When to Travel

Tanzania - One of Tanzania's most popular visitor months. The wildebeest migration gathers on the short grass plains of the Southern Serengeti and the Ngorongoro Conservation Area. Usually by late January thousands of wildebeest and zebra calves are being born, attracting big cats and other predators for easy kills.

Uganda - These months are predominantly dry in Uganda's spectacular National Parks, with limited rainfall. But, be warned that temperatures can reach 40ºC (104°F). Dryer weather makes trekking to the mountain gorillas easier, as the ground is more solid and visibility is better.

South Africa - Combine your safari visit with a stay in Cape Town as this is arguably the best season to do so. It is the height of Summer in the Cape and surrounding areas. Also, during January you have a good chance of witnessing the hatching of hundreds of endangered turtles in the KwaZulu Natal region along South Africa’s Indian Ocean coastline.

Botswana -The 'green' season in January is one of the wettest (and hottest) months of the year but one of the most cost-efficient to visit this notoriously exclusive destination. It is also a particularly beautiful time to visit the parks of Botswana, with brilliant green foliage and dramatic skies, making it particularly appealing for photographers.

Rwanda - Although not completely rain-free, February in Rwanda does experience largely dry days and warm, sunny temperatures. Pleasant weather for trekking to mountain gorillas.

Botswana - It is the vibrantly beautiful and more affordable 'green' season in Botswana through February. The semi-desert comes alive with lines of zebra and wildebeest making their way towards the Makgadikgadi grasslands. Elephants and buffalo arrive at Nxai Pan and huge herds of springbok are in the Central Kalahari Game Reserve - a favoured feast for black-maned lions and cheetahs.

Tanzania - February is the main calving month for the migration animals, with approximately 500,000 wildebeest born in this one month alone. Calving attracts predators like cheetah to the area, which are amazing to spot and the chance of seeing kills on your game drive are more likely. If you are not comfortable in high temperatures be aware that February is a particularly hot month in Tanzania.

Kenya – February is a relatively dry month in Kenya, particularly in the Maasai Mara. The grass is lush green and game babies are being born. The wildlife viewing will be excellent in most parts of the country.

Uganda - Still a relatively dry month in Uganda, so a good time to trek through Bwindi Impenetrable Forest to witness mountain gorilla in their natural habitat.

South Africa – March marks the last of the summer months in South Africa. In KwaZulu Natal you could enjoy a beach holiday combined with a marine safari including potential sightings of whale sharks. Cape Town is dry and warm, so the perfect option for a city stay before safari.

Tanzania - It is the start of the main wet season but still a very popular time to visit the country, in particular the Serengeti National Park and the Ngorongoro Conservation Area. The recent wildebeest and zebra births have boosted migration numbers to its heaviest volumes. Low season rates usually apply throughout the country.

Botswana - Throughout the country rainfall is coming to an end, with only a few scattered showers. For the most part you can expect dry, pleasant days and cooler evenings. There will be large concentrations of wildlife and April is great for spotting grazing animal young. The wildlands are cloaked in green offering beautiful scenery and fascinating birding opportunities. A big advantage of travelling to Botswana during April are the shoulder season rates (between low season and high season).

South Africa - Whilst not necessarily the absolute best time for a safari across South Africa (the recent rains will have dispersed animals from water sources and thick vegetation may hamper visibility), the lush greenery and clear skies will make for brilliant photos. You may have to work slightly harder to find the animals, but South Africa generally has excellent year-round wildlife viewing experiences.

Madagascar - As the rains move out of the Eastern and Northern rainforests, the landscape is lush and vibrant. The stunning scenery, combined with less visitors, and of course the iconic bounding lemurs make April a fabulous time to visit Madagascar.

Zambia - At the tail end of the wet season, when the vegetation is lush and Victoria Falls is in full flow, May is a particularly pretty time of the year in Zambia. It's not quite the optimum time for game viewing but many camps operate shoulder season prices making a quality safari more affordable. Zambian guides are of such a high standard and the wildlife is so prolific that you will not feel short-changed on wildlife sightings.

Zimbabwe - May marks the start of the dry season in Zimbabwe and many lodges and camps offer a shoulder season in this month. The weather is milder but daytime temperatures are still warm and vegetation will start to thin, making the animals easier to spot. We recommend Hwange and Mana Pools.

Namibia – May is considered low season, but with cooler temperatures and more value for money on offer we recommend this as a good time to visit. Namibia often experiences extreme heat, but during May the climate is moderate and animals can be more easily spotted as they seek watering holes.

Malawi - May marks the beginning of the 'dry season' in Malawi, the most popular season to visit the south of the country with sunny, dry weather; perfect for a beach trip to Lake Malawi. Combine this with a safari experience as with the drier weather, the game will be moving towards water sources and you will have better opportunities for wildlife viewing.

Uganda - June is one of the driest months in the South of Uganda, making it one of the best months for trekking through Bwindi Impenetrable Forest to witness mountain gorilla families in their native home.

South Africa - Rainfall is less in the Kruger during June and upcoming months, vegetation thins, and spotting wildlife is easier. There is less rain, however temperatures are dropping, so you will need to pack warmer clothes for drives on open game vehicles. South Africa's coast, especially at Hermanus, is great for whale watching in June. Humpback and Southern Right whales come to the warm waters to mate, calve and rear their young.

Rwanda - June marks the beginning of the dryer months in Rwanda. Although the country is prone to light rains during June due to its tropical climate, this is one of the better months to visit if you are planning on trekking to see mountain gorillas.

Zambia - Camps are re-opening across the country after many being closed during the 'wet season'. 'Dry season' has officially started, although much of the scenic beauty from the 'green season' is still on show. The South Luangwa will now be operating its famous walking safaris.

Tanzania - This is the middle of the 'dry season' in Tanzania, with busy watering holes and game sightings made easier. The migration is pushing north, crossing over into Kenya, but July is considered a great month to witness the famous river crossings.

Kenya - The migration usually crosses from Tanzania into the Maasai Mara in July, making this the perfect time to witness one of the greatest natural phenomenons in the world. This is also the beginning of the peak season in Kenya, so lodges and camps will be at their most expensive and crowded. It is essential to speak with an expert to ensure you choose the right accommodation for your trip. Temperatures drop from highs of around 20-23°C and lows of approximately 8-10°C between dusk and dawn. With the added wind chills, we recommend wearing layers on both your morning and evening game drives.

South Africa - 'Dry' season in the northern reserves carries on, giving peak visibility for game viewing. Be aware that this is winter. Cape Town can be cooler with persistent rain. However, whales are calving off The Cape's coastlines and it is a great time to dive with Great White sharks and see dolphins.

Uganda - July would be a dryer month in Uganda's spectacular National Parks, with limited rainfall. Dryer ground makes trekking to the mountain gorillas easier as the ground is more solid and visibility is better.

Botswana - Game moves to the northern areas of the country, so if you are wanting the best game viewing possible it is advisable to concentrate your stay around the Okavango, Chobe and Linyanti.

Zambia - July is a great month in Zambia for walking safaris as the landscape has thinned out. Walking safaris are a truly unique and exhilarating safari type and the guides in Zambia are respected as the best in the business.

Zimbabwe - With minimal rainfall and thinning bush, animals are gathering around the main water sources, which makes game easier to track and affords spectacular sightings.

Rwanda - Although Rwanda is prone to light rains during these months due to its tropical climate, July would be known as one of its dryer months. July is peak season in Rwanda so we would recommend booking your trip well in advance to secure accommodation and the limited Gorilla Trekking permits on offer to enable this bucket-list experience.

Kenya - The migration has crossed into Kenya and is working its way across the Maasai Mara. You may be lucky enough to witness the dangerous river crossings as the wildebeest forge through crocodile infested waters.

South Africa - This is 'dry' season in South Africa's national parks and reserves which means vegetation is well stripped back, allowing maximum visibility for spotting game.

Tanzania - Another dry season month in Tanzania, with busy watering holes making prime sightings easier. There are opportunities to witness the elephant migration in the Tarangire region; plus the tail end of the wildebeest migration crossing the Kenyan border.

Botswana - The most famous parks in Botswana are in their peak for game viewing in August, with dense elephant concentrations in the Chobe region in particular.

Zambia - August is a great month in Zambia for walking safaris as the landscape has thinned out. Walking safaris are a truly unique and exhilarating safari type with the opportunity to encounter the game in the most uninterrupted and immersive fashion.

Zimbabwe - The dryer months cause the water levels of the Zambezi to drop and quicken, creating perfect rapids for whitewater rafting.

Rwanda - Although Rwanda can experience light rains during August due to its tropical climate, this month would be known as one of the dryer months in Rwanda, making it better for Gorilla Trekking.

Namibia - August is the perfect time for a trip to the desert and up the Skeleton Coast with enjoyable temperatures and clear skies.

Uganda - August would be a dryer month in Uganda's spectacular National Parks, with limited rainfall. Dryer ground makes trekking to the mountain gorillas easier, as the ground is more solid and visibility is better.

Botswana - Game moves to the northern areas of the country, so if you are wanting the best game viewing possible it is advisable to concentrate your stay around the Okavango, Chobe and Linyanti. If you are an elephant fan, huge herds can be found in Chobe in September.

South Africa - Cape Town may be experiencing average temperatures of 18°C, however off the Cape coast whales are visible as they come to the warmer waters to raise their calves. The further north you go in South Africa, towards the Kruger, there is still excellent game viewing to be had and warmer weather.

Kenya - Another dry month in Kenya. Great for game viewing and the annual migration is present in the Maasai Mara.

Zambia - September is a peak month for travelling in Zambia. Rainfall is at its lowest during the month of September, meaning the vegetation thins and spotting wildlife easier. The animals tend to move towards the limited water sources, meaning tracking is easier for the guides.

Tanzania - Another month in dry season in Tanzania, with busy watering holes making spectacular game sightings easier. The Tarangire region will be at its peak with large herds of elephants attracted to the permanent waters of the Tarangire River.

Namibia - September is the ideal time for a trip to the desert and up the Skeleton Coast with enjoyable temperatures and clear skies.

Rwanda - Although Rwanda can experience light rains during September due to its tropical climate, this month would be known as one of the dryer months in Rwanda, making it better for gorilla trekking.

Zimbabwe - The beginning of the month is still dry with strong game viewing as wildlife gathers around watering holes in areas including Hwange National Park and its reserves. Short rains will arrive in the second half of the month.

Botswana - October is a hot, dry month meaning animals gather around watering holes. Great if seeing as much wildlife as possible is on your agenda and if you can handle the heat.

South Africa - Cape Town is moving out of the 'wet' season and October sees more clear skies and dry days. The rains usually haven't fully moved into the Kruger and private reserves yet, so still an enjoyable month for safari in South Africa.

Madagascar - Weather still remains relatively dry, with warm days and cool nights across most of the island. October is birthing season for Madagascar's most iconic resident, the lemur, so October is the prime month to potentially spot some baby lemurs.

Kenya - In October game viewing in most Kenya safari destinations is good. The wildebeest migration can usually still be found in the Maasai Mara.

Tanzania - Although rain is more common in October than the earlier months of the dry season, temperatures are beginning to rise again making the early morning game drives and evenings more comfortable.

Zambia - If you acclimatize well to hot temperatures, October is a great month to visit Zambia as concentrations of game are high around water holes and vegetation is thin.

Namibia - October can be a great month for spotting whales off Namibia's coast, as they come to calve and rear their young in the warmer waters. Further inland in the deserts, temperatures are high, making it one of the best months for game viewing as the wildlife is gathering around the scarce water holes.

Rwanda - October is the half-way point between the 'dry' and 'wet' seasons in Rwanda, with most days being warm and sunny which makes this month still suitable for gorilla trekking. However, rain is still unpredictable.

Zambia - Home to Africa's second largest wildebeest migration, this is the month to visit Zambia and witness over 40,000 wildebeest move back to the south across the Liuwa Plains National Park. The numbers may not be as spectacular as the Serengeti, but the setting is remote, wild and intimate.

South Africa - Spring is turning into summer in Cape Town bringing warm, sun-filled days. Great for a city stay as part of a twin-center safari.

Namibia - Flamingo flocks and coastal breezes are some of the highlights in Namibia during November, with the weather being mostly hot and dry. One of the features of travelling to Namibia in late November is witnessing the occasional dramatic thunderstorm, which are usually spectacular.

Tanzania - The annual wildebeest migration crosses the border from Kenya into Tanzania during this month. Although the heavier vegetation can make wildlife sighting more difficult, the growth means the beginning of the birthing season and increased predator activity.

Botswana - With Botswana's heat being dry, the high temperatures are more bearable than the humid months. November also brings regular thunderstorms, which are a spectacular sight.

South Africa - Combine your safari visit with a stay in Cape Town as this is arguably the best season to do so. It is the height of Summer in the Cape and surrounding areas. Also, later in the month you have a good chance of witnessing the hatching of hundreds of endangered turtles in the KwaZulu Natal region along South Africa’s Indian Ocean coastline. Weather in the Garden Route is also at its peak, making it a great addition to a multi-centre safari trip.

Uganda - December marks the beginning of a predominantly dry season in Uganda's spectacular National Parks, with limited rainfall. Dryer ground makes trekking to the mountain gorillas easier, as the ground is more solid and visibility is better.

Tanzania - Although the rainfall and heavier vegetation can make wildlife sightings more difficult, the annual migration crosses the border from Kenya into Tanzania's Serengeti during December as they settle to graze here and the northern Ngorongoro Conservation Area. The southern plains offer a key vantage point to see the wildebeest migration towards the end of the month.

Zambia - December is the month which has been called the 'emerald season' in Zambia, with the stunning, lush landscape easily making up for the challenging game viewing.

Malawi - One of the most interesting times of year for diving in the Lake Malawi as many species of cichlid begin their complex mating rituals. Their mouth brooding is fascinating to watch.

Rwanda - Rwanda is prone to light rains year-round due to its tropical climate. December marks the beginning of a dryer season in Rwanda, making it good for Gorilla trekking as paths are less slippery.