When & Where to Travel

By February, the majority of ‘Safari Africa’ is in its heavy rains. This time of year sees days when huge storms and non-stop rain can take over.

Our recommendations for February
For travellers whose priority is big game viewing safaris, the majority of Botswana, Zambia, Zimbabwe, and Namibia is best avoided at this time of year. Tanzania and Kenya, however, do not experience the heavy rains, and both are excellent for game viewing. The Great Migration's calving season is in full swing and all the cats are at their most active as they hunt among the large herds. Gorilla trekking is perfect in February, as Rwanda, like Kenya and Tanzania, is in its dry season.

Tanzania
Tanzania’s Northern Circuit is a very good destination in February – indeed, the Serengeti is outrageously good throughout January, February and March, with February being calving month for the Great Migration. Safari aficionados flock to the Serengeti at this time of year, solely for the chance of combining their trip with the two to three weeks when the migration is calving in full.

This is the time of year when approximately 500,000 wildebeest are born in less than a month! It is also at this time that the Serengeti becomes the finest place in Africa to view cheetah, and the sheer concentration of predators on the huge open plains is astonishing. We also use a couple of camps down in the Ngorongoro Conservation Area (effectively an extension of the Serengeti), which offer in addition some of the finest cultural interactions and walking operations on the continent. A trip designed around the Serengeti and Ngorongoro is superb for February.

South Africa
South Africa is a great destination in February, particularly down in Cape Town and along the famous Garden Route. The climate differs greatly between the north and south of the country, but a safari in both the Kruger National Park and Sabi Sands is still superb.

Kenya
Kenya is in its hot dry season in February and is excellent both for big game and bird viewing in the Maasai Mara and Laikipia. As many water sources dry up animals congregate around watering holes making game viewing much easier than the wetter months. The calving season is now also underway and all the cats are extremely active trying to use this opportunity for easy prey.

Rwanda
February is a popular time to visit Rwanda due to warm and generally sunny weather, making for good gorilla-trekking conditions. We recommend Sabyinyo Silverback Lodge and Bisate Lodge. This month does see a gradual increase in rain as it moves towards March, but the changeable weather patterns around Volcanoes National Park make it hard to predict.

By March, the majority of ‘Safari Africa’ is moving towards the end of its heavy rains. The end of March sees the first signs that the rains are ending, and this is a great time of year to travel for value.

Our Recommendation for March
Tanzania is just beginning to start its main rainy season, but it is still a great destination this month. The Great Migration is in full swing and the newborn wildebeest have boosted migration numbers to the heaviest volumes. South Africa is at the tail end of its summer. The country has fewer visitors, and so can also be a very clever destination this month.

Tanzania
Even though the heavy rains are on the horizon in March, game viewing in Tanzania’s Serengeti is still very good at this time of year. The migration is in full swing and the newborn wildebeest have boosted the Great Migration to its heaviest herds.

Tanzania's Northern Circuit is a very good destination in March – indeed, the Serengeti is outrageously good throughout January, February and March, with the park being the finest place in Africa to view cheetah at this time of year. The sheer concentration of predators on the huge open plains is astonishing. We also use a couple of camps down in the Ngorongoro Conservation Area (effectively an extension of the Serengeti), which offer in addition some of the finest cultural interactions and walking operations on the continent. Designing a trip around the Serengeti and Ngorongoro is a superb trip for March, and one that can be very good value, as many of the camps have dropped their rates to ‘low’ season.

South Africa
The Cape in South Africa is a very good place to travel to at the beginning of March. The weather is still good, and driving trips up and down the famous Garden Route are a great option. The negative to travelling at this time of year, however, is that combining the fabulous Cape with high-quality safari is hard – Botswana is in its rainy season and the vast majority of Zambia is still closed, due to rain and floods. Nevertheless, South Africa’s own safari, specifically the Kruger and Sabi Sands, is still superb – and this is the area we would combine with Cape Town for a short add-on safari.

In Botswana the rivers are full, making this a spectacular time to visit the Okavango Delta and Victoria Falls (in Zimbabwe and Zambia), which are at their peak volume.

Our Recommendations for April
In April, East Africa is in the midst of its long rains, making the weather unpredictable. However, the game is exceptionally good in the Serengeti and the Great Migration is in full flow. In the safari areas of southern Africa the rains have passed, and with them the intense heat of summer. The bush is left beautiful, lush, and green after months of rain, which can make searching for larger game a challenge, but it is fantastic for birding. This is also one of the best times of the year to visit the beach destinations of Mauritius and the Seychelles.

South Africa
As autumn sets in South Africa and the trees begin to lose their leaves, it becomes easier to spot animals in the main game reserves during April. The mornings and evenings start getting cooler, and areas like Cape Town and the Garden Route will experience mixed weather at this time of the year.

Botswana
We are huge fans of Botswana in April, as the Okavango starts to flood and the country becomes probably the most beautiful place in Africa. Seeing the Okavango Delta in full flood is something that every safari enthusiast, and arguably everyone, should see! However, this is still not peak season for game viewing, so attention needs to be focused on picking the right camps to guarantee the best game. There is also a huge advantage to travelling to Botswana at this time of year – Africa’s most expensive safari destination is in its low season!

Mauritius
April is one of the best months to visit Mauritius. With nice warm days and cooler evenings and a great sea temperature this is a very popular month for families.

Seychelles
April is one of the warmest months in the Seychelles! The winds calm down as they change direction, preparing for the Southeast Monsoon. Temperatures are usually about 28°C.

We are big fans of Botswana, Zambia, and Zimbabwe at this time of year, but May is also a great month to visit Namibia.

Our Recommendation for May
May sees East Africa at the peak of its heavy rains. Kenya, Uganda, Rwanda, and Tanzania receive their largest rainfall at this time of year, making days unpredictable. In southern Africa, May sees the end of the green season. Visitors start to become interested in the parks in this area, as the bush thins out and animals are attracted back to the permanent sources of water. Beach destinations like Mauritius, the Seychelles, and Mozambique all experience dry days with comfortable temperatures.

South Africa
The trees are continuing to lose their leaves following the previous months onset of autumn in South Africa, further increasing the visibility of wildlife in the main game reserves such as in the Kruger. Mornings and evenings are cooler in May, while Cape Town, the Garden Route, and other areas experience mixed weather.

Botswana
We are huge fans of Botswana in May, as the Okavango is in full flood and the country becomes probably the most beautiful place in Africa at any time of year. The Okavango in full flood is one of Africa’s most beautiful sights. Regarded by those in the know as the ‘secret season’, there is a huge advantage to travelling to Botswana during May – Africa’s most expensive safari destination is still in its low season for rates!

Zambia
Zambia’s famous Luangwa bush camps tend to open in May, and the wonderful Lower Zambezi National Park sees the majority of its camps re-open. This is really the start of Zambia’s season and is a lovely quiet time to come to the country.

Zimbabwe
Zimbabwe comes into its own from May to October and May is a good month to avoid the summer crowds. Victoria Falls is also at its peak flow following the rainy season, making May a great month to combine with some time at the Falls.

Namibia
Namibia is also a fabulous destination in May, as the country is still lush, rain is very rare, and the temperature is pretty much perfect because winter has not yet set in. As with Botswana, the country is in its low season, making for great value.

Mauritius
In Mauritius the winter runs from May until September but this brings with it very pleasant temperatures, making it an ideal time to visit. You can get some rain but this usually comes in the form of light showers.

Seychelles
May is a great month to visit the Seychelles, particularly if you are a keen diver. Water temperatures can reach 29 degrees celsius and visibility is often 30+ metres.  

Mozambique
By April/May, the rain has predominantly stopped in Mozambique and temperatures settle at about 28°C, with the humidity abating. This is the start of the dry season and a great time to head to Mozambique! The water is clear and calm, making for perfect diving weather.

June is the turning point of the year, as the rainy months are left behind and Africa enters into the famous ‘dry season’.

Our Recommendation for June
Game viewing in most parks improves considerably, and all the countries in which we work present a genuine option for your holiday. Choosing where to travel for the best game starts to become rather difficult! East Africa’s main safari countries still have a slight risk of rain, but Tanzania's famous Serengeti and Ngorongoro Crater are superb for game viewing. Rwanda, for gorilla trekking, is also entering its winter season. In southern Africa, June sees seriously good safari on offer in all the main parks in South Africa, Zambia, Botswana, and Zimbabwe. Temperatures in the Indian Ocean are comfortable as the days are dry and clear with winter setting in. The Seychelles and Mozambique tend to be slightly warmer than Mauritius.

Tanzania
Tanzania's Serengeti National Park is a huge attraction in June. The Great Migration is pushing into the western corridor, while the rutting season is going on in earnest. It is certainly a noisy time of year! It is slightly quieter in Tanzania’s northern parks at this time than it is a month later. The south and west of the country are still not in peak season – although trips here are possible, they are not as good as they will be in a month or so.

South Africa
June in South Africa is officially the start of winter, this is the beginning of the peak game-viewing period in the northern reserves. The area begins to dry; and as foliage decreases, animals become easier to find. The northern part of South Africa is the complete opposite to the Cape – in the north it is the start of the dry season in the safari areas, whereas this is when the Cape has most of its rain and temperatures struggle to reach 18°C during the day. The plus point is that June heralds the start of the Cape’s whale migration!

Botswana
Most of Botswana is superb throughout June, and the majority of camps are still in their low- or mid-season rates, making Africa’s most expensive safari destination great value for money. The Okavango is in full flood, the entire Delta looks exceptional, and game viewing across the majority of the Delta is very good. The first herds start to fill up the riverfront of Chobe and the Linyanti area, bringing this area into the start of its peak season. As this northern part of the country gets progressively better, the game leaves the Pans, which slowly start to lose their appeal.

Zambia
With the opening of all the bush camps across the country, Zambia is finally ready for business. Game is starting to head towards the country’s rivers, and the beauty of the Green Season is still evident. There are a number of camps that have low season rates on offer in June, making for exceptionally good value. June is also the time of year that Robin Pope Safaris operates its mind-blowing Liuwa Plains trips.

Zimbabwe
June is the start of the peak season for Zimbabwe (June to September) as the dry season brings with it fantastic weather and animals concentrate around waterholes and rivers. In May and June the Victoria Falls are also at their most powerful and the best viewing of this amazing spectacle is from the Zimbabwe side.

Namibia
Namibia in June is a dry month, with very little chance of rain. The days are warm but the nights can get cold, so we advise packing some warmer winter clothing. June marks the start of the best time of year for game viewing, as the wildlife is forced to the more permanent water sources. This creates the ‘Noah’s Ark’ scenes Etosha is famous for!

Mauritius
June is a lovely month in Mauritius with warm sunny days and cooler evenings. For those looking for high temperatures it may not be the ideal destination.

Seychelles
June is an excellent month to visit the Seychelles with little rain and warm temperatures (temperatures from May to September usually stay between 28 and 30 degrees Celsius).

Mozambique
Mozambique's dry winter season starts in June and the next four months are the peak season for the country. With less wind and weaker currents this is also the perfect time for diving and Whales are often seen from June to October.

Rwanda
June is the start of the dry season and can be considered one of the very best times of year to visit Rwanda, with very low levels of rainfall making for superb gorilla-trekking conditions. Despite this, the erratic weather patterns around Volcanoes National Park make it hard to predict whether or not rain will fall.

The dry season is the best time of year to be in Africa for game viewing, so travelling anywhere in ‘Safari Africa’ is especially rewarding.

Our Recommendation for July
July is the first month that the dry season is in full swing. This is an incredible month, as all the parks in every country are in their peak season. Virtually everywhere offers very high quality safari, and choosing where to travel for the best game starts to become rather difficult! Gorilla trekking in Rwanda is perfect at this time of the year. In the Indian Ocean, Mozambique is calm and warm, while the winds pick up slightly in certain parts of Mauritius and the Seychelles.

Tanzania
Tanzania in July spoils you for choice. The Serengeti National Park is a huge attraction at this time of year, with the Great Migration pushing up to the northern Serengeti where the first river crossings take place. The huge elephant migration is also starting to build in nearby Tarangire. However, the real joy of this month is the fact that Tanzania’s quieter parks come to life. Selous, Ruaha and Katavi are the focal point of the region’s game and fabulous options for a less commercial safari than the northern parks can offer.

South Africa
July is the second month of winter, carrying on the peak game-viewing period in South Africa’s northern reserves. The area becomes drier still, further increasing the visibility of the wildlife. In the Cape, however, rain persists along with a maximum daytime temperature of only 18°C. Nevertheless, the famous whale migration continues!

Botswana
Botswana's most famous parks are in their peak seasons for game viewing. The Okavango, Moremi, Chobe and Linyanti area are absolutely world class at this time of year. The Okavango is in full flood and the entire Delta looks exceptional. As this northern part of the country gets progressively better, the game has pretty much left the Pans and the Kalahari entirely – if you are searching for good game viewing, travelling to these areas starts to become inadvisable.

Zambia
Zambia’s parks are now fully open with every camp in its peak season for travel. The bush has thinned out and grass has been trodden down, meaning that Africa’s finest walking destination, the Luangwa, is at its peak. The Lower Zambezi is an exceptional park at this time of year.

Kenya
July and August sees the Great Migration (hundreds of thousands of wildebeast and zebra) entering the Maasai Mara from Tanzania, creating one of the world's most incredible wildlife spectacles. This is the start of peak season in Kenya and so care needs to be taken to make sure you pick the right camps and avoid the crowded areas.

Zimbabwe
With virtually no rain, clear skies and lots of sunshine this is a very good time of year to visit Zimbabwe. The bush is less dense and animals are starting to concentrate around the main water sources, making game viewing easier.  

Mauritius
July is a popular time to visit Mauritius, although it is one of the cooler months. With the trade winds picking up this month it is usually better to stay on the West coast, where the beaches are sheltered.

Namibia
We love Namibia at this time of year, as the temperatures are still reasonable and the country is looking superb. The game viewing on offer in Etosha is also starting to hit its peak, making the country’s finest safari destination a great addition to any itinerary here.

Rwanda
July is the peak of the dry season and can be considered one of the very best times of year to visit Rwanda, with very low levels of rainfall making for superb gorilla-trekking conditions. Despite this, the volatile weather patterns around Volcanoes National Park make it hard to predict whether or not rain will fall. July is a peak month for Rwanda and booking early is essential, particularly with permit availability in mind.

Seychelles
July is a popular month to visit the Seychelles with little rain and slightly cooler, breezier weather than the hot months of March, April and May. Due to the south-east trade winds the seas on this side of Mahe can be a little choppy so care should be taken on choosing where to stay.

Mozambique
Mozambique is a great destination in July with lots of sunshine and less wind. This is also a great time of year for diving and fishing.

August is the heart of the dry season and the most suitable month for the best African safari. Visitors will find that travelling anywhere in ‘Safari Africa’ is outstanding in August.

Our recommendations for August
The decision where to go depends on the style of safari you are after – and ultimately, your budget. In East Africa, the Great Migration starts to move from the northern parts of the Serengeti into Kenya, becoming a genuine contender for the finest safari experience on the continent. Gorilla trekking in Rwanda is perfect, as the days are clear. In Southern Africa, August is, quite simply, ridiculously good. Botswana and Zambia, specifically, offer what we believe is world-class safari. Temperatures are cooling down in Mauritius, but Mozambique and the Seychelles are still offering lovely warm temperatures.

Tanzania
Tanzania in August spoils you for choice. The Serengeti National Park is a huge attraction at this time of year, with the Great Migration the main focus as river crossings take place daily in the Lamai/Kogatende northern part of the park. Also, Tarangire is the centre of the region’s elephant migration. Combining these two migrations is a popular and very good itinerary. The Selous, Ruaha and Katavi are the focal point of the region’s game and fabulous options for a less commercial safari than the northern parks can offer.

South Africa
August is an equally superb time of year to be in South Africa. The north of the country, especially, guarantees very good weather as well as excellent safaris in Kruger National Park. The farther south you go, the less good the weather becomes, but Cape Town has its own appeal at any time of year, and August also sees the start of the whale migration down on the Garden Route. Overall, this is a great time of year to travel.

Botswana
Botswana’s most famous parks are in their peak seasons for game viewing during August. This month, the Okavango, Moremi, Chobe, and the Linyanti area are absolutely world class. The concentration of elephant around the Chobe and Linyanti region is matched nowhere else in Africa at any time of year. The Okavango is still in flood and the entire Delta looks exceptional. As this northern part of the country is at its peak, the game has pretty much left the Pans and the Kalahari entirely – travelling to these areas starts to become inadvisable if you are searching for good game viewing.

Zambia
Zambia in August is also in its peak season for travel. Africa’s finest walking destination, the Luangwa, is at its peak, with exceptional walking safari and standard game driving on offer in South Luangwa, and just walking in North Luangwa. The Lower Zambezi is an exceptional park at this time of year, a real favourite in the Yellow Zebra office. And Kafue is an extra park to consider for August holidays.

Kenya
August sees Kenya's biggest wildlife highlight in full swing with the annual wildebeest and zebra migration working its way through the Maasai Mara. Of particular focus are the river crossings, where the herds make the regular swims across croc-filled waters.

Zimbabwe
Zimbabwe is currently in the middle of its peak-season viewing time and all the parks are in their prime game-viewing period. Victoria Falls is starting its low water season, a time that is regarded as best for white water rafting.

Namibia
Namibia is superb at this time of year. The game viewing on offer in Etosha is at its peak, making the country’s finest safari destination a great addition to any itinerary here. Trips out to the desert and up the Skeleton Coast are thoroughly rewarding, with beautiful temperatures and clear skies.

Mauritius
Mauritius has warm days in August, but it can cool quickly in the late afternoon and evenings due to the eastern trade winds. We therefore usually recommend staying on the western and southern coasts, where the beaches are better sheltered.

Seychelles
August in the Seychelles sees very little rain and temperatures at roughly around 26°C. Due to the Southeast Monsoon, the seas can be a little choppy in certain areas.

Mozambique
August is one of Mozambique's coolest months, but it still offers a lovely tropical climate and is a peak time to visit. Temperatures during the day soar towards 30°C and then cool for the evening. This is also a great time for diving and fishing.

Rwanda
While August sees a slight increase in the frequency of rain, it should still be considered one of the very best times of year to visit Rwanda. The very low levels of rainfall make for superb gorilla-trekking conditions. Despite this, the variable weather patterns around Volcanoes National Park make it hard to predict whether or not rain will fall. August is a peak month for Rwanda and booking early is essential, particularly with permit availability in mind.

September is the heart of the dry season, the best time of year for big game viewing.

Our Recommendation for September
With August, September is widely regarded as one of the two best months to travel to Africa. Visitors to the continent will find that travelling anywhere in ‘Safari Africa’ is outstanding for the sheer concentration of game to be found in any of the parks. Virtually everywhere offers very high quality safaris, and it starts to become rather difficult to choose where to travel! The long dry season ends around mid-September in Rwanda. The Indian Ocean will see temperatures rising as you move out of winter.

Tanzania
Tanzania spoils you for choice. The Serengeti National Park is a huge attraction at this time of year, with the Great Migration the main focus as river crossings take place daily in the Lamai/Kogatende northern part of the park. Also, Tarangire is the centre of the region’s elephant migration. Combining these two migrations is a popular and very good itinerary. Selous, Ruaha and Katavi are the focal point of the region’s game and fabulous options for a less commercial safari than the northern parks can offer.

South Africa
September is an equally superb time of year to be in South Africa. The north of the country, especially, guarantees very good weather as well as excellent safaris in Kruger National Park. The further south you go, the less good the weather becomes, but Cape Town has its own appeal at any time of year, and this period also sees the start of the whale migration down on the Garden Route. Overall, this is a great time of year to travel.

Botswana
Botswana’s most famous parks are in their peak seasons for game viewing in September. The Okavango, Moremi, Chobe and the Linyanti area are absolutely world class at this time of year. The concentration of elephant around the Chobe and Linyanti region is matched nowhere else in Africa at any time of year. The Okavango is in flood and the entire Delta looks exceptional. As this northern part of the country is at its peak, the game has pretty much left the Pans and the Kalahari entirely – travelling to these areas starts to become inadvisable if you are searching for good game viewing.

Zambia
Zambia in September is also in its peak season for travel. Africa’s finest walking destination, the Luangwa, is at its peak, with exceptional walking safari and standard game driving on offer in the south park, and just walking in North Luangwa. The Lower Zambezi is an exceptional park at this time of year, a real favourite in the Yellow Zebra office. And Kafue is an extra park to consider for September holidays.

Kenya
Kenya in September is one of the best months for seeing the Great Migration in the Maasai Mara. The quieter north of the country (Matthews Range, Laikipia, Lewa and Samburu) are also absolutely superb for game viewing at this time of year.

Zimbabwe
Zimbabwe has perfect conditions during September and with the main holiday season over visitor numbers are much lower. As water has become more scarce during the dry season it is a lot easier to find wildlife around the more permanent water sources.

Mauritius
September is a great time to visit Mauritius with warmer weather than July and August. Mauritius moves into its summer next month and starts to get extremely hot and humid towards the end of the year.

Seychelles
The Seychelles are in their final month of the dry season with little rain and breezier weather than the hot months at the end of the year.

Namibia
Namibia is superb in September. The game viewing on offer in Etosha is at its peak, making the country’s finest safari destination a great addition to any itinerary here. Trips out to the desert and up the Skeleton Coast are thoroughly rewarding, with beautiful temperatures and clear skies.

Mozambique
Mozambique is in its peak season with temperatures starting to rise during the day, although staying cool at night. With visitor numbers lower due to the end of most summer holidays this is a fantastic time to visit the country.

Rwanda
While September is still considered dry season in Rwanda, there is a steady increase in precipitation, compared with July and August particularly. However, gorilla trekking is still nothing short of excellent. Despite this, the irregular weather patterns around Volcanoes National Park make it hard to predict whether or not rain will fall.

October sees the first signs of the end of the famous dry season.

Our Recommendation for October
The first rains start to hit certain regions later in the month, but you will still enjoy good game viewing in the majority of the countries with which we work. This rainfall does not usually affect the quality of safari – in some areas, it is simply a refreshing break from the high temperatures that characterise the end of the dry season. Temperatures are still on the rise in the Seychelles, Mozambique, and Mauritius, as these countries move towards the summer months.

Tanzania
Tanzania’s main parks are still in their peak seasons and the heat is much less extreme than in southern Africa’s main parks – specifically those in Botswana, Zambia and Namibia. We are huge fans of the dry-season parks in October – specifically Ruaha and Katavi, where the lack of visitors and high volume of game makes it a fabulous and authentic safari destination. In the north of the country, Tarangire’s elephant herds are at their largest, while the Serengeti sees an increase in river crossings as the herds start their journey south.

South Africa
October is an interesting month to travel to South Africa because the Cape is coming into its peak season with beautiful days and clear skies. The Kruger is also impressive at this time of year because the rains have not yet set in.

Botswana
If you can handle the heat, Botswana is good at this time of year. The heat drives the game towards the watering holes, swelling herds and making life easier for the predators as they hang out around the lakes and rivers. Chobe and the Linyanti see vast herds of elephant, while the Okavango Delta offers the herds a permanent source of water. Chitabe Reserve in the southern Delta and the herds in the Linyanti are awesome sights, while the Boteti River area south of Maun sees large build-ups of game on its banks.

Zambia
As with Botswana, Zambia is a superb destination throughout October, as long as you can handle the high temperatures. Huge herds of buffalo and elephant move through the Luangwa Valley, while the populations of elephant in the Zambezi Valley are equally impressive. The general concentrations of game throughout all the parks are unbelievably high, so excellent for viewing.

Kenya
Kenya in October is also at the end of its dry season and offers superb game viewing as well as excellent value with many camps dropping rates as visitor numbers start to decline.

Zimbabwe
Zimbabwe is starting to get very hot now, ensuring that wildlife is all concentrated around the permanent water sources, and offers tremendous game viewing.

Mauritius
October is the last month of the dry winter in Mauritius and the perfect time to visit before the country gets hot and humid during its summer months.

Seychelles
October is a very good month to visit the Seychelles as it is a transition month between the trade winds. The cooler southeast trade winds come to and end with the warmer northwest tradewinds arriving.

Namibia
October is the height of the dry season in Namibia, and one of the hottest months of the year. This is one of the best times for game viewing, as water is particularly scarce and wildlife is forced to congregate around the few remaining permanent waterholes. Daytime temperatures can reach 29°C (84°F) and often hotter in the desert.

Mozambique
If you prefer temperatures in the higher 30s to 34°C, then October, approaching the end of the dry season, is a perfect time to visit Mozambique! The water is calm and clear, so diving conditions are ideal.

Rwanda
Rwanda in October is very much the crossover month between the dry season and the short rains, making gorilla-trekking conditions somewhat unpredictable. For the most part, days are still warm and sunny, meaning that gorilla treks are still highly recommended.

With the start of the rains as late as around mid- to the end of November, this is one of the best times to visit Botswana and to take advantage of the lower shoulder season rates.

Our Recommendation for November
November is a tricky time of year to travel to Africa. However, if you choose your destination carefully, this month can be one of the very best. Both East and southern Africa see low visitor numbers, and the lodges drop their rates to encourage business – the value on offer is first rate. Mozambique, Mauritius, and the Seychelles are all at the start of their summer months, so temperatures are high and there is a chance of afternoon thundershowers.

Tanzania
Tanzania also sees the majority of the country’s best camps dropping their rates in November. Some lodges drop rates by as much as 40 per cent, making them extremely good value. One must remember that light rain is to be expected during this period, but that really is no reason not to travel to the country. However, we would recommend Northern Tanzania over Southern Tanzania towards the end of the month – this is due to the fact that the rains affect the game down south, whereas the Great Migration, Ngorongoro and Serengeti remain superb.

South Africa
South Africa in November is a good country to visit throughout the month. This is a lovely time of year, especially in the Cape. Spring is turning into summer and the weather is warming up nicely.

Botswana
A few thunderstorms are normal in November throughout Botswana. However, do not let this put you off travelling at this time of year – these dramatic storms are awe-inspiring! Temperatures are still high, but the country is famous for its dry heat, so travelling at the hottest time of year is certainly bearable. The drop in rates is a huge incentive to travelling – some of Botswana’s most famous camps offer as much as 40 per cent off, and the game-viewing is still superb.

Kenya
Kenya's short rains usually start in mid to late November and last for a few weeks. However this does not detract much from a great game experience and Kenya still a good destination for safari. The rains tend to come in the late afternoon and evening and day time temperatures range between 24 and 30 degress, with cooler mornings and evenings. November is also a very good month for birding.

Mauritius
November is a great month to visit Mauritius with temperatures having risen over the past few months but not yet too hot and humid. You can still get a little bit of rain and cloud but this usually comes in the form of short thunderstorms in the evenings. November is the start of peak season which runs through to April.

Seychelles
November is one of the best months to visit the Seychelles as it is a transition period between the hot, humid trade winds from the south-east and the cooler winds from the north-west. This means calmer conditions in both the sea and weather and makes it an ideal time to visit for the beach and water-based activities such as snorkelling and diving.

Namibia
Namibia in November is a very variable month. For the most part it is hot and dry, but with the onset of occasional thundershowers building up towards the end of the month. On average, temperatures can reach above 30°C (86°F) during the day. This is also the onset of the calving season, which results in heightened predator activity.

Kenya's Maasai Mara, Laikipia, and Lewa, and Tanzania’s Serengeti and Ngorongoro are simply superb.

Our recommendations for December
As the wet season starts to set in, game viewing becomes more difficult in southern Africa, as waterholes across the country open up and the herds disperse into smaller group. The majority of Zambia and Zimbabwe is shut at this time of year, whereas South Africa still has enough concentrations of game to guarantee a top-quality safari.  

Tanzania
Tanzania’s light rains have a substantial effect on the movement of game in the lesser known reserves – Katavi, Ruaha and Selous see a dramatic shift in game volumes as herds disperse across these vast parks. The result is substantially more difficult big game-viewing. However Tanzania’s Northern Circuit is fantastic at this time of year, with the Serengeti’s Great Migration in full swing.

South Africa
December is one of South Africa’s finest months, as the weather in the Cape and up the Garden Route is at its best. Safari is not as good as a couple of months previously, but the Kruger’s private reserves still offer excellent big game viewing – Timbavati is one of our favourite destinations for a South African safari at this time of year.

Kenya
Kenya's short rains are usually over by mid-December and the dry season is beginning. After the rains the scenery looks dramatically green and although this can make game viewing more difficult than the dry season do not let this put you off. Kenya in December is a great month for safari in Kenya and works extremely well for Christmas or New Year breaks, although you must book these key dates a long way in advance to get the best camps.

Mauritius
December is a great month to visit Mauritius with temperatures for the year reaching a peak in either December or January. The advantage of December is that humidty levels are not yet as high as January and so it is great beach weather for sun worshippers. As this is the summer rainy season you can get some sporadic tropical showers and thunderstorms, usually in the evenings, but are almost guaranteed 6 - 8 sunny hours each day.

Seychelles
December is a very popular month to visit the Seychelles and one of the warmest months of the year. During December the islands can be quite wet, with light winds and care should be taken to avoid the southern islands that are within the cyclone belt.