What are the Best Months for African safaris?

An African safari can be as dramatic as the nature documentaries suggest. There is something truly magical about entering the realms of lion, leopard, elephant, rhino, and mountain gorillas. From early morning onwards, when you wake to the sound of monkeys and birds, the unrivaled atmosphere builds. Whatever your age, and however many times you’ve been on safari, the feeling never leaves you. But for the top experience possible you’ll need to know what the best months for African safaris are!

What to Expect From Africa’s Weather

Africa’s seasons are very different to those of Europe and north America. And although the continent’s climate can appear too complicated to understand at first, it’s actually very simple.

Instead of four seasons (spring, summer, fall, and winter) with different weather conditions, Africa’s climate is best divided into wet and dry seasons. This is especially true in the destinations of the best Africa trips such as Uganda, Tanzania, Kenya, and Rwanda in east Africa.

This is because these nations lie on or very near the equator, splitting the Earth into its northern and southern hemispheres. Countries north of the equator roughly follow the seasonal differences of Europe and north America, while those south of this imaginary line see their seasons flipped by comparison. It means Christmas isn’t dominated by colder weather, but by the height of summer.

Close to the equator itself, countries can be said to have their very own regional climate, which is dominated by the arrival and departure of annual rains.

So What Are the Best Months for an African Safari?

Given Africa’s intriguing seasonal variabilities, the best months for an African safari are the end of June until October of each year. Heading out on a safari during these months will see you exploring during the long dry season.

From a human perspective, temperatures tend to be some of their lowest of the year, and you might even want a sweater for those early morning game drives. But June to October is also the best time to go on an African safari from the animals’ perspective.

The reason for this is that animals are easier to spot. The vegetation of the plains dies back as the season progresses, so there are less places for animals to hide. At the same time, the lack of water requires animals to seek out remaining waterholes, and driver-guides will know exactly where you’ll be able to find them. Then add to this clear skies perfect for photography and mesmerizing sunsets, and you’ve undoubtedly got the best months for African safaris!

The downside of traveling between June and October is that their superb conditions make them the most popular months to visit east Africa. Prices tend to ramp up for flights and accommodation, and there will be more vehicles seeking out those epic animal encounters on the plains.

Even so, June to October can’t be faulted. But for a full month by month breakdown of reasons to head out on safari, just keep reading!

January

The start of the short dry season makes January a great alternative pick for a safari. Tanzania’s Tarangire is known for its birds, and Kenya’s Maasai Mara starts to fill with new life as various antelope and herbivore species calve.

February

Looking for a very special valentine’s day gift? Look no further than Uganda’s Queen Elizabeth National Park in February. The month is one of the best times to visit Uganda.

March

Take advantage of the drier weather conditions to go chimpanzee trekking in Rwanda’s Nyungwe Forest.

April

The start of the year’s first rainy season. However, if you’re on a tight budget, April is arguably the best month for African safaris, with plenty of animal life still visible across the continent.

May

There’s no doubting May is another wet month. It isn’t usually considered the best time to go gorilla trekking in Uganda or Rwanda, but their montane forest homes are pretty wet year round and cooler temperatures can bring gorilla families closer to camp too.

June

The rains begin to ease, making the end of the month a great option for those looking to avoid peak season.

July

Probably the most popular month for gorilla trekking tours in Uganda and Rwanda. Elsewhere, the mass herds of the Great Wildebeest Migration in Tanzania’s Serengeti National Park are at their most impressive, making it one of the best times to visit Tanzania.

August

Another brilliant month for wildlife viewing, whether that’s in Kenya’s Tsavo East National Park, Uganda’s Murchison Falls, or Tanzania’s Ngorongoro Crater. River crossings dominate proceedings with the Great Wildebeest Migration.

September

The Great Wildebeest Migration moves into Kenya’s Maasai Mara, drawing in with it an impressive array of predators such as lions just waiting for their chance to pounce.

October

Showers dominate October’s weather. As the month progresses, Africa’s plains take on a whole new look as plants and grasses regrow. This makes October an increasing favorite with second and third time safari goers.

November

November is another great month for bird lovers – consider Murchison Falls National Park and the Kidepo Valley, both in Uganda, among your potential destinations.

December

Despite the run up to Christmas, December is a time to explore without the crowds. You will see some showers and higher temperatures, but flights and accommodation are normally much easier to arrange.

Deciding the Best Months for Your African Safari

The best months for African safaris are usually considered the start of July through to October, helpfully coinciding with the long school vacation in much of the world. However, when thinking about what the best months for African safaris are, you shouldn’t discount the remaining months of the year.

As our calendar shows, there’s something to enjoyed on the continent even during the wettest months of the year! Not only does the region offer Big Five game viewing, but gorilla trekking, bird watching, and a whole range of other activities, from chimp encounters to Nile river cruises!