One of the questions I'm asked more than any other is:

"When is the best time to go on safari?"

The honest answer?

There isn't one.

Every season offers something different. Every season offers something different, and understanding the different safari seasons will help you choose the right time to travel. Some months are brilliant for wildlife, others for scenery, some for photography, and some simply because you'll have fewer people around.

If you're completely new to safari, I'd recommend reading my Complete Beginner's Guide to Going on Safari first. It covers everything from choosing a destination to what a typical day on safari looks like before helping you decide when to travel.

Here's what you can expect throughout the year.

The Quick Answer

If you're looking for the classic dry season safari experience, I'd usually recommend June to October.

This is the dry season across much of Southern and East Africa. Water becomes scarce, vegetation thins out, and animals gather around rivers and waterholes, making wildlife much easier to spot.

If, however, you'd rather see lush green landscapes, dramatic skies and lots of newborn animals, a green season safari between November to March can be absolutely fantastic.

One thing that's worth bearing in mind is that the time of year you travel doesn't just affect the wildlife – it also has a big impact on the overall cost of your safari. Peak season usually commands the highest prices, while travelling just outside the busiest months can often offer excellent value without dramatically changing the experience.

If budget is an important consideration, read my How Much Does an African Safari Cost? guide to see what you can expect to pay and where your money goes.

June to October - Best for Wildlife

For many people, this is safari at its absolute best.

The bush becomes much more open, making animals easier to spot, and wildlife naturally congregates around permanent water sources.

Expect:

• Excellent Big Five sightings
• Cooler temperatures
• Sunny days
• Fewer insects (yay!)
• Outstanding photography conditions

This is also the season many first-time safari travellers choose because wildlife viewing is at its easiest.

November to March - Best for Scenery and Baby Animals

The first rains transform the landscape.

It's also when many animals give birth, so you'll often see young zebra, antelope, elephants and countless other species.

Birdwatchers particularly love this time of year, as migratory birds arrive from Europe and Asia.

You should also expect the occasional afternoon thunderstorm. Personally, I quite like them. They rarely last long, clear the air beautifully and often create spectacular sunsets afterwards creating the perfect excuse for a cheeky sundowner.

April and May - The Hidden Gem

These months often get overlooked.

The rains have eased, everything is still beautifully green, temperatures are comfortable and visitor numbers are generally lower.

For many destinations, it's an excellent balance between scenery, wildlife and value.

If you're flexible with your travel dates, it's well worth considering.

What About the Great Migration?

If witnessing the Great Migration is your dream, timing becomes much more important.

The migration moves throughout the year, but the famous river crossings usually happen between July and October, when huge herds of wildebeest attempt to cross crocodile-infested rivers between Tanzania's Serengeti and Kenya's Maasai Mara.

It's one of the greatest wildlife spectacles on Earth.

Best Time by Destination

Not sure which country suits you best? My Complete Luxury Safari Guide compares South Africa, Botswana, Kenya, Tanzania and Namibia in much more detail, including wildlife, lodges, itineraries and the style of safari each destination offers.

South Africa

Best time for a South Africa safari: May to September

South Africa offers excellent safari year-round, particularly around Kruger National Park and the private reserves bordering it.

Winter brings cooler temperatures and excellent wildlife viewing, while summer offers greener landscapes and plenty of newborn animals.

It's also one of the easiest safaris to combine with Cape Town and the Winelands to create the perfect multi-centre itinerary.

Botswana

Best time for Botswana safari: June to October

Botswana really comes alive during the dry season.

The Okavango Delta attracts huge numbers of animals as floodwaters arrive from Angola, creating one of the most extraordinary wildlife environments anywhere in Africa. Bonus tip: The option to explore its channels by traditional dugout canoe adds a completely different perspective to the experience.

If exclusivity and exceptional guiding are high on your wish list, Botswana is very hard to beat.

Kenya

Best time for Kenya safari: July to October

This is when many visitors travel to witness the Great Migration in the Maasai Mara.

Outside migration season, Kenya still offers excellent wildlife throughout the year with fewer crowds.

Tanzania

Best time for Tanzania safari: June to October

The Serengeti delivers fantastic wildlife throughout the year, while the Ngorongoro Crater (which is one of my favourite places on earth) provides exceptional game viewing in almost every season.

Watching lions hunt across the crater floor remains one of the greatest wildlife experiences I've ever had.

Namibia

Best time for Namibia safari: May to October

Namibia is a little different.

The wildlife is excellent around Etosha National Park during the dry season, but for me, Namibia is just as much about the scenery.

The giant dunes of Sossusvlei on the Skeleton Coast offer brilliant activities like dune boarding for a bit of adrenaline between drives. The endless desert roads make Namibia one of the world's great self-drive destinations.

Does Safari Get Too Hot?

Not usually.

Wildlife is most active at sunrise and sunset, which is why game drives typically take place at these times. During the African winter, early mornings and evenings can feel surprisingly cool, especially in open safari vehicles.

By midday, temperatures rise and you’ll definitely be back in shorts, probably relaxing by the pool. That said, it’s always worth having a warm layer on hand for those cooler moments out on a game drive.

---

So... When Would I Go?

If you asked me for the single best month for safari, I’d choose September.

Wildlife is exceptional, temperatures are comfortable and it's difficult not to come home with incredible photographs.

That said, I've travelled through Africa in different seasons and never once regretted the timing.

My Advice

Don't choose your safari based purely on the calendar - think about the experience you actually want.

Do you want:

• The best wildlife?
• Baby animals?
• Fewer people?
• A safari combined with Cape Town?
• A beach extension to Mauritius or Zanzibar?

Those answers usually determine the best time to travel far better than simply picking a month.

That's where I can help.

Having travelled extensively through Southern Africa myself, I'll help you choose not just the right lodge and itinerary, but the right season for the experience you're hoping to have.

 Get in touch and start planning your African safari today! 

Continue Planning Your Safari

Still researching? These guides will help you plan every part of your trip:

• Complete Beginner's Guide to Going on Safari – ideal if it's your first safari and you're wondering what to expect.
• How Much Does an African Safari Cost? – realistic budgets, what's included, spending money and tipping.
• Complete Luxury Safari Guide – destination comparisons, luxury lodges, safari styles, wildlife and itineraries.

Back to Matt Hills TC Homepage