A Year in the Wild: The Best Time to Safari in Africa
Africa’s rhythms are guided by weather, landscape, and the seasonal behaviour of wildlife. Knowing when to travel can transform a safari from a mere holiday into an unforgettable connection with nature. From zebra migrations in Botswana to gorilla treks in Uganda, here’s a month-by-month guide to Africa’s greatest wildlife spectacles — and how to experience them responsibly.
January – Botswana’s Makgadikgadi Pans
Weather: Hot with intermittent rains
Terrain: Shimmering salt pans transformed into lush grasslands
In January, Botswana’s Makgadikgadi Pans — a remote corner of the Kalahari — burst into life. Seasonal rains fill the shallow lakes, turning desolate salt flats into emerald meadows. Thousands of zebras migrate across the plains, followed by wildebeest, lions, and cheetahs. Look closer and you’ll find brown hyenas, bat-eared foxes, meerkats, and even the elusive aardvark under starry skies.
For bird enthusiasts, this is flamingo season: vast colonies paint the horizon pink.
Also consider: Gorilla trekking in Rwanda’s Volcanoes National Park, or chimpanzee tracking in Nyungwe Forest — both offering immersive primate experiences amid dramatic volcanic scenery.
February – Tanzania’s Serengeti National Park
Weather: Warm and mostly dry
Terrain: Fresh, green plains following the December rains
February brings one of nature’s greatest dramas — the wildebeest calving season. In Tanzania’s southern Serengeti and Ndutu plains, over half a million calves are born within weeks, drawing lions, hyenas, cheetahs, and raptors in astonishing numbers. The abundance of life — from elephants and giraffe to black rhinos — makes this one of the most awe-inspiring times to visit.
Also consider: Botswana’s Central Kalahari Game Reserve, where late rains draw springbok and predators to the open plains.
March – Zambia’s South Luangwa National Park
Weather: Hot with dramatic, stormy skies
Terrain: Flooded floodplains and lush vegetation
March marks Zambia’s “emerald season,” when rains transform South Luangwa into a landscape of mirrors and light. It’s quieter, greener, and more atmospheric than the dry season — perfect for travellers who love dramatic skies and fewer crowds. Explore by boat through hippo-filled channels, or join a guided walking safari to discover tracks, insects, and the rhythms of the bush.
Also consider: South Africa’s Samara Karoo Reserve, where the temperate March weather is ideal for exploring its vast, little-known wilderness.
April – Botswana’s Okavango Delta
Weather: Warm, with occasional showers
Terrain: Verdant floodplains and waterways coming to life
April is when the Okavango Delta awakens. Seasonal floods begin to arrive from the north, filling channels and lagoons, creating a labyrinth of water and wildlife. Glide silently by mokoro (dugout canoe) as elephants wade through reeds, painted reed frogs call from lily pads, and fish eagles cry above. Predators such as lions and wild dogs remain active, and antelope are in full rut.
Also consider: Visit Victoria Falls in full flow — April is peak season for its thundering cascades.
May – Mozambique’s Bazaruto Archipelago
Weather: Warm and clear, with calm seas
Terrain: Coral reefs, white sands, and tropical forests
Trade the bush for the beach. May brings ideal weather to Mozambique’s Bazaruto Archipelago — a scattering of islands fringed by coral reefs and turquoise lagoons. Beneath the surface, you’ll find turtles, dolphins, and rare dugongs grazing on seagrass meadows. Onshore, coastal forests shelter monkeys and duikers, while flamingos shimmer on tidal lagoons.
This is also the season when humpback whales begin their migration north, and when visitors can enjoy the islands’ tranquillity before the holiday crowds arrive.
Also consider: The Bangweulu Wetlands of Zambia, home to the extraordinary shoebill and seasonal herds of red lechwe.
June – Namibia’s Etosha National Park
Weather: Dry and mild
Terrain: Grasslands giving way to open salt pans
June is Etosha at its best — still green and mild, yet with wildlife gathering in great numbers around shrinking waterholes. The light is soft, the air clear, and the dust minimal. Expect elephant herds, zebras, oryx, and black rhinos alongside predators like lions and cheetahs. As evening falls, smaller nocturnal species — honey badgers, bat-eared foxes, porcupines — emerge under brilliant desert stars.
Also consider: Tanzania’s Ruaha National Park, where early dry-season conditions attract herds of elephant and buffalo along the river valleys.
July – Kenya’s Laikipia Plateau
Weather: Dry days, cool nights
Terrain: Rolling hills, forests, and river valleys
Laikipia is a model for community-led conservation. This mosaic of private conservancies supports a remarkable diversity of wildlife, including Kenya’s largest black rhino population, Grevy’s zebras, and reticulated giraffes. July offers ideal weather for walking safaris, horse rides, and riverside excursions. Here, travellers can directly support local conservation and rewilding projects while enjoying a truly off-grid experience.
Also consider: Whale watching along South Africa’s Garden Route, where southern right whales gather close to shore.
August – Kenya’s Maasai Mara
Weather: Warm and dry, with clear blue skies
Terrain: Expansive grasslands and acacia-dotted plains
The Great Migration reaches its peak as wildebeest and zebra cross the Mara River, pursued by crocodiles and big cats. This is nature’s theatre at its most raw and breathtaking. For a quieter experience, visit private conservancies bordering the reserve — offering the same wildlife spectacle with fewer vehicles and a deeper sense of connection.
Also consider: Namaqualand in South Africa, where carpets of wildflowers bloom across the desert each August.
September – Botswana’s Chobe National Park
Weather: Hot, dry, and clear
Terrain: Parched floodplains and dusty savannahs
September belongs to the elephants. Along the Chobe River, hundreds gather daily to drink, bathe, and play. Buffalo herds thunder across the plains, followed by lions and wild dogs. River cruises offer a front-row seat to the action — a sustainable, low-impact way to witness this abundance while supporting Botswana’s commitment to conservation.
Also consider: Amboseli National Park, Kenya, where dry-season views of Mount Kilimanjaro are framed by elephant herds.
October – Zimbabwe’s Mana Pools National Park
Weather: Hot and dry, with possible early rains
Terrain: Zambezi River floodplain and acacia forest
October in Mana Pools is pure, wild Africa. Elephants stand on their hind legs to reach albida pods, lions lounge along the riverbanks, and African wild dogs hunt across golden plains. This is also one of the best places for walking safaris — a chance to experience nature at eye level.
As the first rains approach, the skies ignite with thunderclouds — photographers’ heaven.
Also consider: Namibia’s Damaraland, where desert-adapted elephants and rhinos roam against rugged mountain backdrops.
November – South Africa’s Kruger National Park
Weather: Warm, with early rains
Terrain: Green flush returning to the bush
November is a month of renewal. The first rains bring lush growth and newborns — impala fawns, zebra foals, and lion cubs — filling the landscape with life. Migratory birds return in dazzling plumage, and predators thrive. This is a transitional, rewarding time to visit before the peak holiday crowds.
Also consider: The bat migration in Kasanka, Zambia, when 10 million fruit bats fill the skies — Africa’s largest mammal migration.
December – Uganda’s Bwindi Impenetrable Forest
Weather: Short dry season; cool at altitude
Terrain: Dense montane forest
End the year with one of the planet’s most humbling experiences: gorilla trekking in Uganda’s Bwindi National Park. The dry season offers easier hiking conditions and clear views through the misty rainforest. Sharing an hour with a gorilla family is both grounding and life-affirming.
Combine this with visits to Kibale’s chimpanzees or a few peaceful days on Lake Bunyonyi — the perfect close to a year of conscious exploration.
Also consider: The spice island of Zanzibar, where warm weather and festive spirit meet serene coastal beauty.
Travelling Responsibly
Whichever month calls to you, a mindful approach makes every safari more meaningful:
Choose lodges that support local conservation or community projects
Offset or reduce your carbon footprint by extending stays and travelling slowly
Respect wildlife by keeping a safe distance and following guide instructions
Travel off-season or to lesser-known parks to ease pressure on fragile ecosystems
Because the true magic of safari isn’t just in what you see — it’s in how you choose to witness it.