Africa’s seasons vary from region to region, so there is always somewhere with excellent wildlife viewing. In general, the dry season (roughly June to October in most of East and southern Africa) is best for game viewing, as animals gather at water and vegetation thins. The green season (the rains) brings baby animals, migrant birds, lush scenery and lower prices.
Month by month
| Month | Best destinations |
|---|---|
| January | Serengeti’s southern plains (calving season), Ndutu; South Africa’s Kruger (green and lush); Kenya’s Maasai Mara and Amboseli (short dry season) |
| February | Serengeti calving peak; Kenya; Kgalagadi and Central Kalahari green season; gorillas in Uganda and Rwanda (drier spell) |
| March | Serengeti (herds moving north); Botswana’s Makgadikgadi (zebra migration); Kgalagadi (after the rains) |
| April | Green season value in Botswana and South Africa; many East African camps close for the long rains |
| May | Okavango flood arriving; Serengeti rut in the Western Corridor; start of the dry season in southern Africa |
| June | Okavango Delta, Moremi, Chobe, Hwange, Kruger, Etosha; Serengeti Grumeti crossings; wild dog denning begins |
| July | Great Migration river crossings begin (northern Serengeti and Maasai Mara); Okavango peak flood; Mana Pools and South Luangwa |
| August | Maasai Mara and northern Serengeti crossings; Botswana, Zambia, Zimbabwe, Namibia all excellent |
| September | Mara and northern Serengeti; South Luangwa, Lower Zambezi, Hwange and Mana Pools at their best; Kasanka bats begin arriving later |
| October | Hot, dry and excellent across southern Africa; Liuwa and Kasanka later; migration heading south |
| November | Kasanka bat migration; Liuwa wildebeest; Serengeti short rains (herds returning south); green season deals in Botswana |
| December | Serengeti’s southern plains; Kasanka; South Africa’s summer; Kenya short dry season begins |
East Africa at a glance
- Kenya and Tanzania: best from June to October and January to February. The long rains (April to May) close some camps. See our migration guide.
- Uganda and Rwanda: gorilla trekking year-round, with drier months from June to August and December to February.
Southern Africa at a glance
- Botswana, Zambia and Zimbabwe: best from June to October; many camps in Zambia and Zimbabwe close in the rains (roughly November to April).
- South Africa: year-round; dry winter (May to September) for game viewing, summer for birds and green landscapes.
- Namibia: best from May to October, when Etosha’s waterholes are busiest.
The green season
Travelling in the rains can be rewarding: newborn animals, dramatic skies, excellent birding and much lower prices. See our green season guide.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best month for a safari? August and September are excellent almost everywhere, but they are also busy. For value, consider May, June, October or November.
When can I see the Great Migration river crossings? Usually from July to October in the northern Serengeti and Maasai Mara.
Can I go on safari in the rainy season? Yes. Many parks are superb in the green season, especially in southern Africa and the Serengeti’s calving season.
When is the cheapest time for a safari? The green season, roughly November to May depending on the region.
Related guides
- First African safari planning guide
- East Africa vs southern Africa
- Green season safaris
- Animal profiles: Blue wildebeest, African wild dog, Lion
Cover photo: Bjørn Christian Tørrissen, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons