Best time to go on safari

Safari in February

In February, it’s calving season for the wildebeest of the Serengeti. This is the perfect hunting ground for lion, hyena and cheetah – as well as clandestine crocodile – so it’s also the perfect time to spot these impressive predators on the prowl. 

Kenya and Tanzania are dry and hot at this time of year, which means abundant wildlife around the watering holes of both countries’ national parks – ideal for a safari here.

In contrast, much of Botswana, Namibia, Zambia and Zimbabwe are experiencing the rainy season, with some lodges closed and fewer chances to spot big game. 

Safari in March

The southern plains of the Serengeti still brim with wildebeest and zebra in March, ahead of the Great Migration northwards. Wildebeest calves taking their first steps on the grasslands huddle alongside their mothers. This is when lion, cheetah, spotted hyena and other predators move in – and the rainclouds over Tanzania follow suit.

Kenya remains bone-dry, however, drawing the country’s wonderful wildlife to the waterholes for opportunistic predators – and safari goers – to take advantage. It’s also calving season, so expect to see plenty of fresh-faced calves finding their feet.

In South Africa, summer is giving its last hurrah and visitor numbers dwindle somewhat. This makes it a good time for dodging the crowds and enjoying the rain-quenched wilds (though you may catch the occasional shower).

Safari in April

April in Botswana is the breeding season for impala and other antelope species. During a safari, you can watch rival males clashing their sculptural horns over mating ground. 

Meanwhile, the antelope of South Africa’s Drakensberg escarpment navigate mountain slopes with impressive skill. The weather here is comfortable at this time of year, so it’s a good opportunity to see the gravity-defying antics of eland, klipspringer and reedbuck. At lower altitudes, you can also glimpse white rhino, chacma baboon and wildebeest. 

In Tanzania, the spectacle of the Great Migration continues to unfold. Hundreds of thousands of wildebeest leave the southern plains for the central and western corridors of the Serengeti.

Safari in May

It’s winter in Botswana, which means the rainclouds have dispersed and the waterholes are drying up. Thirsty elephant and buffalo gather around the remaining water sources, and you can spot predators including wild dog stalking their vulnerable prey. If you’re hoping to take some excellent wildlife photos, Botswana in May is a sure bet. 

It’s the dry season in neighbouring South Africa, too, and an ideal moment to visit the world-famous Kruger National Park. Kruger is one of the largest game reserves on the continent, and promises exceptional game viewing at this time of year. Adjacent to Kruger is Sabi Sands Game Reserve. Here you can embark on a walking safari – day or night – and glimpse the many leopard for which this place is renowned. South Africa is perfect for families with malaria-free game reserves. 

Safari in June

In June, South Africa and neighbouring Botswana are in the middle of the dry season. Trees drop their leaves improving visibility, and thirsty animals congregate around the remaining water sources – making safaris all the more fruitful. We recommend taking a walking safari in Marakele National Park, a malaria-free reserve amidst South Africa’s Waterberg Mountains. As you wander the bushveld, you can spot all manner of game, birdlife and unique flora.

Whilst the south of Africa is already parched, Kenya to the north spends June drying out from the long rains. It’s still warm, but more comfortable than in the summer months, and there are fewer visitors to crowd the reserves. 

Likewise, Tanzania is just entering its dry season. The wildebeest of the Great Migration are typically sheltering in the woods of the Grumeti Reserve at this point. Here, many wildebeest make a daring river crossing, dodging the snapping jaws of hungry crocodile as they go.

Safari in July

Between June and August, the waters from the rainy season finally reach the Okavango Delta in Botswana, swelling the wetland to its largest size. This draws animals by their droves to the bountiful banks. The Moremi Game Reserve lies on the eastern side of the Okavango Delta, and – while the flooding means a walking safari isn’t advisable – we highly recommend a safari by canoe or boat here. Expect to see antelope, zebra, lion, genet, hyena and (if you’re lucky) wild dog.

Around this time, the million or so wildebeest of the Great Migration begin to arrive on the border between the northern Serengeti of Tanzania and the Masai Mara of Kenya. These distinctive antelopes must brave the Mara River crossing where hungry crocodiles and grumpy hippos lie in wait. With plenty of prey around, Kenya’s lion population is spoilt. 

This is also a great time to trek through Kenya’s acacia forests to find elephant herds, or head out in the warm night to see peculiarities such as the aardwolf and bat-eared fox.

Safari in August

The Great Migration continues, and the huge herds of wildebeest, zebra and other ungulates spread across the Masai Mara in Kenya and the Serengeti in Tanzania. They continue to cross back and forth over the Mara River, where crocodiles circle for a feast and noisy hippo squabble nearby.

In Rwanda, the wildlife of Akagera National Park begins to concentrate around the watering holes where they’re easiest to find. During a safari here, tick off the famous Big Five: the lion, leopard, rhinoceros, buffalo and elephant. 

The flooded Okavango Delta in Botswana continues to attract wildlife, making an August safari at the Moremi Game Reserve a thrilling prospect.

Safari in September

The Makgadikgadi Pans are largely bone-dry at this time of year, but the Boteti River – swollen by the Okavango Delta – remains a lifeline for Botswana’s thirsty wildlife. With the high concentration of elephant and buffalo around these few remaining water sources, it’s a great time to watch the lion on the hunt (if you can handle the heat). 

The wildebeest of the Great Migration continue to make the treacherous Mara River crossing in September, as they graze on the plains of the northern Serengeti and Masai Mara. This is the perfect moment to see this spectacle, whether from the Kenyan or Tanzanian side. 

Though hot and humid, September is one of the best times to go on safari in Zambia as wildlife gather at the watering holes. South Luangwa National Park is at its peak, and especially good for a walking safari.

Safari in October

In October, Botswana’s temperature climbs above 30 Celsius. The rainclouds which mark the beginning of the wet season typically wait until November to break. The waters of the Okavango Delta begin to dry up, causing the herds of wildlife gathering at its remaining watering holes to swell. That in turn means plenty of predators turning up for an easy catch. 

It’s a similar story to the north in Zambia, where the temperatures are high and the water sources low. With Victoria Falls at its most captivating, and the Zambezi valley brimming with wildlife, pairing a safari with a visit to the Falls is a great idea for an October visit. 

In Kenya, it’s the last month of the dry season, with the short rains on the horizon and the migrating wildebeest ready to return south of the Masai Mara. For now though, it’s warm and dry, crowds are thin and lodge rates drop, making it a good time for a walking or horseback safari here. 

Safari in November

November in Botswana means dry heat and the thrill of thunderstorms, as the country enters its rainy season. Despite the lower visitor numbers, there is still plenty of game to see. Several species of antelope give birth around this time, so you can expect to glimpse new-born calves taking their first stumble. The area around the Okavango Delta is still brimming with wildlife, making Moremi Game Reserve the perfect choice. We also recommend a visit to Chobe National Park, famous for its large elephant population.

Cloudy skies and downpours are a possibility in Namibia as it moves towards the rainy summer months. In November, the vegetation hasn’t yet recovered from the arid winter, so animals have few places to hide from predators (and your camera). It’s also calving season, a boon for the big cats of Etosha National Park.

Safari in December

In Botswana, it’s rainy season. Showers transform the parched scrub of the winter into a lush, green wilderness. Whilst this gives camera-shy animals more cover, it also adds colour to your safari photos. Many antelope species give birth around this time, too, so you’re likely to spot ungainly young amongst the bush. 

In Kenya, take advantage of the sparser crowds with a visit to the Laikipia Plateau. Here you may spot a range of rare and endangered animals, including the African painted dog, Lelwel hartebeest, Somali giraffe and blue-necked ostrich. The hills and thickets, vivified after the short rains, provide a picturesque backdrop to your safari snaps.

The reservations of South Africa still boast plenty of game to make a safari worthwhile at this time of year, and the weather in and around Cape Town is especially good.