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 theater 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 vacations - lodges drop their rates, often dramatically, and those traveling 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 favorite 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.
Filter:
Area
Type
11 - 20 of 22 Hotels
&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.
Adventure Wildlife Eco/ethical tourism
&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.
Adventure Wildlife Eco/ethical tourism
Bale Mountain Lodge
Bale Mountains, Ethiopia
Bale Mountain Lodge opened in 2014 and was created by a British couple that are somewhat paving the way for Ethiopian eco-luxury accommodation. Excellent food and service await you during your stay in the awe-inspiring Bale Mountain National Park.
Wildlife Adventure Eco/ethical tourism
Bomani Tented Lodge
Hwange National Park, Zimbabwe
Bomani Tented Lodge is situated within a 5000 acre private reserve and only 1.5 kilometers from Hwange National Park. Bomani is an intimate, exclusive campsite with only nine luxury tents and one thatched bungalow.
Adventure Couples Wildlife
Emily Moon
Plettenberg Bay, Garden Route, South Africa
Emily Moon has eight luxury rooms, all with fabulous views over the sweeping river valley and wetlands. It is a small, intimate lodge set in a beautiful location and a wonderful place to base yourself to explore the area, just outside Plettenburg Bay.
Adventure Culture Wildlife
Fregate Island
Fregate Island, Seychelles
One of the world's most beautiful islands, Fregate is a private island, just four degrees south of the equator and surrounded by seven dream beaches. The ultimate luxury eco-lodge and a Seychelles jewel, guests here enjoy total seclusion.
Adventure Beach Couples Diving
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.
Adventure Couples Wildlife
Little Makalolo Camp
Hwange National Park, Zimbabwe
Little Makalolo Camp is located in the heart of Zimbabwe's Hwange National Park, next to a vibrant waterhole. This is an exclusive six room camp offering an unsurpassable game viewing experience in the country's largest protected area.
Wildlife Couples Eco/ethical tourism Off the beaten track
Simien Lodge
Simien Mountains, Ethiopia
Known as the highest hotel in Africa at 3260m it is understandable that from the Simien Mountain Lodge, views across the surrounding UNESCO World Heritage Site are incredible. By night stay in a Tukul, by day explore the culture and wildlife of Ethiopia.
Adventure Wildlife Couples Culture
Singita Pamushana
Malilangwe Wildlife Reserve, Southern Zimbabwe, Zimbabwe
Singita Pamushana is a luxurious safari lodge set in the South Eastern corner of Zimbabwe in the Malilangwe Wildlife Reserve. This exclusive lodge sits high on a forested hill with magnificent views of the Malilangwe Dam and sandstone hills beyond.
Adventure Couples Off the beaten track Wildlife
11 - 6 of 6 Tour Ideas
11 - 6 of 6 Tour Ideas
Call us on 858 523 9000 to start planning your holiday