safari packages in Africa below and discover some of the experiences and destinations you can enjoy during the month of June.
As a premier luxury travel company in Africa, we excel in creating bespoke safari experiences. All our safaris are carefully curated to include your preferred destinations, experiences and choice of luxury accommodations. Contact our luxury safari consultants if you wish to enjoy a safari experience in June.
A luxury safari in June offers several standout benefits, making it an ideal time to experience Africa’s top wildlife destinations in comfort and style:
If you wish to enjoy a luxury safari in June, our team can help. We specialize in creating luxury safaris in Africa that are tailored to your precise liking with your desired destinations, safari experiences and choice of luxury accommodations. Contact us today to learn more about our tailored travel safari experiences in Africa.
We excel in creating bespoke safari itineraries with your choice of destinations, safari experiences, and luxury accommodations. Contact our team today and let us arrange an incredible safari experience in Africa in June.
We have been pioneering luxury safari experiences in Africa for decades. With in-depth knowledge of the African continent and access to the best safari experiences and luxury accommodations, we excel at creating once-in-a-lifetime safaris that are tailored to your precise needs. We also work to ensure you leave a positive lasting legacy in Africa by working with operators and accommodations that meet our high standards of conservation and sustainability. If you wish to enjoy a luxury safari in June, we can help. Contact us today to book your bespoke safari in Africa.
Yes, June is the dry season in Africa across almost all of Africa’s traditional safari destinations. A key benefit of visiting during the dry season is superb weather conditions of outdoor exploration and ease of spotting wildlife as animals gather around permanent watering holes. If you wish to book a June safari, we can help. Contact our luxury safari specialists today.
No, while June is an excellent time of year to visit, it falls just outside of the peak season months of July to October. This shoulder season month offers visitors a quieter and more exclusive experience.
June marks the start of the dry season in most of Southern and East Africa, offering cool, comfortable temperatures and clear skies. Temperatures will vary from country to country, but as a general guide you can expect day time temperatures to range from 22-27C and nighttime temperatures to hover around 7-12C.
Pack lots of light layers in neutral colors and natural, breathable fabrics. It’s a good idea to bring some sweaters for when temperatures cool. Of course, you will also need a sturdy and comfortable pair of walking boots, sunglasses, a wide-brimmed sun hat, suncream, mosquito repellent, and charging equipment for electronics. If you are enjoying a photographic safari, don’t forget to bring your camera equipment!
Top safari destinations in Southern Africa in June include:
The cost of a luxury safari in Africa in June will depend on the length of your stay, your choice of safari experiences and accommodation. Contact us today for a bespoke safari experience in June.
Yes, you can expect excellent game viewing in June as animals gather around permanent watering holes following the end of the green season.
June is considered one of the best months for experiencing the Great Wildebeest Migration, as the vast herds navigate crossing the famous Grumeti River, leading to some thrilling predator-prey interactions. The river crossing is considered one of the greatest wildlife events in the world. Contact us to learn more about witnessing this thrilling wildlife spectacle.
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