Are you planning an African getaway but are unsure about the best time to visit?
You might want to avoid your beach holiday being disrupted by a cyclone, or find that all the wildlife has moved on, so it’s important to do a little bit of research before you set off on your travels.
Although Africa is generally warm and sunny throughout the year the best time to visit does vary from country to country.
For example, the best time to spot animals in Kruger National Park is between May and October, whereas the best time to experience East Africa’s iconic Great Migration is between June and early September.
Botswana, Namibia and South Africa
The best time to visit Namibia is in the dry months of July- October, when the wildlife congregates around the remaining waterholes. Destinations such as Kruger National Park offer plenty of opportunities for spectacular sightings but once the rain season starts in November they become more difficult to see.
On the other end of the scale, Cape Town in South Africa experiences its hot and dry peak season from November-March so you may want to book well ahead.
Zambia and Malawi
According to African Safari travel experts Africa Odyssey, the best time to visit Zambia is during the winter months when the weather is dry and not too hot.
However, if you’re planning on doing a spot of Game viewing it’s at its most dramatic in October when the valley is dry and hot.
Ethiopia
Similar to other African nations, the best time to go on an Ethiopian safari is in the dry months of September to April. The land is fresh and lush with vegetation between September – October so that’s also a great time to visit. Rain season months like October are probably best avoided because fog can obscure the fantastic views.
Kenya and Tanzani
While these two East African nations offer Game-viewing all-year round, the long rainy season is the worst time to visit. The wet season, which takes place between March-May, creates poor conditions for trekking and disperses wildlife. If you are planning to climb Kilimanjaro, the wet season it’s probably best to put off that particular adventure until it’s dry.
The best time to visit these countries is from July to October when the famous Great Migration, as well as the Mara River crossing, takes place.
Uganda and Rwanda
If you fancy gorilla spotting, then these two nations are definitely worth a visit. Uganda experiences longer gorilla treks during its rainy season from March to May so if you don’t mind putting up with the conditions then those months present a great opportunity to see some glorious wildlife up close.
Madagascar
If you want to book your visit to Madagascar, we recommend you should travel between March and December as cyclones tend to hit the country in February.
