When to go on an African Safari!?!
When is the best time to go on an African Safari? It depends! Here’s a quick overview over the most iconic African destinations and the best months to go by country.
“A compiled list of the best times to visit Africa’s Iconic Wildlife Destinations”
when to safari in
Botswana
June – September: Okavango Delta Waters Rise The Okavango Delta in Botswana floods during the dry season (peaking from June to August), attracting dense wildlife to it’s islands. Enjoy exceptional game viewing by mokoro, boat, or vehicle in a beautiful landscape teeming with animals.
July – October: Big Herds in Mababe Botswana’s Mababe wilderness sees mega herds of buffalo and elephant seeking water, followed by predators. Witness migrations of tsessebe, wildebeest, and zebra. Stay at Mokete Camp for an unparalleled safari!
July – October: Elephants in the Linyanti The Linyanti Wildlife Reserve in Botswana hosts large elephant herds. Visit Wilderness DumaTau and Wilderness King’s Pool to see these majestic animals in a private, crowd-free setting.
November – March: Green Season Summer in the southern hemisphere brings lush landscapes and vibrant birdlife. In Botswana, the receding Okavango Delta waters attract plains game and predators. Enjoy great rates at key camps during this abundant season.
Specific Considerations by Region:
Okavango Delta: From June to August, the Okavango Delta is in full flood, creating a lush oasis that attracts diverse wildlife. This is the best time for water-based activities like mokoro excursions and boat safaris.
Linyanti: Known for its large elephant population, Linyanti is best visited from May to October when elephants gather in large numbers. This is also a good time for water activities (boat, mokoro, fishing) on the river.
Moremi Game Reserve: The dry season offers excellent game viewing as animals are easier to spot in the thinner vegetation. Predator sightings are more frequent, and birdwatching is superb.
Tip: Consider combining your Botswana Safari with a Namibia trip
when to safari in
Tanzania
January – March: Serengeti Calving Season Experience the Great Migration in Tanzania's Serengeti. Witness the calving season when animals give birth, attracting predators like cheetahs, lions, and hyenas for exceptional wildlife sightings.
June – October: Great Migration Tanzania's dry season offers clear skies, minimal rainfall, and cooler temperatures, making it comfortable for safari activities like game drives and bush walks. This period is ideal for witnessing the Great Migration in the Serengeti. From June to August, the herds typically gather in the Western Corridor, preparing to cross the Grumeti River. From September to October, they move north towards the Mara River, where dramatic river crossings occur. The dry season offers clearer visibility and better lighting conditions for photography, especially in the morning and late afternoon. With water sources becoming scarce, wildlife tends to gather around rivers and waterholes, providing excellent opportunities for game viewing. This is when you're likely to witness predator-prey interactions and see the Big Five (lion, leopard, elephant, buffalo, and rhino).
Specific Considerations by Region:
Serengeti National Park: June to October is the prime time for game viewing, particularly during the Great Migration. The wildebeest herds are on the move, providing incredible wildlife spectacles.
Ngorongoro Crater: Year-round, the Ngorongoro Crater offers excellent wildlife viewing due to its unique ecosystem. However, the dry season (June to October) is ideal for clearer views and higher concentrations of animals.
Tarangire National Park: July to October is the best time to visit Tarangire for large elephant herds and other wildlife congregating around the Tarangire River.
November - May: Green Season The wet season can offer its own unique experiences, such as lush landscapes and birdwatching opportunities. Prices may be lower, especially in the months of April and May. Many migratory bird species arrive in Tanzania during the wet season, making it a paradise for birdwatchers. Fewer tourists, allowing for a more intimate safari experience.
Tip: Consider combining your Tanzania safari with gorilla trekking in Rwanda.
when to safari in
Kenya
January – February: Short Dry Season Favorable weather, migratory bird watching and calving season in the Maasai Mara. Many herbivores give birth during this time, attracting predators and providing excellent opportunities to witness predator-prey interactions.
March - June: Green Season. Lots of rain, which can make some roads impassable and game viewing more challenging due to the dense vegetation. However, it's the best time for photography, with vibrant landscapes and dramatic skies. It's also the low season, so there are fewer tourists and lower prices!
July – October: Peak Safari Conditions and Great Migration: Witness one of nature's most spectacular events as millions of wildebeest, zebras, and other herbivores migrate from Tanzania's Serengeti to Kenya's Maasai Mara. The river crossings at the Mara River are particularly dramatic. Wildlife is more concentrated, and game viewing is at its best. The chances of spotting the Big Five (lion, leopard, elephant, buffalo, and rhino) are high.
November - December: The short rainy season, but still be a good time for a safari as the landscape is lush and green, and fewer tourists. Wildlife is still abundant, and the rains are usually short and sporadic.
Tip: Consider combining your Kenya safari with gorilla trekking in Rwanda.
when to safari in
Rwanda
June – September | December – February: Gorilla Trekking in Rwanda Trek to see gorillas in Rwanda's pleasant tropical climate. Due to the elevation, it never really gets too warm. Visit Akagera National Park for predictable wildlife sightings around water sources and enjoy walking safaris.
Tip: Consider combining your Rwanda trip with a Tanzania/Kenya Safari
when to safari in
Namibia
April – June: Namibia Transformed by Rains Rainfall transforms Namibia's desert into lush grasslands, attracting wildlife to the temporary rivers. Ideal for boating trips in the northern regions, where you can observe outstanding birdlife.
July – October: Namibia’s Desert-Adapted Wildlife Spot desert-adapted animals in Namibia during the dry season. Enjoy clear skies and cool temperatures while exploring dunes and taking night-time photographs.
Tip: Consider combining your Namibia trip with a Botswana Safari
when to safari in
South Africa
May - October: Dry Season South Africa’s dry season offers mild temperatures during the day and cooler nights, creating comfortable conditions for game drives and other safari activities. With vegetation sparse and water sources reduced, wildlife congregates around rivers and waterholes, making it easier to spot animals. This period is ideal for seeing the Big Five (lion, leopard, elephant, buffalo, and rhino) and other iconic species.
Specific Considerations by Region:
Sabi Sands & Kruger National Park: May to September is particularly good for game viewing as animals gather around water sources. August and September are excellent months for wildlife photography.
Eastern Cape Reserves: May to September offers cooler weather and excellent game viewing opportunities.
Madikwe Game Reserve: Located in a malaria-free area, Madikwe is good to visit year-round, but the dry season (May to September) is optimal for wildlife sightings.
November to April: Green Season While the wet season can be less predictable for game viewing due to dense vegetation and sporadic rains, there are still reasons to consider visiting during this time:
The landscape is lush and green, offering beautiful scenery for photography. This period is excellent for birdwatching, as many species are breeding and nesting. Lower Tourist Numbers! Except for the peak holiday season around Christmas and New Year, there are generally fewer tourists, allowing for a more exclusive safari experience.
Tip: Consider combining your South Africa trip with a Botswana Safari
when to safari in
Zambia
June – October: Zambia’s Kafue National Park Explore Kafue National Park’s rivers and wetlands during the dry season. Witness lions, sable and roan antelope, and large herds of lechwe from Wilderness Shumba and Busanga Bush Camp.
July – September: Mosi-oa-Tunya National Park Activities Visit Zambia's Mosi-oa-Tunya National Park for thrilling Devil’s Pool swims, bungee jumps, and helicopter flips. Enjoy boating on the Zambezi River, surrounded by hippos and elephants.
when to safari in
Zimbabwe
March – June: Victoria Falls at Its Best Marvel at the spectacular flow of Victoria Falls after the summer rains. The immense curtain of water is at its peak, best viewed from a helicopter. Enjoy the pleasant sub-tropical climate with cooling spray from the Falls.
April – October: Mana Pools Safari Season Mana Pools in northern Zimbabwe opens for safaris, offering canoeing, walking, and boating amidst stunning landscapes. See elephants, lions, and more along the Zambezi River.
November – December: Zimbabwe’s Summer Season The rainy season begins in Zimbabwe, bringing dramatic thunderstorms and cooling the land. Visit Hwange National Park for spectacular photography and uninterrupted game viewing.
November – March: Green Season in Zimbabwe Summer in the southern hemisphere brings lush landscapes and vibrant birdlife. In Hwange, thick woodlands push animals onto roads for excellent game viewing. Enjoy great rates at key camps during this abundant season.
The Best Ways to See Victoria Falls
There are so many reasons to add a visit to Victoria Falls to your bucket list, especially if you’re already planning a trip and want to experience the best of southern Africa and visit one of the seven natural wonders of the world. Victoria Falls is considered the biggest waterfall in the world, and sits on the border of Zambia and Zimbabwe with the source of its cascading water coming from the beautiful Zambezi River. The location of the Falls creates opportunities for several adventurous and memorable ways to explore this incredible natural phenomenon, like wading into the Devil’s Pool or taking a helicopter ride for a bird’s eye view.
For adventurous travelers looking for an adrenaline rush, the Zambezi River is considered one of the top places in the world for a one-day white water rafting excursion where you’ll hike in and out of a gorge to reach the water and then hit series of wild rapids interspersed with periods of calm waters. Or take a dip into the most amazing natural infinity pool in the world, the famous Devil’s Pool, a spot bypassed by the river’s strong currents where people can actually swim right out to a sturdy rock lip that keeps them from falling over the edge, making for some unparalleled photo opps. Finally, thrill-seekers who take the 364-foot bungee jump from the Victoria Falls Bridge will get an unforgettable rush, not just because of the epic fall but because of the stunning cascade of water that acts as a backdrop. Travelers looking for a calmer and more romantic way to see Victoria Falls might opt for a flight through the air for optimal breathtaking views of this amazing natural wonder. There are two options for flying: a helicopter tour or a flight by microlight aircraft, a plane with an open cockpit that fits just a pilot and a passenger and is known as the motorbike of flying for how similar it feels. From ground level, travelers can take a canoe ride through the calmer parts of the Zambezi River or board a sunset cruise on a riverboat for spectacular views of the falls and the surrounding wilderness when it’s time for those sundowners.
Plan your trip to Victoria Falls to include one of these special experiences that allow you to get up close and you’ll really understand why the local indigenous tribe calls it “The Smoke That Thunders.”
When to go to Victoria Falls
It’s possible to add game drives in nearby game parks, or combine a few days near Victoria Falls with a safari in Zambia, Zimbabwe, or Botswana. The best timing for the best views of Victoria Falls is May through August when you’ll have the clearest sight from the river or from the air. Activities that require low water such as swimming in the Devil’s Pool or white water rafting can generally only be done from August to January. The falls are at their most powerful during the wet season from December to March, and therefore the scene is the most dramatic though the extra mist and cloudy skies can hamper viewing.
Top Natural Wonders of Africa
At Epic Road we’re privileged to have travelled through some of nature’s most breathtaking places and inspiring landscapes, and we’re often asked which would make it onto our bucket list of the world's most spectacular must-see natural wonders. It’s a tough choice, but here are our favorites for sub-Saharan Africa:
1.) Botswana – The Okavango Delta: In the middle of the arid Kalahari Desert lies a miracle of nature: a lush oasis of waterways and islands, teeming with birds, wildlife, and flowers. This remote, remarkable wetland known as The Okavango Delta is flooded each year with approximately 2.63 cubic miles of water, which eventually evaporates, transpires and drains into the adjacent Lake Ngami. The floods peak between June and August when the delta expands to three times its normal size, and the abundance of water attracts animals from surrounding territories, resulting in one of Africa’s greatest concentrations of wildlife. Visitors to the Delta can expect to see bush elephant and buffalo, hippopotamus, blue wildebeest, giraffe, lion, cheetah, leopard, brown hyena, spotted hyena, black rhinos and white rhinos, along with one of the Africa's richest pack densities of the endangered wild dog. Birders will also be kept busy trying to spot the more than 400 species of birds that inhabit the area.
We love the Okavango Delta because it is a place where conservation is prioritized and travelers have access not only to a place of great natural beauty and peaceful energy, but can also learn, explore and experience amazing adventures while on their luxury African safari.
Related Epic Road Luxury African Safaris:
Okavango Delta - Botswana's Water Wonderland
Botswana Family Safari: The Lion King Experience
2.) Democratic Republic of Congo, Rwanda and Uganda – The Virunga National Park: The Virunga National Park in the Democratic Republic of the Congo runs along the border between Uganda and Rwanda, and boasts a rich diversity that surpasses any other park in Africa. This UNESCO World Heritage site covers an area close to 2,000,000 acres, with multiple habitats that include swamps and steppes, the snowfields of Rwenzori, lava plains and grassy savannahs. The Virunga Mountain range also consists of eight, mostly dormant volcanoes, except for Mounts Nyiragongo and Nyamuragira (both in the Democratic Republic of Congo)—which also happen to be the most active volcanoes on the continent.
The park is also home to iconic African animal and plant species—many of which are red listed by the International Union for Conservation of Nature—including the critically endangered mountain gorillas and eastern lowland gorillas, African elephants, chimpanzees, owl-faced monkeys, and more than 20,000 hippos. We are in awe of the men and women who toil tirelessly in efforts to protect all wildlife in the park. It is one of the most incredible biomes in the world, definitely worth saving, and definitely worth a visit on your African safari!
Related Epic Road Luxury Safaris:
Rare and Endangered Wildlife in Uganda
3.) Kenya – the Rift Valley: If watching the Great Wildebeest Migration from a hot air balloon isn’t on your bucket-list, well, it should be, as the the experience is an unbeatable way in which to view one of nature’s most incredible shows. The Migration ends in Kenya's Maasai Mara region, situated in the Rift Valley, with the Serengeti Plains running along its southern end. The Mara covers 200 square miles of open plains, woodlands and riverine forests and is home to an enormous variety of wild life, including zebra, giraffe, gazelles, monkeys, buffalo, elephants, and hippos. It is a place where mighty herds congregate, where the cycle of life plays out daily, and Maasai warriors share their ancestral homeland with the fierce predators of Africa.
From July to October every year, the search for fertile grazing grounds and water draws more than 1.3 million Wildebeest who migrate in a single massive herd across the Serengeti over the border into Kenya—an amazing display of nature that stretches from one horizon to the other. The Mara River presents a formidable challenge for the Wildebeest, who plunge into the raging waters, fighting against swift currents and the constant threat of hungry crocodiles. The Wildebeest herds are then followed by predators, most especially lions, though cheetah, hyena and jackals are also commonly sighted.
The region is also home to the Maasi people, who value tradition and ritual, and who rarely hunt, preferring to live harmoniously alongside wildlife. It is this rare co-existence of man and wildlife that makes the Maasai one of the most unique natural habitats in the world, and one of the most unforgettable places you can visit on your luxury African safari.
Related Epic Road Luxury Safaris:
Crossing the Mighty Mara River
Maasai Wilderness and Elephant Conservation Safari
Maasai Walking Safari: A Slow Safari Experience
Conserving Africa's Big Cats - Kenya
4.) Mozambique - Vamizi: There are times when it’s not only what you see on the surface that takes your breath away; sometimes you have to look a little deeper, like the beautiful landscapes of Vamizi, one of 32 tropical islands in the Quirimbas Archipelago. This narrow stretch of land is covered with thick forests of Acacia, Hibiscus and Casuarina trees, and edged by glittering white-sand beaches that give way to the pristine turquoise ocean. Vamizi is a sanctuary for humans and animals alike: a place where green turtles make arduous journeys up the sands to lay their eggs, giant coconut crabs nestle within the coral, and rare samango monkeys and exotic birds make their homes within mangrove forests.
It is when you venture beneath the surface of the gentle waves, that you realize the true natural beauty of Vamizi. Here, the coral reefs have been protected from bleaching by cool rising currents from the deep, and are alive with vibrant colorful sponges, corals and a myriad of fish species. The huge laced gorgonian fan corals which cling to the sides of the drop offs and the whip corals swaying in the gentle currents are mesmerizing, and for experienced divers the opportunity to explore Neptune’s Arm—considered one of the top ten dive sites in the world—will be impossible to resist.
We love Vamizi for its exquisite tranquility above and below the surface, and because of the emphasis on sustainable luxury safaris, leaving the island refreshingly free of the damage that often results from tourism and development.
Related Epic Road Luxury Safaris:
Vamizi Island, Mozambique: Castaway Chic
5.) Namibia – the Namib-Naukluft National Park and the Kunene Region: Namibia is known for its varied dramatic landscapes, and the strikingly beautiful dune fields of the Namib and the Sossusvlei, found in the Namib-Naukluft National Park in the southern part of the Namib Desert, are absolute must-sees. The Sossusvlei is a salt and clay pan surrounded by massive dunes, many of which exceed 600 feet, and glow vivid shades of red, orange and pink, the result of high iron deposits in the sand. Vegetation grows on the higher dunes, drawing water from underground ephemeral rivers which occasionally flood the surface, and when dry the pans turn almost white from the resulting concentration of salt. While the Sossusvlei is not teeming with wildlife, there are many small animals in their area which can survive with little water, including small reptiles, rodents and jackals, as well as larger mammals such as oryxes and springboks and ostriches.
The Kunene region is one of even more contrasts. You wouldn’t expect it but the arid, lunar-like landscape is becoming a genuine wildlife destination where you’ll regularly see desert-adapted animals including elephants, black rhino, lions, Hartmanns Zebra, giraffe and gemsbok. We love that the government had the foresight to give local communities land management rights, resulting in more than 70 conservancies and wildlife sanctuaries, and successful conservation efforts that have led to an increase in the number of desert-adapted black rhinos, one of the largest and fastest-growing rhino populations on the continent.
Related Epic Road Luxury Safaris:
Romance and Luxury in the Nambian Desert
6.) South Africa – the whole country: South Africa has so much to offer visitors that we’re declaring the entire country a natural wonder! This modern, cosmopolitan nation has an incredibly rich biodiversity, which plays out across some of the oldest mountain ranges in the world, along with rich forests, stunning coastlines and deserts. The Cape Floral Kingdom, found in the southwest portion of the Western Cape, contains 9600 plant species, 70% of which do not grow naturally anywhere else on earth. Table Mountain, in the heart of the Floral Kingdom, has more than 1,500 plant species alone, and the views from the 3,500 foot, flat-topped sandstone peak are spectacular.
Then there’s the incredible wildlife. While South Africa covers less than one percent of the earth’s land mass, it is home to six percent of the world’s mammal and reptile species, and ten percent of the world’s plant, fish and bird species. Sightings of Africa’s Big Five happen on a daily basis, particularly in the Kruger National Park. South Africa is also the custodian of 80 percent of the world’s rhino population, and the opportunity to catch sight of one of these prehistoric creatures during your South African safari is an experience that will linger for a lifetime.
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7.) Tanzania - Kilimanjaro National Parks, Ngorongoro Crater: With Serengeti (shared with Kenya) and Kilimanjaro National Parks and Ngorongoro included on the list of winners of the Seven Natural Wonders of Africa, it’s easy to understand why we include it on our top ten. To begin with, the Great Wildebeest Migration, which occurs from July to October of every year, starts in the Serengeti, and is considered one of the most spectacular wildlife events in all of nature. Then there's the iconic Mount Kilimanjaro, one of Africa’s best known attractions and one of the the most accessible of the world's highest peaks. The landscapes of Kilimanjaro are diverse, with the cultivated lower slopes making way for lush forest, and encompassing habitats for elephants, leopard, buffalo and the endangered abbot’s duiker, along with other small antelope and primates. Higher up the slopes you’ll find the moorland zone. Higher still, the alpine desert which supports very little life, and gives way to the ice, snow and majestic views from atop the roof of continent.
In addition to these wonders, Tanzania contains the nearly three-million-year-old Ngorongoro Crater, a vast un-flooded volcanic caldera home to almost every species of wildlife in East Africa—an estimated 25,000 animals. And also not to be missed on your Tanzania safari: the fascinating, historical Zanzibar Archipelago, off the Tanzanian coast, which include the culturally significant islands of Unguja (known more commonly as Zanzibar) and Pemba. Zanibar's location in the Indian Ocean made it a natural regional trading center, famous for its spices, Stone Town (a UNESCO World Heritage site), and exquisite coastlines. Unguja especially is renowned for its powdery white sand beaches and fringing coral reefs, rich in marine biodiversity.
Related Epic Road Luxury Safaris:
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8.) Zambia and Zimbabwe - Victoria Falls: When it comes to understanding the incredible power of nature, there is nothing like an African adventure safari at Victoria Falls. Located on the Zambezi River at the border of Zambia and Zimbabwe, this awe inspiring curtain of water has columns of spray that can be seen from miles away. The falls are classified as the largest in the world based on their width of 5,604 feet and height of 354 feet, and at the peak of the rainy season more than 1.766 cubic feet of water per minute plunges into the river gorges below, transforming the generally placid Zambezi into a ferocious torrent of rolling rapids and rolicking waves.
The walls that encase Victoria Falls are capped by mist-soaked rainforest, and the surrounding area also contains two national parks: The UNESCO designated Mosi-oa-Tunya National Park which runs over 16,000 acres on the Zambian side, and the 5,683 acre Victoria Falls National Park in Zimbabwe. There are also a number of smaller parks—including the Zambezi National Park, Matetsi Safari Area, Kazuma Pan National Park and Hwange National Park—containing sizeable populations of elephant, buffalo, giraffe, zebra, and a variety of antelope. Vervet monkeys and baboons are also common, and the portion of the Zambezi River above the falls is also home to large populations of hippos and crocodile.
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Waterfalls - Devil's Pool
Make sure to check out Zambia’s Victoria Falls and South Africa’s Libson Falls. Epic Road can take you there.