Africa can be visited any time of the year depending on the country of your interest. Though what is called best is when it’s easy to find animals in good numbers. Travel times differ in different countries so you can plan a safari every month if your work schedules are flexible. Check out some of the most visited Africa countries and their best time for safari holidays.
The Equatorial Africa’s climate is dominated by an enormous band of weather called the Inter Tropical Convergence Zone which migrates southwards from equatorial regions reaching Southern Africa in November and departing in February. It also delivers two periods of rainfall in East Africa, commonly known as the “long” rains (from March to May) and the “short” rains (from October to December). Winters occur from May to July in Southern Africa and can be quite cold though nearly always sunny. Lowland Kenya and Tanzania remain at a comfortably warm temperature all the year round.
The ITCZ weather system and the rain it brings is almost solely responsible for all the breeding and behavioral patterns of Africa’s wildlife and birds and the annual rejuvenation of vegetation in sub-Saharan Africa. This in turn may affect when and indeed where one chooses to safari.
Southern Africa
Prime game viewing in Southern Africa is prior to the rains when game concentrates around diminishing water sources.
Brief Guide to Countries
South Africa-Kruger National Park
If you planning to go safari to South Africa and your place of interest is Kruger National Park, June- September is the finest time during the dry months. Wildlife can be spotted clearly even when you decide to head out on other park tour adventures. The roads are great so everything can work perfect even during other months of the year provided you have time for a vacation.
Botswana – The Wildlife Paradise
Famous for being costly, Botswana can be best visited in June – September during the dry season months. Most parks have no direct road access and tourists just use charters or small plains to get there. Many travelers find it hard to visit the country despite its high concentration of wildlife. However, for those hoping to explore the country on budget, April, May and October are the best travel time we could recommend.
Eastern Africa
In East Africa rainfall drives the famous Wildebeests migration, in March the herds are in the southern Serengeti and by November they are in the Masai Mara. Whilst most herbivores have some form of migratory pattern most predators are territorial and remain in a given location regardless of rainfall. Trekking mountain gorillas in Uganda and Rwanda is best without rain, similar to tracking chimpanzees. Most people prefer to safari when there is little chance of rain but experiencing tremendous tropical thunderstorms can make safaris more impressive!
Uganda – The Pearl of Africa
Usually when its winter in Europe, Uganda is hot and when its summer, Uganda experiences its rain season. But the best time to visit Uganda is from June-October and December to March the so called dry months of the year. However, don’t get surprised when it showers during the considered dry season since weather patterns change time to time.
During the dry months the grass is short and one can enjoy excellent wildlife viewing, primate’s walks & treks, birds and all kinds of forest habitants can be spotted as they search for comfort from the hot sun. As per the saying East, West home best, still those who visit the country during the rainy months experience only the very best. And though it rains, it can’t take all day. Remember Uganda is one of the countries in Africa with the best weather year round.
Kenya – The popular spot for wildlife & Mountains
If your interest for visiting Kenya is just to go on safari and see wildlife , then any time of the year is perfectly fine, however if you want to witness the annual wildebeest migration, the best time is July to October. But the general dry months of Kenya are January-March and July-October best Kenya safari months of the year for any type of trip bit mountain climbing or wildlife viewing.
Tanzania – The Land of Wildlife & plains
Here the best time to witness wildlife migration is February-March when mother Zebras guide the young ones in the middle of many predators hunting for a meal each minute. During this time of the year the south sector of Serengeti is more exciting. But June –November is Tanzania best time to visit all the country attractions either beaches, game reserves and mountains.
Zambia – Magical land of wildlife
Here wildlife can only be spotted in large numbers at the end of the dry season in the months of September –November. Common seen animals are Impalas, Zebras, elephants, Buffaloes, elephants etc. But even those who visit the country in April-September grab amazing wildlife memories from the lower Zambezi Valley. Are looking at visiting only Victoria falls?, March and April are simply the best.
Conclusion
However, Africa can be visited any time of the year depending on the country of your interest. Though what is called best is when it’s easy to find animals in good numbers. Travel times differ in different countries so you can plan a safari every month if your work schedules are flexible. Check out some of the most visited Africa countries and their best time for safari holidays.