Travel by month

When do you want to go?

Wildlife, rain, and crowds shift through the year. Pick a month to see which places and sample safaris fit it. Seasons are regional, so a good month in the Cape can be a wet one in the Mara.

• JanuaryGreen season in much of East and southern Africa. The wildebeest calving is underway on the southern Serengeti plains, and parks are quieter than in July.
• FebruaryCalving continues in the southern Serengeti. Skies can be dramatic, predator viewing is often good around the herds, and beach days in Zanzibar are warm.
• MarchA lush, less crowded month. Some park roads are soft after rain. It suits travelers who prefer green landscapes over the packed dry-season camps.
• AprilLong rains are typical in East Africa, so many safari camps close or go quiet. The Cape, the islands, and Victoria Falls are stronger choices this month.
• MayRains ease in the south and the parks start to dry. The Cape is in autumn, and Botswana's water is still high enough for boat days.
• JuneThe dry season gets going. Mornings are cool, wildlife gathers near water, and Victoria Falls is in full spray. A strong month for a first safari.
• JulyPeak wildlife month. Herds are often in the northern Serengeti and the Masai Mara, and southern right whales arrive along the Cape coast. Camps book up.
• AugustSimilar to July, with river crossings most likely in the Mara. It is a school-holiday month, so quote early if these dates matter.
• SeptemberHot, dry, and excellent for game viewing. The migration is often still in the Mara. Walking safaris in the Luangwa are in their best window.
• OctoberThe first storms can arrive, but wildlife viewing stays strong and the parks are a little quieter than August. A good month if July is already full.
• NovemberShort rains green the plains. The herds start moving south in the Serengeti. Fewer vehicles, and migrant birds return.
• DecemberFestive travel and the start of the calving season on the short-grass plains. Beaches in Cape Town, Mozambique, and Zanzibar are in summer.