When planning your African safari or holiday, it's important to know when the best time is for the experience you desire. You don't want to start your beach holiday in cyclone season or find that the migrating herds you've arrived to see have moved on.
The key point to remember about the weather when you're planning an African safari is the difference between each region’s dry and green seasons:
| Southern Africa | East Africa | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Safari Destinations |
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| Dry Seasons | May to October | January to March and June to October | |||
| Green Seasons | Around November to April | Around April to June and November to December |
Get in touch with one of our award-winning Africa Safari Experts who can guide you on the optimal timing for your safari.
Best Time to Visit Southern Africa
Choosing the best time to visit Southern Africa depends entirely on what you want to see and do:
| Experience | Best Time | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Safari in South Africa, Botswana, Zimbabwe and Zambia | May to October | ||
| Cape Town beach holiday | November to March | ||
| Victoria Falls in full flood | February to July | ||
| Zebra migration in Botswana | November to February | ||
| Whale watching in South Africa | July to November | ||
| Mozambique beach holiday | May to November |
More Southern Africa Travel Advice
- When to go to South Africa
- When to go to Botswana
- When to go to Namibia
- When to go to Zimbabwe
- When to go to Victoria Falls
- When to go to Zambia
- When to go to Mozambique
Best Time to Visit East Africa
Most safari areas in East Africa enjoy warm days, cool evenings and excellent game viewing year-round.
| Experience | Best Time | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Safari in Kenya and Tanzania | January to March and June to October | ||
| Wildebeest Migration in Serengeti | January to September | ||
| Wildebeest Migration in Masai Mara | June to November | ||
| Gorilla trekking in Uganda and Rwanda | January to February and June to September | ||
| Tanzania beach holiday | June to March | ||
| Seychelles beach holiday | March to December | ||
| Mauritius beach holiday | April to December |
Just as the Wildebeest Migration is dependent on the rains, so too can your safari be influenced by the weather. Which is why it is important to take note of Kenya and Tanzania's two distinct rainy seasons:
- April to May (the ‘long rains’)
- November to December (the ‘short rains’)
Generally, the main rainy season (the long rains) produces tropical downpours in the afternoons and some safari camps close. The short rains season sees the occasional brief shower, but safari camps stay open, game viewing is good, rates are low, and the safari crowds are absent.
