Best Time to Visit Africa
People always ask us when is the best time to visit Africa. The truth is, there is no bad time to go, making it a year-round destination. But depending on what you wish to see, certain months are better than others and each season reaps its own rewards.
For optimum game viewing on safari, the dry season months of April to October are best. Further in the north Spring and Autumn bring more comfortable climes for sightseeing, while some areas in Kenya see heavy rains during these months making it a good time of year to see the lush vegetation and wildlife. No matter what season you prefer to travel to Africa, our specialists will be able to talk you through the experience for each time of year and help you choose the travel month that is right for you.
Monthly Climate Guide for Africa
, Africa
Average temperatures (Celsius) and rainfall (mm)
Our Seasonal Guide
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Winter (December - February)
Escape our cold and wet winters for some epic landscapes and a dose of culture in Cape Town and the Garden Route, during the warmest and driest time of the year in South Africa. Hike up Table Mountain, majestically dominating the skyline, cycle through the lush vineyards in the Winelands and watch dolphins zipping between the waves in Plettenberg Bay.
In February you’ll have high chances of seeing whale sharks migrating past Mafia Island, off the coast of Tanzania. Journey out on a boat in search for these beautiful animals and marvel at the sheer size and grace of these gentle giants as you swim alongside them. Then head back to the beach for some fresh grilled fish and winter sun.
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Spring (March - May)
In March, Rwanda presents an epic adventure for nature fanatics as you trek through Nyungwe Rainforest National Park in search for chimpanzees. Sit and watch in awe at these highly intelligent, habituated animals. Travelling in March means you can take advantage of the low seasons rates.
Wildlife viewing in the Kruger National Park is exceptional in April and May as the months become drier and cooler, which results in more visibility for game viewing as the grass is low and the waterholes become a hive of activity as the animals congregate around them. Watch a herd of jovial elephants playfully interacting in a waterhole and scan the sparse bush for black rhinos.
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Summer (June - August)
Explore the Okavango Delta in Botswana, an astonishing network of lush waterways teeming with herds of elephants, big cats and an abundance of vibrant birdlife. The time to see the Delta at it’s full capacity is July-August but if you travel in June when the Delta begins to flood, you can make the most of the camps green season rates before they hike up in July.
Our summer months are the time to witness the greatest wildlife spectacle on earth, the Great Migration. Feel the magnitude of the thundering wildebeest migration as thousands of wildebeest cross the Mara River in Kenya at any moment!
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Autumn (September - November)
Be amazed by the thousands of Carmine bee-eater birds that annually paint the sky in crimson and turquoise as they flock to the South Luangwa in Zambia to nest along the clay riverbanks. September is prime time to see these stunning birds. For a very niche experience, journey to Kasanka National Park in northern Zambia in November for the annual bat migration and witness around 10 million bats descend from the sky on a tiny patchwork of evergreen swamp.
October is one of the most magical times of year to go to Madagascar as you trek through the rainforests in search for adorable baby lemurs, most of which will only be a couple of weeks old as they cling to their mothers.
- Winter (December - February)
- Spring (March - May)
- Summer (June - August)
- Autumn (September - November)
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