Giraffes in Kenya with Mount Kilimonjaro in the background
Perhaps the most difficult decision in your safari planning is where to go, followed by figuring out the best time to go. The best time for an African safari will change with a specific region’s seasonal diversity and the type of wildlife you want to see. When the plains become sparse and scarce during the dry season, you can sea for miles and the wildlife has nowhere to hide while also giving you the best hiking conditions in the jungles. But an African safari offers something unique in every season. The following guide will show you why African safari in East Africa or Southern Africa is a great opportunity no matter the time of year.
Best Time for Game Viewing
Pride of lions in Maasai Mara National Reserve, Kenya
East Africa
Best Months: June | July | October
June, July, and October will give you the best game viewing experience in East Africa at the heart of the dry season. The weather is sunny and mainly rain-free but is also the time of year for famous game-viewing opportunities on the Serengeti, Masai Mara, or Samburu National Reserve.
Southern Africa
Best Months: May | September
The limited rainfall in May and September will give you the best opportunity for seeing wildlife during a Southern Africa safari with typically sunny and cool days. Parks and conservancies brim with the likes of elephants, lion, and kudu while the spring flowers blossom along the plains.
Best Time for the Great Migration
Wildebeest migration in Serengeti National Park, Tanzania
Best Months: August | September | October
The best time for you to experience the Great Migration on an African safari is in August, September, and October depending on where you are visiting. The celebrated annual migration occurs between July and November when the staggering hordes of wildebeest, zebra, and gazelle travel between the Serengeti in Tanzania and the Masai Mara in Kenya. Depending on where and when you plan your safari, you can witness the spectacle in either park.
Best Time the Zebra Migration
Herd of zebras in Bostwana
Best Months: February | March | April
The best time to witness the Zebra Migration in Botswana is between February and April during the rainy season giving you a view of the largest mass migrations in Africa. The zebras embark on a journey of over 360 miles roundtrip between the Okavango Delta and the Makgadikgadi grasslands.
Best Time for Gorilla Trekking
Mountain gorilla with her baby in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park
Best Months: June | July | August
June, July, and August are the best months for gorilla trekking whether in Uganda or Rwanda. The weather is usually warmer with less rain resulting in a more comfortable and easier trekking experience for you. During the wet season, the paths can be steep and muddy but also less-visited.
Best Time with Family Travel
Family by the pool watching elephants in South Africa
Best Months: February | March | September | October
The best time for a family African safari is in February, March, September, and October. These months give you the best weather and therefore also maximize your game-viewing opportunities. Whether traveling in Southern or East Africa, by visiting as a family between February and March or again between September and October, you can also couple your safari excursions with other unforgettable family-friendly activities.
Best Time for Couples
A romantic night under the African sky at Sanctuary Makanyane Safari Lodge in the Madikwe Game Reserve, South Africa. Photo © Sanctuary Retreats
Best Months: June | July | August | September
The dry season from June to September will give you the best chances of a romantic African safari steeped in ideal seclusion. Wildlife is easily found around known watering holes and the diverse protected landscapes can reveal stunning displays of leopards, giraffes, and elephants. The dry season also makes it easy to couple an African safari with nearby exotic islands.
More Travel Information & Tips
Throughout the year, there are countless natural wonders that happen on African safaris and your choice of season will determine what top wildlife experiences you will see. With our African Safari Travel Guide, you will get inside access to the top travel tips and inspiration. In your search for must see destinations, types of safaris, and the cost, talk with a destination specialist by submitting a Trip Request or contacting our team at 1-888-265-9707.
