When is the best time of year to go on an African Safari?

Question

My son would like to go on a Big Game safari and would like some information on the best places to go to and what time of year is best regarding weather please.

Answer 1

Obvioulsy the vegetation changes with the seasons.we went towards the very end of the dry season. It meant there was less vegetation and the animals went regularly to the local 'watering hole'. We just got up really early to 'beat the heat' and then went again during dusk when things were cooling down. However, the changing season means that it will imapct what you will actually see due to animal migration too. See the following example for Kenya...
Kenya boasts one of the best climates on the continent. It is comfortable and pleasant during the day, with variations in temperature due to altitude and terrain. It can rain during any month. In recent times, changing global weather patterns make transitions between rainy and dry seasons come and go unpredictably. The following are the typical seasonal highlights:
December– February
This is the hot dry season. Excellent for birds and animal viewing, though long grass may make some smaller species hard to see. Jan-Feb is the calving season for wildebeest, zebra, and some hoofed species. Average daily high temperature is 84 degrees Fahrenheit.
March
Intermittent rains start at this time. Game viewing is excellent over short new grass of the plains. Spring-like conditions are moderated by cool nights. Average daily high temperature is 86 degrees Fahrenheit.
April - May
These months are the heavier rainy season, and road conditions can become difficult. There’s great biological activity in the reserves, beautiful green landscapes and panoramas. Average daily high temperature is 73 degrees Fahrenheit.
June - October
This is the cooler dry season. Peak tourist season is July-August. Excellent viewing conditions, though many roads are dusty. Wildebeest are normally encountered in the Maasai Mara in large numbers in late July through October. Good time of year for climbing Mt. Kenya. Average daily high temperature is 78 degrees Fahrenheit.
November
Here begin the short rains. There’s nice greening of plants, and birds begin arriving from Eurasia. Expect intermittent showers and some flash flooding. Wildebeest are migrating south out of the Maasai Mara at this time. Average daily high temperature is 77 degrees Fahrenheit.
http://www.wildland.com/trips/africa/ken_climate.aspx

Some more generalised advice:
Although much has been written about the best time of year to travel in Africa, most countries are a year-round destination – depending upon your interests. For many travellers to this vast and diverse continent, wildlife is the major attraction.

One should always remember that the so-called 'peak season' is just that, and accommodation establishments tend to be booked well in advance. Many Safaris Lodges are small, and therefore space is at a premium. If you want to experience the majesty of the great migration in East Africa, it is advisable to book well in advance, likewise, if your interests are travelling to Cape Town, and the Winelands in December.

It is important to understand how seasonal trends might affect your trip. Remember, however, that weather is variable and so it is quite possible to go for days without rain during the rainy season, or have thundershowers in the middle of the dry season!

Wet Season
The grass can be long in some areas after the rains; therefore, game viewing at these times can be difficult. In some areas, the wildlife will disperse during the rains due to the ample water supply, as they are not dependent on water holes.

Dry Season
The best game-viewing period in Africa is generally during the dry season. Permanent water supplies attract animals, the vegetation becomes thinned out, and trees don't have so many leaves to obstruct the view.

This optimum safari season usually includes winter (May-August) and the hot spring months of September and October. The climate is comfortable in the dry winter months of May, June, July and August. Daytime temperatures are mild and the nights get a little cool.

East Africa (Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda)
There are two rainy seasons in East Africa, the first, known as the long rains is from April to June and the shorter season from late November through to December. Many properties in the game viewing areas do close during April and May, mainly due to bad road conditions.

The islands of Zanzibar are also affected during this period. The dry seasons are generally better for game viewing, as game concentrates around the water sources. The weather patterns play a major role in the great migration, as the animals follow the new grasses, which are dependent upon the rainfall.

Southern Africa (South Africa, Botswana, Namibia, Zambia, Zimbabwe, Mozambique, Malawi)
In most parts of Southern Africa, the rainy season is generally from November to March. This is particularly true for the safari areas. The peak safari time is in the dry winter months as this is when the game concentrates around the water sources, although the summer months can be productive – especially for keen birders, as the migratory species breed during this period, and the Okavango Delta, for example, becomes a paradise.

Zambia tends to be more seasonal, as certain areas (Lower Zambezi and South Luangwa) can be made impassable due to bad road conditions. Certain properties do close between November and April.

The Western Cape area, including Cape Town, tends to experiences a winter rainfall, making the peak season to travel the summer months.

Indian Ocean Islands:
The weather patterns of the islands are similar to that of Southern Africa with summer rainfall, November to March. The ideal time to visit is from May through to October. Madagascar and parts of Mozambique can be affected by inclement weather in February and March (cyclones).

So, you could try some specific searches on the country you plan to visit to check out what is available and when. Hope it's of some use. Have yourselves a wonderful time!

Answer 2

Go in the winter time, between May and End of July, like the others said about the bush etc.

There is plenty of places to go like:
South Africa where you have got the Kruger National park. You can book a safari for maybe a week or more where a game ranger will take you through the park and at night you stop over in one of the luxurious camps. These camps keep their gates open during the day so animals can roam in and out of it, but you are safe as you will be warned if there is lions or any other dangerous animal about in the camp. It is the best park in SA.

Kenya/Tanzania: There you have the Masai Mara Reserve. Now contrary to believe, the tribe is only called the Masai. At certain times of the year the blue wildebeest migrate from the one country to the other in search of more food etc. and this is an absolutely amazing site. You have thousands apon thousands of animals running next to each other, it is too beautiful for words.

Both is very good value for money as the exchange rate to the rand and I think they use Kenyan dollar in Kenya and Shillings in Tanzania is so good you would almost be a millionaire there.
I hope he enjoys his stay in Africa, as I can promise you he will never want the leave whichever country he chooses.

Answer 3

If your son is REALLY interested in Big Game safari, then he should go to Tanzania, where the game parks there are more crowrded with animal than tourists. Serengeti, Ngorongoro, Selues, Mikumi, etc., etc. He can also have the chance to see Kilimanjaro, in Tanzania, the Highest mountain in the african continent and also the highest standing alone mountain in the World. It is in Tanzania.

The best time is June-July-August. In Serengeti is the wonders of the World! He can then end up in Zanzibar Island, to wash the dust and relax in clean, beautiful and uncrowded beaches.

Answer 4

I've been to Kenya in both February and August... I think its a little cheaper at those times. Plus, it was nice in February to be in a nice warm place, while it was snowing back at home.
Samburu is great, up in the Mount Kenya area, then you work your way over to Lake Nakuru and see if you can spot any Leopard, then you travel down to that Massi Mara to finish off your safari.
Ask to go to the Giraffe center and the Kazuri Bead factory while in Nairobi. Oh, and don't forget the Karen Blixen house, and the Carnivore restaurant, and the Collectors Den for shopping...
Oh, have a wonderful trip.
(Depending upon where you live, check with your local zoo to see if they have a travel program that hosts trips. The Philadelphia Zoo does this. Perhaps you can book with them, and make your trip easier to schedule.)

Answer 5

I went to Kenya with Somak Holidays/travel in December time. It was wonderful from all aspects. I saw all animals, the big 5, stayed in great places, the people are very friendly, weather was mostly warm by day and not too cold by night. Drizzly some days. Not too hot - just nice. I think it was in the mid 20s most days. Vaccinations are necessary and malaria tablets. I hope he has a terrific time. Food is great too. I absolutely loved the holiday. I am sure your son will too.

Answer 6

To answer your question first before expanding on some details:

South Africa: May - September
Botswana: End April - September
Kenya: Jan-March, Aug - Sept
Namibia: April - Nov
Tanzania: July - Oct
Uganda: Jan-Feb, June - Sept
Zambia: Aug - April

South Africa Views
* Kruger National Park
* The Big Five
* Unique floral kingdom
* Oldest wildlife reserve in Africa
* 7 vegetation biomes
* 17 protected wetland areas
* Numerous World Heritage Sites (UNESCO)

Botswana Views
* Okavango Delta
* Archaeological sites
* Largest inland delta in the world
* Great elephant herds of the Chobe region
* Makgadikgadi Pans - world's largest natural salt pans

Kenya Views
* Mass migration of wildebeest in Maasai Mara (arrive in August)
* World's largest desert lake - Lake Turkana
*Diverse, unspoilt ecosystems
*Fantastic coastline and beaches

Namibia Views
* Second largest canyon in world
* Highest dunes in world
* Oldest desert in world
* Desert-adapted elephants

Tanzania Views
* Serengeti National Park
* Ngorongoro Crater - largest intact volcanic caldera in world
* Archaeological sites
* Highest peak in Africa - Kilimanjaro
* Second largest freshwater lake in world - Lake Victoria
* Second deepest lake in world - Lake Tanganyika

Uganda Views
* Numerous extinct volcanoes
* Endangered mountain gorillas
* Tropical rainforests
* Rwenzoris - the Mountains of the Moon
* Fantastic birding
* Whitewater rafting

Zambia Views
* Luangwa Valley National Park
* Exceptional species diversity
* Largest conservation areas on continent

Answer 7

All of the following countries have good safari spots.
South Africa, Namibia, Botswana, Zimbabwe, Zambia, Malawi have a long and dry winter period from May to October, November to April is the wet season. Safaris in Botswana & Namibia can be very sensitive to seasonal changes depending upon what you'd like to see. But generally southern Africa conditions in November are Rainy. Wet season visits to these parks are recommended in order to witness the dramatic appearance of the pans at their driest and to experience the transformation to a water wonderland, and see the wildebeest and zebra migrations, in the wet season

In November the rains in Tanzania and Kenya will be light but still Wet weather does not affect you to see Wild animals it is infect drought times when you experience the least.

The following are rough guidelines but I strongly recommend that you obtain local advice during safari planning:

This was my trip in the rainy season

4 days in South Africa
a)-Kruger National Park
b)-Tsitsikamma National Park
c)-Vaalbos National Park
d)-Kalahari Gemsbok National Park

2 days in Namibia
a)-Etosha National Park
b)-Fish River Canyon National Park

Botswana / Namibia caprivi strip
3 days in Botswana
a)-Chobe National Park
b)-Gemsbok National Park
c)-Nxai Pan National Park

3 days in Zimbabwe
a)-Hwange National Park
b)-Kazuma Pan National Park
c)-Mana Pools National Park
d)-Matusadona National Park
e)-upper Zambezi National Parks

Pass through Victoria Falls Zimbabwe/Zambia

3 days in Zambia
a)-Lower Zambezi National Park
b)-Kafue National Park
c)-Kasanka National Park

1 day in Malawi
a)-Lake Malawi National Park

2 days in Tanzania
a)-Katavi Kilimanjaro
b)-The Serengeti

6 Days in Kenya
a)-Tsavo East National Park
b)-Tsavo West National Park
c)-Mount Kenya National Park
d)-Oldonyo Sapuk National Park
e)-Marsabit National Park and Reserve
f)-Meru National Park

Lastly the mother of all national parks

g)-The Maasai Mara

Enjoy . .

Answer 8

As mag3 said ....winter time when the bush is not so dense you see most of the animals. It gets cold at night but the days are warm . Enjoy the holiday

Answer 9

believe it or not, in the middle of (the southern hemisphere) winter. The veld is less dense and the game is easier to spot, especially in the summer-rainfall regions (The animals will gather at the water-holes when it's dry in winter).

Answer 10

in June/July/August it rained when i was there. i would say the best time is like February or March