When to Go - Africa Travel Seasons

Relaxing at camp		Leopard in the Kruger Park		Driving through a deserted area

Best Time of Year to Travel in Africa

Africa has a country for everyone and is truly the continent of contrasts. The seasons in each African country differ and while some travellers may enjoy the searing heat, others may prefer rainy weather. Certain countries at different times of year attract certain wildlife. The Africa Safari seasons are highlighted below.

Africa Seasonal Highlights

August - October: (Spring time) Considered by travellers as the best time to visit Botswana. This is the dry season. During September the vegetation is sparse which means it is easy to spot wildlife. Animals tend to congregate near watering holes to cool off. During the dry season it does get cold at night. Dust storms are common during August and towards the end of October intermittent showers are experienced.

April - August: Pleasant weather all round and wildlife does not wander far from water sources. You may find a number of national parks and other highlights quite crowded as this is when the European, American and African school vacation occurs.

November - March: This is the Summer period where temperatures are high, the atmosphere humid and heavy rains cause unpassable roads. A number of the Okavango Delta camps are closed because it is very humid.

More about: Botswana Weather | Botswana Map & Highlights | Botswana Overland Tours

January-February: Hot, dry weather characterizes these months and conditions are pleasant all round. Birdlife flock to the Great Rift Valley during this period. June through to September is still dry.

March-May: This is the rainy season and there don't seem to be many tourists around during this time.

More about: Kenya Weather | Kenya Map & Highlights | Kenya Overland Tours

April-October: This is Malawi's dry season and it is the best time to spot game. Wildlife all seem to congregate at the water holes to cool off from the extreme heat.

November-March: This is the warm, wet season and animals are more dispersed during the wet season. Malawi, during all seasons, is a great destination for a safari or for overlanding as the region is never crowded.

More about: Malawi Weather | Malawi Map & Highlights | Malawi Overland Tours

January-May: There are mild rains during this season.

June-August: These are by far the best months to visit Mozambique. The rainfall is at its lowest. Temperatures are also low during this season.

August-September: In late August and September temperatures increase steadily. These months are best for big game viewing.

November-December: This is the rainy season but it is excellent for birdwatching.

More about: Mozambique Weather | Mozambique Map & Highlights | Mozambique Overland Tours

May-October: This is the driest season and the best time to visit Namibia. During December and March the Etosha and the Namib-Naukluft Park suffer from extreme temperatures. Mid-December and January are when the school holidays are and the parks can be ver busy.

October-April: This is wet season but rains are very sparse in Namibia. It is still extremely hot during the day.

More about: Namibia Weather | Namibia Map & Highlights | Namibia Overland Tours

November-April: This is the crowded summer period. Johannesburg has mild summer rains and the Cape regions are hot and dry. The Western Cape coastline is warm and the lowveld areas can be very hot. The north-eastern regions can be humid and the north-east coast of South Africa generally provides warm waters all year round. December time is very busy in and around the coastal regions of South Africa.

May-August: This is roughly the winter period of South Africa. The higher altitude areas are usually covered in snow but other than that winters are generally mild with a few thunderstorms and heavy rains.

More about: South Africa Weather | South Africa Map & Highlights | South Africa Overland Tours

November - February: The weather is hot and dry. This time of year attracts many visitors who enjoy the pleasant sunshine and mild weather conditions.

February - June: This is the best time to visit the Serengeti. During the dry season certain animals migrate to Kenya. It is very wet during this period and roads can be a challenge to drive on but it is worth it as you can spot plenty of game.

July - October: This period is when the rains have subsided and the air is cool. This is a great period during which to visit the Island of Zanzibar.

More about: Tanzania Weather | Tanzania Map & Highlights | Tanzania Overland Tours

December-February: This is the dry, hot season. It is perfect for touring in as the jungle country offers lush green vegetation all year round.

June-September: This period is still hot and dry but not quite as extreme as the December-February period. There are heavy rainfalls in Uganda but during these months the rainfall i snot as heavy-perfect for trekking!

More about: Uganda Weather | Uganda Map & Highlights | Uganda Overland Tours

August-October: These are the best months to go on safari and for game viewing.

May-August: These months are cool and dry with green landscapes and fertile valleys.

November-April: This is the rainy season of Zambia. The vegetation is dense and lush, making it hard to spot wildlife. Birdwatching is a major attraction during these months.Roads are difficult to navigate because they are muddy.

More about: Zambia Weather | Zambia Map & Highlights | Zambia Overland Tours

May - October: This is the dry winter period and it is the most comfortable for travelling. Nights are cold but travellers are rewarded with warmer days and plenty of wildlife viewing. Animals tend to hover around the watering holes during these dry periods.

November - April: This is the hotter season of Zimbabwe and there are heavy rains which give Zimbabwe a lush green landscape. During the South African school holidays, especially December time, Zimbabwe tourist attractions can get crowded.

More about: Zimbabwe Weather | Zimbabwe Map & Highlights | Zimbabwe Overland Tours