Where To Go On Safari Holiday During November
November is a month celebrated by true Africa hands. It is often dismissed for being too hot in the south, and too wet in the east. Wrong wrong wrong! True, November marks a turn of seasons in Southern Africa: the dramatic build-up of heat and the start of the rains: afternoon thunder and lightening and if you’re lucky, life-saving rain. In Kenya and Tanzania this is the season of the short rains.
In a continent as arid as Africa, no prayer forgets to include the hope of rain, and when it does come, what a miraculous sight! Weather patterns the world over are hard to predict, but recent years in Africa seem to purposefully contradict the norm. Mid November should see the clouds burst, the build up to this point is the pinnacle of theatre in the bush, the congregation of game around surface water is never greater, competition for space, heat, dust, dehydration, drama and death!
More animals, fewer people
When it comes, rain brings life, it settles the dust, freshens the air, fills the waterholes. November is often referred to as the ‘emerald’ season, a reference to the vivid lushness of the bush, we call it the secret season. Typically a time of year with fewer safari visitors. It nestles between the peak periods, outside of school holidays - lodges drop their rates, often dramatically, and those travelling at this time of year are in for a glut of mind-blowing, crowd-free wildlife spectaculars!
East Africa
Witness wildlife reacting to the changing environment. Head to the Serengeti to see the Great Migration thunder its way back south to feast on the new grazing. The waterholes of Katavi National Park are a heaving, writhing mass of hippos and crocs which disperse with the first rainfall. The tan hides of big cats stand out boldly against the green hills across Kenya. The Maasai Mara settles back into its calmer daily routine, without the migration chasing hoards, but with incredible resident wildlife and all the space to enjoy it.
Southern Africa
Down south, it’s time to celebrate for all photographers, Zambia’s South Luangwa doesn’t get more beautiful or dramatic than this – from leopards stalking thirsty prey on the river bank, to the arrival of tens of thousands of flying migrants. The zebra and wildebeest migration leaves Botswana’s Boteti, heading back to the Makgadikgadi and the dust bowl of the salt pans become shallow lakes packed with flamingo. It’s the last month visitors can enjoy Zimbabwe’s Mana Pool National Park before this favourite African wilderness is off limits for the season, over in Hwange the elephant population is at its height – there is no experience like watching the giant Hwange bulls queuing patiently for their turn at water. How about being a witness to the greatest sand dunes turning green before your eyes, see the desert bloom!
Marine wildlife in November
If marine activity is what you are after, you’ll catch Humpbacks migrating along the Indian Ocean coast, whale sharks off Tanzania, Manta Rays off Mozambique, and turtles right across the east coast beaches. Down on the Cape you’ll hit the height of the Southern Right Whale season, November is a great month to visit the southern edge of the continent: the Cape experiences a climate all of its own and late Spring is a top time to visit.
Hoanib Skeleton Coast Camp
Hoanib, Skeleton Coast, Namibia
Located in one of the most remote areas of the Kaokoveld, Hoanib Skeleton Coast Camp boasts dramatic rugged landscapes dotted with the ancient welwitschia plant, dry riverbeds and seas of soft sand dunes.
Serra Cafema Camp
Kunene River, Skeleton Coast, Namibia
Serra Cafema Camp is hidden within the enormous Hartmann Valley, overlooking the bubbling rapids of the Kunene River and yet surrounded by the lunar-like infinity of the Namib Desert - one of the remotest camps in the whole of the African continent!
&Beyond Phinda Forest Lodge
Phinda Private Game Reserve, KwaZulu Natal, South Africa
Suspended in the Sand Forest, under great towering torchwood trees, is Phinda Forest Lodge. There are 16 large stilted glass suites have a Zen feel, floating between the forest floor below and the dense canopy of leaves above.
&Beyond Phinda Rock Lodge
Phinda Private Game Reserve, KwaZulu Natal, South Africa
Phinda Rock Lodge is located in the southern section of the reserve and is the most private. Built into the side of a mountain it comprises six large air conditioned suites overlooking the beautiful leopard rock. Each suite has its own plunge pool.
Amalinda Lodge
Matopos Hills, Zimbabwe
Amalinda is a privately owned safari lodge set within the UNESCO World Heritage Site of the Matobo Hills National Park in south-western Zimbabwe. Stay in one of nine Flintstones-esque chalets built around the rocks as your base for exploring Matobo.
Bomani Tented Lodge
Hwange National Park, Zimbabwe
Bomani Tented Lodge is situated within a 5000 acre private reserve and only 1.5 kilometres from Hwange National Park. Bomani is an intimate, exclusive campsite with only nine luxury tents and one thatched bungalow.
Bumi Hills Safari Lodge
Lake Kariba, Zimbabwe
Bumi Hills Safari Lodge is nestled amongst hills on the edge of iconic Lake Kariba looking out over the endless waters. With only ten lake view rooms and two suites the property is the perfect intimate retreat for those looking to explore the area.
Chilo Gorge Tented Camp
Gonarezhou National Park, Southern Zimbabwe, Zimbabwe
Located on the banks of the Runde in Gonerezhou National Park sits Chilo Tented Camp, a seasonal Meru-style camp perfect for those wishing to explore the Ivory Trail and to learn about the history of the Ivory Hunters of the late 1800s and early 1900s.
Hog Hollow Country Lodge
Plettenberg Bay, Garden Route, South Africa
Hog Hollow Country Lodge is situated in a private nature reserve in close proximity to Plettenberg Bay. The lodge comprises 15 luxurious suites close to the Tsitsikamma Forest and is in a great place to explore the area.
Khulu Bush Camp
Hwange National Park, Zimbabwe
The small Khulu Bush Camp overlooks an ancient riverbed, in today’s terms called a ‘vlei’, known to attract a variety of the greatest wildlife and bird life in Hwange National Park, right on your doorstep.